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Sexual dysfunction occurs in about 40 percent of women, yet it frequently goes underreported. Depending on the etiology, various treatment options exist that can help women who may be too shy to ask.

Counterfeit drugs are readily available online. Indeed, a nonprofit group has found that 94 percent of drugs bought over the web were fake, substandard or toxic. So do yourself a favor: Don't buy drugs online, period.

Eating too red much meat is not only a public health concern, but according to some it's also contributing to the climate change crisis. Thats's the take-home message from a published report saying that the livestock sector contributes almost 15 percent of annual greenhouse gas emissions towards the global total.

As the year winds down, we share with you some of our notable videos of the year; some made us laugh, some made us cringe, and some made us better advocates for sound science.

While consumers across the U.S. have embraced, and are enjoying, the benefits of genetically-modified products, papaya-loving Hawaiians had less of a choice when an agricultural crisis struck the state in the 1990s. But by using a cell-inserting device, plant specialists eradicated a deadly virus and saved a vital industry.

When it comes to buying clothes or a computer, we know exactly what we're going to pay. So why not for medicine? Competition is supposed to bring prices down, but health care is one of the few areas where the service actually increases costs and no one seems to bother to ask why. That's why we are.

Whether performing in the operating room or on stage, for over 30 years cardiologist and country artist Cleve Francis has touched the hearts of both patients and music lovers. Now, he's trying to raise awareness on behalf of HIV/AIDS patients, who are now eligible for heart transplants.

Some fatalities from the Northeast's blizzard have taken place inside cars, caused by carbon monoxide poisoning. Although CO makes up only a small fraction of car exhaust -- about 1 percent vs. 70 percent nitrogen -- it's far more dangerous. In fact, carbon monoxide actually "steals" oxygen from your blood.

Psychedelic substances such as LSD, "mushrooms," mescaline and "ecstasy" have been criminalized to the point where scientific research involving these drugs has been halted. However, interest in psychedelics as therapeutic options for mental disorders have re-emerged. Here's why these drugs may be beneficial.

It's controversial, but recent advances in surgical techniques lead a researcher to believe a head transplant will allow a willing patient who is paralyzed to move -- and even walk -- following the procedure.

Hypothesis: A tiny dose of a chemical causes a greater biological response than a small or moderate dose. Sound ridiculous? Sure does. But that idea, known as hormesis, sounds just as wacky as when Einstein outlined quantum mechanics and Wegener proposed continental drift (and we know how those turned out).

In Brazil, a new viral infection called Zika is doing great harm. It's causing an epidemic of severe birth defects, so much so that doctors are advising women to delay becoming pregnant. There is no treatment for it, although in non-pregnant victims the symptoms are not terribly severe.

Nitrogen triiodide is exceedingly cool stuff. The purple solid is very easy to make, but you better keep it wet. Once dry, it's a powerful contact explosive which could theoretically be useful for practical jokes. I know, because I survived after someone played one on me.

While the Zika virus from Central America is captivating the U.S. and many audiences around the world, another disease is creeping behind the curtains and across our southern border: Chagas disease. An average human case is transmitted by an infected "kissing bug," but the smootch it delivers is rather nasty.

On Friday Dec. 18, the latest installment of the Star Wars saga will premiere, revealing more about that galaxy far, far away. But how far away is that galaxy? For medicine, it may be closer than you thought.

There's a new study published in the journal Cell Reports, where scientists have identified a protein that could potentially clear 80 percent of LDL- or "bad-" cholesterol from the blood stream, without any apparent side effects.

The Zika virus is getting a lot of media attention so the Centers for Disease Control has issued an update.

The Environmental Working Group -- which has almost single-handedly manufactured the belief that if something sounds like a chemical it must be scary -- will help you be a winner in the organic/natural food marketplace. That is, as long as you pay them.

Many competitive speed eaters maintain a steely focus to give themselves the best shot at winning. But some body-prep techniques they use to help clear the path (or more correctly, the throat) to victory, can endanger these champions of chow because they can lose sight of the health dangers inherent to the sport.

With the uncertainty surrounding the Zika virus, which could turn to panic if it reaches epidemic proportions in the U.S., mosquito control may become more important than ever. Although it hasn't been used here since 1972, DDT is creeping into discussions about how to contain the virus. It's unlikely to be used, but in the meantime we ask: What is DDT? And is it really poisonous?

In a surprising report, researchers using data from the long-term Framingham, MA study have shown that the age-specific incidence of new cases of dementia have actually fallen by 44 percent since 1977. The number of overall new cases, however, will continue to rise as the population ages.

A silly article makes it appear as though Walgreens pharmacies are contributing to the heroin addiction problem. But all the company is doing is making the life-saving antidote -- naloxone -- available in its stores.

Imagine going to a family get-together and seeing the same face on both your mom and your second cousin. Or not being able to recognize either one of them. Welcome to the frustrating world of the face-blind. But a new test hopes to improve on previous ones that have kept sufferers in the dark.

Credit: Shutterstock

We often hear about the next big thing in stem cell therapy, though few of these promises are backed up by evidence. But we appear to be close to a genuine breakthrough, based on a new technique capable of regenerating any human tissue damaged by injury, disease or aging.