Genetics and evolution in cancer
Several new studies were published earlier this month describing the sequencing of over 2,600 cancer genomes. What the results show include what sorts of mutations drive cancer development and how evolution makes cancers so difficult to treat.
Inappropriate Antibiotic Use is Rampant in U.S. Pediatric Hospitals
A recent study looked at antibiotic use in thousands of hospitalized children and the results weren't great. Too many kids are receiving suboptimal antibiotic prescriptions. One potential solution is an increased focus on, and improved resources for, antibiotic stewardship programs.
Legislative Alchemy 2019: Acupuncturists score Medicare coverage and scope of practice expansion
Through the magic of legislative alchemy, acupuncture has already scored some big wins in 2020, including Medicare coverage.
Handwashing to Prevent Pandemic
A new study finds that handwashing at airports is probably the single most effective method for preventing pandemics.
Chiropractic Webster Technique: Nonsense Based on Nonsense
The Chiropractic Webster Technique is a nonsensical method of adjusting the sacrum in a misguided effort to enhance pregnancy and to facilitate childbirth. The technique, unopposed in the United States, is under fire by a Canadian chiropractic regulatory body.
No, James Lyons-Weiler did not “break the coronavirus code”
Last week, a new conspiracy theory about the coronavirus outbreak by James Lyons-Weiler went viral (if you'll excuse the term) after antivax conspiracy theorist Del Bigtree interviewed him. Lyons-Weiler strongly implies that the strain of coronavirus behind the outbreak (2019-nCoV) has a SARS-like sequence that came from a laboratory working on a SARS vaccine. Fortunately, Dr. Gorski has the mad molecular biology...
Can statins make you an asshole?
Can statins have rare but significant effects on behavior? A case study.
Alternative Medicine Exploits Coronavirus Fears
Alternative medicine has been quick to capitalize on the public's fear of coronavirus. They offer an array of bogus treatments.
Are medical errors really the third most common cause of death in the U.S.? (2020 edition)
The claim that medical errors are the third leading cause of death in the US has always rested on very shaky evidence; yet it has become common wisdom that is cited as though everyone accepts it. But if estimates of 250,000 to 400,000 deaths due to medical error are way too high, what is the real number? A recently published study suggests...
New York Times Goop Fail
A NYT opinion piece repeats all the common alternative medicine tropes in service to the further exploitation of women.