(Owen Freeman)

Joint replacement had gone well, but patient’s shoulder still hurt

Woman endured years of surgery and pain before the mystery of her ailment was solved.

Astronomer uses telescope’s data in hunt for alien spacecraft

“The universe is simply too large for there not to be another intelligent civilization out there,” scientist says.

Did a horrible college sunburn lead to skin cancer 30 years later?

Thirty years after the “mother of all sunburns,” a man grapples with basal cell cancer surgery on his scalp.

More Health and Science news

U.S., groups working to open more public access to Chesapeake

U.S., groups working to open more public access to Chesapeake

Only 2 percent of the bay has public-access points for kayaks, canoes, fishing, bathing and other recreation.

Maryland issues final insurance rates that are among lowest in U.S.

Tax credits are expected for 3 out of 4 Marylanders in the health insurance marketplace opening Oct. 1.

Obamacare confusion has benefit: New jobs to educate people

Obamacare confusion has benefit: New jobs to educate people

A burst of hiring in call centers and IT companies is expected to add thousands of positions.

New FDA rules require imported foods to meet U.S. standards

New FDA rules require imported foods to meet U.S. standards

The rules were mandated by far-reaching legislation passed by Congress in late 2010.

Scientists perform memory ‘inception’ on mice

Scientists perform memory ‘inception’ on mice

MIT researchers figure out how to plant false memories into brains, report says.

What lies behind Anthony Weiner’s sexual behavior?

What lies behind Anthony Weiner’s sexual behavior?

Is his behavior a sex addiction? Experts disagree on what to call it, but many say it is a real issue.

FDA: Menthol cigarettes probably are greater health risk than others

FDA: Menthol cigarettes probably are greater health risk than others

The FDA says the mint flavor masks the harshness of tobacco, making it easier to get addicted.

Multimedia

Brown Bluff, Antarctic Peninsula, Antarctica.

An Adelie penguin, Pygoscelis adeliae, jumping on an iceberg. (RALPH LEE HOPKINS/National Geographic) ONE TIME USE ONLY.

National Geographic puts images up for sale

The magazine, through Christie’s auction house, is holding an online auction in celebration of its 125th anniversary.

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Other news

Kale has nutritional benefits and can be a tasty part of any meal

CUhealth0723

Broccoli’s leafier cousin, which has grown in popularity, can be eaten raw or cooked.

‘Bear-cams’ focus on daily lives of Alaska’s famous brown bears

Taken at Brooks Falls, Alaska in July 2007, this photo captures the migrating salmon jumping right into the mouth of a bear waiting at the top of the falls. There are two males here, each waiting patiently for his meal.

Also: “Scatter, Adapt, and Remember” considers how humans will survive the next mass extinction.

Why some people seem especially prone to mosquito bites

HeScan0723

Also: New book analyzes the emotional impact of hormone depletion in women.

Happy at heart, healthy at heart

quickscancouple0723

Having a cheerful attitude reduces the chance of serious cardiac problems, a new study says.

How much harm is caused by too much time in a chair?

TO GO WITH AFP STORY BY AGNES PEDRERO
(FILES) A file picture taken on October 20, 2006 shows women walking down the street on Michigan in Chicago, Illinois.  Members of the World Health Organization (WHO) gathered since May 20, 2013 for a general assembly and took commitment on May 27, 2013 to halt the rise of obesity in the world by 2020. AFP PHOTO/JEFF HAYNESJEFF HAYNES/AFP/Getty Images

Also: Requiring excessive hours from medical interns is a form of hazing.

COLUMNS

AnyBODY

Why is it so hard to lose weight? Studies show that coaching helps.

Woman's legs as she jogs on a treadmill in an exercise room with additional equipment in the background. Square shot.

The lifestyle changes that are needed to lose weight work best with counseling and continued support.

I used the pill — and got pregnant. Twice. What you should know.

ADNODE: ;; AVCREDIT:  ;; BLURB: CBS News correspondent Michelle Miller reports on historic new health rules that require health insurance companies to cover birth control for women. Then, Chris Wragge talks to White House Deputy Senior Adviser Stephanie Cutter about the new rules and the history of how they came into effect. ;; EDITOR: ;; HEADLINE: Free birth control part of new health guidelines ;; HEIGHT: 270 ;; HIDDENCOM: news; nation; politics; free birth control ruling; law to eliminate copays on birth control; birth control; contraception; margaret sanger ;; KEYWORDS: news; nation; politics; free birth control ruling; law to eliminate copays on birth control; birth control; contraception; margaret sanger ;; LENGTH:  ;; MEDIAPLAYER: Ninja ;; ORBITID:  ;; PLAYLIST: LI2009092101885 ;; PNAVSEC: /media/politics ;; PUBLISH: YES ;; SEARCH: YES ;; SHOOTDATE: 2011-08-01 10:01:15 ;; SLUG: 08012011-29v ;; SMEDIAURL: http://static.washingtonpost.com/wp/swf/OmniPlayer.swf?id=08012011-29v&flvURL=/media/2011/08/01/08012011-29v.m4v&playAds=true&adZone=wpni.video.politics&canShare=true&jsonURL=http%3A%2F%2Fmedia.washingtonpost.com%2Fmedia%2Fmeta%2F2011%2F08%2F01%2F08012011-29v.jsn ;; SOURCE: CBS News ;; WIDTH: 480 ;;

The birth control pill usually works. But when it doesn’t, it’s anybody’s guess as to why. One woman’s story.

