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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.

When science enters the courtroom, truth can turn to jelly. Nowhere is that clearer than in the Tylenol–autism litigation, where political proclamations, wobbly studies, and phony “consensus” opinions jiggle legal standards of admissibility. As the Second Circuit weighs whether Daubert still means what it says, we should be concerned about the softened standards that plaintiffs advocate to prove scientific causation and manufacturer liability.

A new study claims that “ultra-processed food addiction” affects one in eight older adults. But how solid is the science behind that headline? Beneath the striking numbers lies a web of assumptions about what counts as “addiction” and even what qualifies as “ultra-processed.” Do the study’s definitions, measures, and interpretations measure up? Do its bold claims hold up under scrutiny?

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.

A new Barron’s report describes more than 100 cases of suspected methanol poisoning in and around São Paulo, including at least one confirmed death. From upscale bars to beachfront kiosks, Brazilians are suddenly wary of what’s in their glass. The culprit is methanol, a chemical cousin of ethanol that’s cheap, hard to detect, and dangerously toxic. Here's the science behind the poisoning.

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.

If you ever drank grape Kool-Aid or sucked on a grape Jolly Rancher, you’ve already met methyl anthranilate – the reason your childhood smelled like “purple.” This same molecule moonlights as a bird repellent, a fireworks perfume, and a bathroom surprise. Chemistry doesn’t get weirder, or grapier, than this.

What is it about pumpkin spice that makes us obsess over it so much? Turns out it's all in our brain! Pumpkin spice hits you right in the smells and feels and that's why it's so powerful. But the science behind pumpkin spice is just as intriguing.

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.

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.

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?

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.

America’s largest anti-hunger program, SNAP, is preparing for a significant update. USDA’s updated SNAP stocking rules aim to replace the “one rice, one bean, one chicken” baseline with a seven-variety standard that reads like a nutrient-density checklist, promising richer choices for the 42 million Americans who rely on the benefit. Yet the question lingers: will the science of dietary diversity survive the politics of convenience-store economics?

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.

"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.

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.

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?

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.

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.

Obesity has long been portrayed as a matter of willpower, with popular culture reinforcing the idea that weight loss is simply a personal choice. Yet scientific evidence shows that obesity is a complex, chronic disease shaped by biology, environment, and stigma. One of the most striking examples of the tension between entertainment and science was the reality show The Biggest Loser.

In the last four years, 27 US states have enacted bans or severe restrictions on so-called "gender-affirming care" for children—a marked increase from just one state in 2021. Some experts say the rapid shift in the legal landscape is premature because science has yet to provide a definitive answer about the risks and benefits of the drugs and surgeries utilized to transition children. Does this argument stand up to scrutiny? Let's take a closer look.

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 may sound like an Alex Jones fever dream, but there are real academics proposing to deliberately infect people with a tick-borne meat allergy to mitigate the effects of climate change. It sounds wildly unethical because it is.

Rare earth elements aren’t rare, but they can be rather annoying. These bad boys are found together in Earth minerals, clinging so tightly that purifying them is the chemistry equivalent of juggling chainsaws while walking on stilts. And in a world where supply chains double as battlegrounds, they’re so important as to warrant a Dreaded Chemistry Lesson From Hell (TM)

Direct-to-consumer drug ads have long blurred the line between patient empowerment and corporate persuasion, but the FDA is now moving to rein in misleading tactics on TV and social media. However, free speech protections and post-Chevron limits on agency authority are in play.