Stories by Fonda Mwangi

States sue HHS for public health cuts, measles cases continue to rise, and a study finds Americans live shorter lives compared with their European counterparts.

USAID is responsible for global health efforts that have saved the lives of millions of children. What happens when those programs are cut?

A mysterious and often debated aspect of human sexuality colloquially known as “squirting” sparks controversy. This episode explores what research reveals.

Cuts to federal health and science agencies continue. Plus, we discuss the sounds of sharks, the meaning of Martian molecules and one big dino claw.

Botanist Mason Heberling challenges how we think about invasive species and our role in their spread.

In this week’s news roundup, two NASA astronauts finally return to Earth after nine unexpected months in space, gray seals hold their breath for more than an hour, and penguin poop panics krill.

A neurosurgeon who has acted as a consultant for Severance explains the science behind the show’s brain-altering procedure—and whether it could ever become reality.

A colonoscopy can save your life, but misinformation keeps many people from getting one. A gastroenterologist sets the record straight.

The EPA rolls back regulations, NASA launches two exciting missions, and we discuss the surprising way whale urine moves nitrogen across the ocean.

A robotics researcher takes on the Russo brothers’ vision from the new movie The Electric State.

On COVID’s fifth anniversary, the U.S. is facing an outbreak of tuberculosis in Kansas that makes strong public health systems as important as ever.

In this week's news roundup, we dig into measles misinformation, ozone recovery and new findings on using nasal cartilage to treat knee injuries.

Novelist John Green talks about his new nonfiction book, Everything is Tuberculosis, and the inequities in treatment for the highly infectious disease.

Many people are concerned about microplastics reaching our brain—but few realize how this connects with petroleum production and the climate crisis

In this news roundup, we cover outbreak updates, microbes in space and a brain turned to glass.

Some songs get stuck in our head more than others, and scientists have uncovered what makes them so irresistible.

In this week’s news roundup, we cover activity from the black hole at our galaxy’s center and a troubling measles outbreak in Texas.

Journalist Carl Zimmer chats about aerobiology and his new book Air-Borne: The Hidden History of the Life We Breathe.

Valentine’s Day often focuses on romance, but deep friendships deserve love, too. Here’s why they matter.

In this week’s roundup, we’re reviewing some animal research, the latest on bird flu and the burden of microplastics on our brain.

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

Outrage fatigue can wear us down—but we can take care of ourselves in an onslaught of overwhelming news.

Giving in to cynicism makes us less trusting, less connected, and even less physically and mentally healthy.

From space weather to science missions, there’s a lot to be excited about in heliophysics this year.