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For some, opioids aren't just painkillers; they serve as a lure into an addictive, self-destructive lifestyle. The sense of euphoria that opioids can cause proves irresistible to some addicts. For this reason, pharmaceutical companies are seeking to discover and develop non-opioid, non-addictive drugs to treat pain.

Medical researchers with the Navy in San Diego concluded that young male adults who watched pornography were more likely to be dissatisfied with actual sexual encounters. And the more porn they consumed the more desensitized they became to human interaction – while increasing their risk of experiencing erectile dysfunction.

As bacterial resistance continues to grow and antibiotics become harder than ever to discover, there may be a new guideline that should be invaluable in assisting the search for new antibiotics – especially those for Gram-negative bacteria, the toughest nut to crack. A non-obvious, but potentially game-changing observation could revolutionize the way in which new antibiotics are discovered. 

A paper claiming an environmental cause for two cancers that have been intensively studied over decades has serious flaws. That's because there's little-to-no evidence that environmental pollution plays a role.

The NewYorkBIO Annual Conference brings together emerging and established companies, investors, business development professionals, scientists and others supporting and advancing life science discoveries. We were more than happy to be included.
 

For those who want raw fish, such as sushi, freshness is absolutely mandatory. However, old fish is still problematic even if cooked. So a group of Taiwanese researchers developed a semiconductor sensor that detects fish freshness in 60 seconds.

Fourth grader Savannah wants to know: How does electricity always know which path to take? The topic is complex but here are just the quick basics.

With criminal charges made public in the untimely death of a Penn State student, it's clear health misperceptions exist on college campuses. Here, we clarify some of those – while urging all universities to reassess and improve their initiatives. 

Visual impairment among preschool children is a problem that's had profound academic and social consequences. It could be easily corrected with screening that's both accurate and – for a change – not expensive. 

Astrophysicist and science communicator Neil deGrasse Tyson recently appeared on Conan O'Brien's TV show. As usual, he was engaging, charismatic and amusing. But when Dr. Tyson discussed microbiology and philosophy that's when his stars fell out of alignment.

If you remember 1982, at that time AIDS was a death sentence – and a gruesome one at that. But a recent Lancet paper shows how far we've come. And the difference between what Randy Shilts describes in his book and today is nothing short of miraculous. 

Regarding the issue that, “patients have long been aware that many unseen dollars drive medical decisions and events,” the sunshine of disclosure has been recommended as the cure. But does it work? 

A San Diego pharmacist, concerned for those shouldering the high cost of the drug injectors, is helping them by identifying the product's effective shelf life. And at at cost of roughly $600 per pair, knowing how long EpiPens will actually work can translate into real savings for families on a tight budget.

One final observation on our great post-war successes in controlling malaria by targeting its vector, the Anopheles mosquito. By using that most marvelous insecticide DDT, we were beginning to gain the upper hand in our conquest of malaria as clearly demonstrated in the table below.

Country

Malaria occurrence per annum prior to introduction of DDT

There's a camp that says innovation in drug development comes solely from academia and government labs. Another says the pharmaceutical industry invents drugs, without academic involvement. Both camps are wrong. Usually, both academia and industry contribute to drug discovery. An example is the long, grueling battle against hepatitis C. 

American Council Board Advisor Jerry Cutler takes a look at medical situations that should prompt us to re-evaluate the application of the linear dose-response model.

Statins, despite their overwhelming benefit to cardiovascular health, carry around a perennial black eye – they cause muscle pain. This longstanding "fact" is a result of a notoriously inaccurate type of study called an observational study. Guess what happened when another study was done properly? 

By demonizing biotechnology and conventional agriculture, Whole Foods has profited handsomely. But with its recent financial struggles, it would be nice if the sales downturn was the result of Americans waking up to the fact that the chain has been lying to them for years.

Over time, wealth makes people desire a clean environment. That’s why environmentalists, if they are to be successful, must be pro-human at heart.

1. Friday was the premiere of "Food Evolution", a documentary about the many beneficial advances in agricultural science we have had, in New York City and Los Angeles. I had seen it before, two weeks ago, at the University of Guelph when they flew me in to give a talk. Guelph is an agriculture town, everyone knows a scientist or a farmer, they see the benefits of science and farming, and I wanted to see how that compared to New York City, where anti-science beliefs about food are the norm.  

Sulphoraphane, found in broccoli and other vegetables of that group, has been touted as an anti-oxidant for years – but without much evidence that it has a real beneficial health effect. However, recent research suggests that it might actually be useful to help people with type 2 diabetes maintain normal levels of blood glucose.

How profound. This concept, from the preeminent Harvard scientist and noted optimist, is worth examining in the context of biotechnology.

In less than two months, the entire continental U.S. will witness a total eclipse of the sun for the first time in nearly a century. On Aug. 21 those living in a 70-mile-wide band stretching between Oregon and South Carolina will be able to watch the moon completely block out the sun while they are treated with a rare, naked-eye glimpse of the burning star's solar corona.

Out-of-the-ordinary items of interest, including a young, popular fitness blogger killed by a cannister of whipped cream.

Initially developed in 1971 by Archie Cochrane, systematic review and meta-analysis attempt to examine the literature to find clinical answers. Initially a tool for clinicians, these summaries are now a source of media hype and fodder for policymakers. How do they work – and how can you tell if you're being hoodwinked?