Rae Ellen Bichell
Rae Ellen Bichell is a reporter for NPR's Science Desk. She first came to NPR in 2013 as a Kroc fellow and has since reported Web and radio stories on biomedical research, global health, and basic science. She won a 2016 Michael E. DeBakey Journalism Award from the Foundation for Biomedical Research. After graduating from Yale University, she spent two years in Helsinki, Finland, as a freelance reporter and Fulbright grantee.
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When it comes to living at extreme altitudes, Tibetans may have gotten a leg up from Denisovans, a species of archaic humans that lived about 50,000 years ago. -
The search for a universal treatment for snakebites is complicated by the fact that each species has a very different cocktail of toxins. Even knowing a snake's DNA might not help much. -
For smokers hoping to quit, text messages with tips and reminders may be just as effective as phone counseling, a study finds. Texts doubled the success rate compared with people who didn't text. -
Getting pregnant again within a year of giving birth boosts the chance that the second baby will be born prematurely, a study finds. The risk was especially high for black women. -
Most people diagnosed with heart failure die within five years, yet doctors often don't ask them about how they want to prepare for death, a study finds. They cited lack of confidence as one reason. -
With babies getting bigger and moms' pelvises getting smaller, it's no wonder moms have problems in delivery these days. Inventors have come up with all kinds of devices to help babies into the world. Some seem promising, but others are a little far-fetched. -
Families seeking mental health care for a suicidal relative often face a labyrinth. First, they must obtain a legal commitment order, then they must find space on a hospital ward. State budget cuts have made it harder to get care during a mental health crisis. -
Fruits and vegetables are undeniably important to a healthful diet. But there's another side to some of these plants that, thankfully, most people never see: the tiny amounts of toxin within them. Lucky for us, healthy human bodies are remarkably good at filtering out toxins from everyday foods. -
Why is kissing found in practically every culture? A kiss can convey passion, love and, perhaps subconsciously, a veritable catalog of information about the worthiness of a potential mate. So much for romance.
