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The safety of surgical procedures was greatly enhance with the discovery of antibiotics. Today, many procedures involved prophylactic antibiotics to protect against infections. However, according to a new study, the continued growth of antibiotic resistance is threatening to make this practice ineffective.

Antioxidants are the panacea that has never quite panned out. Tell people a product has antioxidants and many are eager to lap it up, eager for the benefits to their immune system, complexion, mental health, heart, joints, and just about everything else. Unfortunately, many studies have shown antioxidants do not add health benefits nor do they play a key role in preventing cancer or heart disease.

Medline Industries, a manufacturer of acetaminophen isn't looking too good right now. The company's 325 mg acetaminophen ( the generic name of Tylenol) turned out to be 500 mg instead. Although this seems like a non-story, it is not. Acetaminophen is quite toxic at doses that are not that far from the normal daily dose. Cough syrups, and other OTC products can compounds the risk.

Released documents from a FOIA request of Charles Benbrook which show tight relationships between the Organic Food Industry and sympathetic journalists. Implicated are four advocates including Michael Pollan and Tom Philpott as part of the "A Team" of ideologically aligned writers who defend the industry by request.

So-called "dietary-nutritional supplements" are almost entirely unregulated, yet millions of Americans ingest them. A new study finds that over 20,000 ER visits each year and 2,000+ hospitalizations are attributable to such products. Just say no!

A new study in NEJM shows that the Vitamin D and calcium do not lower the risk of recurrent colon polyps as had been hoped. Previous data suggested that Vitamin D and calcium could reduce the risk of neoplastic lesions, but this did not translate in humans as it had in animals. This should not surprise anyone.

A new study seeks to link fracking with pre-term and premature births. But researchers failed to do any measurements on any putative toxicants in the environment or in the mothers or babies.

Pregnant women are often told that in the late term they're allowed to lightly consume alcohol, But is there any science-based evidence supporting this position? In a recent medical journal article, three experts debate the questions on whether pregnant women should drink, and if so, how much.

The next time you plan on working overtime, you might want to think again because the extra green may not be worth it. According to a recent study, working longer hours could be associated with an increased risk of stroke.

A new study sheds light on the aberrant, habitual brain mechanisms underlying anorexia nervosa, a devastating and potentially fatal eating disorder resistant to most treatments. Another study shows the unique patterns of brain activity that help make us different from each other.

There's a small, but significant, advance in the war against HIV. And after 33 years of HIV/AIDS research, to be able to tweak an already-great drug to make it even better is a good indication of the incredible progress that's been made in this area.

A study of elephants finds these massive animals get cancer at a far lower rate than humans. Researchers also found the reason: they have an astronomical number of copies of a vital gene. The news is interesting, but is unlikely to do more for improving human health.

An EPA employee had a bizarre response to our article on making kids with peanut allergies safer.

Now that fall is upon us, cold and flu season is right around the corner. People are more likely to be indoors and transferring germs by shaking hands, coughing, and sneezing. The best way to avoid catching the flu is by receiving a vaccination now, before the virus hits.

Psoriasis is a misunderstood skin condition, since many fail to understand just how physically and emotionally disabling it can be. Researchers from the NYU say that severe cases of psoriasis can lead to depression in some individuals.

Instead of being ruined by nature, you can buy a papaya for $.25. Science did that. What went right?

Two of the most common travel-related infectious diseases are hepatitis A and measles. Both are preventable with vaccinations, but they don't work immediately. If you're planning a trip to Mexico or Central America, the hep A vaccine will protect you but not for 4-to-6 weeks. And everyone should be vaccinated against measles whether they travel or not.

In microbiome research, it's still too early to determine what is correlation and what is causation. However, some researchers are finding ways to use correlation effectively. One way is to improve screening for colorectal cancer, and a new study finds this may help in treatment, too.

Clostridium difficile (C. diff) is one of the many bacteria that inhabit our gastrointestinal tract. Normally, it is harmless. But when patients receive intensive antibiotic therapy, especially in hospitals, it can overgrow and become life-threatening. Fortunately, a new study shows it can be controlled with a common-sense approach.

Cause-specific mortality using death registries and their nationwide health insurance system lead the authors to project an estimated 20 percent of all adult male deaths this decade in China will be linked to cigarettes

The FDA approved a DNA screening test of cerebrospinal fluid that can tell a physician in under an hour if a patient has viral or bacterial meningitis. If you are familiar with the differences between these two types -- one of which can be fatal -- you know this is a big deal.

Even in 2015 over 100 years after aspirin and heroin were discovered there's still no good (or even acceptable) way to treat pain, especially when it's chronic and severe. This unmet medical need is now a very hot topic, especially since the FDA recently approved OxyContin for children.

An agency in Bangladesh announced that life-saving Golden Rice has passed trials in contained facilities and will soon move on to open-field tests. If all goes well, the crop will finally be approved for farmers to grow. It's been a long fight to receive approval, but success now appears to be at hand.

Another Listeria incident has occurred in organic cheese.

It is certainly true that activists and websites preying on their audiences lack of scientific literacy often exploit that ignorance and engage in fear-mongering, but this does not account for their total success. Activists use two other emotions to get positive outcomes for their causes: outrage and empowerment.