Atrial fibrillation affects many Americans and it can result in debilitating strokes. Risk calculators help physicians identify those patients at risk for stroke. However, the calculation can be improved by remembering that risk isn't static, but instead a fluid factor.
Search
Eugenics has been science’s toxic brand since the end of World War II. The point was driven home yet again recently when Toby Young, appointee to the UK’s newly established Office of Students, was denounced in the House of Commons for having written favorably of “progressive eugenics”. Young resigned from the post the following day amid complaints about a series of other tweets and comments made in the past.
In response to this especially nasty circulating flu strain, called H3N2, the CDC has recommended the use of antiviral influenza drugs, mainly Tamiflu. Neither the vaccine nor the drugs are great. What should you do?
Obesity, especially severe obesity, is a harbinger of many health problems. And the longer someone remains obese the greater the chance problems will develop. But here's some good news: severe obesity prevalence among children in the Women, Infants, and Children program has come down.
A recent study published in Nature Genetics, describes a genetic link to obesity in humans discovered by studying obese children in Pakistan.
Organic chemists are mostly deranged – and that's on a good day. Because simply learning how to name the chemicals they work with is tough stuff. But every so often we'll see a name – or two – that has little to do with chemistry. This pair seems descriptive and ghoulish, so welcome to the crazy world of organic nomenclature.
We would think a physician could use guidelines to advise a patient about screening. But what if the guidelines are good for society, but not necessarily as good for the patient? Three separate articles in the Annals of Internal Medicine clarify the dilemma, without providing a solution.
Treatment advances are not easy to come by, especially in some hard-to-treat cancers like brain and triple negative breast cancer. New research, however, shows that infection with a virus could be key in making a promising treatment applicable to some cancers that were previously resistant.
Brutal cold temps have been circling the U.S. for some days now, with a "bomb cyclone" headed for the East Coast this week. This arctic chill brings about a very real and scary scenario: hypothermia. Since Tuesday, 11 people in the U.S. have died, after succumbing to the cold.
Do you know how to identify and/or prevent hypothermia, and potentially save a life? Let's talk about some important points..
Given their substantial platform, Hollywood celebrities possess a unique ability to do tremendous good. Unfortunately, with that megaphone comes immense responsibility. Let’s take a look back at Tinseltown in 2017, and see what we've learned. The good, the bad and the indifferent.
In April, American scientists will begin testing a new contraceptive gel — for men. A combination of two synthetic hormones, it's been found to be effective in shutting down sperm production in preliminary testing. So perhaps soon men will have another option besides condoms and vasectomies. Guys, welcome to the world of modern contraception!
ACSH's Director of Medicine Dr. Jamie Wells interviewed by legendary anchor Rolland Smith and broadcasting veteran Carl Sabatino about the state of medical practice today.
The technology that allows someone to communicate written sentences solely with their eyes is truly incredible. And that fascinating device provides at least some merciful measure of freedom for those trapped by the progressive, unceasing horrors of ALS, otherwise known as Lou Gerhig's Disease.
The CDC is told seven words are no longer allowed in their documents. Banning words and thoughts doesn't work, just ask George Carlin. Do they think it will somehow work now?
A 38-year-old former NFL running back believes he's currently experiencing symptoms of CTE, the degenerative brain disease that currently can only be diagnosed after death. Can his insight help researchers better understand this disease? Is it meaningful, or meaningless?
Drugs submitted for FDA approval must have safety and efficacy data for the condition they're designed to treat. Sometimes, however, a drug is found to be effective for another condition, and doctors are within their rights to prescribe it for such "off-label" uses. Such may soon be the case for metformin.
When it comes to medical developments, it was an exciting year in the pursuit of what was once impossible. Here are some top picks that genuinely are changing the medical and tech landscape.
The FDA really doesn't want you taking pain meds. How strong is the agency's position on this? Pretty strong – enough to recommend that physicians receive extra education in alternative pain management methods. While that's fine in theory, one of the methods happens to be acupuncture, which is not fine at all.
Wasting food, a precious resource, is bad. Does French regulation make for less waste? Or could there be an equally simple free-market solution?
Like us, so many people in New York love this educational treasure. What we don't love is the pseudoscience junk that we recently found for sale in its gift shop.
As if having Gwyneth Paltrow's "lifestyle" brand in the U.S. isn't bad enough, the company's vaginal egg-lined path now leads north, with products available to be shipped to Canada. Now Canadians, too, will be able to waste a ton of money on GOOP's nonsense.
The Boogyman was a creation used to control children's behavior. That said, it has no role in the debate over public health policy.
With the rise in popularity of open-access publishing, and over 28,000 scientific journals in existence, it's often hard to tell which journals are reputable and which are simply junk. A new study did a cross-section analysis and came up with 13 traits of predatory journals, so now you can tell the difference. Here's how.
Significant issues have plagued a paper that appeared in the journal Science since its publication a year ago. Consider the case now closed with the recent ruling that the two primary investigators involved committed scientific misconduct.
Gasoline additives ensure that a car's engine runs properly. Otherwise, the engine will knock – and you'll be knocking on your mechanic's door holding a whole bunch of your favorite dollars. But researchers have figured out how to make isobutanol, an excellent gas additive, from beer. Here's the heady chemistry – and it goes down smooth.
Pagination
ACSH relies on donors like you. If you enjoy our work, please contribute.
Make your tax-deductible gift today!