New York City is now considering putting a ten-cent fee on each plastic bag used by customers, previously provided free of charge. Although this was initially suggested during Bloomberg s term,
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New international review of studies of e-cigarettes confirms the obvious (to most): these devices offer much less risk to smokers trying to quit than cigarettes, and regulation should be proportionate not prohibitive.
Large database study of Medicare patients shows no significant benefit in terms of survival from prostate cancer for those receiving androgen deprivation therapy: bilateral orchiectomy or hormonal anti-androgens.
Although psoriasis is primarily a disease of the skin, its effects often go well beyond skin deep.
The disease, which is considered to be autoimmune, can be very difficult to live with. Its most common form causes white, scaly patches, which are itchy, unsightly and can cover large areas of the body. Although uncommon, it can be so debilitating that people who are afflicted have higher rates of depression and suicide.
Oregon is now joining the ranks of states trying to pass GMO labeling laws. Advocates for the labeling law collected about 118,000
Seems like old times: a few expensive new drugs (although money-saving in the long-term) lead to renewed calls for negotiated prices for Medicare patients price controls. Short-term savings are short-sighted however: politicians think long-term is the next election.
Bacterial resistance is a devastating problem. Over two-million Americans suffer from antibiotic-resistant infections every year, causing about 23,000 deaths. And the World Health Organization warns that a post-antibiotic era may be upon us, when common infections and minor injuries
The latest health news: Our take on the Ebola outbreak, why your smartphone isn't as smart as it could be, and how Europe is overcoming the antibiotic resistance crisis
Catch the latest health news: good news on childhood obesity, non-surprising organic crop study, and why the papaya industry is making news again
Past research has demonstrated that tight control of blood glucose levels can help people with type 1 diabetes the ones who must use insulin to avoid some of the negative health consequences of the disease. A new study, published recently in The Lancet, extends the benefits of tight control to patients with type 2 diabetes the more common type usually associated with obesity and overweight.
The GMO labeling debate continues, but the anti-GMO movement has suffered some serious losses in the past few years. Both California and Washington State defeated GMO labeling proposals in 2012 and 2013, respectively. While
Medically, it just never made sense. Pfizer s Prevnar-13 pneumonia vaccine works very well in protecting against infection by Streptococcus pneumoniae the most common type of pneumonia, and the leading cause of death for adults 65 and older. (The 13 refers to the number of strains of the bacteria that the vaccine is designed to protect against.)
There are currently about 42 million American smokers. And smoking remains the leading cause of preventable death, with 480,000 people
It s hard to believe, but some parents are refusing to let their newborn babies receive injections of vitamin K, according to the CDC a practice that the American Academy of Pediatrics has recommended for over 50 years.
Regular Dispatch readers will know that we have discussed BPA perhaps the poster child of the anti chemical movement until we are blue in the face (BTF?).
So, it is always nice to know that there are others out there who really understand this topic and agree with us scientifically.
New policy statements from the WHO, the AHA, and the CDC spew baseless, distorted allegations, warning smokers not to try e-cigarettes and spreading false concerns about second-hand vapor. They should be ashamed for selling out.
There s not much good news coming from the world s major energy producing regions, according to an editorial in USA Today. Yet, in the
A recent opinion piece in The Economist discusses a very polarizing topic whether patents granted to pharmaceutical companies help or discourage innovation in biomedical research.
Unlike reflexive reactions of many other groups and commentators, who somehow think that it is fair to take intellectual property away from one particular industry, the Economist article recognizes that this is impossible, that is, if we ever want to see a new drug again.
Dr. Gilbert Ross in the New York Post, August 13, 2014.
As we near the start of flu season, beware: Many of the city s top hospitals pose a serious hazard to your
A commonly-used heart drug, digoxin, has never passed a controlled-study test to see if it s both safe and effective for patients with atrial fibrillation. A large VA retrospective analysis shows that it may be even riskier than suspected: maybe time for it to go.
There seems to be new excitement in the world of vaccine-autism conspirators. As explained in a masterful debunking essay by David Gorski on Science-Based Medicine, the Internet abounds with new evidence that the CDC purposefully hid evidence of a link between the MMR vaccine and an increased risk of autism in African-American boys.
In today s issue of the Wall Street Journal, ACSH friend Lenore Skenazy and co-author Peter Gray discuss the educational importance of child s play and why missing out on playtime can hinder the development of valuable life skills.
The latest in health news: there are many benefits to curbing obesity in women: remission of urinal incontinence after bariatric surgery and risk lowered for gestational diabetes if weight is maintained, and a back-to-school reminder to get your children up to date with immunization.
You may have heard about the speculation that wearing a bra can cause breast cancer. Apparently, the theory behind this absurd scare posits that bras (especially underwire bras) hinder the flow of lymphatic fluids, preventing the removal of waste,
Your mother may have told you to eat fish to get smart because for years it s been touted as good for the brain. Now a new study, published in The American Journal of Medicine, suggests that eating fish might help protect the heart too.
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