Dirty dishes. Scattered papers. And a countertop in desperate need of a serious wipe down. Why is this important? Evidence points to a largely overlooked player that has the potential to wreak havoc on a dieter's quest to maintain their eating discipline: A cluttered, chaotic kitchen.

Leon Bellan, an assistant professor of mechanical engineering at Vanderbilt University, used his creative vision and a $40 cotton candy machine to create tiny threads that resemble patterns formed by capillaries. In the body, these may be able to keep tissues viable and functional for transplantation.

A silly article makes it appear as though Walgreens pharmacies are contributing to the heroin addiction problem. But all the company is doing is making the life-saving antidote -- naloxone -- available in its stores.

In a surprising report, researchers using data from the long-term Framingham, MA study have shown that the age-specific incidence of new cases of dementia have actually fallen by 44 percent since 1977. The number of overall new cases, however, will continue to rise as the population ages.

Until recently, it looked like the African AIDS epidemic might finally be controlled, with the widespread use of anti-retroviral (ARV) drugs. But poor compliance has caused HIV to mutate in a way such that tenofovir, one of the most important ARV drugs, often no longer works, threatening not only Africa, but world as well.

When it comes to the Zika virus, a quaint anomaly for decades, those who live in rural areas have much different ideas than urban dwellers on how to prevent the mosquito-transmitted infection from becoming a major health problem in the United States.

A large segment of health-conscious Americans avoid foods that are deep fried, for fear that it may clog their arteries or lead to certain cancers. But countering these ideas, some recent studies show that deep frying with olive oil may actually provide health benefits.

With the uncertainty surrounding the Zika virus, which could turn to panic if it reaches epidemic proportions in the U.S., mosquito control may become more important than ever. Although it hasn't been used here since 1972, DDT is creeping into discussions about how to contain the virus. It's unlikely to be used, but in the meantime we ask: What is DDT? And is it really poisonous?

The National Academy of Medicine conservatively approved studies to be conducted, on a limited basis, to evaluate the safety and efficacy of mitochondrial replacement therapy (MRT) in women with mitochondrial disease allowing them to have their own genetic children.

Too many pregnant women in America still smoke, with major consequences for their offspring. A new CDC report illustrates the extent of the problem, but says nothing about how to ameliorate it, such as by providing more effective cessation methods.