Lori McClintock, the wife of Northern California congressman Tom McClintock, died late last year after taking white mulberry leaf, a herb used to treat diabetes, obesity and high cholesterol, a recently released report shows. The cause of death listed in the report was dehydration due to gastroenteritis caused by “adverse effects of white mulberry leaf…  read on >  read on >

A rule requiring high school girls who play lacrosse to wear protective headgear is paying big dividends in Florida. Their risk of concussion is lower than that of players in states without such a mandate, a new study reports. Most states let players decide whether or not to wear protective helmets. The National Federation of…  read on >  read on >

An experimental new pill could boost treatment of the autoimmune disease lupus, researchers reported at the American Chemical Society’s annual meeting. The pill has been shown in mouse studies to inhibit lupus symptoms, reverse signs of organ damage, and prevent death, researchers said. Phase 2 human clinical trials are underway for the oral compound, which…  read on >  read on >

Jon Kostas, a lifelong resident of New York City, started bar-hopping at age 13. At the height of his alcoholism, he was consuming as many as 30 drinks a night. Desperate for a way out, Kostas, 32, turned to a new therapy: psilocybin — the psychedelic compound found in so-called “magic mushrooms.” “It definitely affected…  read on >  read on >

Buying someone a cup of coffee might seem like no big deal, but a new study shows that small acts of kindness have a bigger impact than people believe. In a series of experiments, researchers found that those on the receiving end of a kind gesture typically appreciated it more than the giver anticipated. One…  read on >  read on >