Health Archives

Why don’t all countries vaccinate against chickenpox?

March 30, 2019March 30, 2019 by Layla Katiraee, posted in Health

Some countries do not include the chickenpox vaccine in their schedule. This post explores why.

Ask SciMoms: Is arsenic in rice harmful?

March 11, 2019March 28, 2019 by Layla Katiraee, posted in Food, Health, Risk

Is arsenic in rice safe? Does it cause cancer? Is rice cereal safe for children? These questions are explored in this post.

CDC vaccination schedule shown in yellow, green, and purple.

Ask SciMoms: Where does the vaccine schedule come from?

March 5, 2019March 14, 2019 by Alison Bernstein, posted in Health

This post explores the CDC vaccine schedule or CDC immunization schedule. It also outlines problems with the Sears vaccination schedule or alternate vaccine schedule.

Introduction to GMOs

January 23, 2019March 6, 2019 by Anastasia Bodnar, posted in Environment, Food, Health, Risk

Surveys show most consumers don't know much about GMOs. In this post, we review key terms and common myths about GMOs.

Should I have my child genetically tested?

December 9, 2018December 16, 2018 by Layla Katiraee, posted in Risk

In this post, we review the basics of genetic testing. There’s a growing number of services that offer testing for children. Many parents are curious about the accuracy of these tests, privacy, and more.

Juice Plus+ vitamins: nutrition in a pill?

Is Juice Plus+ really as good as eating fruits and vegetables?

October 23, 2018February 25, 2019 by Guest Post, posted in Health

Americans spend a lot of money on vitamins. Is that really necessary? We examine one popular product in this post, and provide information about healthy eating.

Young woman looks at camera with her head resting on her hands. She's wearing a black shirt and neon bracelets.

HPV and the HPV Vaccine

August 20, 2018January 25, 2019 by Layla Katiraee, posted in Health

In this post, we’ll review the science about HPV, recommendations about this vaccination, the controversies, and my personal plans on vaccinating my family.

Cream colored teddy bear sitting on a medical exam table with sterile bandages and other medical supplies, with a bandaid on its chest and wearing a paper mask.

Why do kids get so many shots?

June 24, 2018January 25, 2019 by Layla Katiraee, posted in Health

I’m an ardent believer in the relative safety and efficacy of vaccines, but that doesn’t mean I enjoy having to take my kid to the doctor for shots. I’m relieved that my child is now in school and the bulk of vaccinations are behind us. When he was an infant, we carefully timed his feedings … Continue reading Why do kids get so many shots?

IUDs are a great birth control option. Why aren’t they more common?

April 11, 2018April 11, 2019 by Anastasia Bodnar, posted in Health

There are many birth control options. This post describes what an IUD is, how they work, and some reasons they might not be as widely used as they could be.

Dirty metal door with pink paint splatters and a sign that reads "Danger: Inorganic arsenic cancer hazard authorized personnel only no smoking or eating respirator required".

Risk In Perspective: Hazards Are Not All Created Equal

March 8, 2018October 18, 2018 by Alison Bernstein, posted in Risk

This series is a collaboration between neuroscientist Alison Bernstein and biologist Iida Ruishalme. Errors in risk perception are at the core of so many issues in science communication that we think this is a critical topic to explore in detail. This series is cross-posted on SciMoms and Thoughtscapism. Alison and Iida would like to thank … Continue reading Risk In Perspective: Hazards Are Not All Created Equal