Among antibiotics, most of what we use now were discovered by scientists in the mid-20th century, but as the threat of drug resistant infections increases the race is on to find new ones. And as guest writer Matt Hutchings explains, that means looking at new microbes that may help develop future antibiotics.
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Jessica Alba and her company came off looking ridiculous after a Wall Street Journal investigative report showed that claims made by "The Honest Company" about the contents of its detergent products were entirely false. The incident also caused harm, as it contributed to further dumbing down of the American public about chemistry.
Heavy smokers and ex-smokers are at increased risk of lung cancer. Low-dose computed tomography screening can detect tumors at an early stage. But how often should a smoking-compromised person undergo this? A new study suggests that for those who are negative at the first LCDT test, once may be enough.
Companies in the U.S. and abroad are introducing "resilience workshops" to combat mental fatigue and burnout in the workplace. These workshops are an attempt by employers to inject positivity by employing a variety of external interventions such as individual coaching, seminars and even physical activity.
There are two opioid crises in the world today. One is the epidemic of abuse and misuse, present in many countries but rising at an alarming rate in the United States. The other crisis is older and affects many more people around the world each year: too few opioids.
Who do you trust when it comes to information about food production? Unfortunately, according to a recent survey, over the last four years the public's trust in sources that are more likely to be scientifically-informed -- like government agencies -- seems to have eroded.
A recent study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine reveals that increased sitting time is an independent predictor of premature mortality, irrespective of moderate to vigorous daily physical activity. By reducing sitting time, increases in life expectancy were observed.
Last year roughly 17,000 car occupants nationwide needlessly died because they failed to take just three seconds inside the vehicle to virtually guarantee their safety. The three-point seat belt, a Swedish engineer's breakthrough invention in 1959, remains the single most effective automotive safety feature ever created. But it's being ignored too often, which explains the current, sharp rise in traffic fatalities -- and the nation's biggest one-year spike in 50 years.
A purportedly serious publication in a serious forum that was recently published has given rise to a bunch of breathless headlines related to Complementary and Alternative Therapies. I presume that this is what was intended, as the supposed good news story is, in fact, one of the most blatant examples of quackacademic confabulation seen in ages.
Valeant Pharmaceuticals seems to be trying to cement its place as the worst company in the world. After doing virtually everything wrong over the past year, its officials have taken it to an even lower level — price gouging dying patients who have chosen to end their lives.
It is a widely held view that once a medicine has left the pharmacy, its safety and quality cannot be guaranteed. Which means that a vast amount of prescriptions get thrown away despite having never been unsealed and touched by human hands. But there's talk now about how newer packaging technologies can provide safeguards and potentially allow for the reuse of medications.
A mammogram might do more than just screen for breast cancer. A recent study says the test might also help detect a women's risk of heart disease by assessing what's called breast arterial calcification. BAC levels are highly correlated with coronary artery calcium deposits, a key indicator of heart disease.
Parents across the country are celebrating the first week of school. But back to school also means back to germs — eek! Here's a few tips from Dr. Jamie Wells on how to avoid spreading the germs this school year.
Acetaminophen has become the go-to analgesic for many painful conditions. And when used appropriately, it can be effective for headaches and fever reduction. But it's not useful for inflammatory conditions like arthritis, and it can have a significant downside if used in excess.
Many question the culpability of Australian midwife Gaye Demanuele in the wake of investigations into the death of Caroline Lovell during her home birth in 2012. And while Demanuele played a major role in Lovell's passing, a closer look may show the real culprit: homeopathy.
We thought that our fellow scientists and physicians — our peers — who joined Theranos in order to increase its transparency and communication would be willing to talk about their role on the advisory board, and the developing technology. But, after we tried to engage them, boy were we wrong.
We always hear that pediatric and veterinary medicine are similar. But is this true? We often thought there were commonalities, but after becoming a pet parent and experiencing the other side, Dr. Jaime Wells is certain. Let’s journey through the lessons she's learned.
Often times news stories originating from the Galapagos Islands off the coast of Ecuador focus on animal preservation efforts that have fallen short, fragile habitats spoiled by humankind and endangered species of one form or another. But recently it was about a slow-moving, four-legged centenarian tortoise known as Diego, who has been credited with single-handedly bringing his subspecies back from the brink of extinction.
Sure, there are chemicals in your dust: phthalates, phenols, flame retardants, etc; they come from your furniture, flooring, toys, and cleaning products. None is toxic to your children, but one could be harmful in the fight against antibiotic resistance.
Bayer, the German conglomerate, has agreed to buy Monsanto, the seed and pesticide company, for $66 billion, ending speculation about the acquisition. Now, the speculation turns to American anti-science groups and how they will continue to demonize a company that isn't part of evil America, but instead is based in the Europe they love to invoke.
An uptick in catastrophes involving fingers and hands occurs every year as our digits navigate the treacherous time between Halloween and Christmas. Who knew pumpkin carving and opening gifts could be such a minefield? Here's what you need to know.
“every time you hand somebody a slice of the cake a tiny little bit comes off, like a little crumb, and you can keep that. […] pretty soon you have enough crumbs to make a gigantic cake.”
Medicare pays physicians 106% of the average cost of the drug; the 6% to cover administering the drug – a crumb, Solomon Melgen recognized the crumb. Does his name sound familiar?
Since they're still growing, the nutritional requirements of young athletes differ to some extent from those of their more sedentary age-mates. A new review article takes these into account and provides some guidance that should help keep these youngsters active and healthy. Hopefully the habit of regular activity will last into their adult years.
Some men would give their right testicle to have access to contraception that doesn't involve pleasure-killing condoms or cringe-inducing surgical snips. Biology, unfortunately, has made targeting contraception at the female reproductive system far easier than targeting the male reproductive system.
Who could possibly forget Ebola - the virus that we were all talking about before Zika? In June of this year, the WHO declared the end of Ebola virus transmission in the Republic of Guinea and in Liberia. Due to the large numbers of survivors there, new information is being understood about the virus and its ability to remain in humans after infection. The results are both surprising and quite scary.
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