Chemotherapy has saved millions of lives, but its origins date to the chemical warfare agent mustard gas. A secret shipment of the gas was released in Italy after the bombing of a US ship in World War II. An investigative reporter details how doctors turned death and tragedy to the lifesaver we know today.

A look at the top medical headlines for the week of November 22, 2020 including: Scientists say they’ve come up with a simple skin test that can accurately diagnose Parkinson’s. Then, a new Covid-19 test could be coming that requires you to simply gargle with a sterile saltwater solution. Then, a study shows that a single dose of sub-anesthetic ketamine can treat lazy eye. And finally… a study that shows how smog generates plastic trash.

Since the beginning of the “baby on back” movement to reduce sudden infant death syndrome, many more infants are developing misshapen heads with a flat spot in one place. An expert discusses whether this is serious, how it can be treated with a helmet-like device, and how it might be prevented.

Getting together with family and friends over the holidays will be different this year due to COVID-19 precautions for families and governmental restrictions on restaurants and bars. The hospitality industry complains it’s unfairly targeted, but data shows it’s a COVID hotspot. Yet families in homes can repeat some of the same errors. Experts discuss how to keep gatherings safe and the consequences if we don’t.

Some people are finding relief from mental health issues through music therapy, a combination of psychotherapy and music-making. A noted music therapist describes what the practiced is and how it works.

A look at the top medical headlines for the week of November 15, 2020 including: A study finds that some occupations may be more at risk of getting seriously ill. Then, a new study shows that men in jobs with hard physical work have a 55 percent higher risk of developing dementia, compared to men doing more sedentary work. And finally… it’s no secret that alcohol consumption has gone up in the pandemic. But a recent survey has quantified some of the results.

2020 has produced an ongoing barrage of stressful events, and psychologists say the months of strain have started to show in both physical and mental breakdowns among increasing numbers of people. Three mental health professionals discuss the signs that a person is in trouble, and what they can do to get through these difficult times intact.

Someone who is always late for everything and never finishes any project on time is often labeled as irresponsible, lazy, or purposely insulting. But they may be suffering from a brain abnormality called time blindness that’s often a part of ADHD, with often sad consequences. Experts discuss.

Handedness is a central part of a person’s identity. Left-handers are often seen as somehow different than the rest of us, and over history they’ve been stereotyped as more quirky, intelligent, and sinister than righties. Science shows that some labels are likely to be true. Experts discuss where handedness comes from, and what differences truly result.

A look at the top medical headlines for the week of November 8, 2020 including: One of the biggest questions about the coronavirus is whether people who are infected are immune from reinfection… and if so, for how long. Then, wildfires this year have generated respiratory and circulatory illnesses costing more than 1.3 billion dollars. And finally, fast fashion means more plastic pollution of both our water and land.