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The EPA is moving farther and farther away from producing science-driven outcomes. Its final rule for regulating ethylene oxide emissions from commercial sterilizers demonstrates how EPA is ignoring best scientific practices in its quest to advance the Administration’s dual agenda of “cancer moonshot” and environmental justice. 

In this week’s literary voyage, navigating the treacherous waters of government surveillance, the depths of human behavior, where the Shirky principle holds sway, the tempest of emotional and practical conversations, and confront the storm clouds looming over whether renewables shall be our salvation or the harbingers of a gridlocked fate.,

Naloxone and Naltrexone sound alike, look alike chemically, and are both used to counter the misuse of opioids. But pharmacologically, they're strikingly different. This is why the two drugs are used for different purposes. Confused? Let's clear things up.

William "Bill" Post, who recently passed away at age 96, may not ring a lot of bells, but his invention sure does. Post is credited with the invention of Pop-Tarts. The little devils were first marketed in 1964 but even after 60 years, they remain wildly popular – to the tune of three billion sold annually. Here's a non-serious look at Post and his breakfast-changing innovation.

Picture this: a farm where the phrase "the other white meat" takes on a whole new meaning. It’s where farmers swap their pitchforks for snake tongs and hooks, where the scales are tipped in favor of protein, and fewer greenhouse gases are released.

Reducing air pollution is a universally acknowledged goal, heralded for its potential to improve public health and environmental quality. However, amidst the enthusiasm for cleaner air, a critical question emerges: How effective have our efforts truly been?

A recent study published in Nature suggests that the key to a longer, healthier life is not achieved by stuffing our faces around the clock. Instead, starving ourselves for a bit might be the ticket to turning back the clock on aging. What is the science behind this hunger game? Is fasting the ultimate cheat code for defying time?

Over millennia, there has been a seamless continuum of technologies for genetic modification of plants, animals, and microorganisms, with progressive improvements in precision and predictability -- a fact that seems to have escaped the notice of EU politicians and regulators.

Medical schools emphasizing DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) as criteria for admissions is a prescription for disaster.

Micro- and nanoplastics, found in the plaque within our arteries, are born from the ubiquitous presence of plastics in our environment. They are raising eyebrows and heart rates among scientists and physicians, courtesy of a groundbreaking study in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM).

My recent chat with John Batchelor broached the important subject of flawed, non-reproducible scientific studies that find their way into journals. It seems that replicating results is as rare as finding a unicorn at a science fair.

As is widely known, March 14 is also called Pi Day. That's because the mathematical figure, which is used, among other things, to calculate the area of a circle, is termed "irrational," in that it cannot be converted to a fraction – with decimals that go on infinitely. However, it begins with 3.14, hence the association with the calendar. With that, shall we share the recipe for the world's best Key Lime Pi(e)? Absolutely.

The New York Times recently delved into a societal debate concerning the terminology used to describe unintentional deaths caused by drugs, particularly opioids. This discourse revolves around the distinction between labeling such deaths as overdoses versus poisonings, a seemingly subtle yet significant choice that carries implications for policy and perception.

On March 26th, the Supreme Court will convene to determine the availability of the abortion drug mifepristone. The cases also challenge the state’s right to regulate the health and safety of its constituents (its ‘police power’). But that’s not all that’s at stake.

We spend 85% of our time indoors, and air conditioning can provide relief when and where we need it. Nevertheless, regulatory agencies continue to press for tighter outdoor emission controls. Their mantra is that lives can be shortened by long-term (years) exposure, no matter how trivial. This is the linear, no-threshold hypothesis currently promulgated by EPA.

Willie Loman
100 little ideas, who needs just one big idea
And some nuggets of thought
Buckle up for a ride through the corridors of thought control at the NY Times

Scientific progress is built on experiments, data, research, and constant questioning. While fraud is not a new issue, big data and Artificial Intelligence present challenges that dramatically increase the risk of fraud. New tools need to be developed to identify and reduce scientific fraud. Without them, the foundation of the scientific process is at risk.

Medicare Advantage (MA) seems to be the belle of the healthcare ball, attracting more seniors than ever. A recent Commonwealth Fund survey aimed to unveil the supposed "value-added" services of MA over traditional Medicare, but is the MA magic more of a sleight of hand than a genuine healthcare marvel?

A company called ZBiotic wants you to believe that its product – a microorganism that makes the enzyme that metabolizes acetaldehyde – will help prevent a hangover. Should we believe this?

Artificial intelligence may need new oversight in some areas, but additional regulation of medical devices now would be superfluous and inhibit innovation.

We can create a public health infrastructure that is more resilient to outbreaks of viral illnesses by better understanding the nature of virus infections and how to address vaccine hesitancy.

From vaccines and AI innovations to imminent breakthroughs, discover the cutting-edge advancements shaping the future of healthcare in this conversation with radio host Mark Hahn.

As we bask in the anticipation of spring, a familiar cautionary whisper resurfaces – the age-old advice about the perils of too much sun exposure. Should we fear the sun? From its benefits and risks to the complexities of sunscreens and UV-protective clothing, an informed and balanced approach to sun exposure is our best bet.

Psychotropic drugs are all the rage now as a potential treatment of brain diseases. Examples are ketamine and psilocybin for depression and PTSD. More recently, a single dose of LSD was found to have a long-lasting effect on generalized anxiety disorder. Some simple chemistry may explain how LSD can persist in the brain long after it is gone from the blood.

The Bible of science – the body of peer-reviewed literature – is increasingly filled with dubious and even fraudulent research. Most academics openly recognize the threat this poses to scientific progress, though viable solutions to academic fraud are sorely lacking. How do we address this critical problem?