Randomized controlled trial of homeopathic nosodes finds, not surprisingly, that they are useless
Magic sugar pills go head-to-head against actual vaccines in a randomized controlled trial. The results will not surprise you.
Update on Glyphosate
A legal decision against the makers of glyphosate is not supported by the science.
Great Courses: Skeptic’s Guide to Health, Medicine, and the Media
Dr. Roy Benaroch's course offers a toolkit of six questions we can use to evaluate the truth behind the often misleading media reports on health topics. It is a valuable companion to the Science-Based Medicine blog.
Soothing Your Heart: Does practicing self-compassion have physical and mental health benefits?
Does a recent study demonstrate that being kind to yourself has benefits for your mental and physical health?
Vape Nation: Vaping Is Bad, Kids
The Surgeon General declared youth e-cigarette use to be an epidemic, but many vaping communities online downplay the risks. What does the evidence show?
Australia’s Chiropractic Board bans spinal manipulation for children under two pending evidence review
Chiropractic Board of Australia interim policy prohibits spinal manipulation of children under two years old pending expert review of evidence by health authorities. Given the lack of evidence supporting chiropractic treatment of children, it should be banned.
Statistical Significance and Toxicity
Researchers propose to get rid of the use statistical significance in science reporting. The idea has merit.
An HBO Documentary about the Theranos Fraud Raises Concerns
Elizabeth Holmes founded Theranos to develop a device that could do 200 tests on a single drop of blood in a minute. She lied; it failed; she is being tried for fraud and conspiracy. The HBO documentary The Inventor tells the story but has some flaws. We can learn lessons from what happened.
Shots Heard: When the antivaccine movement swarms and harasses on social media, what can we do?
Of late, antivaxers active on social media have been ramping up their attacks on their perceived enemies, up to and including attacking even mothers who have lost children to vaccine-preventable disease. A new study looks at the characteristics of this group, even as two doctors form a group to help those who are victims of antivaccine harassment on social media, Shots Heard...
Science-Based Satire: American Academy of Pediatrics Releases New Guidelines on Corporal Punishment
In December of last year, the American Academy of Pediatrics updated their policy statement on effective discipline. Did it include an algorithm to help caregivers safely dose corporal punishment? No, that's actually pretty absurd. Offensive even, if you think about it. Don't though. Look...a squirrel!