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Can people be motivated to change their behavior to improve their health? Encouraging weight loss by financially rewarding individuals isn't particularly effective. But a new study suggests that using a "stick," with fines that penalize inactivity, just might be more effective than a dangling the money "carrot."

As a young, active person, it never once occurred to me that at age 28 I would suffer from lower back pain. I avoid going to the movies and long car rides because I can't sit that long. And at its worst, I can barely make it through dinner before I have to stand up and stretch. I suffer from sciatica, and it's a real pain.

Though it may seem like it is recent, chemophobia has been building up for decades. Generations ago activists were using the language of scientists - possible, known, etc. - against science.

Chest pressure. Shortness-of-breath. Cold sweats. Individually, these symptoms could be signs of some minor health issue. Or taken together, they can be misdiagnosed signs of a heart attack especially if you re someone under 40.

There's nothing like a medical scare to bring out the kooks; Zika has done just that. And as facts pile up showing that Zika is causing microcephaly, so do the conspiracy theories. While a new CDC study gives solid evidence connecting the virus to birth defects, others think Bill Gates is a madman out to depopulate the world.

A new study of elderly Germans assessed the possible link between acid-blocking drugs called proton pump inhibitors (PPI) and new-onset dementia. A 44 percent increased risk of dementia was found among those on PPIs long-term, but no cause-and-effect link can be established based upon this study.

While the U.S. population continues to struggle with a well-known obesity epidemic, according to the results of a new Gallup poll it appears that the problem is getting worse before it will get better. The nation's obesity rate has climbed to a record high, with 28 percent of all adults falling into this category.

Far too many antibiotic prescriptions are written for infections that cannot be treated by them. A new study published in JAMA shows how some simple behavioral interventions can change prescribers habits toward more evidence-based prescribing.

George Washington may be the only popularly elected ruler in history who, when his supporters offered to crown him King, relinquished his power instead.

Is a certain kind of artificial turf harmful? So far it is just claims by lawyers prepping for a lawsuit but it merits study because they have scared parents. What doesn't need study, the facts are in, is that Coke has managed to frustrate Food Nazis once again - by being successful with smaller serving sizes

A British microbiologist found that some beard bacteria contains anti-adhesion molecules, which prevent bacterial binding to surfaces. That means that hipster beards may harbor bacteria capable of killing drug-resistant bacteria.

Imagine going to a family get-together and seeing the same face on both your mom and your second cousin. Or not being able to recognize either one of them. Welcome to the frustrating world of the face-blind. But a new test hopes to improve on previous ones that have kept sufferers in the dark.

Fluorine is the most reactive element of all. Most chemists will never use, or even see it. But, there are a few people with more than a few screws loose that will demonstrate how reactive it really is. You won't believe it.

It is a little known, and extremely unimportant fact that chemicals from plants are slightly radioactive, while chemicals from crude oil are not. This has no health consequences whatsoever, but the reason why is quite interesting. It is also the basis for carbon 14 dating.

A systematic review of controlled clinical trials reveals that opioid analgesics are not superior to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs, in treating the pain associated with knee osteoarthritis.

If someone has been obese for many years, would undergoing bariatric surgery still be helpful, allowing them to live longer? A recent study shows that while middle-aged patients benefitted, "bypass surgery is protective against mortality even for older patients."

In a study of younger women with breast cancer, more and more are deciding to get tested for the BRCA mutation, which they should be getting. Some of them decided not to get tested and just opt for mastectomy, but this is unnecessary in general.

Leon Bellan, an assistant professor of mechanical engineering at Vanderbilt University, used his creative vision and a $40 cotton candy machine to create tiny threads that resemble patterns formed by capillaries. In the body, these may be able to keep tissues viable and functional for transplantation.

A silly article makes it appear as though Walgreens pharmacies are contributing to the heroin addiction problem. But all the company is doing is making the life-saving antidote -- naloxone -- available in its stores.

In a surprising report, researchers using data from the long-term Framingham, MA study have shown that the age-specific incidence of new cases of dementia have actually fallen by 44 percent since 1977. The number of overall new cases, however, will continue to rise as the population ages.

Until recently, it looked like the African AIDS epidemic might finally be controlled, with the widespread use of anti-retroviral (ARV) drugs. But poor compliance has caused HIV to mutate in a way such that tenofovir, one of the most important ARV drugs, often no longer works, threatening not only Africa, but world as well.

Dirty dishes. Scattered papers. And a countertop in desperate need of a serious wipe down. Why is this important? Evidence points to a largely overlooked player that has the potential to wreak havoc on a dieter's quest to maintain their eating discipline: A cluttered, chaotic kitchen.

When it comes to the Zika virus, a quaint anomaly for decades, those who live in rural areas have much different ideas than urban dwellers on how to prevent the mosquito-transmitted infection from becoming a major health problem in the United States.

The National Academy of Medicine conservatively approved studies to be conducted, on a limited basis, to evaluate the safety and efficacy of mitochondrial replacement therapy (MRT) in women with mitochondrial disease allowing them to have their own genetic children.

As if we needed more reasons to indulge in chocolate: Researchers now say the sweet treat is good for expectant mothers and their babies. However, the take-away message is not "Eat chocolate daily for a healthy heart and baby," but rather, "It's OK to enjoy some every once in a while."