Marlene Cimons

Washington, D.C.

Contributing reporter
Marlene Cimons is a Washington-based freelance writer who specializes in health, science and the environment. She was a Washington reporter for the Los Angeles Times covering public health, biomedical research policy, and food and drug regulation. She was one of the first reporters in the country to write regularly about the AIDS epidemic and was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize for a series about an AIDS patient and his physician. She is the author of several health and science reports and magazine articles. After leaving the L.A. Times, she spent several years writing for the National Science
Latest from Marlene Cimons

Can sitting too close to a screen damage your eyesight?

There are a few steps parents can take to reduce the risk of their child developing myopia or it getting worse, experts said.

November 26, 2024

RFK Jr. says he has spasmodic dysphonia, a voice disorder. What is it?

Spasmodic dysphonia, a neurological movement disorder, affects RFK Jr.’s vocal cords, causing difficulty in speaking and a strained voice.

November 15, 2024
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. speaks during a campaign rally at Macomb Community College in Warren, Michigan, on Nov. 1.

They’re all good boys and girls, but only some can be service dogs

For now, there is no way to predict which dogs will make good workers, but canine behavioral scientists are trying to change that.

November 9, 2024
Duke University junior Laura Navarrete helps perform early aptitude testing with Wisdom at the Duke Canine Cognition Center.

Running a fall marathon? How to plan for a better recovery.

What should you take for pain? Is an ice bath better than a warm shower? What should you eat after a marathon? Experts and marathoners share their advice.

October 25, 2024

What do women dream about? This 95-year-old researcher found some clues.

Dreams of women who worked outside the home were driven more by the desire for social recognition, a study by Monique Lortie-Lussier and another researcher found.

October 18, 2024

More women are discovering the power of tattoos

Today more American women than men have tattoos — 38 percent of women vs. 27 percent of men, according to the Pew Research Center.

October 16, 2024
According to Pew Research Center, 38 percent of American women have tattoos, compared with 27 percent of men.

How AI could monitor brain health and find dementia sooner

Using advanced artificial intelligence algorithms, scientists are hoping to identify brain wave patterns associated with the risk of dementia.

September 24, 2024

‘Button dogs’ do understand words — and not just from their humans

In a study, the dogs responded to words involving play or going outside — but were less likely to react to food words, possibly because they weren’t hungry.

August 28, 2024

What is Legionnaires’ disease, and how does it spread?

People can catch Legionnaires’ disease by inhaling small water droplets containing Legionella, a bacteria.

August 13, 2024
A 1978 microscopic image from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows the bacteria Legionella, which cause Legionnaires' disease.

When mammograms lead to more testing, it doesn’t mean automatic bad news

For some women, the time between a callback and additional tests can be terrifying.

August 10, 2024
A doctor examines results of mammography screening procedure using computer. Mammogram scans of breast tissues displayed on PC screen. (Shutterstock)