Month: September 2022
Impressive New Data on the Benefit of Childhood Vaccines
A new study adds compelling evidence that vaccines given to young children prevents disease and saves the lives of people of all ages. It may not be surprising, but it's nice to see. Spread the word.
How the “Don’t take this medication with grapefruit juice” warning originated
How a chance discovery by one scientist improved the safety of consumers worldwide.
Using Viruses to Treat Cancer
Engineering viruses to target cancer cells is an emerging and promising avenue for cancer treatment.
Guest Submissions: Can’t People Read?
Please review our guidelines for submitting a guest article before e-mailing me about one.
“Censorship” and “thoughtcrime”? Antivaxxers and COVID-19 contrarians attack California AB 2098
One of the oldest tropes favored by quacks of all stripes, including antivaxxers, is to portray any attempt at regulating their quackery as an assault on freedom of speech. It's therefore not surprising that after its passage by the California legislature prominent spreaders of COVID-19 misinformation are labeling AB2098, which seeks clarify and codify the power of the Medical Board of California...
Minimizing COVID Via Pseudo-Profound Bullshit
Some COVID-minimizers use "seemingly impressive assertions that are presented as true and meaningful but are actually vacuous" to fool people into thinking they are receiving profound, secret knowledge. It's actually just bullshit.
Alternative Reproduction?
Are there effective forms of SCAMs for birth control or reproduction? Of course not.
Study of Multivitamin Use and Memory
Routine multivitamins are likely not the best strategy for cognitive effects.
The Polypill Comes of Age
The polypill is effective for secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease. By combining drugs in a single pill, it improves convenience and compliance.
Dr. Vinay Prasad echoes a common antivax trope that portrays concern about a deadly disease as irrational fear
Before the pandemic, antivaxxers likened concern about childhood diseases to mental illness. In the age of COVID-19, Dr. Vinay Prasad accuses medicine of "legitimizing" irrational anxiety and says we should treat COVID like the flu—with one telling omission. In a recent paid Substack, he doubles down and accuses physicians and scientists of anxiety disorders that "interfere with people's lives".