Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, or “broken heart syndrome,” has always been associated with a negative emotional trigger, which can lead to sudden cardiac death. But new research reveals for the first time, that positive emotions can also precipitate this condition.
Search
When family history suggest an infant might be prone to developing allergies or autoimmune disease, the standard advice to parents is often to feed the baby formula in which the protein is broken down, or hydrolyzed. Supposedly, this will make the baby less likely to develop allergies. But a new, rigorous study refutes this idea, and may well have the formula industry hunting for better products.
March marks National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. And in recognition of this deadly, yet highly preventable disease, we are providing some answers to important questions related to this issue, along with specific actions that one can take to minimize the risk of getting it.
The Federal Trade Commission and 58 law enforcement groups across the United States have shut down four sham cancer charities that bilked over $187 million from consumers.
Night owls, we all know one, or we are ourselves. Humans show variable preference in diurnal phase – meaning late risers. These individuals could be diagnosed with delayed sleep phase disorder (DSPD) which accounts for nearly 10 percent of all patients seen in sleep clinics.
When it comes to environmental politics, history and improved scientific understanding often fail to inform. And according to guest writer Angela Logomasini, an author and Senior Fellow at the Competitive Enterprise Institute, alarmism and irrationality are prominent in the current debate involving flame retardant chemicals.
Warnings about dehydration — especially for elite athletes abound. Water stations are frequent at marathon races. But as a recent report shows, you can have too much of a good thing, and excessive hydration can bring on hyponatremia, which can be dangerous and in some cases, even fatal.
A recent report in JAMA provides concrete epidemiological evidence that vaccine refusal has contributed to the increased risk for measles and pertussis, also known as whooping cough, which are vaccine-preventable diseases.
The Japanese population is known for living long lives — and a new study suggests that adherence to that culture's version of dietary guidelines is associated with a reduced risk of all-cause mortality. In addition, balanced consumption of all foods seems to be associated with greater longevity.
In yet another cool discovery using nature as a muse, English scientists have found that a foamy cocktail whipped up by Trinidadian frogs during mating may serve as a mode of antibiotic delivery to potentially prevent infections.
One of the smartphone's most alluring features is its ability to connect people, over long distances and in a myriad of ways, at a reasonable cost. But studies and surveys continue to surface which collectively indicate that there may be two hidden costs that might plague an obsessive phone-user: anxiety and depression.
A recent study, published in the journal Clinical Endocrinology, finds that infertile men under the age of 50 are at an increased risk for developing osteoporosis as well as metabolic diseases, which include insulin resistance, Type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
Internet headlines abound with a study's findings that claim tattoos may make its recipient less prone to illness. The headlines are bad enough, so we took a look as to whether there's a sound basis for any of this. And even they might be somewhat true, how accurate is the study? Ready for a laugh?
The topic of concussions has been much in the news of late, and it’s been concerning that the condition can be difficult to discern. But a new blood test may make that diagnosis much simpler and more accurate.
A Florida woman who consumed raw chocolate milk produced by Miller's Organic Farm in Pennsylvania passed away after getting Listeria. Ironically, she thought she was drinking something more "natural" that would make her immune system stronger.
Scientists at the North Carolina State University have engineered maggots to express human proteins that are capable of aiding and promoting wound healing. This can have future therapeutic value, by providing a safe and cost-effective means of healing tough-to-treat wounds.
Alarming new data suggests that heart attack victims today are unhealthier and much younger than in decades past. And while the likelihood of surviving a heart attack continues to improve, there's been a disturbing increase in unhealthy behaviors as well as a growing neglect of risk factors.
The rhythmic whipping of a sperm’s tail is the most basic perception as to how the cell strives to reach the egg for fertilization. But a recent study published in the journal Science reveals a novel mechanism, in which progesterone-dependent sperm cells are primed and activated in the female reproductive tract.
Gene drives change the way that certain genes (and therefore traits) are inherited, or passed down through generations. Using CRISPR gene editing technology, the gene drives have the ability to cut and paste a desired gene into each organism, making a trait present in an entire population of organisms.
A new story in the British press reveals that very few lunches brought from home are actually meeting nutritional guidelines. But the way to ameliorate the situation is not pass laws to regulate what can be included in that brown bag. Nutritional guidelines should be used to educate, not punish.
A recent paper took brain scans and noted changes in response to beer flavor, namely increased activity in the right ventral striatum. Beer caused the scans there to light up more, which the authors believe signaled a desire for more beer, while Gatorade didn't increase beer desire at all.
A major protein inside the egg, called ovalbumin, possesses the sulfur-containing amino acid cysteine. When heated, these sulfur atoms are converted to hydrogen sulfide, the nasty gas associated with rotten eggs and bodily functions. It doesn't take much to wrinkle our noses.
Enjoy the first installment of a new series entitled The Shackling of the Physician, about inane and laborious diagnostic coding excesses. Bitten by orca? Opera house as place of occurrence of external cause? Pecked by chicken? You have to be kidding ... Can anyone say #physicianburnout?
For the second time this year, the EPA has published a report placing glyphosate in the "not likely to be carcinogenic to humans" category.
A proposed resolution by the New York State PTA, to be voted on at their November convention, supports mandatory labeling and a GMO ban from school food. The resolution, which is shocking coming from an organization that, is packed full of pseudoscientific thinking and anti-biotechnology propaganda.
Pagination
ACSH relies on donors like you. If you enjoy our work, please contribute.
Make your tax-deductible gift today!