Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Longer Looks: Interesting Reads You Might Have Missed
The birth of a baby boy with a life-threatening heart condition has sparked a complicated legal battle involving surrogacy, abortion and parental rights across three states. (Bonn, 8/18)
Perfect Pair matches student volunteers with older adults. The results have paid dividends on both sides. Plus, there’s music. (Simpson, 8/16)
Do you know the revolting things a tick actually does after scurrying up your body? Once the bug has nestled in a warm, damp, often hidden spot where skin is thin and blood vessels are plentiful, two of its mouthparts saw through your skin to obtain an initial grip. Next, a third mouthpart, a barbed straw called the hypostome, bores into you and begins oozing spit. (Wallace, 8/20)
Rats weren't to blame for bringing plague to a Spanish island in 1820, new research argues. Instead, the epidemic was likely fueled by pneumonic or septicemic plague. (Boden, 8/19)
The longevity guru intensely monitors his diet and health. At a dinner party, he was asked about his quest for immortality. There was silence. (Hortocollis, 8/21)
