This HND piece begins with a definition and brief scientific history of the discovery of radiation. It then moves into how radiation is used in healthcare--from X-rays to a variety of other diagnostic techniques.
The final section discusses the measurement of radiation, and then covers a big improvement on film badges: A fully digital wearable product that transmit exposure data wirelessly to a remote server.
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This HND piece provides a good introduction to the topic, and provides a historical perspective. We mention the usual suspects, such as Marie Curie and Wilhelm Röntgen, and also detail the now forgotten story of Eben Byers. Eben who? Yes, his sad case is probably what made the public aware of the hazards of radiation.
Included is coverage of a breakthrough radiation dosimetry product.
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This HND piece gets back to basics. We discuss the discovery of DNA, the founding of genetics, and delve into applications of DNA science. The biggest application, even if no one predicted it, is forensics.
Thus, we also cover the very first homicide conviction with DNA, and the first in the US. Additionally, they both also resulted in the exoneration of people wrongly convicted. Finally, we promote a special deal to get your DNA tested for free (for ancestry).
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This HND piece looks at the truly devastating illness that is pancreatic cancer. Talk about your "perfect storm," this one is difficult to diagnose, progresses rapidly, and offers few treatment options, since most cases are diagnosed at late stages. Experts think that it is well on its way to become the number two cancer killer (after lung cancer). Arguably, it does not get enough attention...or funding.
We discuss two interesting treatment methods that have been proven in mice, along with a promising biomarker, already used in breast cancer, that will make monitoring the progress of treatment much more rapid and precise.
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This HND piece looks at health myths, as well as some interesting facts about this eclipse--the first one visible from the US since 1979. This time, the US is the only country worldwide that will be in the path of totality. The last time that happened on our landmass was more than 500 years before our country was even founded.
I put plenty of informative links into this story, including a resource to eclipse data covering six millennia.
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This HND piece gives a shout-out to our friends at the American Council on Science and Health, regarding their release of the wonderful (and free) Little Black Book Of Junk Science.
Arguably, junk science has been around longer than fake news, but just does not seem to get the publicity it deserves. Among other things, it caused the public to get scared of BPA--to the point that it has been removed form many products. Never mind that no indication of harm has EVER been found, and more than 6,000 studies have been run on this compound. Absolutely outrageous.
More than 200 entries, with dozens of references. Read the complete article for more information.
This HND piece discusses a topic that seems to be well known and well documented—among those in the hydrogen community, but receives little publicity outside that realm. And this is the case, despite several hundred references in the medical literature as to the use of hydrogen as a therapeutic agent.
Hydrogen, being a superb reducing agent, is effective against those nasty free radicals, and the subset reactive oxygen species (ROS). Yet, is does not interfere with certain metabolic processes that do employ ROS. The answer to oxidative stress?
We also cover the events at Nordenau, Germany, and plug the organization leading the way on hydrogen therapy.
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This HND piece puts the spotlight on Ibogaine, a hallucinogenic drug with demonstrated anti-addictive properties. Not surprisingly, these properties were discovered inadvertently by a heroin addict, as he and a group of friends were experimenting with other drugs.
They were astonished to find that they lost their cravings for heroin, and had no withdrawal symptoms, either.
However, being classified as a Schedule I drug, ibogaine is stigmatized, and even if it weren't, ti is a naturally-occurring substance, so there is no inherent interest by Big Pharma. Fortunately, there is plenty of positive literature on the matter, and the powers-that-be are finally taking an interest.
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This HND piece continues the discussion of the medical effects of cannabis. In this piece, we examine Cannabis and cancer, and cite a few positive studies.
There are demonstrated anti-tumor properties, as well as effects against the nausea and vomiting often induced by chemotherapy. Ironically, there are two FDA-approved drugs for the nausea/vomiting indication, which are nothing more than synthetic versions of the naturally-occurring chemicals in Cannabis. Yet, Marijuana is a Schedule I drug (the worst classification), and one of the first drugs classified). Note that Schedule I drugs are so classified, in part, because they have "no currently accepted medical treatment use in the U.S."
Ah...but who determines what is "medically acceptable"? Surprise, surprise! The entire asinine classification system is 99% politics and 1% science.
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This HND piece continues where this one left off. We get more into the history of how science went wrong, and get into the arcane matter (for most of us) of journal impact factor.
I can't resist including a great example of junky garbage "science," as done by a Harvard guy who should—nay, DOES know better. No bogus stats here, just a matter of him re-defining a term to fit his crummy premise. While I don't name the man, it shouldn't be too difficult to identify him—if you care to do so.
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