Hate taking drugs? There may be other ways to lower blood pressure.

LOS ANGELES, CA - JULY 10:  Nurse Allison Miller checks the blood pressure of Keri Anderson as nurses and physicians give free basic health screenings and call attention to what they say is the ongoing healthcare emergency despite the decision of the U.S. Supreme Court to uphold the Affordable Care Act, on July 10, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. Three days of free screenings in the Los Angeles area are part of the Medicare for All tour which is making up to two dozen stops across California between June 19 and July 12. The California Nurses Association says that 30 percent of Los Angeles County adults are uninsured and 18 percent cannot afford doctor visits.   (Photo by David McNew/Getty Images)

An evidence-based review looks at diet, acupuncture and other approaches. Some work, some don’t.

How & Why/EcoLOGIC

Done with your computer? How to deal with e-waste in a good way.

Ergo Desktop Kangaroo Pro Junior

Many electronic devices end up in landfills, where the metals may leach into the ground. There’s a better way.

As cicadas fade away, it’s time to ask: How do they do it?

Emerging from its nymphal skin, a periodical cicada frees itself at Hawk Mountain Sanctuary near Kempton, Pa., Wednesday, June 5, 1996, after emerging from a 17-year, underground existence. This brood of cicadas is emerging throughout the northeast. (AP Photo/Reading Eagle/Bill Uhrich)

As with humans, circadian rhythms seem to play a role in the lives of insects.

For seafood lovers, a guide to eating sustainable fish

Underwater wall of tuna

For an environmentally conscious eater, figuring out which fish is okay to consume and which isn’t is complex.

Urban Jungle

Dyke Marsh

Dyke Marsh

Restoring a freshwater tidal marsh.

Medical Mysteries

Joint replacement had gone well, but patient’s shoulder still hurt

Original artwork by Owen Freeman. All rights reserved.

Woman endured years of surgery and pain before the mystery of her ailment was solved.

A short-sighted diagnosis

*ONE TIME USE ONLY**ONE TIME USE ONLY**ONE TIME USE ONLY**ONE TIME USE ONLY* Owen Freeman for The Washington Post. Medical Mysteries for June 11, 2013.

MEDICAL MYSTERIES | Fox News correspondent Shannon Bream contended with a painful eye condition.

Woman endured years of pain and uncertainty

he-medicalmysteries16. Original artwork by Owen Freeman. All rights reserved.

MEDICAL MYSTERIES | Nancy Kennedy had a variety of symptoms that pointed in many directions.

Read more Medical Mysteries

Health, Science & Environment Videos

Opera singer’s new lungs

Opera singer’s new lungs

Charity Sunshine Tilleman-Dick, a 29-year-old American soprano, has performed at the Kennedy Center, Lincoln Center, and around the world. A rare disease, idiopathic pulmonary hypertension, demanded she have two double-lung transplants. Despite all odds she continues to sing.
The cicadas are coming

The cicadas are coming

Brood II is making its once every 17-year appearance above ground. Don’t blame the cicadas for the racket, they’re just looking for love.
David Bowie’s Space Oddity recorded in space

David Bowie’s Space Oddity recorded in space

A revised version of David Bowie’s Space Oddity, recorded by Commander Chris Hadfield on board the International Space Station
Solar Impulse flies over Golden Gate Bridge

Solar Impulse flies over Golden Gate Bridge

The solar-powered airplane, Solar Impulse, flies over the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco.
Counting snakeheads in the Potomac

Counting snakeheads in the Potomac

In a marked change from past efforts, the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries is working with similar agencies in Maryland and D.C. to monitor four different tributaries and count--not kill--snakeheads.
Feasting on cicadas

Feasting on cicadas

D.C. resident Jacques Tiziou has a taste for cicadas. He collects, prepares and eats the young, winged-insects for brunch. (Video from 2004)
HIV-infected infant cured

HIV-infected infant cured

VIDEO | Doctors say a baby in Mississippi born with HIV is cured after receiving aggressive treatment.
NASA: The instruments on the Van Allen Probes

NASA: The instruments on the Van Allen Probes

Dr. David Sibeck describes in instruments on NASA’s twin Van Allen probes that are exploring the Van Allen Radiation Belts in the Earth’s magnetosphere.
FDA approves artificial retina device

FDA approves artificial retina device

The FDA has approved a new device that could help some people regain part of their sight. Dr. Robert Cykiert, an opthamologist at NYU Langone Medical Center, talks to James Brown and Norah O'Donnell about what new technology means for the blind.
How to lose weight: Debunking the myths

How to lose weight: Debunking the myths

How to lose weight: Debunking the myths