Other Science News

The first scientifically-sound research study digs into whether or not chiropractic manipulations are useful in treating migraines and finds -- not surprisingly -- that they are not. Hopefully, there will be many more studies like this in the future. 
When going on safari, travelers are told to avoid wearing blue and black because it's thought that colored clothing attracts the tsetse fly -- the vector of African Sleeping Sickness. Is that advice to take seriously, or a rumor spread by "Big Khaki"? We delve into one study, making this essential reading before venturing on safari. 
The Food Babe is at it again. This time she's posted an analysis on her website of the amount of glyphosate that can be found in popular American foods, followed by her reasons of why we should be scared. Here is why you should (1) not be scared, and (2) not listen to The Food Babe. Ever.
Homeopathic products are a scam. It's a multi-billion dollar business pedaling its goods for any ailment imaginable, despite any evidence that they're effective. But this sketchy enterprise took a hit this week, one that may result in a change in the industry. The Federal Trade Commission announced several changes as to how homeopathic products must be labeled for marketing.   
The average cell phone holds an estimated 25,000 germs — in every square inch — making it one of the nastiest things you touch daily. And marketers, to sell you stuff, want to obtain a swab sample from it to analyze, then compare what's found to an archive of particles. But what about those who handle their phones on the toilet? Yuck.      
The process to become a naturopath has been packaged to resemble actual medicine. The degree earned even contains the word "doctor," as in Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine. But in comparing the education that physicians and naturopaths obtain in order to prepare for their professions reveals a significant difference.
A paper was recently published in Cancer on who, and why, patients seek second opinions on prostate cancer. Despite recommendations from both the National Cancer Institute and the American Cancer Society for cancer patients to seek second opinions regarding treatment, there is little substantive medical literature on the behavior surrounding this option.
More than 40 million people across the country watched the Cubs win Game 7 of the World Series. Thinking about America in 1908, when the Cubs last were champs, could be one big reason why their story has resonated with the public. So we compared some of today's public health issues to those of 108 years ago. 
Don't be fooled by the rocks that she's got: Jennifer Lopez is just your average, everyday molecular biologist. Or, at least, she might be if a new TV show continues moving through the production pipeline at NBC. Her co-star will be a technique called CRISPR that has the ability to edit the genes in our DNA in a truly revolutionary way. 
Samoa, in the Pacific Ocean
A research team consisting of an anthropologist, a geographer and an archeologist just released a study that is providing scientists insight as to how ancient seafarers likely used climate conditions to discover and eventually populate some of the "most remote regions on Earth."
The American Lung Association of California is claiming that a big push in the use of Zero Emission Vehicles would save Americans billions of dollars in health costs each year. What's more, the group adds that it would also save thousands of lives. Unfortunately, those are just wild promises and not much more.
The news regarding antibiotic misuse is, needless to say, bleak. But the work being done by Dr. Sara Cosgrove and Dr. Pranita Tamma offers a ray of hope. And an arm of the Dept. of Health and Human Services seems to agree, financing their work with $16 million, which is a lot for that governmental agency.