A new study finds that stimulating the brain during sleep can improve memory. DrAfter123/Getty Images hide caption
Mental Health
Joy Ryan and her grandson Brad at the National Park of American Samoa. The pair visited all 63 U.S. national parks together Ari Daniel hide caption
How a 93-year-old visited every national park and healed a family rift in the process
Abbie Harper worked for a helpline run by the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA), which is now being phased out. Harper disagrees with the new plan to use an online chatbot to help users find information about eating disorders. Andrew Tate hide caption
In a new advisory released Tuesday, U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy warns that social media could pose dangers to children and teens. Mandel Ngan/Getty Images hide caption
Social media can put young people in danger, U.S. surgeon general warns
Many teens and young adults struggle with overuse of screens. They also have good advice for how to have a healthy relationship with social media. Rose Wong for NPR hide caption
Teens say social media is stressing them out. Here's how to help them
In 2009, only about half of teens said they used social media every day. By 2022, 95% of teens said they used some social media — and about a third say they use it constantly, a poll from Pew Research Center found. Owen Franken/Getty Images hide caption
There's growing evidence that social media use can contribute to mental health issues among teens. A new health advisory suggests ways to protect them. martin-dm/Getty Images hide caption
Major psychologists' group warns of social media's potential harm to kids
It's never too late to explore your gender identity. Here's how to start
Studies have raised alarms about the many ways kids have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic– from loneliness, to depression and anxiety, to faltering grades. OLIVIER DOULIERY/AFP via Getty Images hide caption
Montana state Rep. SJ Howell speaks on the House floor during a motion to discipline Rep. Zooey Zephyr at the Montana Capitol in Helena on Wed., April 26, 2023. Howell is a Democrat who identifies as transgender nonbinary. Tommy Martino/AP hide caption
These states are narrowly defining who is 'female' and 'male' in law
A new advisory outlines how a national strategy could tackle the problem of loneliness in the United States. Getty Images hide caption
This video still shows a view of one person's cerebral cortex. Pink areas have above-average activity; blue areas have below-average activity. Jerry Tang and Alexander Huth hide caption
Showtime's Couples Therapy. Courtesy of Showtime; David McNew/Getty Images hide caption
Brittany goes to 'Couples Therapy;' Plus, why Hollywood might strike
Over the past decade, there's been a striking decline in teen mental health. Researchers are working to better understand the role of social media. MANAN VATSYAYANA/AFP via Getty Images hide caption
For years, the research picture on how social media affects teen mental health has been murky. That is changing as scientists find new tools to answer the question. Olivier Douliery/AFP via Getty Images hide caption
Activists and community members march into the Minnesota State Capitol building during a Trans Day of Visibility rally on March 31, 2023. Nicole Neri for MPR hide caption
The seemingly simple act of reaching for a cup of coffee actually activates parts of the brain involved in motion, planning and emotions. Melinda Podor / Getty Images hide caption
States filed lawsuits against corporations involved in the opioid crisis. Now, about $50 billion in settlement funds have begun to flow to state governments. Advocates want to make sure it is used to treat addiction. ERIC BARADAT/AFP via Getty Images hide caption