E. coli. Salmonella. Campylobacter. Norovirus. When somebody gets sick eating at a restaurant, these are often the culprits. But McDonald's has been hit by an outbreak of Cyclospora. Our PhD microbiologist – who has taken two classes in medical microbiology – had never heard of that. So what is it?

When health insurers keep trying to practice medicine without a license, we all lose. 

Unless it's a strategic resource, like food, energy, or science, we're all for letting the free market find the best solution. If supplement hucksters can have an easier time in a dictatorship like China, this is one time we should have no problem letting communism win.

A new study found that smokers consumed around 200 more calories per day than both non-smokers or former smokers. And that's despite eating smaller food portions. And what that means is that they engage in more snacking, and treating treats like meals.

Greater patient volumes result in more experience and better outcomes. But for rural and underserved areas, there may not be enough volume to maintain a clinically-safe practice. The trade-off of access and outcome is at the heart of a discussion of TAVR, or Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement, a replacement for open surgery. 

The liquid 1-bromopropane, also known as n-propyl bromide, is colorless and slightly soluble in water. It also has a sweet odor and it quickly evaporates into the air when released to the environment. Meanwhile, it has a range of industrial uses.

Enrollment in the humanities is collapsing. Why? Probably because (1) there's a widespread belief that humanities degrees should be avoided; (2) the humanities generate too much nonsensical research; and (3) the humanities, and academia in general, are politically biased.

Dr. Stan Young is a man on a mission. So when the renowned biostatistician happened across a substandard paper by two anti-opioid zealots, Young spoke up. Just like he always does.

In the same way one "seasons" a cast iron frying pan, scientists have found a way to create a slippery coating, which can improve food safety while reducing bacterial contamination. 

A ruling last May in the UK Court of Appeal may have set an important precedent – that genetic testing extends the duty of a healthcare professional beyond the patient. Yet, extending that duty also risks damaging the underlying trust between doctor and patient.