A young man who recently received a lung transplant, following a terrible case of pneumonia that caused his lungs to collapse, has died. He made national headlines because his petition to receive new lungs was initially rejected because he had smoked marijuana.
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There are probably few, if any, nutritional advisories that are as hotly debated as the appropriate level of sodium intake for healthy adults. Yes, the Dietary Guidelines and the American Heart Association recommend an upper limit of 2,300 mg sodium per day (about a teaspoon). But some new research is being added to the literature indicating that level of restriction may be too strict.
How to know you are winning the war on American anti-science groups? When both French and Russian activists attack you.
Surgery causes pain and discomfort. And surgeons, unlike other specialists or primary care providers, have a continuous experience with managing acute pain. New lessons in the management of surgical pain may be useful during our current opioid crisis.
A few recent studies with weak design gave birth to the notion that Cesarean Delivery could be associated with later obesity. But a new study in Pediatrics undermines this belief.
If you're in the mood for some Americana, it doesn't get much better than this. Marvin "Popcorn" Sutton, a colorful character at the very least was one of this country's most prolific and best-known moonshiners. If you're in the mood for a chemistry lesson or want to go into the business, here's your chance.
WHO and International Diabetes Federation refuse to consider "prediabetes" a legitimate term. So why does the CDC want to convince 80 million Americans they have it?
Initially developed in 1971 by Archie Cochrane, systematic review and meta-analysis attempt to examine the literature to find clinical answers. Initially a tool for clinicians, these summaries are now a source of media hype and fodder for policymakers. How do they work – and how can you tell if you're being hoodwinked?
In less than two months, the entire continental U.S. will witness a total eclipse of the sun for the first time in nearly a century. On Aug. 21 those living in a 70-mile-wide band stretching between Oregon and South Carolina will be able to watch the moon completely block out the sun while they are treated with a rare, naked-eye glimpse of the burning star's solar corona.
Sunscreen is an essential component of a healthy summer. But, the Environmental Working Group is sending the loud message that chemicals found in sunscreen are toxic and that it should be used as a last resort. But, that message is muddying the waters around a proven method of cancer prevention and the recommendations of the American Academy of Dermatology.
The CDC's war against Americans in pain has been terrifying ever since this foolish crackdown began. As states begin to limit daily opioid dose, this is about to get much worse. This "one size fits all" maximum dose really fits none. That's because of your genes, since people metabolize opioids differently. It's bad policy based on bad science.
Does getting food assistance from the federal SNAP program mean that people improve their diets? Not so much — at least according to recent nutritional research. Is it even reasonable to expect it to do so?
The annual World Science Festival was held last weekend in NYC and we were lucky enough to attend some of the events. One of the highlights was a panel conversation moderated by Carl Zimmer, talking to scientists about science and discussing the most pressing issues for today's scientific community.
If we want the Environmental Protection Agency to protect Americans from true health hazards, it needs to be reformed so it stops inventing health scares.
Every day that a new antibiotic development is delayed will mean more people will die from antibiotic-resistant infections. But a fair plan to provide incentives for companies to continue, or re-enter, antibiotic research is being held up in the U.S. House. Democrats get the blame here.
The history of the field of microbiology may not be as long as other scientific areas, but it's just as interesting. After 100 years in print the Journal of Bacteriology is taking, what you might say, a walk down memory lane. It's highlighting the top 100 historical papers over the last century in its "Classic Spotlight" series.
One of the many responses to the opioid crisis has been the development of Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs. These are databases containing the drug utilization of patients based upon physician prescriptions. The question is: Do they help?
Tans look healthy — even though they're not. A tan means sun exposure, which means an increased risk of skin cancer. But new research is pointing the way to getting the benefits of melanin, the tan-producing pigment, without exposure to UV radiation. The new technique works in mice, so maybe it will be the answer for humans, too.
American Council Board Advisor Jerry Cutler takes a look at medical situations that should prompt us to re-evaluate the application of the linear dose-response model.
Manganese metal looks like, uh, nothing special. A shiny metal. But some of the chemical compounds that contain the element are very special. One, potassium permanganate may have been the inspiration for the name rock group Deep Purple.
The number of teenage smokers has declined from last year, and e-cigarettes are declining also, indicating they are not a gateway to smoking.
When statins and angioplasty aren't enough to prevent a heart attack, it may be possible to minimize damage to the heart by using a photosynthetic cyanobacterium. While still in the preliminary stages, research indicates that the oxygen produced by these non-pathogenic bugs could help keep the heart going.
A new therapy involving a medication requires the approval of the FDA. Not so for a new surgical technique or device. For my surgical brethren, we need a good idea and our “can do” attitude takes over, and we try out a new technique, instrument or operation, studies can wait.
New mothers learn how to protect their new arrivals from sudden infant death syndrome. But when it actually comes to implementing those safety practices while in a sleepy stupor, that's when dangers arise. So researchers developed a "mobile health program" delivering safety reminders – when they needed to be seen – which helped moms keep their newborns safer.
Sometimes health advice is just too good to be true, like these beauties: "Eat pomegranates to prevent cancer" ... and "Organic food will make your kids smarter." But as for "Use sunscreen to treat an autoimmune disease" ... what? That's not possible, right? Well, the truth is that last one, as crazy as it sounds, just might be real.
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