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CRISPR gene-editing works to reduce high cholesterol in a new study

www.npr.org/2025/11/08/n...
CRISPR gene-editing works to reduce high cholesterol in a new study
An experimental gene-editing treatment shows promise for permanently lowering levels of cholesterol and triglycerides, possibly helping cut the risk for heart disease.
www.npr.org
November 8, 2025 at 6:10 PM
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CDC advisers study safety of aluminum additive in vaccines, worrying scientists

www.npr.org/2025/10/31/g...

www.npr.org/2025/10/28/n...
The Trump administration move to study aluminum in vaccines worries scientists
Aluminum has been added to certain vaccines for decades to boost their effect on the immune system, and has been shown to be safe. But, the Trump administration may be considering removing it.
www.npr.org
October 31, 2025 at 1:51 PM
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With no guidelines yet from CDC, getting a COVID shot remains confusing

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The CDC still hasn't issued COVID vaccine guidelines, leaving access in limbo
Access to the COVID-19 vaccines remains difficult because of an unusual and unexplained delay by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in accepting recommendations from its advisers.
www.npr.org
October 2, 2025 at 10:05 PM
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Scientists create human eggs via in vitro gametogenesis

www.npr.org/2025/09/30/n...
Scientists create human eggs in the lab, using skin cells
Scientists created the eggs using DNA from adult skin cells, a step that could someday potentially lead to new ways to treat infertility and enable gay couples to have genetically related children.
www.npr.org
September 30, 2025 at 10:09 PM
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People face hurdles getting COVID vaccines at the pharmacy

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They want COVID shots to protect their health or family. They can't get them
Though the FDA narrowed criteria for the shots, many people still want them, to avoid illness and protect vulnerable family members. Some are turned down at the pharmacy or have to jump through hoops.
www.npr.org
September 12, 2025 at 12:15 PM
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COVID vaccines now approved only for high-risk people

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The latest COVID vaccines come with new FDA limits
The Food and Drug Administration approved the next round of COVID-19 vaccines, but is restricting them to people at high risk for COVID complications.
www.npr.org
August 27, 2025 at 10:08 PM
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Embryos small but mighty, live videos show

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Embryos small but mighty, first live videos show
Scientists have recorded a human embryo implanting in a womb in real time. The implications of how it happens could lead to more and better treatments for infertility.
www.npr.org
August 17, 2025 at 1:18 PM
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The tech behind genetically modified babies is getting a reboot

www.npr.org/2025/08/12/n...
The tech behind genetically modified babies is getting a reboot : Short Wave
A Chinese scientist, He Jiankui, made a shocking announcement to the world in 2018: He had secretly engineered the birth of the first gene-edited babies. The birth of the twins was seen as reckless an...
www.npr.org
August 12, 2025 at 12:54 PM
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The quest to creat gene-edited babies gets a reboot

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The quest to create gene-edited babies gets a reboot
There's a fresh push to edit the genes of human embryos to prevent diseases and enhance characteristics that parents value. Bioethicists say just because it's possible doesn't mean it should be done.
www.npr.org
August 6, 2025 at 6:00 PM
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Ancient miasma theory may help explain Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s vaccine moves

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Ancient miasma theory may help explain Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s vaccine moves
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. apparently embraces the outdated "miasma theory" of disease instead of the widely accept "germ theory" of disease, which may help explain some of the actions he'...
www.npr.org
June 14, 2025 at 1:45 PM
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COVID vaccine changes confuse and upset some parents and families

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COVID vaccine changes confuse and upset some parents and families
Federal health officials have changed the game for COVID vaccine access. Pregnant moms and others who rely on them to protect a high-risk family member are scared.
www.npr.org
June 3, 2025 at 6:04 PM
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CDC to stop recommending COVID vaccine for kids, pregnant women

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RFK Jr. says COVID shots no longer recommended for kids, pregnant women
Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr. announced that CDC recommendations for COVID vaccines will no longer include healthy pregnant women and healthy children.
www.npr.org
May 27, 2025 at 10:36 PM
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A promising genetic treatment tailor-made for a baby born with a rare disorder

