News & Views

Last year, arthritis patients were stunned to learn that two popular painkillers are dangerous. The meds were backed by studies conducted at medical centers with pharmaceutical-company funding, a situation that has left many wondering whether they can trust drug trials anymore.

For years, doctors have recommended that men over 40 get tested for PSA, a marker for prostate cancer. But a debate rages in the medical community over whether PSA screening saves lives--or subjects thousands of men to invasive biopsies that might or might not improve their survival.

When it comes to health and longevity, the United States ranks near the bottom among the richest countries. Dismal health statistics have generally been blamed on poverty, racism, blocked access to medical care, and poor lifestyle choices. But many experts are now exploring the effects of social status, organization, and interconnectedness.

Telomerase has long been credited with keeping chromosomes from crumbling, a skill once thought to influence longevity. Now researchers are discovering new telomerase talents that might help keep tissues young.

For years, the message "fat is bad" has rung loud and clear. But older folks should heed another warning: Lightening up could be dangerous, too.

By providing free drugs called ACE inhibitors to people with diabetes, Medicare would both save money and save lives, researchers say. Even if officials don't agree, the upcoming Medicare drug benefit might at least get these valuable therapies into the hands of a few more seniors in need.

Making up results is the worst sin a researcher can commit. But a new report questions whether smaller, more common misdeeds could be corroding the integrity of scientific endeavors.

Muscle wasting poses serious problems for many seniors. But until scientists studying the biological roots of muscle loss find a cure, exercise remains the best way to beat the blight.

Old sayings notwithstanding, a recent study finds that for people grappling with disabilities, money can buy happiness. Whether finances and good cheer spawn good health, however, remains a subject of debate.

A controversial notion holds that Alzheimer's disease, atherosclerosis, and other chronic illnesses result from infections. If bugs are to blame, we might be able to combat such diseases with antibiotics and vaccines.