Twice a week, animals at the Brookfield Zoo feast on leafy branches courtesy of ComEd. The utility donates tons of tree trimmings—cut down to minimize power outages—as part of a three-year partnership with the zoo. The rough brush cleans teeth and revs intestines, says nutrition director Jennifer Watts. Though her charges appreciate the treat, “they can get kind of snobby after a while,” she says. “I like to tell people I feed 3,000 toddlers.”

The Chicago Sky WNBA players teamed up with No Kids Hungry and the Greater Chicago Food Depository to provide fresh fruits and vegetables to families at Jacob Beidler Elementary on Chicago’s East Garfield Park.

A new drug may benefit patients with asthma suffering from moderate to severe asthma with higher levels of inflammation in the lungs.

A traveling art exhibit, "A Fine Line: Mental Health / Mental Illness" was just shown in Chicago and is moving to Texas next. Artist Michael Nye shares, in a Q&A, the touching story of how the exhibit came about.

The newest whooping cough vaccine is not as effective long-term as the vaccine it replaced, researchers reported in the current issue of Pediatrics. Teenagers who had received whole-cell vaccines (DTwP) as children were almost six times less likely to have been diagnosed with pertussis than those who had received acellular vaccines (DTaP), which replaced whole-cell vaccines in the mid-1990s due to safety concerns. Researchers said that the switch could be responsible for the outbreak in whooping cough over the last decade.

Doris, Danita, and Sweet Pea were waiting in their coop as Robert Grillo walked down the backyard stairs of his house, trailed by Elba, his dove. He opened a gate leading to the coop, and introduced his three hens. At Grillo’s prompting, I petted Danita, her black-with-hints-of-emerald feathers s

Veterinarian Dr. Tom Wake, medical director at Hyde Park Animal Hospital and Clinic, has served the area as a caregiver for pets and volunteering in community ministry for more than 35 years. He received an honorary degree from the Chicago Theological Seminary at their weekend commencement.

Gender selection, the process of electively choosing the sex of a baby before implantation, remains a controversial topic but a steadily growing practice in the U.S. It's not cheap - an estimated $15,000 for a procedure typically not covered by insurance. Most clinics will only perform the procedure to avoid gender-related genetic diseases or for family balance purposes. Family balance means the family already has two or three children of the same sex and wants to guarantee the next one is the opposite.

Study: How close African Americans live to fast food restaurants is associated with their body mass index levels.

Phage is the most numerous biological entity on the planet, but very little is known about it.  Researchers at San Diego State University found that the virus can have many health benefits, especially when mixed with mucus cells in the body.

Illinois' medical marijuana bill awaits Gov. Pat Quinn. But creating a network of cultivators and dispensories will take time and it could mean a year before cannabis prescriptions are actually being filled.

From memory to hearing studies, the University of Florida's Whitney Laboratory for Marine Bioscience performs research that impacts the care U.S. citizens will receive every day. But after sequestration, revenue streams are drying up, labs are looking for ways to work with their  communities. Outreach is a path to local support and a higher profile for federal dollars. As a bonus, people are learning more about science.

Supporters of Lurie Children's Hospital raised $400,000 on the run Sunday with Move for the Kids 5k Walk/Run to benefit the hospital and current patients. While many families of the children participated in the event, relatives of children who received treatment from prior years came to participate in order to give back to the hospital as a thanks for all they have done for them.

Many people rely on the BMI test to find their "ideal" weight. But other measures may be more accurate. Chicago offers several body composition tests that offer a  healthy weight based on percent of body fat, bone mass, and more. Despite the availability of these tests, people still refer to the easy, fast but less accurate BMI approach.

The Chicago Symphony Orchestra Saturday hosted its Rivers Symposium, featuring engineers and artists including cellist Yo-Yo Ma a fusion of music and science.

The United Nations is calling on the public to eat insects as a rich protein source, but will the idea fly?

Chicago is due for a major tornado to touch down, and experts said citizens must become more aware of potential disasters.

Men Against Rape and Sexual Assault arrived at Northwestern University to educate college men about preventing sexual violence. Two years later, the group plays into the larger network of the university's response and prevention and also provides seminars to men on campus.

Ricin, a derivative of castor beans, was the poison in the April case of agroterrorism when an unidentified person sent ricin-laced letters to President Obama and U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Ala.). Agroterrorism "is the terrorism of the past and a potential arena for the future,” said Dr. Jerrold Leikin, director of medical toxicology at NorthShore University HealthSystem. Leiken spoke at the Chicago History Museum about the active agents of agroterrorism, the different types and symptoms and how to prevent its spread.

Farmers at the Daley Plaza Farmers Market opening day on Thursday have high expectations for this upcoming fruit season. The cold temperatures this winter and early spring have created "ideal conditions" for this year's fruit.

