Audrey Carlsen
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Congress saw its first two members enter self-quarantine on March 8. Several outbreaks forced dozens more to quarantine after testing positive. Lawmakers started receiving the vaccine in December.
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COVID-19 hospitalizations continue to skyrocket in the U.S. NPR built a tool to explore the latest trends around the country. Look up your local hospital to see how it's faring. -
Parts of the West Coast experienced very unhealthy or hazardous air from wildfires for the first time ever recorded. Millions endured that smoke for twice as long as the recent average.
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An NPR investigation shows that black and Latino neighborhoods in four large Texas cities have fewer coronavirus testing sites, leaving communities blind to potential COVID-19 outbreaks.
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More than 200 dietary supplements have been recalled in recent years because they contain drugs that aren't listed on the label and are potentially harmful, an analysis finds.
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A push to make narcotic painkillers harder to abuse means that generic versions of OxyContin won't be allowed. But drugs that are more resistant to abuse are expensive and can still be addictive.
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Ricin is a naturally occurring toxin found in castor beans. You can get sick by eating beans. But purified ricin can be made pretty easily and used for no-good.
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Research in mice suggests that short-term hearing loss caused by loud noise like rock concerts may protect ears from more serious damage. But adapting to noise can be dangerous, researchers warn.
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Wild animals use all sorts of plants and natural substances to ward off illness. There are chimpanzees that eat leaves to purge parasites and bees that coat hives with resin to beat back bacteria.
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For the hearing-impaired, sounds are quieter, but they can also be fuzzier and maddeningly distorted. Listen to these audio clip simulations of what that kind of hearing loss sounds like.
