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Negativity's grip on the news scene
Death by paperwork
JFK's tale through a surgeon's call
In social media's grip

Even satellites grow old, but did we expect dementia?
The Gut - Wellness eludes those in dietary despair
Kitchen Aid, domestic muse
Ant societies -  “Humans should not confuse impact with control.”

Bubonic Plague first invaded American shores in early 1900, launching political and scientific warfare, invoking quarantines and forced vaccines, triggering social upheaval and racial justice concerns, and inflaming competing social agendas, much akin to the COVID controversies. The courts got involved there, but then, government powers were crimped.

The editor-in-chief of a preeminent scientific journal should know what a "scientist" is – and isn't. Holden Thorp, the editor of the journal Science, does not.

In the mood to learn a little about history, the culinary arts, chemistry, biology, and evolution? Yessirree, it's all on the menu as we take a look at the beloved Chinese dish, General Tso's Chicken.

NPR recently lost its nerve over the realization that some men are giving up internet porn, fearing this "masturbation abstinence" trend is a gateway to radical right-wing politics. The media should be more interested in the potentially serious health impacts of porn itself.

The FDA has proposed changing the classification of marijuana from a Schedule I to a Schedule III drug. What impacts could this regulatory status change have on public health and drug regulation around the U.S.? Let's listen in.

A new month, a new chemical to fear. Such is the business plan of the Environmental Working Group, an organization that I've been saying unflattering things about for years. Why? Because it usually deserves it. Let's look at a just-released EWG video, which shows the kinds of tricks those guys have been using (and fooling us with) forever.

It's America's most addictive and fastest-growing sport. Pickleball is all kinds of fun, especially for the 60+ crowd who may have given up on sports. Of course, while players have suffered injuries involving the Achilles, hamstring, and quads, eye injuries are the most serious. Yet, most people don't wear protective goggles. Here's why you should. Bonus: A photo of me looking like an Olympic-class imbecile. Enjoy.

In a surprising twist to the urban farming narrative, a study challenges the widely-held belief that urban agriculture (UA) is a beacon of sustainability. Despite its celebrated diversity and perceived lower environmental impact, those charming community gardens and small-scale farms emit six times more carbon dioxide equivalents than their conventional counterparts.

Whenever I encounter a supposed practice or supplement that will save or ruin my brain, my first reaction is to roll my eyes – a modus operandi that I, unfortunately, developed in graduate school.

As the top editor of the journal Science, Thorp's inclusive view of scientists might be well-intentioned. But the crux of the matter lies in the difference between understanding and explaining the world (the scientist's realm) and applying that knowledge in the real world (the domain of application specialists).

Two federal courts have ruled that the Biden Administration unduly influenced social media moderation during the COVID-19 pandemic. Some public health and legal experts have argued that these efforts were necessary and did not constitute censorship. They are downplaying the extent of the government's efforts and overlooking their serious consequences.

In the crowded market of wellness supplements, ARMRA Colostrum claims to offer a scientifically backed solution. However, a closer look reveals a familiar pattern of marketing tactics using buzzwords and bold claims. Despite touting transparency and scientific rigor, the evidence, as usual, falls short.

In this segment, we seek answers for ethical quandaries posed by Pre-Natal Genetic Testing (which of necessity involves use of IVF) from legal doctrine, exploring the procedures’ impact on individual choices, informed consent, and the ownership of genetic information.

Tinnitus, the rockstar of auditory annoyances, is a buzzing, ringing, or tone that only you can hear. It's a party trick your brain plays on you. But science now offers a new-age solution: jamming to tones while tickling your tongue. And guess what? It's an FDA-approved medical device.  

Ever wondered if your TV marathon could be linked to those annoying trips to the bathroom? A recent study dives into the association between TV watching and nocturia – the habit of waking up at night to urinate. Is it worth sacrificing an extra hour of TV for a good night's sleep?

Since the beginning of the modern environmental movement in the 1970s, air pollution has been defined as the debasement of the outdoor ambient air. That movement has been a resounding success. Accompanying these benefits has been the recognition that the indoor environment is now relatively more important. The EPA has responded with citizen advisory programs but little information on indoor risk or remediations.

Some time ago I asked (via Twitter) if people knew of cases where hospice patients were being underprescribed opioid pain medications. Many did. But one story stood out. You'll see why. Meet Laurie Engel.

Arsenic has a well-deserved reputation as a poison; in ancient times it was known as the “Poison of Kings and the King of Poisons.” But arsenic, an element found naturally in soil, air, and drinking water, also has beneficial uses. How should we think about arsenic in terms of human health?   

The sci-fi world of Gattaca promised parents the option of selecting genetically bespoke children. Now you can buy a menu of tests prophesing your kids’ health risks – even before the embryo is implanted. Soon, we can expect tests for brains, brawn, and beauty. How do we even make that decision?

The guilt trip of buying local – are farmers' markets the carbon saviors they claim to be?
Diversity is key, even in cheese.
Air Canada blames its chatbot, now deemed a 'separate legal entity,' for misinformation in court.
Forget the quaint image of London's smog; Melbourne’s 'thunderstorm asthma' brings unexpected respiratory dramas.

When you sit for a blood pressure reading, where is the best place to measure it? An article in the Washington Post suggests that the doctor's office, for several reasons, might not be the best place to collect the most accurate readings. Here are the factors to consider – and possibly raise with your doctor.

"Star so bright in the night,”  do we know your name?  
Many of the starry creatures glittering among the constellations above were identified almost 300 years ago by a woman whose birthday we celebrate on March 16. Her name, which is not nearly as well known as the comets she catalogued, is Caroline Herschel.

In March, the U.S. Supreme Court will determine the extent of permissible federal interactions with private-party decision-making – namely, by social media platforms. The issue is portrayed as a clash between First Amendment rights and public health. This is not a new conundrum, but the involvement of social media is upping the ante. Further complicating the issue is the fact that the platforms acquiesced and voluntarily cooperated with governmental involvement, and while they are the object of the federal “incursions,” the social media platforms are not the aggrieved parties in the case.