Science & Health
News about health, fitness, medicine and the latest discoveries.
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.
WHO: Low-Income Countries Still Lack Enough COVID-19 Vaccines
The World Health Organization says low-income countries still do not have enough COVID-19 vaccines and is urging wealthier nations to deliver more doses. VOA’s Mariama Diallo has this report. Producer: Kim Weeks
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…
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.
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 …
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.
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…
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)
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…
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…
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…
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
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
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…
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…
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…
UNESCO Leaves Australia's Great Barrier Reef Off Endangered List
After much lobbying, Australia’s Great Barrier Reef will not appear on a list of “in danger” World Heritage Sites. Environmentalists call this a “terrible” decision fueled by political pressure. VOA’s Arash Arabasadi reports.
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…
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
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…