Gisele Grayson

As a new year dawns, we asked our readers to send us their global wishes. Here's what they're hoping for.

"Alloparents" means "other parents" — family, friends, community folk, even strangers — who lend a hand to a parent. Here are stories you shared about your own encounters with alloparents.

Government, academic and industry researchers often depend on each others' work and funding. The partial shutdown is getting in the way of some of that collaboration and research.

Flu is widespread throughout the country, according to latest federal numbers. Those 65 and older are the most affected, but baby boomers are ending up in the hospital at an unusually high rate.

Popular DNA ancestry tests don't always find what people expect. That is because of how DNA rearranges itself when egg meets sperm — and the quirks of genetic databases.

The federal government has all but dropped out of marketing the Affordable Care Act, so states, corporations and private groups are stepping up. Some are going cute, while others get serious.

Republicans headed into an all-night session in an uncomfortable position where the only legislation they can potentially pass is a bill most senators oppose.

The Senate has voted to send a bill repealing and replacing the Affordable Care Act to the floor for debate. But with multiple bills in play, it could be months before legislation actually emerges.

Tax breaks for the wealthy would be trimmed, and people would get the option to buy bare-bones plans. But big cuts in Medicaid and changes to coverage for pre-existing conditions remain.

The Congressional Budget Office estimates that 22 million people would lose coverage with the Senate bill. That includes 15 million people on Medicaid, and others who could no longer afford insurance.