He passed a disease on to his son. Would brain implants save them both?

Dystonia is a rare, degenerative nerve disorder that causes painful spasms. Carl Luepker showed signs of it when he was 10; when his son Liam was the same age, Carl realized Liam was getting it too. The best chance for treatment was letting surgeons open his skull and place electrodes in his brain.

Source: Employment Policies Institute Credit: Brittany Mayes/NPR For many on minimum wage across the U.S., the new year will put a bit more money in their pockets Despite a more than 17 percent increase in the cost of living, the federal minimum wage hasn’t gone up since 2009. But 18 states and 20 localities are giving their lowest-paid workers a boost in 2018. But where labor advocates see an influx of money into the economy, conservatives see job losses. Meredith Rizzo/NPR It doesn’t take much know-how to design a nuke. This truck driver just needed a lot of research. "Compared to what they do in manufacturing today for making a light bulb, these are simple," says John Coster-Mullen of the first American nuclear weapons. One expert on the devices calls the exacting schematics crafted by the hobbyist "the gold standard." Coster-Mullen and others say that once North Korea had enough fuel, building a city-destroying weapon was a piece of cake. Jenn Ackerman for NPR His hand cramped during violin lessons. He tripped on the stairs. For his dad, 'it was my worst fear': A shared degenerative disease. Seeing his son suffering the same spasms he'd dealt with for decades caused Carl Luepker a lot of shame — and pushed him toward a radical decision. He came to believe deep brain stimulation — the implanting and triggering of electrodes to calm affected neurons — was Liam's best chance at a normal life. And he knew he couldn't let his son take the risk blind. "I have no choice; I have to get this surgery done." Jane Arraf/NPR At the heart of the former Islamic State, an orphanage cares for the group’s youngest victims As they retreated or were killed, the militant group’s fighters left behind young children. Some were the results of forced marriages and sex slavery experienced by Yazidi women, whose families forced them to give the children up. Other children were taken from their families. Some are so young they can’t remember their own names — or any parents other than those they knew under ISIS. "That's the worst thing — when the father arrives and the children say, 'I don't know him.' " Nikada/Getty Images/iStockphoto Americans import huge — and expensive — amounts of spices. Some think that needs to change. Aside from chili peppers and garlic, farmers here don't grow the flavorings in large quantities, though some U.S. climates are suited to coriander, ginger and other such crops. The late-fall harvest would even work well for vegetable farmers, experts say. In Vermont, they're giving it a shot with one of the most valuable spices: saffron. You received this message because you're subscribed to our Best of NPR emails. |  Unsubscribe  |  Privacy Policy | NPR 1111 N. CAPITOL ST. NE WASHINGTON DC 20002