Since the age of nine or ten, Katie Burns has had debilitating pain from endometriosis, a condition where tissue resembling the uterine lining grows outside the uterus. For years, Katie was in the dark about what was causing her pain. Even after a diagnosis at age 20 it was hard to find relief, or even answers about her condition. Her search for better care is part of what led her to a career studying the disease, which affects tens of millions of people worldwide. And in 2012, she discovered something new about its origins. Today, we talk to Katie and science reporter Meredith Wadman about that discovery, which points to a surprising culprit of endometriosis — the immune system.
Read Meredith’s full piece in Science Magazine HERE.
Interested in more health science ? Email us your question at shortwave@npr.org.
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1A - The Future Of Cancer Research In The US
More than 50 years ago, President Richard Nixon declared war on cancer when he signed the National Cancer Act in 1971.
Since then, the United States has emerged as a juggernaut in cancer research, funded largely by the government.
But since President Donald Trump took office in January, the administration’s sweeping cuts to the federal workforce and government funding are upending the country’s research system.
So, how are these funding and staffing cuts affecting cancer research and treatment? And how could they impact our progress towards scientific breakthroughs?
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Since then, the United States has emerged as a juggernaut in cancer research, funded largely by the government.
But since President Donald Trump took office in January, the administration’s sweeping cuts to the federal workforce and government funding are upending the country’s research system.
So, how are these funding and staffing cuts affecting cancer research and treatment? And how could they impact our progress towards scientific breakthroughs?
Find more of our programs online. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a.
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State of the World from NPR - What Life is Like in Gaza; Will Recognition of a Palestinian State Make a Difference?
Our reporter in Gaza brings us scenes from Gaza City as Israel attempts to occupy the population center. A hospital courtyard has become a graveyard.
And we hear one expert’s take on whether recent announcements of countries recognizing a Palestinian state will make a difference in the peace process.
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Consider This from NPR - They warned about AI before it was cool. They’re still worried
A superhuman artificial intelligence so smart it can decide to get rid of slower-witted humans is a pretty terrifying concept.
What was once strictly the stuff of science fiction is now closer than ever to being a reality.
And if it does, some A-I researchers have gloomy predictions about humanity’s chances of survival.
While the A-I boom continues and companies across the country are heavily investing in the technology, some researchers are begging humanity to pump the brakes.
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Up First from NPR - ICE Shooting In Texas, UNGA: Ukraine Warning, Government Shutdown Standoff
A deadly shooting at a Dallas ICE office leaves one detainee dead and highlights rising violence around immigration enforcement. Ukraine's president warns that Russia’s war is fueling a dangerous new arms race as President Trump signals support for Ukraine reclaiming its territory. And a White House memo orders agencies to prepare mass firings if the government shuts down, with health care premiums still at the center of the standoff.
Want more comprehensive analysis of the most important news of the day, plus a little fun? Subscribe to the Up First newsletter.
Want more comprehensive analysis of the most important news of the day, plus a little fun? Subscribe to the Up First newsletter.
Today’s episode of Up First was edited by Alfredo Carbajal, Miguel Macias, Diane Webber, Mohamad ElBardicy and Alice Woelfle.
It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Nia Dumas and Lindsay Totty.
We get engineering support from Stacey Abbott. And our technical director is Carleigh Strange.
Join us again tomorrow
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NPR's Book of the Day - Ken Jaworowski’s new crime novel ‘What About the Bodies’ has a surprising tender side
Ken Jaworowski is out with a new crime novel with a surprising tender side. What About the Bodies is set in a fictional town past its glory days with a shuttered steel plant, closed coal mines, and a community that everyone talks about leaving. In today’s episode, the New York Times editor and author speaks with NPR’s Ayesha Rascoe about the three characters who converge in his story, the failed novels that predated this project, and why Jaworowski says he’s a better editor than writer.
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To listen to Book of the Day sponsor-free and support NPR's book coverage, sign up for Book of the Day+ at plus.npr.org/bookoftheday
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The Indicator from Planet Money - No, your doctor isn’t getting rich off of vaccines
Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Junior says doctors are pushing vaccines onto their patients in order to make profits.
Healthcare in the US is a business … but does that mean that doctors actually make money on vaccines?
Today on the show, we talk with doctors who explain the financial reality behind vaccines and how RFK Jr’s words and actions could harm public health.
Related episodes:
More for Palantir, less for mRNA, and a disaster database redemption arc
What is a 'freedom economy'?
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org. Fact-checking by Tyler Jones. Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.
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Healthcare in the US is a business … but does that mean that doctors actually make money on vaccines?
Today on the show, we talk with doctors who explain the financial reality behind vaccines and how RFK Jr’s words and actions could harm public health.
Related episodes:
More for Palantir, less for mRNA, and a disaster database redemption arc
What is a 'freedom economy'?
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org. Fact-checking by Tyler Jones. Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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1A - The Conditions In ICE Detention Centers
A record number of people are being detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
And the conditions they’re reporting have been described as cruel and inhumane.Last month, 60,000 people were detained by ICE, breaking a record set by the previous Trump administration.
A Los Angeles Times analysis of public data found that more than a third of detainees have spent time in a dedicated facility that is over capacity.
And now, county jails and ICE field offices are being transformed to fill those gaps.
Jails held an average of about 10 percent of all detainees (7,100 people) each day in July, according to the Prison Policy Initiative.
So, what fallout is the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown having on ICE detention centers? What are the conditions in these centers like? And what legal options do detainees have?
Find more of our programs online. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a.
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And the conditions they’re reporting have been described as cruel and inhumane.Last month, 60,000 people were detained by ICE, breaking a record set by the previous Trump administration.
A Los Angeles Times analysis of public data found that more than a third of detainees have spent time in a dedicated facility that is over capacity.
And now, county jails and ICE field offices are being transformed to fill those gaps.
Jails held an average of about 10 percent of all detainees (7,100 people) each day in July, according to the Prison Policy Initiative.
So, what fallout is the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown having on ICE detention centers? What are the conditions in these centers like? And what legal options do detainees have?
Find more of our programs online. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a.
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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State of the World from NPR - Renewed Pressure on Russia Over the War in Ukraine
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky addresses the United Nations the day after President Trump reversed his position on the war with Russia, saying Ukraine could win back all the territory it has lost. Meanwhile, Russia’s ramped up attacks on Ukraine in recent weeks have included more and more Russian aircraft entering the airspace of NATO countries. NATO has warned future incursions will lead to a more muscular response. We get updates from reporters in New York and Brussels.
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Consider This from NPR - Trump is changing public health guidance. What’s it mean for you?
The federal government’s approach to public health has changed more in the last eight months than it has in decades.
Since President Trump returned to office, he and members of his administration have challenged the safety of the covid vaccine, the overall childhood vaccine schedule, and the causes of autism.
This has upended public health guidance that doctors and patients have relied on for years.
Jen Brull, the President of the American Academy of Family Physicians talks about how doctors and patients are navigating this moment.
For sponsor-free episodes of Consider This, sign up for Consider This+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
Email us at considerthis@npr.org.
This episode was produced by Elena Burnett, Brianna Scott, and Megan Lim, with audio engineering by Hannah Gluvna.
It was edited by Courtney Dorning.
Our executive producer is Sami Yenigun.
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