Cheese Chemistry: Is Your Parmesan Legit?

By Alex Berezow, PhD — May 22, 2016
In an effort to clamp down on counterfeit food, a research group in Italy has devised a chemical test to help determine the authenticity of Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese. This is according to a report published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry.

In an effort to clamp down on counterfeit food, a research group in Italy has devised a chemical test to help determine the authenticity of Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese. This is according to a report published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry.

Part 2: Should the NFL Stop Testing Players for Marijuana?

By Erik Lief — May 22, 2016
With the nation's exploding opioid epidemic, Eugene Monroe's quest to steer NFL players away from widespread use of painkillers and possible opioid addiction continues to receive attention. And publicly confronting the most popular sports enterprise in America -- from within, as a current player with the Baltimore Ravens -- will surely get you noticed. As will calling the NFL's chief executive a liar. Part 2 of 2.

With the nation's exploding opioid epidemic, Eugene Monroe's quest to steer NFL players away from widespread use of painkillers and possible opioid addiction continues to receive attention. And publicly confronting the most popular sports enterprise in America -- from within, as a current player with the Baltimore Ravens -- will surely get you noticed. As will calling the NFL's chief executive a liar. Part 2 of 2.

Opioid Prescriptions Down: Good? Bad? Misguided?

By Josh Bloom — May 21, 2016
There is no disputing the fact that the U.S. is overwhelmed by addiction to opioid narcotic drugs. The number of prescriptions written for the drugs has dropped past three years. This sounds encouraging, but have new laws gone too far? Maybe so.

There is no disputing the fact that the U.S. is overwhelmed by addiction to opioid narcotic drugs. The number of prescriptions written for the drugs has dropped past three years. This sounds encouraging, but have new laws gone too far? Maybe so.

Cigna Promises to Cut Opiate Prescriptions by 25 Percent

By Lila Abassi — May 20, 2016
The health insurance company is attempting to support of the federal government in its effort to curb the rampant over-prescribing of opioid drugs. However, large, sweeping changes to physician prescribing is a one-size-fits-all approach to a crisis that desperately needs anything but.

The health insurance company is attempting to support of the federal government in its effort to curb the rampant over-prescribing of opioid drugs. However, large, sweeping changes to physician prescribing is a one-size-fits-all approach to a crisis that desperately needs anything but.

How Do You Regulate Something That You Don’t Understand?

By Julianna LeMieux — May 20, 2016
The debate about endocrine disruption is intense, in large part because the research is inconclusive. In turn, there's a great deal of uncertainty on this topic. We highlight the documents that may shed light on a workable approach to the issue.

The debate about endocrine disruption is intense, in large part because the research is inconclusive. In turn, there's a great deal of uncertainty on this topic. We highlight the documents that may shed light on a workable approach to the issue.

How Mitochondria, Our Cellular Power Stations, Evolved

By ACSH Staff — May 20, 2016
Mitochondria, the power stations of human cells, provide energy for cellular metabolism. But how these evolved, and how are they constructed, has long been the subject of scientific curiosity.

Mitochondria, the power stations of human cells, provide energy for cellular metabolism. But how these evolved, and how are they constructed, has long been the subject of scientific curiosity.

Plants May Be Biting Back

By ACSH Staff — May 20, 2016
Herbivores, both in nature and the human self-identification kind, think plants love to be eaten. But a recent study shows that may not be so -- they may be biting back.

Herbivores, both in nature and the human self-identification kind, think plants love to be eaten. But a recent study shows that may not be so -- they may be biting back.

Should the NFL Stop Testing Players for Marijuana?

By Erik Lief — May 20, 2016
Eugene Monroe does not come off as the stereotypical, egocentric, multi-millionaire ballplayer looking for league clearance to get high. Conversely, the veteran left tackle for the Baltimore Ravens, who claims not to smoke, has willingly become a marijuana missionary, to help his NFL brethren ravaged by injuries steer clear of addiction to -- and premature death from -- painkillers.

Eugene Monroe does not come off as the stereotypical, egocentric, multi-millionaire ballplayer looking for league clearance to get high. Conversely, the veteran left tackle for the Baltimore Ravens, who claims not to smoke, has willingly become a marijuana missionary, to help his NFL brethren ravaged by injuries steer clear of addiction to -- and premature death from -- painkillers.

World Population Will Stabilize Because Humans Aren't Cockroaches

By Alex Berezow, PhD — May 20, 2016
World population growth is a hot-button issue. A large segment of the public seems to believe that humans will continue to reproduce until we run out of food and water. Basically, we're just like cockroaches or bacteria. No serious demographer believes that -- as world fertility has been declining for years -- but facts haven't killed off this pernicious myth.

World population growth is a hot-button issue. A large segment of the public seems to believe that humans will continue to reproduce until we run out of food and water. Basically, we're just like cockroaches or bacteria. No serious demographer believes that -- as world fertility has been declining for years -- but facts haven't killed off this pernicious myth.

Optical Illusions: Once You See It, You Can't Unsee It

By Ana-Marija Dolaskie — May 19, 2016
What you see is not what you get: That's a clichè, but also true when it comes to optical illusions. And the latest visual trickery on the Internet will have you going nuts!

What you see is not what you get: That's a clichè, but also true when it comes to optical illusions. And the latest visual trickery on the Internet will have you going nuts!