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A promising genetic treatment tailor-made for a baby born with a rare disorder
For the first time, doctors have created a customized treatment using the revolutionary gene-editing technique known as CRISPR to treat a baby with a rare, life-threatening genetic disorder.
www.npr.org
May 15, 2025 at 5:10 PM
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Trump administration's universal flu vaccine project puzzles scientists

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Trump administration's universal flu vaccine project puzzles scientists
The Trump administration has launched a $500 million project to develop a universal flu vaccine that won't need yearly updates. But vaccine experts are mystified by its focus on a dated technology.
www.npr.org
May 13, 2025 at 11:16 PM
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Trump restricts funding for controversial 'gain-of-function' research

www.npr.org/2025/05/05/n...
Trump restricts funding for 'gain-of-function' research — calling it dangerous
President Trump issued an executive order Monday banning federal funding for any research abroad that involves a field of scientific study known as "gain-of-function" research. Here's what it means.
www.npr.org
May 6, 2025 at 1:45 PM
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Medical journals hit with threatening letters from Justice Department

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Medical journals hit with threatening letters from Justice Department
The interim U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia has sent letters to several leading medical journals asking for information about their editorial practices.
www.npr.org
May 2, 2025 at 11:37 PM
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RFK Jr. to require placebo-controlled studies for new vaccines

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RFK Jr. to require placebo-controlled studies for new vaccines
The Department of Health and Human Services says it will require new vaccines to be tested against a placebo, which could complicate and delay Food and Drug Administration approval of many vaccines.
www.npr.org
May 2, 2025 at 1:37 AM
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HHS reverses course and restores funding for Women's Health Initiative

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In a reversal, the Trump administration restores funding for women's health study
The unexpected elimination of funding for the decades-long research project focused on women's health shocked scientists. They were heartened by the quick restoration of support.
www.npr.org
April 25, 2025 at 2:08 AM
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Women's Health Initiative study loses federal funding

www.npr.org/2025/04/23/n...
Funding cut for landmark study of women's health
The Women's Health Initiative, begun in the 1990s, has made many important discoveries. Now funding to collect more research data will end in September.
www.npr.org
April 24, 2025 at 3:41 AM
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‘Lab Leak,’ a flashy page on the virus’ origins, replaces government COVID sites

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'Lab Leak,' a flashy page on the virus' origins, replaces government COVID sites
The new page emphatically promotes a theory that many scientists question. Meanwhile, basic information about COVID testing and vaccines has disappeared.
www.npr.org
April 18, 2025 at 11:39 PM
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White House orders NIH to research trans “regret” and “detransition.”

www.npr.org/sections/sho...
White House orders NIH to research trans 'regret' and 'detransition'
The new research will study the physical and mental health effects of gender transition. It comes on the heels of the administration cutting hundreds of research grants for LGBTQ+ health.
www.npr.org
April 11, 2025 at 2:31 PM
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White House orders NIH to research trans 'regret' and 'detransition'

www.npr.org/2025/04/11/n...
White House orders NIH to research trans 'regret' and 'detransition'
The Trump administration has ordered the National Institutes of Health to study the physical and mental health effects of undergoing gender transition, including regret. The research comes at a time w...
www.npr.org
April 11, 2025 at 11:46 AM
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I’m Rob Stein, a correspondent at NPR covering the N.I.H. I’m working on a story about how the cuts are affecting intramural research. Anyone have any concrete examples of how experiments, trials, research etc has been damaged? If so, please contact me at rstein@npr.org or on Signal at robstein.22.
April 8, 2025 at 11:32 PM
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NIH leaders offered Indian Health Service jobs in Alaska, Montana, Dakotas

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Transfer to Alaska? Offer to health leaders called 'insult' to Indian Health Service
NPR obtained emails that went out last week to leaders at health agencies offering to transfer them to postings in tribal communities. Officials close to Dr. Anthony Fauci got the offer.
www.npr.org
April 7, 2025 at 5:54 PM
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Peter Marks cites RFK Jr.'s 'misinformation and lies' as a reason for his resignation

www.npr.org/sections/sho...
The top FDA vaccine official is forced out, cites RFK Jr.'s 'misinformation and lies'
A top vaccine advisor at the FDA was forced to resign on Friday. In his resignation letter, Dr. Peter Marks wrote "truth and transparency are not desired," by HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
www.npr.org
March 29, 2025 at 7:33 PM