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Stem cells made a public splash with large research breakthroughs in the 90s and early 2000s. However, since then, stem cells have largely been adopted by the alternative medicine and wellness world as a cure-all. As always, if it sounds too good to be true, it’s definitely someone trying to make money off people’s vulnerabilities.

Ever wondered why your routine check-up is less than satisfying? Hidden thinking errors quietly skew medical judgment, leading clinicians to label perfectly ordinary people as “difficult” and overlook the mind-body link that could unlock real relief. Challenging these mental shortcuts might transform the experience on both sides of the stethoscope.

Unlike measles or polio vaccines, which last a lifetime, the flu virus mutates constantly, so we need a new shot every year. This year’s quadrivalent vaccine targets four strains and cuts your risk of getting sick by about 40–60%. Even if it’s not a perfect match, it's always worth getting.

Worried that your beloved gel manicure just got labeled dangerous? Don’t be. The “banned” ingredient (TPO) is safe at the tiny amounts in gel polish — so safe that Europe’s own scientific panel found a 1,500-to-1 safety margin before regulators pulled the plug.

The stock-trading website Raging Bull just gave Cocrystal Pharma, a clinical-stage biotech, a big thumbs up for its experimental antiviral norovirus inhibitor. The stock went nuts in anticipation of the first-ever drug for the infection. Is Raging Bull really Raging BS? Or is there something here?

People are still debating whether the mRNA from COVID-19 vaccines remains in the body longer than it should. Some say it lingers and causes harm, others say that idea just doesn’t hold up. A new article in Stat brings the issue back into the spotlight. Chemistry explains what's going on.

It's time for another round of listener Q&A. Join us as we tackle audience questions about the genetic drivers of heart disease and the problem of specialization in medicine on the Science Dispatch podcast.

Heavy metals get a bad rap. For the most part, it is deserved because they are usually toxic. Except when they aren't. You have probably consumed a whole lot of at least one or two of them, yet you keep rockin' on. Here's why.

Why do our playlists shrink as we age, even as algorithms flood us with endless new music? A new study tracks listening habits across decades and shows how our tastes evolve—and how streaming platforms shape them. The patterns may tell us as much about politics and culture as they do about music.

COVID vaccination is no longer one-size-fits-all: US health officials now leave booster decisions to individuals, and the WHO urges “focused protection” for those at highest risk. Yet without hard numbers on whose immunity fades fastest, personal choice is a shot in the dark. A new study maps each person’s immune rise and fall—offering the data we need to turn guesswork into tailored guidance.

"Board certified" is a common and persuasive credential, particularly in medicine, often implying a recognized level of expertise. However, this term doesn't automatically equate to scientific backing. For example, the Institute for Functional Medicine has a new board certification for its practitioners. While the title may sound official, the details suggest it's more of a marketing tactic than a genuine scientific or medical endorsement.

For decades, expectant mothers have turned to acetaminophen as the go-to remedy for pain and fever, reassured by its reputation for safety. A growing body of research challenges some of this long-held assumption, pointing to possible links between prenatal use and later neurodevelopment issues in children. How do we balance maternal comfort against potential risks for the next generation?

Obesity treatment is hurtling into a new era: once-a-week GLP-1 injections are edging toward the dramatic results of bariatric surgery, yet many of us remain tethered to the very habits that fuel weight gain. As a bariatric surgeon, let's unpack how these “satiety hacks” work, where they stumble, and why lasting success still depends on reshaping the lifestyle we can’t escape.

From tariff skirmishes that echo McKinley’s Gilded Age to microscopic fibers swirling from our washing machines, today’s challenges reveal how politics and science are inseparably entwined. Engineers mimic fish gills to trap microplastics, biotech labs enlist living cells to craft next-gen medicines, and Silicon Valley scripts digital “friends” to soothe a loneliness crisis.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s supporters are eager to rein in direct-to-consumer pharmaceutical ads, claiming they mislead Americans about important health topics. But this anti-pharma coalition faces an awkward dilemma. After pushing regulatory rollbacks at FDA last year, they're now hindered by the very limitations on agency authority they demanded. Do we need to ban pharma ads, and is there a viable way to do it?

Stare decisis is the legal principle assuring that courts follow established precedents (prior decisions) when ruling on similar cases. Its purpose is to promote consistency, predictability, and integrity in the legal system. The principle works when cases are brought within the same jurisdiction. Still, courts are not bound by rulings from other states, and state courts are not bound by many federal court rulings, contributing to a hodgepodge of conflicting verdicts.

Addiction science is increasingly looking beyond clinics to technologies we already wear on our wrists. A recent trial suggests that wearables, better known for counting steps or tracking sleep, may also help people in recovery recognize stress before cravings take hold. The question is whether these early signals and breathing prompts can translate into lasting benefits—or if they are just another digital health fad.

The National Institutes of Health announced an initiative to study Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) utilizing data science. While pouring money into ASD research seems like a fine idea, the initiative and any corresponding announcements about results should be approached with caution.

Sensory differences are central to autism, influencing how everyday environments are perceived, experienced, and impacting overall well-being. By designing spaces that respect these differences, we can reduce distress, improve participation, and protect mental health. Thriving often depends not on “fixing” the person but on reshaping the world around them.

Last month, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. launched a new wave of hysteria by announcing that Tylenol could be linked to autism. The result was a predictable partisan squabble with both sides lining up behind their preferred studies and experts. Let's put aside the partisanship and try to make sense of the competing scientific claims.

Western modernization has triggered an “internal climate crisis” in the human gut. An ecological upheaval marked by biodiversity loss, disrupted food webs, and chronic inflammatory “weather,” driven by antibiotics, sanitation, diet, and lifestyle. Reversing course requires ecosystem-level restoration rather than reductionist fixes.

It's that time of year again. Fall, when the leaves turn color and the Yankees turn into spectators. At least one of these is enjoyable. A lesson on the chemistry of colorful leaf pigments shows that, unlike the Yankees, Mother Nature goes out with a bang, not a whimper.

For decades, chronic pain patients have been told to suffer without real relief. Now, thanks to low-quality studies on Tylenol and autism and misguided advice, pregnant women may be in the same boat. The boat is leaky. Dr. Jeff Singer and I discuss this in the following op-ed published in the New York Post.

Artificial intelligence is reshaping medicine, promising sharper diagnostics and more efficient workflows. However, what is lost when machines mediate human judgment? From hospital wards to holographic theaters, where visitors now “speak” with Holocaust survivors through AI projections, the technology reveals both its extraordinary reach and its uneasy power.

The digital revolution has radically shifted how we consume information. Reading lengthy think pieces and books has given way to limitless hours of doom scrolling and streaming. The widespread access to content enabled by internet access has many upsides, but are we really wired for our new tech-saturated environment? Let's take a closer look.