HER-2 positive breast cancer, accounting for approximately 25 to 30 percent of breast cancer patients, is considered to be a more aggressive form of cancer, often associated with poorer outcomes. Advances in treatment, however which include the monoclonal antibody Herceptin (trastuzumab) in conjunction with chemotherapy have allowed for better outcomes in women diagnosed with this variant of the disease when it is localized and can be surgically removed.

Norovirus, the cause of the so-called stomach flu, or cruise ship virus, is the second most common illness in the U.S. (the common cold is the first), and it's also the leading cause of foodborne illness. The virus causes acute gastroenteritis characterized by stomach pain, vomiting, fever, and diarrhea. It s not only unpleasant, but it can be life-threatening as well. That's why ACSH's Dr.

In an article for Science Careers, a supplement to the journal Science, reporter Elisabeth Pain interviewed ACSH s Dr. Josh Bloom about his take on the crises in the pharmaceutical sector. Jobs are being lost, pipelines are drying up, and revenue is decreasing for a multitude of reasons, explains Dr. Bloom, not least of which is outsourcing.

In Pesticides and Health: Myths vs. Realities, environmental toxologist Allan S. Felsot explains the real benefits both health-related and economical of an informed use of pesticides. And in Pesticides in Perspective, William Kucewicz explains Dr. Felsot's main ideas in a shorter, consumer-friendly format.

Chemophobia Cluster at the Natural Resources Defense Council

By American Council on Science and Health

Environmental chemicals might or might not pose a significant risk to women s breast health, depending on which of two bizarrely conflicting USA Today articles you believe. Both articles assess the same Institute of Medicine (IOM) report on the causes of breast cancer, yet arrive at wildly different conclusions. The IOM is a group of independent experts who advise under the auspices of the National Academy of Sciences; this report was commissioned by the Susan G. Komen for the Cure breast cancer foundation.

In Louisiana, two U.S. Senators are pushing back against the NRDC s relentless efforts to promote their usual irresponsible, unscientific claims. Despite rigorous screening measures and protocols for ensuring the safety of Gulf Coast seafood following last year s devastating oil spill, the NRDC continues to claim that these food products contain toxic levels of chemicals and are dangerous to eat.

While experts are frequently excluded from health and science panels due to conflicts of interest that result from concerns about industry funding, the FDA has made an unusual decision: to eject a panel member because of an intellectual conflict of interest.

In an unprecedented move, Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius has overruled a decision by the FDA to allow emergency contraception the morning-after pill to be sold over-the-counter to teenagers under 17.

Activists at the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) are patting themselves on the back now that the FDA has agreed to respond to their petition demanding a ruling on bisphenol A s (BPA) health risks or lack thereof.