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Severe droughts can wreak havoc on coastal marshes, which typically provide habitats for many species, like mammals, amphibians and birds. But researchers from the University of Florida suggest one factor that can help these areas recover more quickly is the presence of mussels clumped on the roots of marsh grasses.

Why would someone want to expose themself to serious injury or death just for a few thrill-inducing minutes jumping off a bridge and bouncing around uncontrollably? Yes, we've all heard the catch-all justification: "It's exhilarating -- and it makes me feel alive." Here's a closer look at the health consequences of this edge-of the-envelope activity. On its face it seems quite risky, but how risky is it? Maybe not as much as you think.

An analysis of 70 papers shows that most scientific research does not advance by "falsification," as philosopher Karl Popper made famous. Ironically, falsification has itself been falsified.

Since women have a higher incidence of dementia than men, the effects of estrogen replacement on cognitive function is a topic of ongoing research. A recent study tried to find out if taking hormone therapy at different stages of menopause would improve metabolic risk factors of Alzheimer’s Dementia and prevent cognitive decline.

A recent study led to an obvious question: Why have greater utilization of a hospital's Intensive Care Unit and invasive procedures if it doesn't improve mortality?

When biologists think of evolution, we tend to be biased toward those instances in which an organism gains some new ability, such as when a bacterium acquires a new antibiotic resistance gene. But a new paper warns that this is far too narrow a view. The authors contend that gene loss, and the loss-of-function that generally accompanies it, may play a large and overlooked role in evolution.

It's often the case that we don’t have time to carefully evaluate everything in life. We often take shortcuts. If a reputable authority takes a position, it is convenient and usually safe to just accept their reasoning. It's not so simple in the case of air pollution, more regulations, and saving lives.

There's some encouraging health news from the CDC about teenage behavior that should make parents breathe a bit easier. It's a report that shows that today's teens are basically making better health choices then previous teenage groups. And they are also making much better decisions than teens did a generation ago.

Apparently, according to a Cleveland Clinic survey, guys don't talk to other guys about health issues. And they are not really up on when they should start getting tested to screen out health problems — such as high blood pressure. But discussion can lead to action, which could save lives.

A recent study claims Medicare is discriminating against female doctors in payments. Here is what's really going on.

An emerging infectious disease that has killed several elderly people in the U.S. Midwest is caused by the bacterium Elizabethkingia anophelis. A genomic analysis of strains isolated from hospitalized babies in Africa show that they are related to strains in Asia and from mosquitoes. This ubiquitous environmental bacterium is resistant to multiple antibiotics and appears to survive in hospitals.

Tired of being forced to listen to generic muzak in that restaurant? Here is a way to create sound only you can hear - the ultimate customization.

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome is when an infant under 1 year dies, for the most part, when sleeping. There are a handful of recommendations given to new parents to prevent it, mostly regarding the baby's sleeping environment. A new study shows that, although these recommendations are (mostly) adhered to at bedtime, it's a different story as the night wears on.

The 22-Pushup Challenge is a recent campaign started by the organization 22Kill. It aims to raise awareness of the mental health issues facing veterans, that lead to an average of 22 suicides per day.

Finnish smokers who are faced with a greater distance to walk to obtain cigarettes are more likely to quit the habit than those whose access hasn't changed over time. If that is true in other populations, it might be another way to influence smokers' decision to quit.

Honey bees are at record numbers; wild bees are fine. So why are activists still promoting a Zombie Beepocalypse? ACSH Scientific Advisor Prof. Allen Felsot settles the matter.

Joe Mercola has hit rock bottom, which is no small task considering he's been a bottom dweller forever. But this time, he's crossed the line by suggesting that pesticides, environmental pollution, and vitamin deficiencies are the cause of Zika microcephaly. By doing so, he is actively putting babies at risk. Shame on him.

There has been a lot of talk in the last week about high prices for medications. But before allowing the smoke and mirrors of the modern media, politicians, insurance companies, and manufacturers to completely cloud the issue; consider a tag line I see more and more at the end of direct to consumer medication advertising. “If you take certain Company A medicines, and you cannot afford them, you may be surprised to learn that Company A may be able to help.”
Before we go off to blame the playa, perhaps we should consider the game.

When the latest trend generates buzzwords from its devotees like "detoxify" and "rejuvenation" and "cleansing," and with the celebrity set hopping on board, that usually means it's time for the level-headed among us to tap their inner skepticism before the purveyors of cool have us all bamboozled and reaching for our wallets. Welcome to the wonderful world of infrared saunas, and the dubious health claims that come with them.

1. A new study adds another layer to the debate about e-cigarettes and vaping. Though the government has determined in advance they must be harmful and a gateway to cigarettes, a survey finds it is just the opposite.

There was a time when the International Agency for Research on Cancer did fine work. It knew how to separate health threats from health scares and if its officials tackled something, it was important. Yet today IARC claims hot water and bacon causes cancer. What went wrong? Frankly, officials ran out of cancer-causing agents so they started inventing them. And now we have this glyphosate fiasco.

Haiti did not have a single case of cholera until October 2010 -- 10 months after a devastating earthquake leveled the country on Jan. 12 of the same year, killing up to an estimated 300,000 people. 

Our public health strategy tends to be reactionary rather than preventative. Thus, instead of focusing most of our efforts in preparation for what is coming next, we are dumping limited resources on battles already fought. This is a dangerous gamble, considering that the Ebola virus has deadly cousins.

When it comes to picking someone who exudes terrific health, physical stamina and excellence in aging, a great choice would be Laird Hamilton. Given the surfing legend's sculpted physique, what principles does he live by? And in regard to maintaining his overall health and fending off back pain as he ages, does his approach make sense for the rest of us?

With only my own stupidity to blame, I got into a Twitter "discussion" with an anti-DDT zealot. Big mistake. All I got was a stomach ache. Not sure what he got from it.