Science Jan 13 Why you may be eating and drinking more microplastics than you thought From takeout containers to water bottles, plastic seems unavoidable in our daily lives. Now, two new studies have found that we’re eating and drinking more plastic than we might have realized. George Leonard, a co-author of one of the studies…
Health Jan 12 Why experts are concerned about the JN.1 variant responsible for latest COVID wave The U.S. and other parts of the world are in the midst of another COVID-19 wave. Infections and hospitalizations are on the rise this winter and a new variant is responsible for most of those cases. John Yang discussed these…
Nation Jan 10 Defense secretary's diagnosis highlights stigma surrounding prostate cancer The diagnosis of Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin’s prostate cancer, and his initial decision not to disclose it, has put that cancer back at the center of some attention. It’s one of the most treatable cancers, but for many men there's…
World Jan 07 'This year is a nightmare': Gaza's children face starvation amid dire conditions Three months ago, Hamas attacked southern Israel, killing about 1,200 people and kidnapping roughly 240 more. Ever since, Israel has bombarded Gaza with the goal of eliminating Hamas. The United Nations estimates that as many as 40 percent of Palestinians…
Health Jan 06 COVID is surging again. Here's what to know and why experts encourage caution The U.S. is experiencing another uptick in COVID infections after the holidays, with hospitalizations rising for the eighth week in a row. A new dominant variant, JN.1, has quickly spread to account for more than 60 percent of cases. John…
Nation Dec 24 How a 'perfect storm' of issues is causing a sharp rise in homelessness The number of Americans experiencing homelessness is now at its highest since records started being kept in 2007, according to estimates in a new report from the federal government. 2023 saw a 12 percent increase in homelessness over the previous…
Arts Dec 24 The business of Christmas music and why some songs become classics Christmas music is a big part of the music industry. John Yang speaks with Nate Sloan, an assistant professor of musicology at the USC Thornton School of Music and co-host of the podcast Switched On Pop, about what makes Christmas…
Health Dec 23 'Live to 100' explores why people in 'blue zones' live longer than average Many people try all sorts of things to have long and healthy lives, from complex diet plans to expensive supplements. But in the Netflix series “Live to 100: Secrets of the Blue Zones,” bestselling author Dan Buettner says a lot…
Nation Dec 23 As communities test basic income programs, here's how one California city fared Guaranteed basic income, the concept of no-strings-attached payments to provide people with a financial floor, is being tested in dozens of pilot programs across the country. Stockton, California was one of the first cities to launch a pilot program in…
World Dec 22 U.S. abstains from UN Security Council vote calling for more humanitarian aid in Gaza The United Nations Security Council came together Friday to approve a resolution calling for more humanitarian aid to flow into Gaza after a week of delays. The U.S. abstained from the vote, which did not demand a ceasefire. Meantime, American…