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Yuki Noguchi Yuki Noguchi is a correspondent on the Science Desk based out of NPR's headquarters in Washington, D.C.
Yuki Noguchi
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Yuki Noguchi

Yuki Noguchi

Correspondent, Science Desk

Story Archive

Wednesday

This year's COVID vaccine rollout is off to a bumpy start, despite high demand

There's high demand for this fall's COVID shots, which offer protection against circulating variants of omicron. But there's been some distribution hiccups. Rogelio V. Solis/AP hide caption

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Rogelio V. Solis/AP

Shots - Health News

This year's COVID vaccine rollout is off to a bumpy start, despite high demand

Some people are finding pharmacies still don't have supply of the shots, and others are having insurance coverage troubles. Here's what's going on.

This year's COVID vaccine rollout is off to a bumpy start, despite high demand

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Health

Rollout of the new COVID vaccine has been hampered by distribution problems

For the first time, the federal government isn't picking up the tab. Private insurers are supposed to make the vaccine free of charge, but there have been glitches.

Rollout of the new COVID vaccine has been hampered by distribution problems

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Tuesday

How umami overcame discrimination and took its place as the 5th taste

The rich savory flavor of miso soup is one way to experience umami, the fifth major taste. Yuuji/Getty Images hide caption

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Yuuji/Getty Images

Shots - Health News

How umami overcame discrimination and took its place as the 5th taste

Everything about this savory flavor is mysterious, from how it tastes to why it took so long to get recognized as the fifth taste. What is it, and how does it make food taste delicious?

How umami overcame discrimination and took its place as the 5th taste

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Thursday

Food

Weekly dose of wonder: The flavor and history of umami

The fifth taste: What is it, and how does it make food taste delicious? Umami means "delicious taste," and refers to the savory, meaty flavor often found in fish broths, mushrooms and tomatoes.

Weekly dose of wonder: The flavor and history of umami

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Thursday

How heat makes health inequity worse, hitting people with risks like diabetes harder

EMTs help a patient in Austin, Texas, this week. The man had passed out near the state capitol and was dehydrated. Cities with few trees and areas of shade are hotter during heat waves. Brandon Bell/Getty Images hide caption

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Brandon Bell/Getty Images

Shots - Health News

How heat makes health inequity worse, hitting people with risks like diabetes harder

Heat is dangerous for the many people with common conditions like diabetes or heart disease. And vulnerable communities face greater exposure to heat and fewer resources to escape it.

How heat makes health inequity worse, hitting people with risks like diabetes harder

Listen · 3:56
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Health

Heat makes health inequity worse. People with health risks are hit harder

Heat is dangerous for the many people with common conditions like diabetes or heart disease. And vulnerable communities face greater exposure to heat and fewer resources to escape it.

Heat makes health inequity worse. People with health risks are hit harder

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Sunday

What the U.S. could learn from Japan about making healthy living easier

The author awaits a bowl of ramen noodles in a Tokyo restaurant. Yuki Noguchi/NPR hide caption

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Yuki Noguchi/NPR

Perspective

Shots - Health News

What the U.S. could learn from Japan about making healthy living easier

On a trip back to her parents' native country, a writer rediscovers what makes it different. The urban design, and a culture that values longevity, make good health come al lot more naturally.

What the U.S. could learn from Japan about making healthy living easier

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Thursday

Health

Why it's easier to make healthy food choices in Japan

The obesity rate in the U.S. is about 10 times higher than in Japan, another wealthy developed nation. As part of NPR's series Living Better, we look into why that's the case.

Why it's easier to make healthy food choices in Japan

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Wednesday

'Gimme a break!' Biden blasts insurance hassles for mental health treatment

President Biden delivers remarks on expanding access to mental health care in the East Room at the White House on Tuesday. Win McNamee/Getty Images hide caption

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Win McNamee/Getty Images

Shots - Health News

'Gimme a break!' Biden blasts insurance hassles for mental health treatment

President Biden unveiled a set of proposed new rules for health insurance companies designed to push the industry to cover treatment for mental health problems on par with how it covers medical care.

'Gimme a break!' Biden blasts insurance hassles for mental health treatment

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Friday

'Hi, Doc!' DM'ing the doctor could cost you (or your insurance plan)

Doctors are starting to face a flood of message from patients and some health care companies are billing for clinical advice delivered this way. jose carlos cerdeno martinez/Getty Images hide caption

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jose carlos cerdeno martinez/Getty Images

Shots - Health News

'Hi, Doc!' DM'ing the doctor could cost you (or your insurance plan)

Virtual access to doctors is a huge plus for patients. But it's a lot of new work for physicians. And the health care business model hasn't caught up with this new reality.

'Hi, Doc!' DM'ing the doctor could cost you (or your insurance plan)

Listen · 4:05
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Friday

They're illegal. So why is it so easy to buy the disposable vapes favored by teens?

Disposable vapes in many kid-friendly fruity flavors, are displayed for sale at a shop in Pinecrest, Fla., Monday, June 26, 2023. Since 2020, the number of different vaping devices for sale in the U.S. has exploded, driven by a wave of disposable models from China. Rebecca Blackwell/AP hide caption

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Rebecca Blackwell/AP

Shots - Health News

They're illegal. So why is it so easy to buy the disposable vapes favored by teens?

