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Endorphins, those opiate-type neurotransmitters, are involved in sensations such as "runner's high" — as well as other situations where pleasurable feelings are thought to increase the likelihood that an activity will be repeated. Since eating also increases endorphins, it's been suggested that they might also be responsible for overeating. But a recent study fails to uphold that hypothesis.

Terms like "autosomal recessive" and "dominant" are frequently tossed around, and you've probably heard them. But what does any of that really mean regarding the traits that children inherit from their parents? 

Who knew that if you looked hard enough, you'd find a supposed sinister side to even the most popular super food? We were surprised to hear fans of Quinoa are now afraid of chemicals in the grain called Saponins. 
 
 
 
 

UV light is dangerous to humans. That's part of the reason why there's widespread interest in discovering light sources that can kill unwanted organisms – while leaving humans unscathed.

Anorexia nervosa prompts physical changes in the brain, and researchers report that even after "successful" treatment it does not revert back to its healthy state. Specifically, the organ continues to have an "elevated reward system" as compared to normal brains.

During his address to Congress this week President Trump shone a spotlight on Megan Crowley, a 20-year-old Notre Dame sophomore with Pompe Disease, which is caused by mutations in the GAA gene.

The former administration's policies sent smoking cessation back to the 1990s, telling smokers to quit or die. We can do a whole lot better than that. Let's start by having the new administration wipe out a lot of suspect decisions made by the last one.

No matter the evidence, some people always will refuse to accept it. Some of those people are university professors, like Joel Moskowitz, who is on a crusade to prove that California is secretly hiding data that shows cell phones are giving people cancer.

Are bees facing extinction as many environmental advocacy groups and some scientists claim. And are neonicotinoid pesticides the key reason behind their health problems, as many activists, and some news reports suggest?

The 'Open Science Prize' is a collaboration between three of the biggest sources of science funding around. The intent is to inspire novel ways of making science accessible to aid in public health. The winner - an online tool that will change the course of how viral outbreaks are tracked - was announced this week. 

More defense spending is great, but if we really want to protect Americans, let's get vaccines where they need to be.

The Maryland State Children’s Environmental Health and Protection Advisory Council wants WiFi restricted in state schools because of cancer concerns. Just two problems with that: (1) Officials have no idea what they're talking about, and (2) officials have no idea what they're talking about.

The World Health Organization released its first-ever report on the antibiotic resistant bacteria that are of the greatest concern: the global priority pathogens. With roughly two million cases of antibiotic resistant infections each year in the United States – and 23,000 deaths – we need to pay attention to this. 

How often do you sanitize your TV remote? Vacuum your mattress? If you answered "never" then congratulations! You've never cleaned the top two dirtiest items in your house. 

The comments of other patients about physician behavior are what most patients want to know and maybe provide more insight into physician outcomes than Physician Compare and other 'unbiased' sources. 

For the first time, President Trump is giving a speech to a joint session of Congress*. Since the President has a habit of keeping us all guessing, here is a wish-list of things we would like to hear Mr. Trump talk about.

Famed "People's Court" Judge Joseph Wapner died at 97 in his sleep as per his son. We often hear on the news or even in daily conversation that a person died in his or her sleep. This concept is routinely conflated with the notion a death was by “old age” or "natural causes" or “debility." What do these terms actually mean? 

The amount of plastic garbage floating our oceans is staggering. Once its there, it's just about impossible to remove. The key is to prevent it from getting to the ocean in the first place. Dell Computer has initiated a pilot program that identifies areas where plastic is most likely to be discharged, collects it, and uses the material for shipping its products. Good for them.

It's Fat Tuesday. So, you had a paczki (or multiple paczki). After all, who are you to insult the Polish community on this delicious holiday? It's no secret paczki pack a lot of calories and fat. So what's the best way to burn one off?

Congratulations to Canada for approving the use of irradiation to help prevent contamination of ground beef from causing foodborne illness. The process has been approved in the US for a variety of foods and purposes, and we're pleased that Canadians can also benefit from its use.

Body fat is more than just a storage depot for our excess calories. Along with the production of hormones such as leptin, adipose tissue is also the source of microRNAs that help regulate metabolism. Lack of these miRNAs can lead to at least some of the metabolic problems often associated with obesity.

Sadly, the news outlets just reported the seemingly untimely passing of actor, Bill Paxton, at the age of 61. Losing a loved one is a devastating event and we wish his family peace during this especially difficult time. In a family statement, it was revealed he suffered surgical complications.

Do you want to know how to make VX gas? Ask a chemist. Or look online. Just don't try it because a variety of things will happen—all bad. 

In a unanimous Supreme Court victory, a young girl with cerebral palsy, Ehlena Fry, and her service dog, Wonder, succeeded in making the ability to pursue justice against discrimination for those managing disabilities that much easier.