Industry Sponsorship of Nutritional Studies - is a bias revealed?

By Chuck Dinerstein, MD, MBA — Nov 15, 2016
http://theincidentaleconomist.com/wordpress/does-industry-money-skew-nutrition-study-results-its-hard-to-say/These findings suggest but do not establish that industry sponsorship of nutrition studies is associated with conclusions that favor the sponsors ... How did the results support this conclusion? Perhaps the authors have a bias not captured in their conflict of interest disclosures. Conflicts of interest are not solely financial.

http://theincidentaleconomist.com/wordpress/does-industry-money-skew-nu… findings suggest but do not establish that industry sponsorship of nutrition studies is associated with conclusions that favor the sponsors ...
How did the results support this conclusion? Perhaps the authors have a bias not captured in their conflict of interest disclosures. Conflicts of interest are not solely financial.

More Faces You See, the More You 'Like'

By Erik Lief — Nov 14, 2016
In the study of human behavior, individuals gravitate towards familiar things. That idea also extends to the realm of facial recognition. A new study indicates that those who observe and come into contact with a wider range of different faces are more prone to instantly accept an unknown person based solely by their facial features.

In the study of human behavior, individuals gravitate towards familiar things. That idea also extends to the realm of facial recognition. A new study indicates that those who observe and come into contact with a wider range of different faces are more prone to instantly accept an unknown person based solely by their facial features.

Like Beef, Insects Are a Good Source of Iron

By Alex Berezow, PhD — Nov 14, 2016
Outside of the Western world, insect consumption is common. The Chinese, for instance, will eat just about anything that crawls on six (or more) legs. Centipedes and fried scorpions appear on the menu. Not only is entomophagy widespread, it's also probably healthier for people -- and the planet -- than eating other animals.

Outside of the Western world, insect consumption is common. The Chinese, for instance, will eat just about anything that crawls on six (or more) legs. Centipedes and fried scorpions appear on the menu. Not only is entomophagy widespread, it's also probably healthier for people -- and the planet -- than eating other animals.

How Will Genetically Modified Mosquitoes Stop Zika?

By Julianna LeMieux — Nov 14, 2016
Insect repellent, window screens, long sleeve shirts. Even by using these methods and more, there's no way to have guaranteed protection from viruses that are spread by mosquitoes. But here's an idea that would put an end to all other methods of mosquito repellents: What if there were no mosquitoes?

Insect repellent, window screens, long sleeve shirts. Even by using these methods and more, there's no way to have guaranteed protection from viruses that are spread by mosquitoes. But here's an idea that would put an end to all other methods of mosquito repellents: What if there were no mosquitoes?

An Article NOT about the Election

By Jamie Wells, M.D. — Nov 14, 2016
In search of a topic that is both health-related and apolitical, we felt that maybe focusing on intentional, unintentional injury could be informative and distracting. Whether recently elated, neutral or forlorn, you'll likely step away from this piece with knowledge of what not to do. Let’s examine further what it means to be human.

In search of a topic that is both health-related and apolitical, we felt that maybe focusing on intentional, unintentional injury could be informative and distracting. Whether recently elated, neutral or forlorn, you'll likely step away from this piece with knowledge of what not to do. Let’s examine further what it means to be human.

Herpes Vaccine Heads South ... of the Border?

By Josh Bloom — Nov 13, 2016
The announcement of the results of a small Phase I clinical trial of Rational Vaccines' Theravax herpes vaccine generated tremendous excitement and many questions. Especially, this one: "Where will subsequent clinical trials be held?" There was (and still is) no answer, but there's now a clue. It may be Mexico. 

The announcement of the results of a small Phase I clinical trial of Rational Vaccines' Theravax herpes vaccine generated tremendous excitement and many questions. Especially, this one: "Where will subsequent clinical trials be held?" There was (and still is) no answer, but there's now a clue. It may be Mexico. 

How Epstein-Barr Virus Causes Cancer

By Josh Bloom — Nov 11, 2016
The Epstein-Barr virus has always been a bit mysterious. It is responsible for mononucleosis, and is suspected of being a cause of chronic fatigue syndrome, although this disease remains poorly understood. The concept of viruses causing cancer is not new.

The Epstein-Barr virus has always been a bit mysterious. It is responsible for mononucleosis, and is suspected of being a cause of chronic fatigue syndrome, although this disease remains poorly understood. The concept of viruses causing cancer is not new.

Can Electronic Cigarettes Cause Cancer?

By Kedist Tedla — Nov 11, 2016
There are some unanswered questions about the long-term health safety of e-cigarettes. Studies have suggested that "vaping" is safer than smoking because it doesn't expose a person to the inhaled toxins found in cigarette smoke that can cause cancer. A recent study published in Mutation Research has furthered this thinking, showing that e-cigarettes do not cause mutation in DNA. 

There are some unanswered questions about the long-term health safety of e-cigarettes. Studies have suggested that "vaping" is safer than smoking because it doesn't expose a person to the inhaled toxins found in cigarette smoke that can cause cancer. A recent study published in Mutation Research has furthered this thinking, showing that e-cigarettes do not cause mutation in DNA. 

The Test that Prevented Millions of Cancers

By Julianna LeMieux — Nov 11, 2016
In the 1970s, an assay was developed by Dr. Bruce Ames that revolutionized the ability to test if a compound causes cancer or not. Since then, the Ames test has been used on everything from food dyes to pesticides. The test's power is not only that it is incredibly efficacious, but also that it's inexpensive and relatively easy to do. 

In the 1970s, an assay was developed by Dr. Bruce Ames that revolutionized the ability to test if a compound causes cancer or not. Since then, the Ames test has been used on everything from food dyes to pesticides. The test's power is not only that it is incredibly efficacious, but also that it's inexpensive and relatively easy to do. 

Population Well-Being tied to Longevity (Shocker!)

By Jamie Wells, M.D. — Nov 11, 2016
We're excited to report that a new study in Health Affairs provides us with another metric that we have previously known and repeatedly been shown in the literature (and in medical practice): Life expectancy and well-being are positively linked.  

We're excited to report that a new study in Health Affairs provides us with another metric that we have previously known and repeatedly been shown in the literature (and in medical practice): Life expectancy and well-being are positively linked.