Science

New techniques and research promise ever greater longevity; but there are dangers, not the least of which is that a protracted life becomes what one scientist calls “a living death.”

A humble citrus offers a way to boost the blood levels of a raft of medications—a possible boon for some patients, while a risk factor for the unwary.

Britain’s top health adviser rails against the U.K. health service for providing homeopathic treatments of doubtful effectiveness—many U.S. insurers also support this alternative medicine.

European researchers have tracked an antibiotic-resistant strain of bacteria to large, intensive livestock operations; modern farming techniques present a new human health hazard.

Two separate incidents involving police Tasers arouse concerns about the potential misuse of this increasingly common weapon.

The cost of a barrel of crude oil hit a record $98.02 on Nov. 7, spurring observers to ask why hydrocarbon commodities are trading at increasingly high prices and when this upward trajectory will end.

Astronomers differ as to the chances of Asteroid Apophis hitting our planet; a Russian scientist argues that civilization can be confident of survival if it does.

The Major League Baseball playoffs are in full swing, and on them ride the hopes and expectations of hundreds of thousands of fans; but what is it about human psychology that compels the sports devotee to cheer and jeer with the team?