Stories by Lauren J. Young

Researchers in the U.S. are grappling with Trump administration executive orders around health and science agency funding and communications.

ZYN, the popular brand of flavored nicotine pouches, recently earned FDA authorization for reducing smoking, but some questions linger. Experts explain the efficacy and potential health risks of nicotine pouches

A common respiratory virus called human metapneumovirus, or HMPV, has been spreading in some countries in Asia, including China, India, Malaysia and Kazakhstan. Here’s what we know

The scientists behind a popular study on the health effects of flame retardants in black plastic cooking utensils and toys made a calculation error but still say their revised findings are alarming

A new study suggests certain lipids, particularly omega-6 fatty acids, which are commonly found in seed oils used to make ultraprocessed junk food, may promote inflammation that can lead to colon cancer tumors

From the “sleepy girl mocktail” to power naps, researchers explained which sleep trends this year really help with quality shut-eye

A new study finds tweaking part of the H5N1 virus infecting dairy cows in a single spot could allow it to better attach to human cell receptors, raising concerns it could transmit more easily between people

Canada’s first human case of bird flu has left a teenager in critical condition as human infections continue to emerge in the western U.S.

Wastewater in several Californian cities, including San Francisco and Los Angeles, recently tested positive for bird flu. But understanding disease risk and exposure to humans isn’t so straightforward

The outcome of the 2024 U.S. presidential election could reshape policies from health care at home to nuclear proliferation abroad

Scientific American staff and sleep experts share advice on how to get better sleep in the stressful days leading up to the U.S. presidential election—and those that come after

Harris recently proposed a Medicare plan that would cover at-home health aides and other long-term care services, which could provide much needed relief to older adults and caregivers

Wegovy and similar weight-loss medications are becoming widely prescribed for teenagers with obesity, but little is known about their long-term effects

As Hurricane Milton approaches Florida, people in recently storm-stricken areas grapple with the physical and mental health tolls of evacuating and seeking shelter

Both Trump and Harris pledge to make drug prices affordable and health care accessible. Here’s how their policies differ

Caring for aging loved ones brings its own set of emotional and physical hurdles. Experts offer guidance on finding support.

New research harnessed the highly absorbent dye tartrazine, used as the common food coloring Yellow No. 5, to turn tissues in living mice clear—temporarily revealing organs and vessels inside the animals

Personal stories and research reveal the challenges of family caregiving.

An expert explains the transmission and symptoms of eastern equine encephalitis, a rare mosquito-borne illness that has caused one death and two hospitalizations in northeastern states

Researchers combined the drug harmine with a medication similar to Ozempic to boost the number and function of human insulin-producing cells transplanted into mice

Project 2025 would jeopardize federal scientists’ independence and undermine their influence

Researchers are investigating changes in cancer risks among young people as new data predict that rising rates of leading cancers, such as colon cancer, will overtake improvements

Flash pasteurization destroyed H5N1 viral particles that were highly concentrated in raw milk, confirming that standard techniques can keep dairy products safe from bird flu

Blockbuster weight-loss drugs are revealing how appetite, pleasure and addiction work in the brain