Search results

When Average won't suffice, science, a strong-link problem
The body electric
Is the British Museum a crime scene?
Scientific American has been “woke” for over a century

John Batchelor and I discussed the ongoing developments and challenges in addressing COVID-19. We emphasized the importance of staying up-to-date with vaccines, especially for older adults with pre-existing conditions, as I’ve always advised. We talked about the concept of a universal vaccine, which, though difficult to achieve, is actively being researched.

It all began with a grand experiment involving physicians, published in the hallowed pages of the New England Journal of Medicine: a nearly miraculous halving of heart attacks among those taking a low-dose aspirin. New studies have emerged, exploring the changing tides of benefits and harms.

In an invisible dance, micro- and nanoplastics move about ubiquitously, yet unnoticed. These minuscule particles bob and weave into every corner of our existence. Yet, their impact on our respiratory health is unclear. How do these particles navigate the pathways of our respiratory tree, and what does this mean for our well-being?

Genetically engineered bacteria can not only degrade plastic waste, but they can convert it into valuable industrial chemicals. There are still unknowns -- for example, how to do this at scale and how it will be regulated.

Imagine a world where the nuances of religious beliefs intertwine with medical science, shaping the very fabric of healthcare. Welcome to Halalopathy, a concept emerging from a vibrant Islamic culture and pharmaceutical practice.

Vaccine patches should come with the slogan, “No more tears.” Too bad Johnson & Johnson trademarked it for its baby shampoo.

During my recent conversation with John Batchelor, we discussed the ongoing threat of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian flu, which has been a persistent concern, particularly in Asia, since the early 2000s. Newer variants of the virus have recently posed significant challenges to poultry farmers, especially in Northern California, where millions of birds have been culled to control outbreaks. Of particular concern has been the spread of avian flu to many mammalian species, most recently to dozens of herds of dairy cows in at least 10 states.

We’ve witnessed the opioid addiction crisis suffering through its mismanagement. Now, we face another scourge of addiction – again resulting in untimely deaths of young people while bankrupting and overtaking their emotional lives. This debacle is caused by social media, with recompense and responsibility avoided, and guardrails are yet to be widely implemented.

Metaphors illuminate the complex, yet their light dims with time.
Managers desire control; makers desire time
Historical myths spread far and wide
Peanut butter, a liquid, who would have thought?

The "iron law of prohibition" is alive and well. An animal anesthetic related to – but worse than – xylazine (Tranq) is called medetomidine. It's starting to be detected in samples of illicit fentanyl. Just what we don't need: another adulterant in an already-deadly street drug. And it's all predictable.

The silver tsunami, or America's aging population, continues to flood the roads. For seniors who might be truckin’ with a bit of physical or cognitive impairment, there may be a rising tide of concern about road safety. Only a handful of states bother to make dementia diagnoses reportable. A new study suggests this may lead to fewer, not more, reports.

It's Memorial Day Weekend – the unofficial start of the beach season. Although no one is likely to be swimming in the icy water of Ussuri Bay in Siberia, many will visit it because of "garbage" on the beach. But it's not typical garbage. Ussuri Bay is "littered" with a treasure – a vast amount of sea glass with an astounding variety of colors. Here's a look at this beautiful place and also a little chemistry about how sea glass forms.

Electronic Health Records (EHRs) were once hailed as the solution to streamlining healthcare processes, but their implementation has brought forth a host of challenges. From increased work burden and clinician burnout to facilitated medical errors, the journey of EHRs has been tumultuous. With billions of dollars invested and a staggering increase in adoption rates, we find ourselves retrofitting the system. But this isn't just about optimizing technology; it's about preserving the heart of healthcare.

Frederick McKay didn’t head to Colorado Springs in the early 1900s to become a dental detective. Like many health-conscious hypochondriacs of his time, he was chasing the promise of Colorado’s “miracle” dry climate, hoping it might save him from the doom of tuberculosis. Instead of clear lungs, he found “Colorado Brown Stain,” the start of a decades-long mystery that would eventually prove science, persistence, and maybe a bit of luck could turn even the ugliest smiles into a public health triumph.

In this week’s reading, you’ll discover surprising historical links between farming and climate change, why crypto remains controversial, and how our bodies might be more attuned to daylight than we ever imagined.

If Kennedy and Oz are confirmed as heads of HHS and NIH, respectively) we are going to be seeing an explosion of 17th-century science coupled with 21st-century sleazy marketing. This provides an infinite collection of fraudulent garbage that needs to be called out. Let's start with the "foot detox." It does not remove feces through your feet.

We’ve all been there: your perfectly buttered toast hits the floor, and you’re left debating whether to risk it all for breakfast or let it go to the crumbs of history. Enter the “five-second rule,” a charming blend of culinary optimism and microbial roulette.

In a new thought piece, researchers explore how deeply ingrained cultural habits — like America’s love of individualism and East Asia’s embrace of collective harmony — shaped the national chaos, triumphs, and outcomes of COVID.

Jay Bhattacharya's recent history is a cautionary tale of how ideology and misinformation can undermine public health. His flawed views led to unnecessary suffering and eroded trust in science, making him a wholly unacceptable choice to head the nation's premier research institution.

A recent article hailed Lifestyle Medicine training as a way to “empower” physicians through education. But, a closer look at the study involved reveals modest knowledge gains, inflated confidence, and little evidence that it translates to practice changes. Let’s investigate just how empowering this training really is.

Water fluoridation transformed dental care, saved billions of dollars, and inspired an iconic scene in a Hollywood satire ("Dr. Strangelove"). Yet, some eight decades after it was first introduced, fluoridation is still the subject of conspiracy theories and political posturing.

As eventful as 2024 has been regarding the law and bioethics of scientific matters, 2025 promises to be even more “exciting,” assuming that RFK Jr. and his cohorts assume health decision-making status. Precedent set by the Supreme Court may well be turned on its head – at least as far as FDA drug and vaccine approvals go. It might be worthwhile to reflect on how the law morphed over the last year and what it portends for the future.

Carfentanil, a much stronger version of fentanyl, is increasingly appearing in seized illicit fentanyl samples. This could make the fentanyl problem far worse. Here's why.

Could your trusty black spatula be trying to poison you, as some alarmist headlines fueled by a lawsuit and some dodgy science claim? Before you go Marie Kondo-ing your utensil drawer, let’s dig into the bad math, media hype, and the recycling controversy that ignited this unnecessary scare.