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From the eerie haze that choked London to the deadly fog that gripped Donora, Pennsylvania, these episodes have long been our cautionary tales of urban and industrial excesses. Wildfire smoke and modern pollution studies often come with alarming projections of imminent doom, yet they sidestep the grim specifics uncovered during these infamous historical episodes. Who were the victims? What happened to the survivors? Did the smog sentence them to early graves? Spoiler alert: not everything is as clear — or deadly — as it might seem.

Moral outrage — a timeless emotion that once fueled revolutions, but now powers your aunt’s conspiracy-laden Facebook rants. According to a study dissecting millions of social media posts, outrage doesn’t just thrive online; it turbocharges the spread of misinformation. We’re more likely to share first, fact-check never. Our collective anger isn’t unproductive, but can we avoid that dopamine hit when hitting that "anger" reaction button?

In the complicated world of hospital billing, there’s a fine line between maximizing reimbursement and gaming the system. A new study shows a troubling trend as hospitals increasingly code for “sicker” patients. Hospitals argue that it reflects more accurate patient care, but skeptics see a golden ticket to inflate revenue. As always, the truth lies somewhere in the middle.

Norovirus vaccines face significant hurdles, with virtually no success from past efforts from HilleVax and Vaxxart. But Moderna's mRNA-1403, now in Phase 3 trials, is based on the company's mRNA technology, which controlled the COVID pandemic. Will it work here? Keep a bucket handy, just in case.

Move over, influencers, there's a new trendsetter in town: the gut microbiome. This paper demonstrates that your social butterfly status isn't just reflected in your follower count. It's also mirrored in your gut, as social connections drive the spread of microbial strains beyond just family and household ties. So, the next time you swap spit with your bestie, remember you're not just sharing gossip. You're also exchanging a microbial souvenir.

This week’s reading is a kaleidoscope of corporate shenanigans, technological detachment, and battles we never thought we’d fight—against weeds and algorithms. From Spirit Airlines’ golden parachute for a CEO amid bankruptcy to Nicholas Carr’s critique of how vertical screens are reframing our lives, the threads connecting them are power, perspective, and survival.

Two cases before the Supreme Court stripped agencies like the FDA, CDC, and NOAA of the leeway to make expert-driven calls on ambiguous laws. The shift, though, is less about legal refinement and more about the politics of control. If you think the cases were just about fish and statutory interpretation, think again; the stakes are as vast as the oceans these regulations seek to protect.

Researchers at the Mayo Clinic recently published a study perpetuating the myth that opioid prescriptions launched the ongoing drug overdose epidemic. Two ACSH experts took the clinic to task for sloppy data analysis designed to justify a predetermined conclusion about the risks of painkillers. Let's take a closer look.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are widely used to control pain. They are typically quite effective and safe to use as directed. But many people can't rely on them owing to their sometimes serious side effects — including an increased risk of heart attack. In short, NSAIDs are essential drugs with real limitations. Let's take a look at the most popular of these medicines.

Bioidentical hormones are synthetic substances designed to replicate natural human hormones, and are commonly used to address hormonal imbalances. Companies often market them as safer and more effective than conventional therapy, exaggerating their benefits as a "miracle solution."

Fluoridation is the vampire of public health debate that has currently regained new life. It’s been called one of the greatest public health achievements of the 20th century. But toss in a dash of lost autonomy and a sprinkle of possible harm, and once again, we’re arguing over whether it’s a modern miracle or “Big Brother in a Brita filter.”

A recent article in The New York Times described how Mexican cartels were recruiting college students to "cook" fentanyl, to address shortages. But the students were having all sorts of problems synthesizing some of the fentanyl precursor chemicals. This should come as no surprise to a well-trained organic chemist.

The holiday season brings more than just joy — it often comes with an extra helping of guilt as we indulge in festive feasts. But before you raid the supplement aisle in hopes of counteracting those extra calories, consider the science: your body is already equipped with nutrient reserves that make most supplements unnecessary.

Mark Hahn (KSCJ radio, Sioux City, Iowa) and I discuss the recent, controversial federal health appointments.

Indoor air quality often gets overshadowed by the outdoor pollution debate, but here’s a reality check: we spend 85% of our time indoors, breathing in a cocktail of cooking fumes, cleaning chemicals, pet dander, and whatever else lurks in our homes and schools. The EPA has stepped in with $34 million in grants to help schools tackle this issue, but how should the funds actually be spent? It’s not just about upgrading HVAC systems—it’s about rethinking how we define and manage the air we breathe indoors.

The Golden State's Proposition promises to save residents from toxic doom, but mostly leaves them dodging alarming labels in the grocery aisle. Does it protect public health, or does it just shuffle the deck chairs on the chemical Titanic? What do two decades of biomonitoring data from the CDC’s NHANES program tell us about reduced toxic exposures?

Depending on the results of a case pending before the California Supreme Court, you can kiss new drug development goodbye. The case derives from an FDA-approved, lifesaving, ground-breaking HIV drug that has saved millions of lives. But good, safe, and lifesaving, are apparently not enough. The plaintiffs want “safer” than “safe.” And their lawyers want their contingency fees for the mass settlement they hope to generate.

The USDA pesticide residue report demonstrates the safety of conventionally grown produce, contrary to claims of anti-science activists like the Environmental Working Group.

The FDA’s REMS policy, designed to ensure drug safety, is instead harming individuals with treatment-resistant schizophrenia by imposing burdensome requirements on clozapine, the only FDA-approved drug for this condition. These regulations make it nearly impossible for many patients to maintain treatment, leading to catastrophic relapses and homelessness. With 10-20% of the homeless population suffering from schizophrenia, restricting access to clozapine exacerbates an already dire crisis. Simplifying REMS requirements could save lives and ensure essential treatment reaches those who need it most.

Who knew weight loss and wine could be frenemies? My journey with Ozempic started as a bid to shed pounds, but it unexpectedly curbed my relationship with alcohol, too. New research reveals that anti-obesity drugs like Ozempic are dialing down alcohol intake for many users. From shifting tastes to fewer cravings, anti-obesity medications are reshaping habits.

ADHD is a condition where dietary fads and social media algorithms collide to create a perfect storm of misinformation. From miracle diets to so-called ADHD "hacks,” the internet is a breeding ground for half-truths that can derail evidence-based care. But what do scientific studies actually say about ADHD and diet?

Despite significant decreases in cholesterol numbers, cardiovascular disease rates in the U.S. have hit a standstill. Can we restart the decline, or have we reached the limits of our ability to combat this persistent condition?

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.