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A large, U.K. government-supported study, The Pesticide Users’ Health Study, 1987-2005 (PUHS) was released this week. This huge evaluation of various health outcomes focused on mortality and cancer incidence data collected from 59,000 male and 4,000 female certified pesticide commercial users over almost two decades. The results, which are sure to come as a welcome [...]
The post For longer life and less cancer: Pesticides!? appeared first on Health & Science Dispatch.

In an attempt to make it safer to stay connected while driving, automakers have developed voice-activated systems that allow drivers to do everything from text to update Facebook pages while driving. Although the argument made by automobile companies is that this system is safer because it is hands-free, a new study suggests otherwise. In fact, [...]
The post Voice-activated technology risky while driving appeared first on Health & Science Dispatch.

This morning’s unanimous Supreme Court decision — which overturned a lower Federal court decision allowing Myriad Genetics’ patent of two human genes — is a groundbreaking moment in the history of biotechnology, and a case that will surely rank among the most noteworthy biomedical decisions of our time. The genes in question are called BRCA-1 [...]
The post The Supreme Court nails it (and Myriad)—No, you cannot patent a gene appeared first on Health & Science Dispatch.

Yesterday, America’s biggest tobacco company announced its entry into the now-crowded e-cigarette market. Altria/Phillip Morris USA advised via news release that a subsidiary will start selling the MarkTen brand of e-cigarettes in Indiana later this summer. They will join Lorillard’s Blu and RJR’s Vuse (the latter will be sold only in limited regions of Colorado [...]
The post Big e-cigarette news, here and abroad appeared first on Health & Science Dispatch.

A new study on breast cancer screening has added more fuel to the fiery debate on whether or not regular mammograms reduce deaths from the disease. The 40-year study from the UK found that screenings or improvement in treatment do not account for the decreased rates in mortality from breast cancer. Published in the June [...]
The post Breast cancer screening does not reduce deaths, 40-year study finds appeared first on Health & Science Dispatch.

Previous studies have suggested an association between being overweight or obese during gestation and spontaneous preterm delivery, but that relationship has been unclear until now. A recent study published in JAMA found that women who were obese (BMI ≥30) or severely obese (BMI ≥35) were two to three times more likely to deliver extremely preterm [...]
The post Obesity associated with increased risk of preterm delivery appeared first on Health & Science Dispatch.

For those who are at risk of developing type 2 diabetes — the overweight, obese, or those with a family history, for example — a small new study just published in Diabetes Care suggests that walking at a moderate pace for 15 minutes after meals can help prevent the disease. The study, led by Dr. [...]
The post Walk to ward off diabetes appeared first on Health & Science Dispatch.

The federal government told a judge on Monday it will take steps to comply with orders to make emergency contraception available to anyone, regardless of age. The change of heart will allow for Teva’s Plan B One-Step (levonorgestrel) to be available over the counter immediately after the FDA receives and approves an application by Teva [...]
The post Obama switches to Plan B in contraception battle appeared first on Health & Science Dispatch.

It’s a given that the high blood sugar levels (hyperglycemia) in diabetes can lead to severe consequences down the road — neuropathy, kidney failure, blindness, and heart disease, for example — but it’s also the case that treating hyperglycemia can be problematic. If treating high blood sugar is too aggressive, it can cause severe [...]
The post Blood sugar: How low should we go? appeared first on Health & Science Dispatch.

In today’s “so what?” news, a UCLA study found that a 60-year old morning sickness drug that is pretty close to useless (and was once withdrawn due to birth defect concerns) is significantly linked to an increase in adverse outcomes among newborns, and with problems in mothers as well. A more fundamental question is why [...]
The post Bendectin: A schizophrenic drug that isn’t for schizophrenia appeared first on Health & Science Dispatch.

The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOH) is at it again, seizing any opportunity to promote its obsessive crusade against sugary drinks. Today marks the day when the New York State Appellate Division will take its turn, sizing up the case of the New York City Board of Health — actually [...]
The post Attack on sugary drinks by the NYC Department of Health continues appeared first on Health & Science Dispatch.

It’s a message that we at ACSH have been touting for years. Yet, largely because of slick marketing, consumer ignorance and some terrible, self-serving legislation, the message is ignored. Perhaps it will now be heard. Vaccine champion and infectious disease expert (also ACSH trustee) Dr. Paul Offit, Chief of Infectious Diseases at the Children’s Hospital [...]
The post Vitamin S: For Suckers appeared first on Health & Science Dispatch.

