https://www.latimes.com/science Science & Medicine en-US Wed, 08 Apr 2026 18:57:55 GMT https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2026-04-08/rfk-jr-is-launching-podcast-to-expose-lies-that-have-made-americans-sick The show, titled “The Secretary Kennedy Podcast,” will launch next week and feature Kennedy in conversation with doctors, scientists and agency staff, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services officials told the AP ahead of the launch. Wed, 08 Apr 2026 18:57:55 GMT https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2026-04-08/rfk-jr-is-launching-podcast-to-expose-lies-that-have-made-americans-sick https://www.latimes.com/science/story/2026-04-06/new-studies-of-old-dogs-help-scientists-understand-where-they-came-from Scientists are tracing back the history of dogs using the oldest genes from the species ever studied Tue, 07 Apr 2026 02:40:33 GMT https://www.latimes.com/science/story/2026-04-06/new-studies-of-old-dogs-help-scientists-understand-where-they-came-from https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2026-04-07/artemis-ii-astronauts-make-long-distance-call-to-space-station-as-they-head-home-from-moon The Artemis II astronauts are chatting it up with their friends aboard the International Space Station Wed, 08 Apr 2026 01:39:54 GMT https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2026-04-07/artemis-ii-astronauts-make-long-distance-call-to-space-station-as-they-head-home-from-moon https://www.latimes.com/environment/story/2026-04-07/winter-without-snow-depletes-europes-clean-energy-reservoir Residents of the U.K. and Germany are feeling the pinch as lack of snow in Scandinavia means less electricity generated from hydropower. The lack of snow mirrors snow drought in California, which scientists say is a consequence of climate change. Tue, 07 Apr 2026 20:12:00 GMT https://www.latimes.com/environment/story/2026-04-07/winter-without-snow-depletes-europes-clean-energy-reservoir https://www.latimes.com/sports/story/2026-04-07/steve-mcmichael-cte-als-nfl-bears-wcw Pro Football Hall of Fame defensive tackle Steve McMichael, a key member of the Chicago Bears Super Bowl XX champion team, had CTE, a posthumous study shows. Tue, 07 Apr 2026 19:57:22 GMT https://www.latimes.com/sports/story/2026-04-07/steve-mcmichael-cte-als-nfl-bears-wcw https://www.latimes.com/environment/story/2026-04-03/trumps-budget-plan-would-cut-climate-programs-boost-military-spending The proposal from Trump's Office of Management and Budget includes several key changes to climate and environment programs that would help further the administration's efforts to thwart the so-called green agenda. Fri, 03 Apr 2026 20:31:57 GMT https://www.latimes.com/environment/story/2026-04-03/trumps-budget-plan-would-cut-climate-programs-boost-military-spending https://www.latimes.com/environment/story/2026-04-02/la-enviro-diablo-canyon-final-clearance The Nuclear Regulatory Commission gave its stamp of approval, ending a three-year process to allow the plant to power on. Thu, 02 Apr 2026 23:59:02 GMT https://www.latimes.com/environment/story/2026-04-02/la-enviro-diablo-canyon-final-clearance https://www.latimes.com/environment/story/2026-04-01/electric-bikes-can-be-fast-dangerous-heres-how-to-stay-safe As electric-bike usage has risen, so have e-bike injuries, and regulations in cities and states throughout the country are rapidly changing. Wed, 01 Apr 2026 13:59:25 GMT https://www.latimes.com/environment/story/2026-04-01/electric-bikes-can-be-fast-dangerous-heres-how-to-stay-safe https://www.latimes.com/science/story/2026-04-01/autistic-people-are-more-likely-to-experience-suicidal-crisis-988-is-changing-to-serve-them-better Shifts in 988 hotline volunteer behavior can have a major impact for autistic callers, a population more likely to experience suicidal crisis. Wed, 01 Apr 2026 10:00:00 GMT https://www.latimes.com/science/story/2026-04-01/autistic-people-are-more-likely-to-experience-suicidal-crisis-988-is-changing-to-serve-them-better https://www.latimes.com/business/story/2026-03-29/kaiser-made-9-3-billion-last-year-critics-say-it-has-strayed-from-its-charitable-mission Kaiser Permanente, the nation's largest non-profit health group, has veered from its charitable mission and is now scarcely distinguishable from a corporation keenly focused on its bottom line, according to critics. Sun, 29 Mar 2026 10:00:00 GMT https://www.latimes.com/business/story/2026-03-29/kaiser-made-9-3-billion-last-year-critics-say-it-has-strayed-from-its-charitable-mission https://www.latimes.com/environment/story/2026-03-22/la-mosquitoes-sterile-male-releases-los-angeles-county-funding To curb a dengue-carrying mosquito, L.A. County officials are releasing sterilized males. The approach is promising, but funding to expand it is uncertain. Sun, 22 Mar 2026 10:00:00 GMT https://www.latimes.com/environment/story/2026-03-22/la-mosquitoes-sterile-male-releases-los-angeles-county-funding https://www.latimes.com/science/story/2026-03-14/thousands-of-people-disabled-by-long-covid-seek-answers Six years after the COVID-19 pandemic began, doctors are still treating long COVID patients with complex symptoms and unknown futures. Sat, 14 Mar 2026 20:04:19 GMT https://www.latimes.com/science/story/2026-03-14/thousands-of-people-disabled-by-long-covid-seek-answers https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2025-12-24/pediatrics-group-sues-u-s-agency-for-cutting-funds-for-childrens-health-programs Earlier this month, the federal government 'abruptly terminated' grants to the group, the lawsuit says. Wed, 24 Dec 2025 22:51:43 GMT https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2025-12-24/pediatrics-group-sues-u-s-agency-for-cutting-funds-for-childrens-health-programs