A promising example of how AI can advance the cause of human liberty for the world’s most vulnerable populations.

Japanese scientists have just announced an incredible discovery: normal mice blood cells can be transformed into pluripotent (all-purpose) stem cells just by dipping them in acid.

The salaries of specialist doctors are skyrocketing—and those costs are being passed on to consumers. This is why reform efforts like Obamacare, which rely on subsidies more than on efforts to rein in costs, are just propping up a deeply unsustainable status quo.

The first months of 2014 aren’t shaping up to give Obamacare any better publicity than the last months of 2013. At Wonkblog, Sarah Kliff highlights one issue that she says is likely to make Americans “furious” even if it will also lower costs: narrow networks.This is what happens when you try to control costs by tinkering with insurance plans and coverage requirements—or even rate setting. Instead of imposing network changes on people who don’t want them, we should be thinking about how to change the structure of care delivery such that basic services are cheaper and health care is more convenient for everyone.

A new global survey of attitudes about the future of health care shows a big pent-up demand for a vastly different type of system than we currently have: one that is more DIY, less hospital and doctor-centric, more personalized, and characterized by smarter use of technology and better service delivery. The closer we can come to realizing that vision, the cheaper, more efficient, and more open to reform our health care system will be.

The death of driving doesn’t mean the end of the suburbs. Thanks to computers and mobile devices, people are able to live richer, more social lives in more places than ever.

An accidental discovery by an Argentinian car mechanic could make child-birthing easier for women worldwide. In the barbershops and car garages and offices across the world the next Jorge Odon might even now be accidentally discovering the next simple, cheap device for improving our health care experience.