All About Hangovers
On St. Patrick’s Day—one of the biggest drinking holidays of the year—an expert discusses why hangovers occur and what might work to prevent them and recover from them.
Medical Notes: Week of March 17, 2019
Does the world's most widely used weed killer cause cancer? Then, the push up test and it's reliability to predict heart disease. Finally, gardeners will tell you there's a reason playing in the dirt makes you happy, and now there's proof.
The Effects of Workplace Fatigue
Fatigue in the workplace carries enormous costs in loss of productivity and injury. Experts are beginning to measure its precise effects in real time using wearable motion sensors, with some surprising results that will shape solutions. An expert who has studied this shares insights.
Medical Notes: Week of March 10, 2019
A new study finds that the active ingredient in antibacterial soaps can actually be making bacterial able to withstand medications. Then, a study suggests enlarged prostates appear to prevent colon cancer. And finally, using apps to chart your health and how these shadow health records can tip off a lot about your health to savvy data gatherers.
Silent Heart Attack
Heart attacks that produce few if any symptoms may be mistaken for indigestion or simple malaise, but they can be more serious than heart attacks that bring crushing pain because they often don't bring a victim to the hospital for lifesaving help. Experts discuss.
When Chronically Ill Kids Grow Up
Children with serious chronic diseases often have a tough time transitioning from pediatric care, which has much support built in, to adult care, which has to be managed by the patient. Experts discuss how parents can make it easier with a gradual transition.
Medical Notes: Week of March 3, 2019
Women's brains burn energy in a much more youthful way throughout adulthood. Binge drinking and prolonged heavy drinking may trigger a permanent change in a person's DNA. Finally, more than half of all American workers burned out and not taking time off of work for mental health.
Veterinarian Suicide (2019)
A new CDC report shows that suicide among veterinarians is much higher than in the general population. Experts discuss the unique stresses that affect these professionals, including financial, compassion fatigue, euthanasia, and online harassment. They also discuss measures being taken to prevent mental health struggles and suicide.
Research Ethics: How Far Have We Come?
In the mid-1960s, many Ivy League and Seven Sister colleges as well as prestigious prep schools allowed researchers to photograph incoming students naked as part of work on a now-discredited theory linking physical characteristics to leadership potential. A former student who went through it, now a physician and writer, discusses how research ethics have changed in the last 50 years.
Medical Notes: Week of February 24, 2019
Explorers and scientists are speculating that an age inhibitor, or "fountain of youth" drug may be ready for human trials. Lower speed limits increase crashes due to government overrides? A study suggesting, "Let's do science" is much more effective at getting girls engaged than suggesting, "Let's be scientists."
When Law Enforcement and Trauma Care Collide
Many patients arrive in the emergency room as a result of violence or car crashes—events in which police have an investigative interest. Sometimes, police needs clash with trauma care, and priorities are hashed out case by case. Experts discuss which priorities come first and when, and the procedures needed to smooth out sometimes contentious interaction.
When Does Genetic Engineering Go Too Far? (2019)
Advancements in genetic science are often clouded in ethical controversy. Often, scientists are accused of “playing God.” Experts discuss a new platform where scientists and public can debate it, and from which education can be disseminated.
Medical Notes: Week of February 17, 2019
A cancer diagnosis can create stress that goes beyond the breaking point. Electric scooters are a rapidly rising cause of injury, and a new study shows 1 in 3 will need treatment in the E.R., and finally, people who are good navigators are almost always good at identifying smells as well.
Xenotransplantation–Organ From Other Species
After attempts to use non-human primates as a source of scarce organs for transplant, doctors have turned to pigs for a variety of reasons. They’re now making great progress against the largest hurdle—rejection. One of the world’s foremost xenotransplantation experts discusses how the process might work and what the future might look like for millions of potential organ and tissue recipients.
What Determines Our Food Preferences (2019)
Scientists are discovering that our food preferences are much more than a matter of taste, and that taste itself is more complicated than we thought. Psychology also plays a role. An expert discusses what determines preferences, such as why some people like jalapeno peppers & black coffee, and some don’t.
Medical Notes: Week of February 10, 2019
The life-long effects of trauma experienced at a young age, the need for an additional knee replacement surgery after the first, and finally if you're in a stressful situation, think of your Valentine.
Talking to Your Baby
Scientists have discovered that the way parents talk to their infants has a huge effect on their intellectual development and later success. Experts discuss why and how parents should hold "conversations" with their babies.
Superstitions in Sports (2019)
Professional athletes are among the most superstitious of all people. While we may be tempted to think these rituals have no effect on performance, psychologists say that if an athlete believes it helps, then it actually does. Experts explain how superstitions work in sports and in life.
Medical Notes: Week of February 3, 2019
Cancer deaths are on the decline, parents are dissatisfied with the systems school have in place to counteract gun violence. A study shows an increase in cardiovascular harm to patients taking basal insulin. Finally, more than half of those taking medical marijuana for chronic pain admit to driving while under the influence.
Rethinking Antibiotics
Since the introduction of antibiotics in World War II, doctors have prescribed courses of treatment that typically ran longer than necessary. Bacterial resistance is forcing a reevaluation, shortening courses sometimes to just a few days and even prompting doctors to advise not using all pills if patients feel better.
The Early Days of Hormones (2019)
Hormones were unknown until a little more than 100 years ago, and experts admit we still have a lot to learn. An expert author details the discovery of hormones and how our growing knowledge has shaped treatment of many diseases and conditions.
Medical Notes: Week of January 27, 2019
A drinkable cocktail of designer molecules that stops the development of dementia. Then, using sugar substitutes as part of a weight loss resolution and the evidence that suggests it's no better or worse than plain old sugar. Finally, shaming people for what they do isn't right even thought new research suggests that it can get people who engage in dangerous activities to quit.
When You Have No Primary Care Doctor
Experts discuss the ramifications of this trend both medically and economically, reasons behind it, and how primary care practitioners are changing the way they work to answer objections.
Dupuytren’s Disease: Crippler of Hands
Dupuytren's disease (pronounced DOO-pah-tren) is the most common disorder crippling hands that most people have never heard of. It is a genetic condition of the fascia beneath the skin of the palms, and it stubbornly resists treatment. An expert and a patient discuss the disorder.
