Exploitation of Mammals for Traditional Remedies

A recent review hints at the extent to which endangered mammals are exploited for fake medicines.

/ December 9, 2020

Progeria

The first drug to treat Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria, a rare and uniformly fatal rapid aging disease, has been approved by the FDA. It can prolong the life of these children by 2.5 years, but it is very expensive.

/ December 8, 2020
Dr. Paul Thomas

The Oregon Medical Board suspends the medical license of antivax pediatrician Dr. Paul Thomas

Late last week, the Oregon Medical Board suspended the licenses of two physicians, one for bragging about not wearing a mask around his patients, the second being Dr. Paul Thomas, an antivaccine pediatrician, whose continued practice was deemed a threat to his patients. It's time for more state medical boards to step up, as Oregon's has.

/ December 7, 2020
Prescription Drugs

Government watchdog warns about paid physician speeches touting drugs and medical devices

Paid speeches at lavish events touting drugs and medical devices risk charges of anti-kickback law violations, warns a recent government Special Fraud Alert. Will companies and doctors take heed this time?

/ December 3, 2020

The Suicide Holiday Myth, Now with COVID

There is no association between the holidays and suicide – that is a myth. The effect of the pandemic is less clear.

/ December 2, 2020

Blue Light

Blue light blocking glasses and other products that block blue light promise to improve eye health along with many other questionable claims. The evidence is lacking.

/ December 1, 2020
Central Dogma of Molecular Biology

No, the Moderna and Pfizer RNA vaccines for COVID-19 will not “permanently alter your DNA”

With the new mRNA vaccines developed by Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna likely to be available soon, antivaxxers have been ramping up the fear mongering. Their latest claim is that mRNA vaccines will "permanently alter your DNA" or even "make you transhuman." Such claims rest on an utter ignorance of the totality of what we know about the biology of DNA, RNA, and how...

/ November 30, 2020
COVID-19 vs. FDA and CDC

Zinc and COVID

Should you take a zinc supplement to prevent a COVID-19 infection?

/ November 26, 2020

CRISPR Treatment for Cancer

CRISPR-Cas9 combined with a new delivery system shows promise in treating some of the most deadly cancers.

/ November 25, 2020