Chicago area high school students will spend less time at their desks next fall after their science teachers attended the second annual Biotechnology Symposium Tuesday at Northwestern University. The conference and upcoming summer development series is designed to give teachers the training and lab equipment necessary to inspire science-minded students through more hands-on experiments.

While technical difficulties on NASA’s Kepler space telescope may bring to a close one chapter in the search for extraterrestrial life, the quest is far from over. The Adler Planetarium has invited citizen scientists to use Kepler’s data by taking part in the Zooniverse Planet Hunters program. The Kepler space telescope completed a 3 ½-year mission in November 2012 and has been on an extended operation since.

More than 6,000 people gathered at the Illinois Walk MS at Grant Park recently to raise awareness and funding for multiple sclerosis research. The walkers came from all walks of life, but shared one common ideal: 91 percent of participants were either the afflicted or family members providing support for loved ones to thrive through the disease that affects communication between the brain, spinal cord and other areas of the body. The Chicago event raised $1.65 million. 

A patient-focused institute will bring more early phase clinical studies of new anti-cancer treatments for Chicago area residents with rare forms of cancer. Northwestern University announced plans for the institute Thursday. An initial $10 million dollar investment will be used to hire physicians and open a clinic in July.

A University of North Carolina study shows adolescent girls who participate in sports are less likely to engage in risky behaviors than those without the athletic background.

The Women's Health Research Institute announced the launch of an interactive and personalized website to help menopausal and pre-menopausal women navigate treatments options. The tool, previewed at Prentice Women's Hospital in Chicago this week, will be unveiled as a public site in coming weeks.

The Chicago Department of Public Health's new campaign to reduce teen pregnancy features teen boys are the ones pictured pregnant. The billboards “make the case that teen parenthood is more than just a girl’s responsibility,” according to the health department. But the billboards are sparking controversy about whether the picture gets the point across.

A California veterinarian advocates for the use of medical marijuana for pets. What about Illinois vets?

A national study examines the racial and ethnic distribution of heat risk-related land cover in relation to residential segregation. Study findings highlight that lower-income neighborhoods are substantially less likely to have heat-relieving features such as trees.

Fermi researcher Rick Tesarek talks about the NOvA Neutrino experiment, aiming to observe and understand the transformations behind the lightest particles in the universe. 

Patients visiting Cambridge Health Alliance’s psychiatric unit waited an average of 38 minutes just for insurance pre-approval prior to being admitted into the hospital. That's the result of insurance companies’ reluctance to pay for mental health hospitalization, according to a recent study. According to a University of Chicago psychiatrist, this issue is also prevalent in Chicago hospitals.

See historic manuscripts, illuminated 15th century books and the conservation techniques that preserve them at the University of Chicago's Mansueto Library. The library's exhibit "Under Covers: The Art and Science of Book Conservation" runs all summer and focuses on the science of conserving rare treasures that date back as far as the 12th century.

Heat trapping carbon dioxide levels on earth reached 400 parts per million this past week. Secretary of State John Kerry and Nobel Prize winning climate scientist Don Wuebbles call for action to tackle climate change. 

Burgers, steaks and ribs sizzling on the grill are on a lot of people’s menus for this summer. The way backyard cooks grill those meals is just as important as what people are grilling, cancer experts say. According to the American Institute for Cancer Research, diets high in red and processed meats increase the risk of colon cancer. Here are healthier alternatives and tips to help reduce your risk.

In the wake of events including the bombing in Boston and even the recent flooding closer to home, it’s natural to ask how Chicago can prepare for natural and man-made disasters. Officials from ComEd, Illinois Department of Public Health and University of Illinois at Chicago weigh in Chicago’s physical and social infrastructure and how the city can prepare for the future.

Despite increased budget appropriations for human services for 2014, categories for mental health spending are reduced from current levels. Protesters of the proposed budget cuts rally at the James R. Thompson Center in downtown Chicago for state funding for mental health services.

Yo-Yo Ma and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra's Civitas Ensemble promote community and healing through music Tuesday at the Lurie Children's Hospital.

A new class of sleep aids could result from the discovery of a culprit causing insomnia – the protein orexin. Pharmaceutical giant Merck reports that blocking the protein in rats leads to sleep and Merck is researching drugs that can cause drowsiness and sleep without a hangover, based on this finding.

Oscar-winning actress and activist Angelina Jolie revealed Tuesday in a New York Times personal essay that she has completed a double mastectomy to reduce her risk of breast cancer. Jolie, who is normally discreet about her private life, said she hopes to help other women with her story.

Third graders reached out and felt the stingrays at Shedd Aquarium's new "Stingray Touch" exhibit Tuesday. While you can feel the "slimy" critters when the exhibit opens Friday, there's a lot going on behind the scenes to bring the exhibit to life.

They're scaly, sandwiched in armor, and some can withstand airlessness and ice. But genetics reveals they may not be as different from us as we think.

