Over-the-top rhetoric is not only prevalent in our political dialogue, it is also commonly adopted by epidemiologists and journalists. Instead of Hitler, they compare anything they dislike to smoking.

It's a tough time for those infected with genital herpes. Genocea's candidate GEN-003 crashed and burned. The company announced that it's pulling the plug on the vaccine following Phase II clinical trials. It's disheartening news for the herpes community, but folks, keep your chins up. Other, and presumably better, candidates are still out there.

While there are legions of plant researchers dedicated to the idea of using GMOs to maximize food production, there's a lesser-known syndicate of scientists trying to cultivate a different outcome: increasing plant output of biofuels. And regulating sugar levels is the key to boosting production.

Researchers recently conducted a small study that showed promise for weight loss if you took part in a cheat day from your diet. Be careful, though, the plan can backfire.
 

It’s been an enlightening time in the realm of public defecation. Video of two serial poop-and-run culprits in Colorado and Kentucky – respectively named  “The Mad Pooper” and “Poopman” – have baffled and united many onlookers. But the larger question is: Why is this happening?

The increasing concern about the role of p values in science has gone from a murmur to a loudly expressed concern. Is this just an insider's argument or is it a matter we should take seriously?

Bacteria that are resistant to one, multiple or even all known antibiotics – commonly known as superbugs – are a leading concern in the medical and scientific communities. With traditional methods of combating infections not working alternative ways are required, starting with rethinking the instruments used in hospitals.  

Someday, everybody will be wearing smart clothes. Not just clothes that look dapper, but ones that sense the environment and the body's vital signs, before pinging the data to your wristwatch or doctor. To get there, we'll need functional fabrics, and nothing beats the touch and feel of cotton.

An attorney for the family of former NFL star Aaron Hernandez says that brain damage, diagnosed as CTE stage 3, is likely responsible for his aggressive, self-destructive behaviors and most notably his suicide in April. As a result, he's blaming the NFL. But remember, that's a lawyer looking for a huge settlement. It's definitely not a doctor's medical diagnosis.

A recently published working paper states that the water in Flint, Michigan is presumably responsible for startling drops in fertility rates, and increased fetal deaths, as compared to neighboring cities. How reliable are these data and should we really be sounding alarm bells?