As the opioid epidemic continues to plague the United States; physician-researchers at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) analyzed prescription patterns in children. They found that both duration of treatment and dose amounts declined between 2013 and 2017, while the rate of prescribing remained the same. The findings were published January 17, 2019 in Pain Medicine. Outcome…
Bones are a living record that constantly change over a person’s life. Forensic anthropologists are tasked with deciphering clues from bones, and their study of skeletal remains aids in the identification of unknown individuals. By working to assess the age, sex, height, ancestry and unique features of a skeleton; they provide important keys to identifying…
The first nine months of 2013 started off as a banner year for the Sackler family. They are the owners of the pharmaceutical company that produces OxyContin, the addictive opioid pain medication. Purdue Pharma paid the family $400 million from its profits during that time, claims a lawsuit filed by the Massachusetts attorney general. However,…
The fossil site of Malapa in the Cradle of Humankind, South Africa, discovered by Lee Berger of the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in August 2008, has been one of the most productive sites of the 21st century for fossils of early human ancestors or hominins.
Researchers studying ancient corncobs found at a Native American archeological site have recovered a 1,000-year-old virus, the oldest plant virus ever reported. Only a few RNA viruses had been discovered previously from archaeological samples, the oldest dating from about 750 years ago. The new discovery came as the research team examined ancient plant material from Antelope House, an Ancestral Puebloan ruin located at Canyon de Chelly National Monument, Arizona.
Scientists at the University of Sheffield studying ancient DNA have created a tool allowing them to more accurately identify ancient Eurasian populations, which can be used to test an individual's similarity to ancient people who once roamed the earth.
Skin color is one of the most visible and variable traits among humans and scientists have always been curious about how this variation evolved. Now, a study of diverse Latin American populations has identified new genetic variations associated with skin color.
California's new governor, Gavin Newsom, has hit the ground running with a package of healthcare reform proposals that have national implications. In conjunction with recent initiatives in other states and cities including New York City to move toward universal health coverage, Newsom's program gives additional impetus to the nationwide movement to guarantee healthcare for all, partly by building on the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
New legal data published to LawAtlas.org today provide a comprehensive look at the contents of US abortion regulations, relevant court cases, and Attorneys General opinions that directly impact the provision of abortion services.
New research from North Carolina State University and the University of South Florida finds significant flaws in recently released forensic software designed to assess the age of individuals based on their skeletal remains. The researchers report that, on average, the software's age estimates are off by more than 14 years.
As more states legalize cannabis consumption, many more people will likely use medical marijuana as a supplement to or substitution for prescription drugs, says a University of Michigan researcher.
As opioid overdose deaths continued to mount in Maryland last year, state lawmakers asked medical marijuana regulators to determine whether cannabis could be effective at treating addiction to heroin, fentanyl, and oxycodone.