A third of patients started on dialysis die within a year. Does that make the care futile?
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It was about two years ago that this northeastern city imposed a tax on sugary beverages to raise revenue and hopefully help improve the health of its residents. Of course, in terms of health, there have been no reports as to whether it made a difference. But there were some surprises, at least for the policymakers.
The cell is amazingly energy efficient. Capable of trapping about 38% of the energy that it receives from sugar, it may be the most energy efficient machine on Earth.
Although the name is derived from the Greek “calos” meaning “good" and “melas” for “black,” "calomel" -- the name given to mercurous chloride, the most common medicine of the era -- is neither good nor black. So what's the story?
The FDA is supposed to regulate absence claims. But when it comes to GMO absence claims, the FDA has done absolutely nothing. That may be about to change.
As the story goes, British pilots used bilberries to shoot down German fighters during World War II. But they didn’t fire them out of their guns. They ate them. In the form of jam.
The maker of Keto Breads, allegedly "the world's healthiest bread," claims that all the other bread out there causes autoimmune disease and leaky gut syndrome. The former claim is risible and the latter is "not a recognized medical diagnosis."
With doctors-to-be on edge this week, it's important to elucidate the good from the bad of the time-honored tradition called "Match Day."
Socioeconomic determinants of health, diet, housing, transportation, literacy, and income all impact our health and response to care. But is it healthcare's responsibility to meet those needs?
Biogen's latest effort at an Alzheimer's Disease treatment has been withdrawn. Treating biomarkers, measurable substances associated with a disease -- in this case, plaques -- will not work.
In the middle 1800s, a French industrialist who distilled alcohol from sugar beets ran into a problem when some of his fermentation vats stopped producing alcohol. His request for help from a scientist resulted in one of the most important scientific discoveries ever made. That scientist was Louis Pasteur.
What do investors think about antibiotics companies? Not much. Paratek, priced at just $5.42, has a 36% short ratio -- or tradable shares being shorted by skeptical investors. Companies with market caps under $200 million do not bold well, either. Anyone who doubts that the antibiotic market is broken needs only ask the investors.
Certain foods, due to their effect on blood sugar levels, precipitate the release of molecules which are associated with inflammation. Excessive consumption of refined carbohydrates, french fries or soda isn't going to trigger that response. While those who eat this way may have significant negative health issues, it won't be due to so-called “inflammatory” foods. To suggest so is junk-science and a lack of common sense.
The disposable cup was meant to be a public health initiative. But over time it has become a societal concern, just like plastic bags.
Michelle Obama’s memoir, Becoming, sold 10 million copies in just six months. Random House Chief Executive said, “It could be the biggest selling autobiography ever.” In addition to people buying her book, they are shelling out big bucks to see her speak about it. If Let’s Move Childcare had that success rate, childhood obesity would be eradicated like the bubonic plague. But that didn't happen. Here's why.
When it comes to delivery location, the stakes are too high to add a risk factor or hurdle to childbirth. Hospital births are the safest choice.
Observers claim that a study identified several clauses in old Coca-Cola research contracts, those that “could suppress ‘critical health information’ and indeed may have already done so.” And while “the documents contained no firm examples of Coca-Cola suppressing unfavorable research, … the study's authors say "what is important is that the provision exists."
A 50-year-old man’s rare condition caused by a catastrophic stroke leaves him unable to move, speak or perform basic functions like chewing and swallowing. All the while his mind is intact. The diagnosis is called “locked-in syndrome,” and here's a look at this terrifying condition.
A new study links propionate, a food preservative, to alterations in our metabolism, increasing the production of glucose, at least in one mammal: mice. The evidence of an effect on humans is based on 14 lean humans and two meals.
Is it possible to separate the roles of our genetic inheritance from our environment? Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and polygenic scores have tried to look at the genetic component. But it turns out that polygenic scores vary as much with our "not inheritable characteristics" -- like years of schooling -- as they do with our race or ethnicity.
Another day, another chemical scare: this time, baby clothing. According to the NGO Green America, there are 8,000 chemicals used to manufacture clothing and some of those are gonna harm your kid. That's why the group is going after Carter's, the biggest manufacturer of kids' clothing, including OshKosh B’gosh! Classic shakedown? You tell me.
On climate policy, Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez believe there is no middle ground. AOC said, "You're either fighting for our future or you're not," which sounds an awful lot like, "You're either with us or against us." This is wrong and counterproductive.
For decades, our health care system has been tied to a fee-for-service model. This payment approach creates an incentive for providers to require patients to undergo additional tests that may not be necessary. We cannot afford to continue going down this road. Pfizer's Dr. Robert Popovian discusses an alternative — a return to a capitated payment model.
Too many journalists are experts in nothing and behave like partisans and activists. That's how a journalist can go on social media and celebrate that her poor reporting caused a company to lose hundreds of millions in market capitalization.
We aren't the sort of organization that likes to say "We told you so." (Okay, that was a lie. We totally are.) Secular doomsday prophet Paul Ehrlich has been proven wrong (again), and ACSH has been proven correct (again).
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