Editor’s Selections: Fake drugs, calcium, and the flu
January 5th, 2011 Editor's Selections 11 Comments
Each week, Dr. Peter Janiszewski selects several notable posts from Health and Medical Research. He blogs at Obesity Panacea and Science of Blogging.
I trust you all had a wonderful and relaxing holiday season. I sure did. Now onto exciting science news!
- According to an absolutely fascinating post by Neurobonkers, the counterfeit prescription drugs industry is leading to a whole new sort of drug crisis.
- In a related story David Berreby of Big Think discusses a new study suggesting that placebo drugs work – even when the patient is aware of the fact! Fascinating!
- Calcium supplementation has long been argued as a key prophylactic against osteoporosis. Unfortunately, according to Jennifer Gibson of Brain Blogger the same thing that makes your bones stronger may make your heart weaker.
- Ever take a painkiller to offset the sore arm post flu shot? You may want to think again. According to a recent study discussed by Hazell of Possibilism, pain killers may reduce the effectiveness of the flu shot.
- Speaking of the flu, two posts on Contagions are absolute must reads which outline the history of flu pandemics and the Russian flu.
All the best in the New Year!
Peter
