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For this Thanksgiving, let’s serve up some food for thought. This week, we’re tackling everything from the FDA’s head-scratching approach to regulating generative AI (hint: it’s a work in progress) to Fantasia’s cautionary tale about unintended consequences. Add a sprinkling of philosophical musings about order in chaos and a side of lab-grown foie gras because nothing says “holiday decadence” like bypassing geese entirely.

The answer might seem obvious if you’re picturing NFL linemen with biceps bigger than your torso. But science has taken the debate beyond muscle-bound athletes to the average person. A new meta-analysis dives into the interplay of fitness, fatness, and mortality. (Spoiler alert: sitting on the couch debating this question is not the answer.)

There is overwhelming evidence that high-quality masks reduce the spread of aerosol-spread infectious diseases, including COVID-19.

Welcome to the digital age, where we’re all curators of content we never read, proudly trading informed discussion for virtual fist bumps over articles we've never opened, while sharing the “unread” like trophies of virtual virtue. "Sharing without Clicking" is the new gold standard, fueling echo chambers, misinformation, and our collective overconfidence.

In 1984, the U.S. Supreme Court created the doctrine of “Chevron deference,” requiring courts to defer to a government agency’s legal interpretation of the statutes the agency implements. Earlier this year, in the Loper Bright case, the Supreme Court eliminated that doctrine. Since then, commentators have bemoaned the loss of the Chevron deference, saying that courts will be making technical decisions that are best left to scientists. But the sky is not falling.

America isn't one unified whole but rather a mosaic of lived experiences. Researchers identify Ten Americas, each defined by a complex web of race, geography, and income, where life expectancy, a broad measure of health, is not a melting pot at all. The inequities that shape our health defy simple categorization.

In the health and wellness space fear is often used as a marketing technique, with patent medicine salesmen, pharmaceutical companies, and everyone in between engaging in the practice. The wellness industry and influencers often portray themselves as being above the fray. They don't rely on fear because they have your best interest at heart! Upon further examination, though, this assumption doesn't quite hold up.

Demonic forces which lured unsuspecting innocents to their deaths were once the subject of myth. No longer.  And while we once could control these non-human diabolical temptresses and powers – by closing the book – now we are powerless. Not even the law can reign in these malefactors. Worse, maybe, is that their creators are enriched by our vulnerabilities.

This week’s reads explore the physics of crowd movement, the practicality of ID systems in India, the surprising history of virtual meetings, and Emily Oster’s take on how public health agencies could stop alienating everyone with their tone-deaf messaging.

Physicians, once the symbol of trust and wisdom, have – with the pandemic – identified some members dabbling in misinformation as if it’s an extracurricular activity. A new study in JAMA unpacks how state medical boards handle these rogue white coats. (And if you were hoping for a Salem-style reckoning, you’ll be sorely disappointed.)

A “dirty deed” was done by a Chatbot. The result? A teen killed himself. Regulations banning dangerous AI programs/products/apps are non-existent. And while this product/program might be offensive, ethical guidelines relating to its creation are also absent. So, what is a distraught mother (and society) to do?

Vladimir Putin's recent threats of nuclear weapon use are deeply concerning. A nuclear war would have catastrophic consequences, both short and long-term, including radiation-induced cancers. However, one type of cancer — thyroid cancer — can be prevented with potassium iodide. Here’s how.

When Hurricane Helene barreled through North Carolina, it left behind a flooded wasteland where water filled with mud and microbes was not drinkable. Nothing says "modern emergency preparedness," like boiling your water for seven weeks straight.

One of the most common complaints about the healthcare system revolves around conflicts of interest, both real and perceived. The wellness industry attempts to pretend as though it doesn’t struggle with them. That couldn't be farther from the truth, because COIs abound.

To mitigate climate change, could giant balloons be the answer?

Evidence-based government policymaking should not be politicized but should strive to promote progress and benefit all Americans. Unfortunately, the expertise needed to formulate sound policy and make wise decisions is unlikely to come from many of President-elect Trump's appointees.

A trucker who took CBD oil for pain control was abruptly fired after failing a drug test that found THC, the primary psychoactive compound in marijuana, in his system. Although the product was marketed as THC free – a claim the man verified with the manufacturer – it was not and federal law mandated his termination. It's yet another case of awful drug laws and even worse science harming good people.

The announcement that Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was chosen to possibly be the next head of HHS raises many questions about his suitability for the job, especially given some of his controversial beliefs. Here are a dozen questions I would ask Mr. Kennedy.

Cannabinol (CBN), a component of cannabis, is being touted as a sleep aid. Researchers in Australia did a thorough study of CBN in rats and also discovered that a CBN metabolite that is less effective is present in large amounts. More importantly, both drugs kept the rats awake longer, not what you'd want from a sleep aid.

Our drug policies, and the agencies that enforce them, would be laughable if they didn't do so much harm. Perhaps the "methamphetamine follies," a saga of incompetence, will have come full circle thanks to the extraordinarily delayed removal of Sudafed PE from pharmacy shelves. But don't bet on it.

With the possibility of Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. being involved in health policy in the next administration, vaccination – especially mRNA vaccines – will become a hot topic. Is there anything to fear from an mRNA vaccine?

This week’s reading menu includes everything from the relics of microwave “technology” (the appliance that time forgot) to professors who can’t seem to avoid stealing bland prose. We’re also diving into the murky waters of AI. Finally, a heartwarming existential crisis, courtesy of Atul Gawande, reminding us that life is a bit more meaningful when we control our own stories—or at least pretend to.

From lotteries funding colonial infrastructure to a full-blown state lottery with per-capita spending rivaling casino spending, Massachusetts’ love affair with gambling is a rollercoaster of legalized highs and criminal lows. Now, with a state-authorized study of casinos’ impact, we can see if they have delivered their promised prosperity – or if they’ve just rolled snake eyes.

Ever wonder how the USDA thinks you should eat on a budget? Meet the Thrifty Food Plan (TFP) — a bland, one-size-fits-all diet optimized for “nutrition” on a dime. But for food, we have a great many culturally appetizing choices. A new study in Nutrients takes aim at that oversight, proposing a Hispanic Thrifty Food Plan that’s more pork and less tofu.

While medical headlines often focus on the biochemical underpinnings of disease, our body's biomechanics are equally crucial. A recent study explores how hypertension affects lung function, revealing that high blood pressure doesn’t just strain the heart, but also alters the mechanics of breathing.