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Christy O'Donnell, who has advanced lung cancer, is one of several California patients suing for the right to get a doctor's help with prescription medicine to end their own lives if and when they feel that's necessary.

Christy O'Donnell, who has advanced lung cancer, is one of several California patients suing for the right to get a doctor's help with prescription medicine to end their own lives if and when they feel that's necessary. YouTube hide caption

itoggle caption YouTube

Shots - Health News

California Judge Throws Out Lawsuit On Medically Assisted Suicide KQED

The superior court judge says questions raised in the case should be decided by legislatures or voters, not the court. The terminally ill plaintiffs say they'll appeal his decision.

Author and activist Bill McKibben paddles toward Follensby Pond in New York's Adirondack Mountains, along the route followed by Ralph Waldo Emerson in the summer of 1858.

Author and activist Bill McKibben paddles toward Follensby Pond in New York's Adirondack Mountains, along the route followed by Ralph Waldo Emerson in the summer of 1858. Julia Ferguson/NCPR hide caption

itoggle caption Julia Ferguson/NCPR

U.S.

Retracing Ralph Waldo Emerson's Steps In A Now 'Unchanged Eden' NCPR

A century and a half ago, the poet and philosopher headed to New York's Adirondack Mountains with some notable pals. Today, we follow his journey with a new crew, the help of a painting and a book.

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A manatee spotted in the Chesapeake and Delaware (C&D) Canal on Thursday. It's very unusual for the Florida native to get so far north.

A manatee spotted in the Chesapeake and Delaware (C&D;) Canal on Thursday. It's very unusual for the Florida native to get so far north. Delaware Division of Fish and Wildlife hide caption

itoggle caption Delaware Division of Fish and Wildlife

The Two-Way

Delaware Gets A Rare Out-Of-State Visitor: A 7-Foot Manatee

The marine mammal was spotted in the narrow canal that connects the Chesapeake and Delaware bays just a few days after one was seen in an estuary of the Potomac River.

"It now pays to get a lot of pleasure out of a little bit of sugar," says Danielle Reed, a scientist at the Monell Chemical Senses Center.

"It now pays to get a lot of pleasure out of a little bit of sugar," says Danielle Reed, a scientist at the Monell Chemical Senses Center. Ryan Kellman/NPR hide caption

itoggle caption Ryan Kellman/NPR

The Salt

The Gene For Sweet: Why We Don't All Taste Sugar The Same Way

We know that a gene can determine how strongly we experience bitter flavors. Scientists wanted to know if this was also true for sweet. Their study shows genetics may affect our taste for sugar, too.

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For best quality of life, many cancer patients who can't be cured might do best to forgo chemo and focus instead on pain relief and easing sleep and mood problems, a survey of caregivers suggests.

For best quality of life, many cancer patients who can't be cured might do best to forgo chemo and focus instead on pain relief and easing sleep and mood problems, a survey of caregivers suggests. iStockphoto hide caption

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Health

What If Chemo Doesn't Help You Live Longer Or Better?

Terminal cancer patients sometimes get chemotherapy in the belief that it will ease their symptoms. But a study finds that many who get the treatment near death actually have a poorer quality of life.

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Artist's concept compares Earth (left) to the new planet, called Kepler-452b, which is about 60 percent larger in diameter.

Artist's concept compares Earth (left) to the new planet, called Kepler-452b, which is about 60 percent larger in diameter. NASA/JPL-Caltech/T. Pyle hide caption

itoggle caption NASA/JPL-Caltech/T. Pyle

The Two-Way

Kepler Telescope Introduces Earth To A Very Distant Cousin

The spacecraft has detected the nearest thing to Earth yet discovered — a planet that's a bit bigger and squarely inside the "habitable zone" for life.

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