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Christina Applegate’s recent appearance at the Emmy’s sparked a moment of empathy and recognition for the more than 2.5 million individuals around the world struggling with multiple sclerosis (MS). This autoimmune disease of the brain and spinal cord has genetic and environmental roots. A new study connects the two and reminds us that we, too, are evolving.

The climate is changing while concerns about air pollution linger on.

On November 30, 2023, the EPA announced its new rule on lead in drinking water, calling for the complete removal of lead pipes within 10 years. Although the new drinking water rule represents a step forward, childhood lead exposure remains, primarily from lead in existing paint in older houses.

Why do we treat ports gambling differently?
The myopic are coming
Mick Jagger is 80 and has a heart valve. My music and musicians are getting old.
More Smoke and Mirrors from Florida

Until human fallibility is removed from decision-making, we will continue to make errors. A new JAMA Internal Medicine piece provides an update on, as former New York City Mayor Ed Koch would say, “How am I doing?” Spoiler alert: it depends.

One of the most salient features of the communication around the COVID epidemic has been fear. This includes the fears of public health officials in trying to flatten the curve. And the equally-fearful messaging of proponents of the Great Barrington Declaration or the anti-vaxxers, who say that our economy was being destroyed and our minds and bodies were being controlled. A study delves into the dynamics of communication, particularly focusing on the role of fear and warnings.

My favorites of 2023, poor taste included.

Among the most creative and original mathematical thinkers – explanations of her work are virtually incomprehensible to us mortals, who communicate in words rather than symbols – Amalie “Emmy” Noether’s name is associated with countless theorems, mathematical constructs, and key advances in abstract algebra, many of which are essential to modern physics.

Ever felt like you're just waiting for the other shoe to drop, especially regarding medical test results? Francis Collins, the former NIH director, found himself in that situation, dancing the delicate tango of active surveillance for prostate cancer. Imagine a urine test that could cut down on those nerve-wracking biopsies, while boasting a 99% accuracy rate for spotting the serious stuff.

Between COVID, HIV, Dengue, Ebola, and emerging flu variants, the last thing the world needs is another type of pathogen, let alone with no treatment or cure. But, although rare, prion diseases, such as Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease are both infectious and fatal. Although they may sound mysterious, much of the pathology of prions can be explained with simple organic chemistry. (Which may or may not be worse than the disease itself.) Enjoy.

Whenever I encounter a supposed practice or supplement that will save or ruin my brain, my first reaction is to roll my eyes – a modus operandi that I, unfortunately, developed in graduate school.

In a surprising twist to the urban farming narrative, a study challenges the widely-held belief that urban agriculture (UA) is a beacon of sustainability. Despite its celebrated diversity and perceived lower environmental impact, those charming community gardens and small-scale farms emit six times more carbon dioxide equivalents than their conventional counterparts.

In a comprehensive study examining over three million screening mammograms, researchers delve into the intricate tapestry of breast cancer risk factors, identifying disparities across menopausal status and racial and ethnic groups. The study challenges prior assumptions about the impact of being overweight/obese on postmenopausal Black and Hispanic women, emphasizing the need for tailored prevention strategies and the critical role of understanding nuanced risk factors.

Has the use of the term "plant-based" gotten completely out of hand? You have no idea.

Over millennia, there has been a seamless continuum of technologies for genetic modification of plants, animals, and microorganisms, with progressive improvements in precision and predictability – a fact that seems to have escaped the notice of EU politicians and regulators.

The EPA is moving farther and farther away from producing science-driven outcomes. Its final rule for regulating ethylene oxide emissions from commercial sterilizers demonstrates how EPA is ignoring best scientific practices in its quest to advance the Administration’s dual agenda of “cancer moonshot” and environmental justice. 

Researchers examining the city's water system have produced some concerning data. Meanwhile, there's no reason anyone’s drinking water should be contaminated with lead. However, other than raising awareness of the problem, this study does little other than stir the water.

The national newspaper recently published a guest essay that finally got the opioid story straight – something it previously has been unwilling, or unable, to do. The chilling essay was written by a pain management specialist who was unable to get pain meds for her dying mother-in-law, because of the takeover of medicine by the runaway DEA. The Times may have finally gotten it right (but it's worth noting that here at ACSH, we've been doing so for more than a decade).

The battle over formaldehyde has shifted. In a recent risk evaluation, the EPA significantly recognized that formaldehyde does not pose an “unreasonable” risk for cancer. But it does pose health risks for effects such as eye irritation, allergies, and asthma.

Medicare Advantage (MA) seems to be the belle of the healthcare ball, attracting more seniors than ever. A recent Commonwealth Fund survey aimed to unveil the supposed "value-added" services of MA over traditional Medicare, but is the MA magic more of a sleight of hand than a genuine healthcare marvel?

Welcome to "What I Am Reading" - a quick mention of intriguing articles, from the safety of decaf coffee to historical echoes of the opioid crisis, an argument for plagiarism, and something data brokers know.

Censorship in science, GMOs, opioids and the health effects of porn use. Come listen to my wide-ranging discussion with podcaster Vance Crowe.

It's Memorial Day Weekend – the unofficial start of the beach season. Although no one is likely to be swimming in the icy water of Ussuri Bay in Siberia, many will visit it because of "garbage" on the beach. But it's not typical garbage. Ussuri Bay is "littered" with a treasure – a vast amount of sea glass with an astounding variety of colors. Here's a look at this beautiful place and also a little chemistry about how sea glass forms.

Vaccine patches should come with the slogan, “No more tears.” Too bad Johnson & Johnson trademarked it for its baby shampoo.

Imagine a world where the nuances of religious beliefs intertwine with medical science, shaping the very fabric of healthcare. Welcome to Halalopathy, a concept emerging from a vibrant Islamic culture and pharmaceutical practice.