Two material science Ph.D. students rival every year for first place in the Scientific Imaging Contest at Northwestern University. Their winning images from the most recent competition and 10 others go on exhibit this Saturday at the Harold Washington Library.

Hailey M. Mahan Poor mental health is linked to poverty in increasing numbers of children, reported a panel of Chicago educators and school counselors at a DePaul University forum on Thursday. Many of the speakers shared first-hand accounts of students struggling with both poverty and mental illness. Erin

Cara Cooper 2013-05-02 TWEET –   New shoe technology is providing a more comfortable running experience, while also helping the environment. SUMMARY – Finding the perfect shoe is the most important part of any running experience and often also the most stressful. Shoemakers have developed technology to help

Healthy Kids Day is just the start of a season of events the YMCA will be holding to get kids active. The McGaw YMCA in Evanston kicked off summer fun with an annual community event where families and volunteers enjoyed lots of free activities, games, food and fun to promote healthy lifestyles.

Alzheimer’s impacts women in greater numbers than men.  Research points to genetics and longevity as possible culprits, but the caregiving demands on women could also be to blame.

Plant breeders may soon be able to improve crops and yields by increased conservation of the wild ancestors of domesticated crop plants (crop wild relatives). Researchers from the International Center for Tropical Agriculture in Colombia and the U.S. Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service reported a study published this week in Crop Science that revealed there is more crop diversity than previously thought. But conservation efforts must take place to prevent crop wild relatives from becoming extinct.

Early screening and acupuncture may be effective in treating symptoms of lymphedema, or swelling arms, a common side effect for breast cancer patients.

Baking scones - flaky and moist with a crispy skin - is an art as well as a science. But an infinite number of flavors make scones  a creative tour de force as shown at Pastry Chicago’s recent Third Annual Scone Competition.

Whether you're meeting friends for a drink, taking an evening class or, catching a movie with a date, cities create a wealth of opportunities to socialize. Researchers at the University of Utah have developed a new model for measuring how the structure of a town affects residents' ability to socialize.

Batteries don’t have to be rigid anymore. Innovators from Northwestern University and the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign are stretching lithium-ion batteries to the max. The battery can flex up to three times its size and can power health-monitoring devices without any wires.

In the popular Iron Man movies, hero Tony Stark commands his superhuman powers not from mutant genetics or distant planets, but from his own genius engineering skills. His superhuman suit has all the elements of a seemingly fantastical action movie. But, according to scientists, we're now in an age where the reality of such advancements may not be so far off - and it's only a matter of time before we can engineer superhuman suits of our own.

Rocket scientist Amber Gell won the 2013 Women in Space Science Award awarded annually at the Adler Planetarium. Some 250 Chicago area girls joined her to ask questions and share their excitement about careers in science.

Dynavision's CoreControl cooling glove, created by two Stanford scientists, shows the connection between regulating body temperature and boosting athletic performance.

The Children's Heart Foundation of Illinois last weekend held its first Chicago Urban Race for Congenital Heart Defect Research, an Amazing Race-esque scavenger hunt that sent teams throughout the city looking for clues and checkpoints. 

Using microRNA samples drawn from the nasal cavity, researchers in Israel and the U.S. have found a unique new way to diagnosis schizophrenia with genetic biomarkers.

The Illinois Partners for Clean Air and the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency flew the inaugural flag for the Illinois Air Quality Flag Program Tuesday at the Academy for Global Citizenship. The program emphasizes the importance of clean air to students as well as highlighting a different facet of sustainability.

Artifacts and specimens researched in the Field Museum are being used to piece together the puzzle of climate change.

The transgender community faces many challenges, and access to quality healthcare can be a major one.   Many fear discrimination when seeking care, and others are denied health care coverage.

Cryoablation uses extreme cold in a new technique to freeze out tumors in breast cancer patients. Treatment involves inserting a probe into the area containing the lump or tumor and using the attached “ice ball” to freeze and remove the targeted tissue. The treatment is an in office procedure and takes only about 10 minutes to perform.

Wondering about the universe gives Adler Planetarium astrophysicists and astronomers a reason to act as detectives, piecing together parts of the mystery one clue at a time. Adler Planetarium opens a summer-long program, "100 Days of Wonder," May 17 featuring the sky show "Cosmic Wonder."

Doctors are urging people to not attempt the challenge, due to a new study published in the current edition of journal Pediatrics, which warns that the challenge may lead to lung damage.

Millions of people cross the scenic Sugar Pine Bridge at Yosemite National Park each year. Now the bridge is the scene of controversy as part of a National Park Service 20-year plan that proposes to remove it from the Merced River. Today is the last day to comment.

The Chicago Department of Public Health is offering free immunizations across the city to combat the spread of pertussis, or whooping cough. The violent cough can be life threatening for infants, young children and people at greater risk of illness.