Category: Science and Medicine
The White Coat Effect in Animals: Reducing Fear in the Vet Clinic
Fear during veterinary visits is a problem for everyone involved. While everyone wants less of it, there is limited evidence to support any interventions right now.
The Influence of Kinesiology Tape Color on Athletic Performance: An Actual Published Study…Seriously
Does the color of kinesiology tape effect athletic performance or neuromuscular function? This serious research, published in a legitimate medical journal, asks this non-satirical question. The answer is pretty much what you would expect. No, it doesn't.
IgG food intolerance tests continue to mislead consumers into unnecessary dietary restrictions
IgG food intolerance testing is ineffective, yet it continues to be promoted to consumers. CBC Marketplace recently investigated two Canadian companies that sell these tests.
Wrong About Polio: A Review of Suzanne Humphries, MD and Roman Bystrianyk’s “Dissolving Illusions” Part 1 (the short version)
Suzanne Humphries and Roman Bystrianyk's book Dissolving Illusions make numerous egregious errors or deceptive statements about polio. Here is part 1 in a series about the truth and true impacts of polio.
A Common Virus Wreaks Uncommon Havoc in a New Jersey Nursing Home for Medically Fragile Children
Ten children have died in the past few weeks as a result of a common viral infection that typically causes mild symptoms. But there is much more to the many adenoviruses than meets the eye.
A Review of Flipping The Script: Parents Fight Back
Jeff Witzeman has released a new documentary on cancer, Flipping the Script: Parents Fight Back. It is terrible and dangerous.
A Call for Caution on Antioxidant Supplementation
Antioxidants have gotten a lot of press here on SBM; this post digs a little deeper into the basic science of antioxidants, and the importance of understanding more than just one part of a complex biological system before you interfere with it.
The Return of the Miscellany of Medical Malarkey Strikes Back
The flu season is upon us, as is the first pediatric death. A polio-like illness is spreading, and experts are baffled. Kids probably shouldn't be around giant spinning metallic blades. Magic tape! You guessed it, another miscellany of medical malarkey has risen from the grave.
Drugs in your supplements
Supplements are a billion-dollar business, but quality control is questionable. A new study shows that supplements may be adulterated with unlabelled prescription drugs.
Debunking the magical power of the placebo effect for chronic pain (yet again)
The opioid crisis and growing awareness of the dangers of addiction to pain medication are prompting renewed calls for the use of pill placebos in place of active treatments, backed by familiar claims about the magical powers of the placebo.