https://www.latimes.com/science/story/2025-12-15/researchers-identify-immune-trigger-behind-myocarditis-after-covid-vaccination A rapid, two-step immune reaction may underlie rare cases of heart inflammation seen after COVID-19 mRNA vaccination, Stanford University researchers found, shedding light on a mechanism that’s fueled scientific debate and political controversy since the pandemic. Mon, 15 Dec 2025 22:58:16 GMT https://www.latimes.com/science/story/2025-12-15/researchers-identify-immune-trigger-behind-myocarditis-after-covid-vaccination https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2025-10-30/rsv-the-leading-cause-of-infant-hospitalization-is-climbing-in-babies-experts-urge-vaccination A wave of the highly contagious respiratory syncytial virus is beginning to wash over the United States, sending greater numbers of babies and toddlers to the hospital for professional care. Thu, 30 Oct 2025 10:00:00 GMT https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2025-10-30/rsv-the-leading-cause-of-infant-hospitalization-is-climbing-in-babies-experts-urge-vaccination https://www.latimes.com/science/story/2025-10-22/covid-19-vaccines-may-help-some-cancer-patients-fight-tumors The most widely used COVID-19 vaccines may offer a surprise benefit for some cancer patients by boosting their immune systems to help fight tumors. Wed, 22 Oct 2025 16:32:37 GMT https://www.latimes.com/science/story/2025-10-22/covid-19-vaccines-may-help-some-cancer-patients-fight-tumors https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2025-10-20/california-flu-covid-season-how-bad-will-it-get Last year’s flu season was the worst California had seen in years — and state health officials warn this year could potentially be just as bad. Mon, 20 Oct 2025 10:00:00 GMT https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2025-10-20/california-flu-covid-season-how-bad-will-it-get https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2025-10-06/cdc-covid-chickenpox-vaccine-recommendations-change The CDC's changes have been criticized by mainstream medical groups. Mon, 06 Oct 2025 16:52:58 GMT https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2025-10-06/cdc-covid-chickenpox-vaccine-recommendations-change https://www.latimes.com/science/story/2025-09-18/acip-rfk-jr-vote-mmr-shots In an 8-3 vote, a committee handpicked by Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. decided to change its recommendation for how American children are vaccinated against measles, mumps, rubella and chickenpox. Fri, 19 Sep 2025 00:18:24 GMT https://www.latimes.com/science/story/2025-09-18/acip-rfk-jr-vote-mmr-shots https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2025-09-16/california-covid-plateau While some COVID indicators are rising in California, others are starting to fall — a hint that the summer wave may start to decline soon. Tue, 16 Sep 2025 20:47:41 GMT https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2025-09-16/california-covid-plateau https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2025-09-15/california-covid-surge-is-peaking-but-the-battle-over-vaccine-access-is-just-beginning California’s COVID surge is showing signs of peaking as the state pushes back against federal guidelines that some say have jeopardized access to vaccines. Mon, 15 Sep 2025 10:00:00 GMT https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2025-09-15/california-covid-surge-is-peaking-but-the-battle-over-vaccine-access-is-just-beginning https://www.latimes.com/science/story/2026-04-06/artemis-ii-crew-prepares-for-lunar-flyby NASA's Artemis II crew described the far side of the moon in eloquent detail, named a crater after Cmdr. Reid Wiseman's late wife and spoke of their immense love for Earth. Mon, 06 Apr 2026 17:41:52 GMT https://www.latimes.com/science/story/2026-04-06/artemis-ii-crew-prepares-for-lunar-flyby https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2026-04-05/artemis-ii-set-to-break-apollo-13s-distance-record-monday Artemis II's roughly six-hour lunar flyby Monday is due to set a distance record for human spaceflight and promises views of the lunar far side and a solar eclipse. Sun, 05 Apr 2026 19:13:52 GMT https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2026-04-05/artemis-ii-set-to-break-apollo-13s-distance-record-monday https://www.latimes.com/science/story/2026-04-05/microplastics-have-been-found-everywhere-thats-problem-for-research Microplastics scientists are finding the tiny particles everywhere, even in their own research laboratories. So how do they know if what they're finding is in the sample or contamination from plastic fibers floating in the air? Sun, 05 Apr 2026 10:00:00 GMT https://www.latimes.com/science/story/2026-04-05/microplastics-have-been-found-everywhere-thats-problem-for-research https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2026-04-04/as-artemis-ii-speeds-toward-moon-toilet-acts-up-again The Artemis II astronauts are more than halfway to the moon, and the toilet aboard the Orion capsule is acting up again. The mission is on track Monday to reach deeper into space than any crewed spacecraft. Sun, 05 Apr 2026 02:36:51 GMT https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2026-04-04/as-artemis-ii-speeds-toward-moon-toilet-acts-up-again https://www.latimes.com/science/story/2026-04-02/amid-e-coli-outbreak-raw-farm-owner-rejects-claims-by-weakened-fda The FDA is urging Raw Farm to pull its cheddar cheese products as an E. coli outbreak spreads across California and to other states. Thu, 02 Apr 2026 21:45:21 GMT https://www.latimes.com/science/story/2026-04-02/amid-e-coli-outbreak-raw-farm-owner-rejects-claims-by-weakened-fda