So we’ve come to another World No Tobacco Day, under the auspices of the WHO. The ostensible goal of this annual campaign is to reduce the consumption of tobacco products, thereby reducing the deadly toll of tobacco. Unfortunately, outside of the U.S., little progress against the ravages of tobacco have been detected; indeed, smoking rates [...]
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Today’s New York Times has an editorial which future generations will read and discuss as evidence of the former “paper of record’s” descent into its own fantasy-land. Entitled An Opening to Strengthen Chemical Regulations, the disconnect between reality and the solipsism of the Times’ editorial board is put into high relief by their thesis: Now [...]
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Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (there’s a mouthful for you, but let’s call them NSAIDs or “n-saids” for short) are the most commonly used class of drugs in the world. They act as anti-inflammatory agents, but in the real world they are used as pain relievers for people with a variety of conditions, ranging from active inflammatory [...]
The post Common pain-relievers linked to heart risk appeared first on Health & Science Dispatch.

It is certainly no secret that we are becoming progressively more vulnerable to bacterial infections because of the explosion of antibiotic resistant bacteria, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) being the best-known example. In the absence of new antibiotic development, it becomes increasingly important to take measures to prevent infections, since treating them can be very difficult. [...]
The post Taking proactive measures to prevent MRSA infections in ICU appeared first on Health & Science Dispatch.

When given the choice of when to have an elective surgery, you may be better off choosing a time earlier in the week, especially as opposed to over the weekend. According to a new study published online in BMJ, opting for surgery on a Friday or over a weekend results in increased rates of 30-day [...]
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While it will take some time to see if the new bike share system in NYC will be a bust, or a game-changer for transportation in Manhattan (and parts of Brooklyn), ACSH wants to remind everyone to stay safe while cycling through the city — even though the program has worked well in other cities. [...]
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Last week, the California Senate passed a proposed bill, SB648, by a 21-10 vote, banning the use of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) anywhere that smoking (of regular tobacco cigarettes) is banned. In essence, if the Assembly joins in and the measure becomes law, in our largest state e-cigs would be treated as equivalent to cigarettes for [...]
The post Cali lawmakers cannot tell smoke from vapor appeared first on Health & Science Dispatch.

New recommendations and draft guidelines are being considered in two important areas related to blood sugar (glucose) control. The first relates to stringent (“tight”) glucose control in the intensive care unit and the second relates to screening recommendations for gestational diabetes in pregnant women. According to a scientific statement released by the American College of [...]
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Over the weekend just past, most significant for honoring our armed forces on Memorial Day, another far less notable event was marked: global demonstrations against Monsanto and GM-food. Why? For no other reason than that hordes of demonstrators have been whipped into a frenzy by anti-genetic-engineering zealots who artfully and cynically exploit people’s baseless fears [...]
The post Protesting the wrong issue: Marching against crop improvements appeared first on Health & Science Dispatch.

A new study published in the journal Neurology tries to suggest that there may be an association between exposure to pesticides and solvents and Parkinson’s disease. Even the study authors are blatantly aware of the shortcomings of their study when they say, the evidence is “limited, or at least inconclusive,” because of “lack of definitive [...]
The post Exposure to “pesticides” a risk factor for Parkinson’s? Not so fast! appeared first on Health & Science Dispatch.