Do face masks decrease the risk of COVID-19 transmission?
As wearing masks to prevent the spread of COVID-19 becomes a culture war issue, the evidence for whether they prevent transmission of COVID-19 remains contested. A new systematic review and meta-analysis provides the best evidence yet that social distancing and masks are highly effective at decreasing the risk of contracting coronavirus, while eye protection might also help, but it's not a slam...
Cell-cultured meat: Earth’s savior or just a $600 burger?
Cell-cultured meat raises may issues, including safety, environmental impact, cost, and our current technology's ability to manufacture it. Most importantly, when it finally hits the supermarket, will consumers buy it?
Winning the COVID Marathon
The most important difference between the COVID-19 pandemic and all previous pandemics is the power of our science. We should acknowledge and maximize that.
No, Everything You Thought You Knew About Disease Is Not Wrong
The authors of this book are not doctors or scientists, but they try to convince readers that science-based medicine gets it all wrong, that germs don't cause disease, and that drugs and vaccines can't possibly work. No, the book gets it all wrong.
Quack Book Reviews: EMF*D
Über-quack Dr. Joe Mercola recently published a book claiming that 5G is the cause of all manner of health problems. Unsurprisingly, it's full of bad science, pseudoscience, and unproven claims.
A Rare and Mysterious Inflammatory Syndrome in Children is Linked to COVID-19
A mysterious inflammatory condition, likely caused by COVID-19, is affecting a small number of children. We don't know much about it yet, but we are certain to see additional cases and to learn more about why this is happening. Still, it's not time to panic.
An incomplete list of COVID-19 quackery
Possibly the only thing spreading faster than COVID-19 is the pseudoscience about COVID-19.
Herbal Products and Pregnancy
A recent review shows that herbal products do present a potential risk during pregnancy, and should not be considered automatically safe.
Is Magnesium the Underlying Cause and Treatment for Everything?
Carolyn Dean believes magnesium deficiency is the cause of a great many diseases and recommends that everyone take magnesium supplements, preferably the one she sells, ReMag. I remain skeptical.
Antivaxxers launch a preemptive disinformation war against a COVID-19 vaccine that doesn’t yet exist
We don't yet have a vaccine against COVID-19, but that hasn't stopped the antivaccine movement from launching a preemptive disinformation war on social media against it. Unfortunately, as a recent study demonstrates, on Facebook at least, they have been so successful that it is possible that antivaccine messaging will surpass pro-vaccine messaging on FB within a decade.
The FDA’s Proposed “Black Box” Warning for COVID-19 Vaccines
The real hazard is not the vaccines, but the warning itself