Scientists are humans, too. And just like other humans you know, some of them aren't very good at their jobs. There are three main ways in which scientists can mess up. Here's how.
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Cats are independent, untrainable and don't really bond with people — at least that's their generally-accepted reputation. But a recent study suggests that cats actually like interacting with people — maybe even more than they like food. Who knew?
The group World Action on Science and Health has declared March 20-26 to be Salt Awareness Week. They're encouraging everyone to decrease salt consumption to reduce the risk of hypertension, heart disease and stroke. But a recent analysis suggests that this advice may be too broad a brushstroke for the majority of people.
An interesting thing happened on the way to verifying claims that an emerging technology can assist in concussion prevention and recovery: a resulting phone call with the CEO of BrainHQ delivered clarity, transparency and admission of a PR misstep that served to cast his company in a better light than previously thought.
Amgen’s Repatha was heralded recently in the media, generating headlines like "New Drug Prevents Heart Attacks in High-Risk Patients." But the company's stock then fell. Who should we believe and why? Let's discuss that.
The president's budget proposal for 2018 should raise some serious concerns. Cutting science funding, particularly that of the National Institutes of Health, is not aligned with his goal to "Make America Great Again."
In honor of St. Patrick's Day, Krispy Kreme is covering their donuts in green glaze. That's right - they are making green donuts. And, while you may be able to make junk food green - you can't count it as 'eating your greens'.
ACSH's Director of Medicine, Dr. Jamie Wells, traveled to Washington, DC to tape at Al Jazeera for a live television program. It engaged a global discussion on sickle cell anemia, its perils and the advances in gene therapy that are showing great promise for this genetic disease.
While M&Ms melt in your mouth but not in your hands, the mysterious element, gallium, does both. It has some rather unique and interesting properties. If you find you're playing Final Jeopardy, and the topic is "Stuff About Gallium," this could come in awfully handy. Otherwise, not so much. But it's still cool.
It's time to take a look at the true level of importance of “sunshine” Vitamin D – in staving off disease, preserving healthy bones and assessing the actual hazards of deficiency and toxicity.
People often think that pheromones play a role in who we find attractive or how we choose a mate. Although researchers keep addressing the question, the scientific evidence for the presence of pheromones in humans is lacking. Here, yet another study has failed to uncover any proof of their existence.
A recent study found that evening eaters – in this case, "night owls" – are more prone to be unhealthy eaters than those who eat at conventional times. And while that's the central finding of the research, the conclusion isn't terribly satisfying or convincing given the study's many limitations that cast doubt on the results.
1. Nature magazine covered our ranking of the good and bad science journalism sites last week, highlighting our concern that "Not only is it susceptible to the same sorts of biases that afflict regular journalism, but it is uniquely vulnerable to outrageous sensationalism”.
For men forced to manage an oversized prostate, some words of caution. A new study finds that men who take either of two prostate-reduction drugs for a prolonged period have a greatly higher chance of experiencing a prolonged bout of erectile dysfunction.
When a well-respected researcher proposes a strange way to influence people's food choices – with the goal of reducing obesity – one must pay attention, but not necessarily go along on that particular ride.
So are baldness and height related? After studying the genetic material of more than 22,500 adult, bald men, German researchers determined that "short men have an increased risk of becoming bald prematurely."
A new study out this week found that American couples are having less sex as compared to couples of past generations. In addition, an earlier study concluded that today's millennial couples are also less sexually engaged, despite all the signs that would indicate just the opposite.
Not only can beliefs in cures based on folklore – such as traditional Chinese medicine – lead one to use ineffective or dangerous nostrums, they can also have a profound effect on the wildlife that's harvested to provide some of them. Here we acquaint readers with a few you may not have heard of.
A number of recent headlines imply that a new case study in the New England Journal of Medicine proves that gene therapy has cured sickle cell disease — a genetic disorder that causes tremendous pain, suffering and diminished life expectancy. Let's unpack the significance of the researchers’ findings.
How long can an image of one's face be used to accurately identify that person? Approximately 6.5 years, according to the results of a new study from Michigan State University. Given the premium being placed on security worldwide, the findings may prove useful to strengthen law enforcement procedures.
Who knew that if you looked hard enough, you'd find a supposed sinister side to even the most popular super food? We were surprised to hear fans of Quinoa are now afraid of chemicals in the grain called Saponins.
The Maryland State Children’s Environmental Health and Protection Advisory Council wants WiFi restricted in state schools because of cancer concerns. Just two problems with that: (1) Officials have no idea what they're talking about, and (2) officials have no idea what they're talking about.
It's Fat Tuesday. So, you had a paczki (or multiple paczki). After all, who are you to insult the Polish community on this delicious holiday? It's no secret paczki pack a lot of calories and fat. So what's the best way to burn one off?
In a unanimous Supreme Court victory, a young girl with cerebral palsy, Ehlena Fry, and her service dog, Wonder, succeeded in making the ability to pursue justice against discrimination for those managing disabilities that much easier.
Initial reports suggest that Kim Jong-Nam, the estranged half-brother of North Korean dictator Kim Jong-Un, was murdered with VX, a type of agent used in chemical warfare. What is it, and how does it work?
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