Nancy Shute

Just half of parents say schools should start later so teenagers can get more sleep, a survey found. But most of the parents also weren't aware that pediatricians have called for a start of 8:30 a.m.

Think expedition to the rain forest, but one where you'll need a MetroCard to get around. The microbial life of the New York subways turns out to be as rich, odd and confounding as the city itself.

Over-the-counter remedies can help a lot if your stuffy, drippy nose is caused by allergies, new guidelines say. Acupuncture might help, too, but there's no evidence that herbal remedies do a thing.

It's notoriously hard to get people to quit smoking. Pregnant women in Scotland were more apt to stop if they got $600 in gift cards. But are those kinds of payments ethical?

You can now monitor your heart rhythm with your cellphone. Dr. Eric Topol imagines a day when patients will be doing a lot more of their own medical testing, with doctors as advisers.

The case of Cassandra, a 17-year-old who says she doesn't want chemotherapy for Hodgkin lymphoma, has sparked fierce debate. A medical ethicist says teenagers should be able to determine their fates.

People considering weight-loss surgery haven't had much evidence on long-term risks or benefits. A study finds lower death rates after surgery, even for people who were older and less healthy.

Lots of children have smartphones tucked under the pillow or on the nightstand. That may be enough to compromise sleep and make children feel less rested, a study finds.

Every state offers quit lines and other aids to help smokers end the habit. Using both telephone and online aids works best, a study finds.

In a year filled with gripping health stories, here are the ones that were the most popular with Shots readers. Think beauty pageant queens, pronouns and Ebola.