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A right-to-die organization in Switzerland has developed a device that resembles a spaceship, designed to provide a quick and painless death to those who wish to end their lives. The "Suicide Pod" immediately removes the air and replaces it with nitrogen, bringing about a swift death. Needless to say, it has generated a great deal of controversy.

Most health scares in the headlines are generated by low-grade epidemiology research that correlates food or chemical exposures with negative health outcomes. A recent review employing a new analytical tool highlighted some of the critical problems in this research – by looking at studies reporting health risks linked to red meat consumption. Let's take a look at the findings.

A recent study, predictably followed by alarmist headlines, suggested that the sweetener xylitol may increase the risk of cardiovascular complications and blood clots. As usual, there’s much more to the story — including the fact that xylitol is perfectly safe for most people to consume as a sweetener.

Last week, a lawsuit was filed against the Pacqui Chip Manufacturer alleging the wrongful death of a child from consuming their noxiously “hot” chili pepper chip. (The product was voluntarily withdrawn after the child’s death). A seriously high verdict may discourage future production of similar products. But what about in the meantime?

Although nutrition has made significant advances in recent years — such as recognizing the harm caused by trans fats — it’s surprising that, even within the academic field, there’s still ongoing debate about the most efficient diet. (Spoiler alert: any of them can work as long as a diet aligns with your preferences and allows for greater consistency.)

You'd think surgeons would be the first to know when to hang up their scalpel, but alas, they're as stubborn as a rusted bolt. When should a surgeon put down the knife and stop pretending they’re not going blind? It's a question of cognitive decline, ego, and knowing when to pass the baton, or in this case, the scalpel.

The popularity of health coaching continues to grow. The appeal is understandable, given the promise of more one-on-one time with a person specifically hired to support your health. Artificial Intelligence has blossomed in the 2020s, and creating calendars, training plans, answering questions, and more have never been easier. The combination of these two is obviously appealing — but it warrants caution.

When it comes to dinner, we seem to have a bit of selective empathy. A study in the journal Appetite shows that children are less inclined to eat animals they perceive as having human-like traits, revealing our deep-rooted bias towards identifiable over anonymous victims.

Chronic pain patients who take opioids under medical supervision are fundamentally different from recreational users who take drugs to get high. In their bid to destigmatize and legalize drugs, some drug policy reformers have attempted to blur this clear distinction. Here’s why they’re wrong to do so.

A new study on veterans highlights how the incidence of Long COVID has shifted through time and different variants, bringing a mix of hope and sighs. And yes, vaccination has played a crucial role in this evolving drama, reducing the burden of Long COVID.

AI, a faith-based tech, we see.
Guiding readers, to books brand new.
America's hot dog, a culinary sensation.
China's need for potatoes.

The Republicans are aggressively seeking Biden’s medical information. They make a compelling case. But after pulling back the onion skin, it’s rather flimsy – perhaps even dangerous and legally problematic. Nevertheless, the exercise raises critical questions: Is there a limit to what we can know? What about what we should know? And who decides?

EPA recently added five PFAS to the list of chemicals it suggests U.S. states analyze in locally-caught freshwater fish. A recent EPA news release says these are “science-based” recommendations to protect the public from PFAS exposure. But are these additions really science-based, or simply an ongoing effort to vilify PFAS in every venue?

Dr. Offit, a physician and immunologist at the University of Pennsylvania, provides a readable and informative discussion of many issues surrounding the pandemic – the science, the toll, the disinformation, and what we can expect.

The Summer Olympic Games are now being held in Paris. Perhaps the least appealing event is the open-water swimming event in the Seine River, which is not exactly the most pristine body of water on earth. This parody is dedicated to any who survive. With apologies to Gene Kelly.

Our biological age, often masked by our calendar age, can now be unmasked through the intriguing science of metabolism and body temperature. Does aging, much like beauty, lie in the heat of the beholder?

A study in Nature reveals that our understanding of the balance of pro- and anti-inflammatory forces extends beyond immune cells to a surprising player: the vagus nerve. This wandering nerve, connecting our body and brain, influences our immune response in ways previously unknown.

CT screening for lung cancer could save countless lives, but low participation rates have led to some eyebrow-raising proposals. Molecular methods, touted by those with a vested interest, promise to pre-screen for eligibility — because who wouldn't want a test to determine if they qualify for the real test?

More than 40 years of AIDS research has led to significant advancements in treatment and prevention. Drugs to treat the infection continued to improve, as did patient outcomes. But now there's another major milestone. Gilead's lenacapavir, a twice-yearly injectable capsid inhibitor, achieved 100% efficacy in preventing HIV infections in women. For anyone who has followed AIDS over the years, this is simply amazing.

So, you thought socioeconomic status (SES) only mattered when buying fancy coffee and organic food? A new study reveals that the health disparities associated with lower SES appear to be transferred, through bone marrow transplants, to the health outcomes of the recipients.

"Jumping genes" are not a new type of leisure wear. They are integral components of the genetic-epigenetic continuum and the “genetic” expression of traits, biological or temperamental. The critical discovery that these chromosomal parts can move – impacting their expression - owes to the mystically inspired work of Nobel Laureate Barbara McClintock.

How the head, the heart, the hands, form the artist’s very soul.

Seek the ones who truly care.

Betty Ossola, canned pasta’s queen.

Why do subsidies remain for tobacco?

Another norovirus vaccine bites the dust. This time, it's HilleVax's HIL-214, which provided an appalling 5% efficacy in Phase 2B trials in infants. The kids got sick, but perhaps the stockholders got even sicker. Read this and you'll see why.

In the dance of human interaction, being in sync might be more than just a metaphor. Humans, like all biological beings, have inherent rhythms. A new study explores the link between synchronization and social behavior, suggesting that those who can synchronize well may also be perceived as more attractive.

Mental health medications are a blessing to many people. But they sometimes come with undesirable side effects, including significant weight gain. A recent study suggests that a high-fat, low-carb ketogenic diet could help some patients manage their weight while taking psychiatric drugs. Let's take a closer look at the results.