Life

Health, science, climate, and society-focused reporting.

Briefing: Most Medicare Beneficiaries Affected by Plan Terminations in 2025 Have Robust Medicare Advantage Options in 2026

Strategic angle: Virtually all (98.9%) of the 2.6 million Medicare beneficiaries enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan that terminated coverage at the end of 2025 have at least one MA-PD available in 2026.

editorial-staff Mar 13

Life

Briefing: Proposing simple measures to prevent industry dumping plastic pellets into the sea

Strategic angle: The presence of small plastic pellets on the beaches of Donostia and Orio highlights a concerning source of pollution from industrial microplastics.

editorial-staff Mar 13

Life

Briefing: Geneticists challenge common model of how cells retain their identity

Strategic angle: A new study from Umeå University suggests that the widely accepted model of cellular identity may be flawed.

editorial-staff Mar 13

Life

Epstein’s pal attempts a biotech comeback, and Prasad exits the FDA

On this week's The Readout LOUD podcast: A friend of Jeffrey Epstein attempts a biotech comeback, and (another) Prasad FDA exit.

editorial-staff Mar 13

Life

Briefing: Regenerative grazing study reveals trade-offs for sheep farmers

Strategic angle: A new study highlights the balance between environmental benefits and economic challenges in regenerative agriculture for sheep farming.

editorial-staff Mar 13

Life

Briefing: Trump's Influence on Drug Prices: A Closer Look

Strategic angle: Exploring the ongoing battle over drug pricing and the contrasting approaches of Trump and Biden.

editorial-staff Mar 13

Life

Recent Trends in Medicaid Outpatient Prescription Drugs and Spending

This issue brief describes recent trends in the number of Medicaid outpatient prescriptions and the spending on those drugs and examines the implications of recent federal actions on future trends.

editorial-staff Mar 13

Life

Briefing: Who are the key figures in the sewage crisis, and where are they now?

Strategic angle: With anger stoked by Channel 4’s drama Dirty Business, we look at what has happened to some of the main players.

editorial-staff Mar 13

Life

Briefing: Trump policies set to increase rates of lung disease and death, study finds

Strategic angle: Experts warn of ‘attack on Americans’ lungs’ from cuts to health programs and environmental rollbacks.

editorial-staff Mar 13

Life

Briefing: Make next year’s flu shots, says FDA committee

Strategic angle: Vaccine skepticism, FDA-authorized vape flavors, and more health news from Morning Rounds

editorial-staff Mar 13

Life

Poll: Public Worries About Prescription Drug Costs Reach New High

Most Across Political Parties Want Government to Do More to Regulate Prices

editorial-staff Mar 13

Life

Briefing: Trump is getting more credit than Biden for efforts to lower drug prices

Strategic angle: Trump is drawing more attention to his efforts to lower drug prices, like TrumpRx.

editorial-staff Mar 13

Life

Briefing: FDA move on flavored vapes rattles public health experts

Strategic angle: New FDA guidance suggests mint, coffee, and spice vape flavors could be authorized, raising debate over toxic additives and youth vaping risks.

editorial-staff Mar 13

Life

Briefing: Leapfrog Group’s legal defeat underscores challenges of rating hospital quality

Strategic angle: The legal battle underscores the complicated questions surrounding how best to evaluate hospital safety.

editorial-staff Mar 13

Life

Briefing: White House says it’s ‘done’ with vaccines. MAHA begs to differ

Strategic angle: As Trump political advisers try to move on from vaccine policy debates, MAHA movement insiders push back, calling RFK Jr. supporters vital to GOP's success.

editorial-staff Mar 13

Life

Briefing: Eruption at Mayon

Strategic angle: Activity at the volcano in the Philippines sent lava and pyroclastic flows down the volcano’s flanks and prompted evacuations in nearby communities.

editorial-staff Mar 13

Life

Briefing: Scientists discovered a secret deal between a plant and beetles

Strategic angle: A study reveals an unexpected partnership between Japanese red elder plants and Heterhelus beetles.

editorial-staff Mar 13

Life

Briefing: Harnessing eDNA to Help Conserve Australia's Oceans

Strategic angle: Environmental DNA offers a new approach to marine conservation efforts in Australia.

editorial-staff Mar 13

Life

Briefing: Scientists discover a universal temperature curve that governs all life

Strategic angle: Researchers have uncovered a universal pattern showing how temperature affects life on Earth.

editorial-staff Mar 13

Life

Briefing: Social media influencers increase the toxicity and power of misinformation, research shows

Strategic angle: Research from Cardiff Business School highlights the role of social media influencers in spreading misinformation.

editorial-staff Mar 13