Evolutionary mistakes physicians make fall in three main categories I. Misunderstanding of adaptation in human biology II. Acting as an agent of selection III. Failure to recognize how competition between genomes causes disease. These mistakes occur because most physicians are not taught to think (or communicate) in terms of natural […]
During sickness it is very common to lose one’s appetite (anorexia) and reduce energy intake. The anorexia during illness is one of a group of symptoms collectively known as sickness behaviors. Whether anorexia and other sickness behaviors are adaptive is uncertain and the optimal amount of nutrition to provide during illness […]
In 2001, a paper by van den Berghe and colleagues was published in the New England Journal of Medicine. It described a trial of intensive blood sugar control in critically ill patients and reported improved survival with intensive glucose treatment using insulin. This study led to a substantial increase in […]
I came across this essay by philosopher of science Michael Ruse that was published in the Chronicle of Higher Education. It asks the question: why isn’t evolutionary medicine a bigger deal? Some of the best insights may come from the comment section. A link to the entire article and comments […]
In this episode, which was recorded a few months ago, I discuss my trip to Japan and make some observations about emergency medicine as it exists in Japan compared to the United States. Pictured above are trainees in emergency medicine from the University of New Mexico and the Sendai City […]
Are our gut microbes the key to understanding the obesity epidemic? If so how do they do it? A decade ago, researchers proposed that gut microbes extract extra energy from the diet. That extra energy is taken up by your cells. This excess might make you fat. Is this true […]
The journal Evolution, Medicine, and Public Health has a section entitled clinical briefs, that are short entries on the evolutionary considerations of common diseases and clinical medical issues. These open access articles are an excellent way to convey evolutionary ideas in a digestible and effective way. One entry that seems […]
With the dawn of the New Year, it is worth reflecting on the things that make us healthy and happy. Companionship, exercise, and good food are no doubt critical parts of a healthy lifestyle. We should be grateful also for the health benefits of dietary fiber, writes Carl Zimmer in […]
Joe Alcock is joined by evolutionary anthropologist Kate Rusk of Inertia TV and Science Happy Hour to talk about a recent JAMA article studying fluids for adults with sepsis. Do we give too much fluids for these patients? The JAMA article suggests we do. There have been two randomized controlled […]
This podcast as recorded in mid September, and published a month late. The topic for this episode is epigenetics – a challenge to Darwinian evolution, or not? Coffee and I discuss Darwin, Lamark and Lysenko, and briefly get the latter two mixed up. Please forgive the background noise that intrudes […]
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