End-of-life planning can be hampered by misconceptions − but the process is easier than you might think

COVID-19 highlighted the need to plan for medical emergencies, but most people still avoid the issue.

Anisah Bagasra, Associate Professor of Psychology, Kennesaw State University • conversation
March 11, 2025 ~8 min

Listen: Do animals understand death?

For centuries, philosophers have argued that only humans can truly comprehend mortality. What if they’re wrong?

U. Chicago • futurity
March 6, 2025 ~2 min


p53 is both your genome’s guardian and weakness against cancer – scientists are trying to repair or replace it when it goes awry

The gene that codes for p53 is the most frequently mutated in cancer. Researchers are targeting different parts of its complex pathway to restore its ability to stop cancer.

Prosper Obed Chukwuemeka, Ph.D. Candidate in Integrative Systems Biology, University of Pittsburgh • conversation
Feb. 20, 2025 ~7 min

How opioid deaths tripled in Philly over a decade − and what may be behind a recent downturn

After nearly a decade of annual upticks in overdose deaths, the city saw a drop in 2023, the latest data available. Something may finally be working − but what?

Ben Cocchiaro, Assistant Clinical Professor of Family Medicine and Community Health, Drexel University • conversation
Feb. 11, 2025 ~9 min

Experts have challenged the medical case against Lucy Letby. What about the statistical evidence?

A mathematician explains the fallacies that may have played a part in Letby’s conviction.

Christian Yates, Senior Lecturer in Mathematical Biology, University of Bath • conversation
Feb. 7, 2025 ~7 min

Study: Millions of Europeans Could Die from Heat by 2100

VOA Learning English • voa
Feb. 6, 2025 ~3 min

Logging off life but living on: How AI is redefining death, memory and immortality

Ethical and legal issues around death in the digital age are thorny enough dealing with social media accounts. AI puts the notion of a digital afterlife into overdrive.

Yuanyuan (Gina) Cui, Assistant Professor of Marketing, Coastal Carolina University • conversation
Jan. 8, 2025 ~9 min

Supporting a grieving loved one on holidays and special occasions: Practical tips from a clinical psychologist

A clinical psychologist offers research-backed ways to work through grief and support grieving friends and family members during the holidays.

J. Kim Penberthy, Professor of Psychiatry and Neurobehavioral Sciences, University of Virginia • conversation
Dec. 16, 2024 ~8 min


Infectious diseases killed Victorian children at alarming rates — their novels highlight the fragility of public health today

Between 40% and 50% of children didn’t live past 5 in the US during the 19th century. Popular authors like Charles Dickens documented the common but no less gutting grief of losing a child.

Andrea Kaston Tange, Professor of English, Macalester College • conversation
Dec. 11, 2024 ~9 min

Listen: What if what we know about death is wrong?

On this episode of the Big Brains podcast, the author of a new book digs into what happens when we die.

U. Chicago • futurity
Dec. 9, 2024 ~3 min

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