More Adults Could Prevent Heart Disease With Statins — Even Without Previous Heart Attack

By Ruth Kava — Apr 06, 2017
Should we all be taking the cholesterol-lowering drugs known as statins? Even if one has never had a heart attack or stroke, should they be on a statin for so-called primary prevention? The USPSTF has reviewed the data and answers with a qualified "yes."

Should we all be taking the cholesterol-lowering drugs known as statins? Even if one has never had a heart attack or stroke, should they be on a statin for so-called primary prevention? The USPSTF has reviewed the data and answers with a qualified "yes."

Does Toothpaste Affect Your Appetite?

By Ana-Marija Dolaskie — Apr 06, 2017
Ever wonder why orange juice tastes to bitter after brushing your teeth? It's science.   Ever wonder why brushing your teeth may suppress or open up your appetite? That's science-y.

Ever wonder why orange juice tastes to bitter after brushing your teeth? It's science.  
Ever wonder why brushing your teeth may suppress or open up your appetite? That's science-y.

Personalizing Nutrition: Metabolomics and Glucose

By Chuck Dinerstein, MD, MBA — Apr 06, 2017
To get at the science of personalized nutrition, we need to understand the emerging science of metabolomics, which is “the systematic study of the unique chemical fingerprints that specific cellular processes leave behind." Let's get an overview by considering our sweet friend, glucose.

To get at the science of personalized nutrition, we need to understand the emerging science of metabolomics, which is “the systematic study of the unique chemical fingerprints that specific cellular processes leave behind." Let's get an overview by considering our sweet friend, glucose.

Frequent Nightmares Linked to Increased Risk of Suicide

By Alex Berezow, PhD — Apr 06, 2017
Depression and anxiety, as well as severe mental disorders such as schizophrenia, have become more openly discussed. Yet, one aspect of mental health remains largely in the shadows: Nightmares. A new study builds on previous data and examines their relationship to suicide.  

Depression and anxiety, as well as severe mental disorders such as schizophrenia, have become more openly discussed. Yet, one aspect of mental health remains largely in the shadows: Nightmares. A new study builds on previous data and examines their relationship to suicide.
 

What Joe Lieberman and Ted Cruz Agree On: STEM

By Jamie Wells, M.D. — Apr 05, 2017
ACSH's Dr. Jamie Wells attended the Congressional Luncheon hosted by the Center for Excellence in Education, in support of STEM – science, technology, engineering and mathematics – education. Both Sen. Joe Lieberman and Sen. Ted Cruz had prominent roles in the Washington, DC gathering.

ACSH's Dr. Jamie Wells attended the Congressional Luncheon hosted by the Center for Excellence in Education, in support of STEM – science, technology, engineering and mathematics – education. Both Sen. Joe Lieberman and Sen. Ted Cruz had prominent roles in the Washington, DC gathering.

Personalizing Nutrition - Automating The Science of Metabolomics

By Chuck Dinerstein, MD, MBA — Apr 05, 2017
Metabolomics is an emerging field that studies the "unique chemical fingerprints that specific cellular processes leave behind." In this case, it's applied to what we eat. And coupled with machine learning, this may well give us very personalized diets to improve our health.

Metabolomics is an emerging field that studies the "unique chemical fingerprints that specific cellular processes leave behind." In this case, it's applied to what we eat. And coupled with machine learning, this may well give us very personalized diets to improve our health.

Five Reasons Not To Take Dietary Supplements

By Ana-Marija Dolaskie — Apr 05, 2017
There are many reasons not to take dietary supplements, just take a look at some of the stuff we've written in the past.  But to jog your memory, here are five reasons not to start taking dietary supplements, or multivitamins. 

There are many reasons not to take dietary supplements, just take a look at some of the stuff we've written in the past.  But to jog your memory, here are five reasons not to start taking dietary supplements, or multivitamins. 

The Next Plague: The Coming and Going and Coming Again of Bacterial Plagues

By Steve Schow — Apr 05, 2017
Bacteria are ubiquitous. While most are benign, they inhabit every surface we touch. They're on our companion animals, as well as all over our food and loved ones. Perhaps the scariest is Yersinia pestis — the cause of the black plague – which killed 60 percent of Europe during a 14th century outbreak. So, can it return?

Bacteria are ubiquitous. While most are benign, they inhabit every surface we touch. They're on our companion animals, as well as all over our food and loved ones. Perhaps the scariest is Yersinia pestis — the cause of the black plague – which killed 60 percent of Europe during a 14th century outbreak. So, can it return?

Which Health Studies Are Reliable? ACSH Explains Epidemiology

By Alex Berezow, PhD — Apr 04, 2017
Public health is a field that's widely misunderstood, even by science journalists. That's because epidemiology is an inexact science, complicated by a large variability in the quality of the data it produces. Also, by its reliance on advanced statistical methods. 

Public health is a field that's widely misunderstood, even by science journalists. That's because epidemiology is an inexact science, complicated by a large variability in the quality of the data it produces. Also, by its reliance on advanced statistical methods. 

Whooping Cough Vaccine Should Be on All Expectant Moms' To-Do List

By Julianna LeMieux — Apr 04, 2017
In infants, whooping cough is horrific. They are especially vulnerable during their first few months, before they can receive their first vaccinations. A new study strengthens the CDC's recommendation: expectant mothers should get the whooping cough vaccine in their third trimester, to transfer protective antibodies to their newborns.

In infants, whooping cough is horrific. They are especially vulnerable during their first few months, before they can receive their first vaccinations. A new study strengthens the CDC's recommendation: expectant mothers should get the whooping cough vaccine in their third trimester, to transfer protective antibodies to their newborns.