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Wednesday

Report Calls for Tighter Rules on Care for Elderly

A new Congressional report proposes federal and state guidelines for regulating the growing "assisted living" industry. Assisted living facilities traditionally offer more independence than nursing homes, and aren't as regulated. But as the number of facilities grow, so do the complaints. NPR's Joseph Shapiro reports.

Report Calls for Tighter Rules on Care for Elderly

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Tuesday

WHO Lifts SARS Travel Advisory for Toronto

The World Health Organization lifts an advisory against traveling to Toronto, Canada, because of SARS infections. Toronto hasn't seen a new case of the respiratory illness in 20 days, and the epidemic appears to be contained to hospital workers there. NPR's Robert Siegel talks to NPR's Richard Knox.

WHO Lifts SARS Travel Advisory for Toronto

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SARS Contained in Toronto

The SARS death toll in Toronto reaches 21, but Canadian officials say the outbreak of the deadly respiratory disease is under control. They cite a decline in the number of people in quarantine, a decrease in new cases. But hospitals fear the spread of SARS among employees. Hear NPR's Richard Knox.

SARS Contained in Toronto

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Monday

Saturday

Friday

Chinese Cope with SARS Fears

More than half of the cases of SARS reported so far have occurred in China, where officials say 115 people have died and more than 2,600 are infected. NPR's Melissa Block talks with Chen Min, a Beijing teacher, about life with SARS; and with Shannon McEwan about the situation in Wuhan, in Central China, where she teaches English at a private school.

Chinese Cope with SARS Fears

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Chinese Take More Steps to Thwart SARS

Thousands of Chinese exposed to severe acute respiratory syndrome are told to stay home, and police seal a second Beijing hospital, isolating SARS patients and staff isolated from outside contact. Hear NPR's Bob Edwards and reporter Anthony Kuhn.

Chinese Take More Steps to Thwart SARS

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DNA and the Brain

In the final of four stories marking the 50th anniversary of DNA's discovery, NPR's Jon Hamilton reports that genetic causes of mental illness have proved illusive to find. As scientists began to understand how genetic material controls the human body, they were confident that such research could help unlock the secrets of the brain, but that hasn't happened.

DNA and the Brain

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Thursday

Toronto Blasts SARS Advisory

The World Health Organization cautions travelers to avoid China's Shanxi province, Beijing and Toronto, saying the regions are high-risk areas for the deadly respiratory disease called SARS. But Toronto Mayor Mel Lastman and other officials call the warning an overreaction. Hear NPR's Richard Knox.

Toronto Blasts SARS Advisory

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DNA and Human Origins

DNA is not just an instruction book for the present and something to pass on to future generations -- it is also a record of our genetic past. No longer do researchers look for clues to human history merely in fossil bones and stone tools, they also seek "genetic fossils" in the DNA of living peoples. NPR's David Baron talks to University of Maryland researcher Sarah Tishkoff, who, by studying DNA and mitochondrial DNA, has revealed some of the most detailed clues yet to humankind's origins.

DNA and Human Origins

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Wednesday

SARS Alert in Toronto

The Centers for Disease Control issues a health alert for travelers visiting Toronto, where the deadly respiratory disease known as SARS has killed at least 14 and infected more than 300. The SARS outbreak is having a major impact on the local economy, 10 percent of which comes from international tourism. Hear NPR's Susan Stone.

SARS Alert in Toronto

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Friday

Containing SARS in Toronto

Canadian health officials take steps to prevent the spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome, or SARS, after 13 deaths and more than 300 probable cases. In Toronto, churches are being asked to alter centuries-old rituals beginning with Easter weekend services. NPR's Vicky Que reports.

Containing SARS in Toronto

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Thursday

CDC Stats on SARS

The CDC revises estimates of the number of SARS cases in the United States. The new number is much lower than previous counts, since the CDC no longer includes in the total those "suspected" of having the illness. NPR's Joanne Silberner reports.

CDC Stats on SARS

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Wednesday

WHO Says China SARS Higher

World Health Organization investigators say China under-reports cases of the deadly SARS virus in Beijing military hospitals and bars the release of details. WHO officials think China has 100 to 200 SARS cases, and that's three to five times more than China has reported. In Beijing, Anthony Kuhn reports.

WHO Says China SARS Higher

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