Voice of America Science & Health

Science & Health

News about health, fitness, medicine and the latest discoveries.
Weekly English United States Science
487 Episodes
1 – 20

 Iceland Home to World's Largest Plant to Remove Carbon from Air

Iceland is now the home of the world's largest direct air capture and storage plant of carbon dioxide. The plant aims to remove 4,000 tons of carbon dioxide - one of the main contributors to global warming - from the air each year, as VOA’s Mariama Diallo reports.Producer: Rob Raffaele.
15 Sep 2021 2 min

US Military Developed Computer Program to Help Treat Severe Burns

Every year close to 200,000 people die from burns, according to World Health Organization data. The WHO says most of these deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries. Since the United States entered the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, US military burn specialists have changed the way serious burns are…
10 Sep 2021 2 min

Fire Scare Occurs in Russian Section of Space Station

A series of spacewalks is underway outside the International Space Station. Plus, a fire scare occurs in the Russian section of the ISS, and amateur stargazers have set up camp at an ancient Mesopotamian site in modern-day Iraq. VOA's Arash Arabasadi brings us the Week in Space.
9 Sep 2021 2 min

Critical Medical, Trauma Care Advances Made in Past 20 Years

A greater share of U.S. soldiers survived the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq than those who fought in previous conflicts. Advances in medicine and new concepts in trauma care over the past two decades have made the difference. VOA's Carol Pearson reports on the most dramatic advances. Camera: Mike Burke        …
7 Sep 2021 3 min

Traumatic Brain Injury -- A Legacy of War

The U.S. ended its conflict in Afghanistan, but the Veterans Health Administration continues researching ways to reduce the impact of the most serious injuries U.S. troops suffered in conflicts in both Afghanistan and Iraq. VOA's Carol Pearson reports on one area of research, traumatic brain injury.
7 Sep 2021 2 min

Nigerian Authorities, Nonprofits Tackle Misinformation to Boost Vaccine Uptake

Amid the latest wave of COVID-19 infections, less than 1% of people in Africa's most populated country, Nigeria, have been fully vaccinated against the coronavirus. Nigerian authorities are scrambling for more vaccines but say misinformation and myths are discouraging uptake. Timothy Obiezu looks at efforts to dispel the rumors in…
3 Sep 2021 2 min

Private Spaceflight Companies Deliver for NASA 

The space delivery business is booming.  Plus, Hurricane Ida from space, and wildfire smoke so thick satellite imagery captures the damage.  VOA’s Arash Arabasadi brings us the Week in Space. Produced by:  Arash Arabasadi Camera:  AP/REUTERS/SPACEX/BLUE ORIGIN/NASA TV/MAXAR/NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION (NOAA) 
2 Sep 2021 2 min

Kenya Company Wants Buses, Utility Vehicles to Go Green by 2030

The United Nations Environment Program on Monday marked the official end of toxic leaded gasoline use in vehicles worldwide. A company in Nairobi, where the UNEP is headquartered, is working on the next step — converting all buses and utility vehicles to electric power by 2030. Lenny Ruvaga has the…
1 Sep 2021 2 min

 Poverty and Distrust Are Behind Vaccination Lag Among Arabs in Israel

As Israel expands its third COVID booster shot campaign, analysts are pointing to wide disparities between Jews and Arabs when it comes to getting vaccinations. While 80% of eligible Jewish Israelis have been vaccinated, about one-third of Arab citizens of Israel have yet to get their shots. As Linda Gradstein…
26 Aug 2021 3 min

Company Plants Trees in Burkina Faso to Slow Desertification in Conflict Zones

A Belgian-African company operating in Burkina Faso is planting trees to help curb desertification and open up lands for grazing cattle and farming. The project by the company, Hommes et Terre (Men and Earth), is taking place in Burkina Faso’s dangerous conflict zones where expanding desertification is a cause for…
25 Aug 2021 3 min

Cosmic Lawsuit, a Space Spoon, and a Mega Meteor Shower

A private spaceflight company sues NASA. Plus, a modified space spoon, a mega meteor shower, and an international spacecraft passes Venus. Details in the Week in Space from VOA's Arash Arabasadi. Produced by: Arash Arabasadi   
19 Aug 2021 2 min

Codeine Abuse Increasing Among South African Youth, Experts Say

Experts say South Africa is seeing growing drug addiction among young people during the pandemic. A medical research center found that some teenagers are abusing cough syrup that contains the drug codeine. Franco Puglisi looks at the drug addiction problem and efforts to rehabilitate youth in this report from Johannesburg.Camera: Franco Puglisi   Produced by: Barry Unger
4 Aug 2021 2 min

Space Tourism to Become Affordable Within Years, Experts Predict

The recent success of private space flight companies spiked adventure seekers’ interest, but the price tag is far too high for most people. Experts say in just a few years, prices for a trip to space will likely drop low enough for ordinary people to be able to afford a…
1 Aug 2021 3 min

Lebanon's Health Crisis Worsens

Lebanon is running desperately short of life-saving medicines to treat cancer, heart ailments, or even of basic vitamins needed by expectant mothers. It is all a direct result of Lebanon’s deepening political and economic crisis which has led to severe shortages hard currency and fuel. Anchal Vohra has this report for…
30 Jul 2021 2 min

Epidemics Don't Have to Happen, Expert Says

The number of known deaths from COVID-19 has passed 4 million, according to Johns Hopkins University, which is tracking both cases and deaths. In the past 100 years, there have been flu and cholera epidemics, the AIDS epidemic and multiple other diseases around the world. VOA's Carol Pearson says the…
26 Jul 2021 2 min

Delta Variant Doubles US COVID-19 Cases Since Last Month

The U.S. has averaged more than 26,000 new COVID-19 cases per day over the past week — more than double the number it was a month ago — with the more contagious delta variant making up over 80% of cases. White House Correspondent Patsy Widakuswara looks at the Biden administration’s…
22 Jul 2021 2 min

After Branson, Bezos Preps for Space Flight

The space-tourism industry got a major boost aboard a billionaire’s rocket ship.  Plus, the EU lends Mother Earth a climate-conscious hand, and LeBron James suits-up for the big screen.  VOA’s Arash Arabasadi brings us the Week in Space. Produced by: Arash Arabasadi
15 Jul 2021 2 min

Vaccines Still Effective Against Severe COVID-19, Experts Say

Seven COVID-19 vaccines have received the green light from the World Health Organization so far. And as new variants of the coronavirus evolve, questions arise about how well each vaccine works. It can get confusing. But as VOA's Steve Baragona reports, when it comes to keeping people out of the…
13 Jul 2021 2 min
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