David

5 Reasons Why Science Blogging Is Tough As Hell (But Also Totally Worth It)

April 15, 2013

Greetings, gentle readers and welcome to this, my final offering to Mind the Science Gap. “But David,” I hear you crying, “Why ever would you leave the glamorous world of science blogging? Why would you throw away a lifestyle rife with supermodels, champagne towers, and boundless adoration?” A fair question indeed, hypothetical reader – science [...]

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Can Headphones Cause Hearing Damage?

April 8, 2013

For those of you following my posts (you have my deep and abiding gratitude), you may recall that last week I insisted that I wouldn’t be completing the trifecta of vice by writing about Rock and Roll this week, and I intend to keep that promise – by blogging about a tangential topic: headphones and [...]

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Learning to Love Yourself: The Health Effects of Masturbation

April 1, 2013

After the excitement and intrigue that wreathed last week’s post, this week, I’ve chosen to discuss a less medically-controversial topic: masturbation. Before anyone asks: No, this isn’t an April Fool’s Day post – there are plenty of other mirthful articles linking certain sexual behaviors to health outcomes – and no, I’m not currently planning to [...]

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How Safe is Marijuana? A Toxicological Perspective

March 25, 2013

I’ve been contemplating marijuana since Colorado and Washington passed ballot initiatives legalizing the stuff back in November.  Not as a user, mind you – but as a toxicologist entertaining the idea of a new recreational drug entering the fray currently ruled by alcohol and tobacco. What are the health hazards (or benefits?) associated with smoking [...]

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Comedy is Serious Business: The Health Consequences of Humor and Laughter

March 18, 2013

Depending on how heartily you embraced St. Patrick’s Day Festivities yesterday, you may not be in much of a laughing mood this morning, but if conventional news outlets are to be believed, that dour expression comes with a price. It seems that everyone from the Huffington Post to the Mayo Clinic is convinced that a [...]

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What are Probiotics? (An Ode to the Microbiome)

March 11, 2013

You’ve probably seen commercials with Jamie Lee Curtis extolling the virtues of some yogurt or another, obliquely referencing the joys of regular bowel movements – often the phrase “balance” is thrown around. (If you haven’t, then just accept that such commercials exist.) But it is never entirely clear what’s being “balanced,” nor is it evident [...]

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Is Antibacterial Soap Bad For You? (Part 2)

March 4, 2013

Last week, I introduced Triclosan, the most common active ingredient in antibacterial soaps, and explored some of the human health consequences of incorporating this compound into so many consumer products. From increasing antibiotic resistance to endocrine disruption, Triclosan has significant potential to cause human health problems. This week, we’ll look at some of the unexpected [...]

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Is Antibacterial Soap Bad For You? (Part 1)

February 25, 2013

It seems like everything is antibacterial these days, from soaps and lotions to mattress pads and pizza cutters, which really makes you wonder how the world got along before the discovery of Triclosan. Ah, Triclosan, the miracle-working active ingredient in antibacterial soaps, toothpastes, and a galaxy of other consumer products: this unassuming antibacterial compound has [...]

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Alcohol And Sunburns: A Tragicomedy

February 18, 2013

With Valentine’s Day behind us and no major holidays to look forward to for at least a month, students around the country (particularly those in the cooler climes) find themselves thinking about that most hallowed of scholastic traditions: spring break. This blessed week-long reprieve from classes occupies a particular niche in the American consciousness filled [...]

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The High Cost of Cheap Flowers

February 11, 2013

Greetings cherished readers and welcome to a very special Valentine’s Day Edition of Mind the Science Gap! In honor of the festival of love, some of the other MTSG writers and I will be blogging about topics related to the upcoming holiday. As I drew the short straw, I have been tasked with discussing the [...]

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Can You OD on Water?

February 4, 2013

It may seem like a silly question, since water is probably one of the safest things you can drink, and drowning isn’t technically an overdose. It’s certainly not the sort of frippery that you’d expect to kick off Mind the Science Gap’s winter 2013 season (Welcome back!). After all, it’s water. Well, as any toxicologist worth [...]

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