The FDA cracked down on the nicotine devices, yet they're stocked on many store shelves. The reason has to do with burgeoning overseas production, lack of clear rules, and lax enforcement.

Wednesday

Health

Flavored vapes are supposed to be illegal, but they're still widely available

Disposable and fruit and candy flavored vapes can't be sold legally in the U.S., yet they're still readily available. Why? The answer is complex and has concerned parents wringing their hands.

Flavored vapes are supposed to be illegal, but they're still widely available

Listen · 6:15
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Thursday

Some cancer drugs are in short supply, putting patients' care at risk. Here's why

Toni Dezomits' advanced ovarian cancer responded well to earlier rounds of chemo, but this spring, her doctors told her there was a shortage of a key chemo drug. Toni Dezomits hide caption

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Toni Dezomits

Shots - Health News

Some cancer drugs are in short supply, putting patients' care at risk. Here's why

The recent, abrupt shortage of critical cancer drugs is forcing doctors to ration essential medications. It highlights a broken business model in generic drugs.

Some cancer drugs are in short supply, putting patients' care at risk. Here's why

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Tuesday

Medical Treatments

Recent shortage of cancer drugs leaves patients around the world vulnerable

The recent, abrupt shortage of critical cancer drugs highlights a broken business model in generic drugs that leaves patients in the U.S. and all over the world more vulnerable to similar shortages.

Recent shortage of cancer drugs leaves patients around the world vulnerable

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Wednesday

Worried about your kids' video gaming? Here's how to help them set healthy limits
Kaitlin Brito for NPR

Shots - Health News

Worried about your kids' video gaming? Here's how to help them set healthy limits

Games probably won't rot your kid's brain. But kids do need guidance in using them wisely. Here's how to help them, starting with spending some of your own time in the games your kids can't put down.

Worried about your kids' video gaming? Here's how to help them set healthy limits

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Tuesday

Gaming

The impact of video games on child development is often misunderstood

Video games can get a bad rap when it comes to kids and mental health, but their impact on child development is often misunderstood. Gaming can be a powerful training tool for a variety of skills.

The impact of video games on child development is often misunderstood

Listen · 6:21
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Tuesday

Lifesaving or stigmatizing? Parents wrestle with obesity treatment options for kids
Janice Chang for NPR

Shots - Health News

Lifesaving or stigmatizing? Parents wrestle with obesity treatment options for kids

New weight-loss medications and bariatric surgery have the potential to spare children health and social problems. But some parents think they're sending kids the wrong message about their bodies.

Lifesaving or stigmatizing? Parents wrestle with obesity treatment options for kids

Listen · 6:29
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Wednesday

The pandemic-era rule that lets you get telehealth prescriptions just got extended

Facing public pressure, federal regulators have decided to let patients receive prescriptions for controlled substances via telehealth for at least another six months. d3sign/Getty Images hide caption

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d3sign/Getty Images

Shots - Health News

The pandemic-era rule that lets you get telehealth prescriptions just got extended

Telehealth flourished during the pandemic thanks to relaxed rules that allowed prescribing without an in-person visit. Federal officials have decided to keep that in place for the time being.

The pandemic-era rule that lets you get telehealth prescriptions just got extended

Listen · 3:39
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Saturday

Post-pandemic, even hospital care goes remote

Since the pandemic, some hospitals have started offering to let patients with acute illness recuperate at-home, with 24-hour remote access to medical professionals and daily home visits. FG Trade/Getty Images hide caption

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FG Trade/Getty Images

Shots - Health News

Post-pandemic, even hospital care goes remote

A growing number of hospitals are shifting care into patients' homes. That means moving medications, machines and staffing with it, but hospitals are finding patients heal better, and it's cheaper.

Post-pandemic, even hospital care goes remote

Listen · 7:01
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Tuesday

13 years after bariatric surgery, a 27-year-old says it changed her life

Maria Caprigno and her son, Harry, at Disney World. Maria Caprigno hide caption

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Maria Caprigno

Shots - Health News

13 years after bariatric surgery, a 27-year-old says it changed her life

Maria Caprigno was one of the youngest people in the U.S. to get the surgery. As parents and doctors grapple with the obesity treatment for teens, Caprigno cites the long-term benefits.

13 years after bariatric surgery, a 27-year-old says it changed her life

Listen · 6:39
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Wednesday

Business

Juul is paying $462 million to settle yet another case

Vaping company Juul is paying to settle yet another case. New York Attorney General Leticia James, with counterparts in five other states and Washington D.C., announced the $462 million settlement.

Juul is paying $462 million to settle yet another case

Listen · 3:27
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Tuesday

Scant obesity training in medical school leaves docs ill-prepared to help patients
wagnerokasaki/Getty Images

Shots - Health News

Scant obesity training in medical school leaves docs ill-prepared to help patients

Most doctors get little training in the science of obesity or how to counsel people with the disease. As a result, many patients experience stigma in the exam room.

Scant obesity training in medical school leaves docs ill-prepared to help patients

Listen · 6:24
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Thursday

Therapy by chatbot? The promise and challenges in using AI for mental health
Ariel Davis for NPR

Shots - Health News

Therapy by chatbot? The promise and challenges in using AI for mental health

Some companies and researchers think smart computers might eventually help with provider shortages in mental health, and some consumers are already turning to chatbots to build "emotional resilience."

Therapy by chatbot? The promise and challenges in using AI for mental health

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