After years with a dearth of anti-obesity drugs, Eisai and Arena Pharmaceuticals just announced that Belviq (locaserin) will be available to patients on June 11. Belviq is a prescription drug that is approved for obese adults whose body mass index (BMI) is 30 or more, and for overweight adults (BMI of 27 -30) who have at [...]
The post At last: New obesity drug available appeared first on Health & Science Dispatch.

Cross Talk, one of the shows on RT.com, a Russian-based English language quas-propaganda site which says it is the largest news service on YouTube, with a reach of 1 billion viewers (?), did a segment on the over-pharmacating of America. In a live debate, host Peter Lavelle and two participants (with obvious agendas) took a decidedly anti-pharmaceutical position, leaving ACSH s Dr. Josh Bloom as the fall guy.

A recent study on drunk driving is giving the term DD -- as in Designated Driver-- a whole new meaning.

In what seems to be an endless battle over emergency contraception and its [unnecessary] restrictions, a Federal appeals court ordered the U.S.

In an effort to increase rates of flu vaccination among elementary school age children, researchers from the UC Davis Health System, the Monroe County, NY Department of Public Health, the University of Rochester Medical Center and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that the key may be offering the flu vaccination at [...]
The post A convenient way to vaccinate more kids against the flu, and save more lives appeared first on Health & Science Dispatch.

This week, another member of the old-guard tobacco companies moved from ankle- to knee-deep in the accelerating e-cigarette free-for-all. RJReynolds’ branch of tobacco giant Reynolds American, the 2nd largest tobacco company (after Phillip Morris), launched its new, sophisticated electronic cigarette, called Vuse. It has some features unique to this product, aimed at making attempting to [...]
The post Another “Big Tobacco” player enters the e-cigarette market appeared first on Health & Science Dispatch.

Last week, a farmer in OR reported finding evidence of wheat containing Monsanto’s Roundup Ready variant. The bizarre aspects of this alleged discovery are manifold: RR wheat was FDA approved as safe for human consumption after the typical exhaustive testing GM products are subject to (because of activist-generated fears of GM technology, in other words, [...]
The post GM wheat found in Oregon: a real tempest in a teacup appeared first on Health & Science Dispatch.

Organic foods benefit from what’s known as a “halo” effect. People believe that because they are not produced with synthetic pesticides they are more healthful. As a result, they also gain the misguided reputation of being safer. That this is not true is obvious from a recent lawsuit in California. Lynda Brackenridge is suing Costco [...]
The post Hepatitis A outbreak: Was it the (organic) berries? appeared first on Health & Science Dispatch.

Based on a new study by Dr. Peter C. Butler, Division Chief of Endocrinology and the Director of the Larry Hillblom Islet Research Center at UCLA, the FDA and the European Medicines Agency have started to look more closely at Merck’s diabetes drug, Januvia, a step which may lead to warnings on the drugs, or [...]
The post Questions about diabetes drug Januvia based on rat tests appeared first on Health & Science Dispatch.

In another example of “the sky is falling” news cycle, the predictions of massive radiation-induced illnesses, especially cancer, resulting from the devastating Fukushima nuclear plant damage in March of 2011 have been found to be grossly exaggerated, according to a new report issued last week by a U.N. panel. Naturally, no major media bothered to report [...]
The post Japanese “nuclear disaster” update: none sick, none dead appeared first on Health & Science Dispatch.

It’s been all the rage lately — states attempting to enact legislation requiring that foods containing genetically engineered ingredients be so labeled. Last fall, California tried and failed to pass such a law, and the New York legislature decided against it too. Some 20 states, according to a report in The New York Times, are [...]
The post Connecticut Senate passes conditional GMO labeling law appeared first on Health & Science Dispatch.

Did the pharmaceutical industry paint itself into a corner this time? Maybe yes. According to an article that appeared in FiercePharma, one of the premier websites covering the drug industry, the recent, radical change in the strategy of the drug industry—out of traditional disease areas and into oncology—may have backfired. A record 11 oncology drugs [...]
The post Expensive, but modestly useful new cancer drugs: What to do? appeared first on Health & Science Dispatch.