"Star so bright in the night,”  do we know your name?  
Many of the starry creatures glittering among the constellations above were identified almost 300 years ago by a woman whose birthday we celebrate on March 16. Her name, which is not nearly as well known as the comets she catalogued, is Caroline Herschel.

From vaccines and AI innovations to imminent breakthroughs, discover the cutting-edge advancements shaping the future of healthcare in this conversation with radio host Mark Hahn.

Medicare Advantage (MA) seems to be the belle of the healthcare ball, attracting more seniors than ever. A recent Commonwealth Fund survey aimed to unveil the supposed "value-added" services of MA over traditional Medicare, but is the MA magic more of a sleight of hand than a genuine healthcare marvel?

Scientific progress is built on experiments, data, research, and constant questioning. While fraud is not a new issue, big data and Artificial Intelligence present challenges that dramatically increase the risk of fraud. New tools need to be developed to identify and reduce scientific fraud. Without them, the foundation of the scientific process is at risk.

Psychotropic drugs are all the rage now as a potential treatment of brain diseases. Examples are ketamine and psilocybin for depression and PTSD. More recently, a single dose of LSD was found to have a long-lasting effect on generalized anxiety disorder. Some simple chemistry may explain how LSD can persist in the brain long after it is gone from the blood.

Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a progressive liver disease with no current cure, but a drug called resmetirom may offer a lifeline for millions of patients, promoting a better quality of life and increased longevity.

A company called ZBiotic wants you to believe that its product – a microorganism that makes the enzyme that metabolizes acetaldehyde – will help prevent a hangover. Should we believe this?

The Bible of science – the body of peer-reviewed literature – is increasingly filled with dubious and even fraudulent research. Most academics openly recognize the threat this poses to scientific progress, though viable solutions to academic fraud are sorely lacking. How do we address this critical problem?

As we bask in the anticipation of spring, a familiar cautionary whisper resurfaces – the age-old advice about the perils of too much sun exposure. Should we fear the sun? From its benefits and risks to the complexities of sunscreens and UV-protective clothing, an informed and balanced approach to sun exposure is our best bet.

Loud noises and ... trace minerals? Let's break down a new study examining an important contributor to age-related hearing loss. Spoiler alert: stocking up on zinc supplements is not the solution.