There have been some remarkable advances in medicine over the past two decades. HIV infection is no longer a death sentence. Hepatitis C is now readily curable. There is now a vaccine to prevent cervical cancer one of only two cancer vaccines in existence. Targeted approaches to cancer, as well as the use of genetic information for personalizing therapies for individual patients have the potential to completely change the way that cancer and maybe other diseases are treated.
But, science is unpredictable. There are still diseases that simply won t yield, despite the huge amount of research that is thrown at them.
Influenza is one of them.
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The measles outbreak, which began in Disneyland but is now spreading, continues to be a hot topic. And of course, concerns about vaccinations are right at the center of this debate, with the anti-vaxxers clinging strongly to their beliefs that children should not receive the
ACSH trustee Dr. Jack Fisher s new book on the story of one of the sad chapters in American legal history the unwarranted attack by the tort industry, ably abetted by the FDA under David Kessler, against Dow Corning for damages supposedly caused by their silicone breast implants has just been published.
In spite of the fact that fewer states allowed the sale of raw (unpasteurized) milk in 2010-2012 than in the previous 2 years, the number of outbreaks of food poisoning linked to its consumption increased from 30 to 51, according to a study in the journal Emerging Infectious Diseases.
In the wake of the measles resurgence, public health officials are warning against the use of ineffective homeopathic vaccine alternatives, saying they should be taken off the market.
Today we give a shoutout to a voice of reason in the vaccine debate, and a shout-down to posturing politician, whose voice should just be put on mute.
Dr. Josh Bloom on Science 2.0, March 3, 2015
I never know what I'm going to find on the editorial pages of the New York Times. Sometimes I agree with them, and sometimes I don't. But, they usually, at the very least, make sense.
The Mediterranean diet pattern is one that emphasizes fruits, vegetables, olive oil, and other plant-based foods as its basis, and uses primarily fish and seafood as main animal protein sources.
Eating peanuts (which are actually legumes) was associated with a lower risk for cardiovascular disease and death, according new large study published online in JAMA Internal Medicine. Earlier studies have linked high intake of nuts to reduced risk of mortality, however, most previous studies were conducted among people of European descent and high socioeconomic status.
Last year we wrote about the Food and Drug Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency altering their recommendations on fish consumption and telling women who are pregnant or breast-feeding young children to eat at least two servings (about six to eight ounces) of low-mercury seafood each week. And now, the Dietary
Tabitha Powledge, in the blog section of the Public Library of Science pay-to-publish article website, claims to be an award-winning journalist. She needs an award-winning fact checker.
The latest in health news: Vitamin B supplementation could help reduce first stroke in adults with hypertension, strength training for the elderly key to good health, and cancer survival rates improving across the board
The American Council on Science and Health consulted the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) on the plasticizer chemical known as diisononylphthalate (DINP) regarding its Chronic Hazard Advisory Panel (CHAP) report and the resulting proposed "Prohibition of Children's Toys and Child Care Articles Containing Specified Phthalates"
Gov. Pence of Indiana just decided to combat an HIV outbreak in a rural county via the harm-reduction tactic of needle exchange. We applaud him, while wondering why he gave the epidemic a 3-month head start?
A simple set of tests may increase our ability to predict Alzheimer s type dementia. Why is this important? We must have reliable early predictors to do the tests that will eventually yield a prevention or treatment.
It is generally accepted that the chronic use of aspirin and some other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) reduce the risk of colorectal cancer (CRC). A new study shows that this beneficial effect may not apply to everyone.
New York State Attorney General cites American Council on Science and Health Director of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Science Dr. Josh Bloom and ACSH Advisor Dr. David Seres in criticizing dietary supplements.
Read more here.
Since there are already quite enough problems that prevent people from getting the correct information on vaccinations, the last thing needed was another reason for people to oppose them. But, it happened anyhow.
We ve written about GM apples that resist browning and GM potatoes with decreased production of acrylamide and increased resistance to disease. And now, a new wave of GM foods is on the way this time designed to appeal to consumers with added health benefits. Companies developing these new products hope that they will be able to win over skeptical or health-conscious consumers.
Earlier this week we wrote about Australia s proposed no jab, no pay policy in which Prime Minister Tony Abbott announced that those who do not vaccinate their children will be denied child welfare benefits. The story has caused quite a stir in global politics and we asked for you, our
The United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) stood firm to their 2009 recommendation that women should receive biennial mammograms from ages 50 to 75. The report also continues the party line that starting mammograms at a younger age (i.e. age 40) is a decision that should be made on the individual basis with inpu
Greg Gutfeld on FoxNews The Five: California politicians are spending the taxpayer s money to fight e-cigs, an effective anti-smoking device. He points out the absurdity of the CA crusade, advises, It s not about health: follow the money.
The answer is you won t believe it. ACSH s Dr. Josh Bloom s new Science 2.0 piece examines why GNC and other supplement retailers are allowed to sell a stimulant called BMPEA
The latest in health news: The FDA is finally reviewing homeopathic products to decide whether they should go under same approval process as conventional drugs, a new study shows why napping in carseats and strollers could be dangerous for your infant, and Columbia faculty speak out for or against Dr. Oz; we aren't sure.
Four current or former members of the American Council on Science and Health recently created a letter asking Columbia University to reconsider the faculty position of "America's Doctor", Dr. Oz, due to scandals involving his promotion of "miracle" cures and his belittlement on the floor of Congress, writing "Dr. Oz has repeatedly shown disdain for science and for evidence-based medicine, as well as baseless and relentless opposition to the genetic engineering of food crops.
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