The Pertussis Resurgence

A new analysis shows that the resurgence of pertussis is largely due historical patterns of vaccination. This and other data show the importance of full vaccine compliance in preventing returning epidemics of this deadly disease.

/ April 4, 2018

Pseudoscience: The Conspiracy Against Science

An excellent new book examines pseudoscience in 22 essays by prominent scientists from various fields.

/ April 3, 2018
Smart Phones

The Nation indulges in fear mongering about cell phones and cancer

An article published last week in the Nation likens wireless telephone companies to tobacco and fossil fuel episodes in their tactics of spreading fear, misinformation, and doubt regarding the science of cell phone radiation and health. To produce this narrative, the investigation's authors rely on unreliable sources and cherry pick scientific studies, ignoring the scientific consensus that cell phone radiation almost certainly...

/ April 2, 2018

Cell phones and cancer: random chance in clinical trials

The full results of the National Toxicology Program's study of cell phones and cancer are finally in. They are somewhat complicated, but ultimately do not support the idea that cell phones can cause cancer.

/ April 1, 2018

Macular Degeneration, Genes, and Grandma’s Vitamins: To test or not to test?

Is genetic testing necessary to optimize treatment for patients with a potentially blinding eye disease? The stakes are high and the answer depends on which of the two feuding, financially-conflicted groups you believe. In the end, the best evidence wins!

/ March 30, 2018

Direct Primary Care Agreements and Chiropractors: A bad deal for patients

Chiropractors are not "primary care physicians" and shouldn't be allowed to pretend otherwise by entering into "direct primary care" agreements with their patients.

/ March 29, 2018

Augmented Reality in Medicine

Augmented reality has the potential to revolutionize how physicians access data while caring for patients, whether in the operating room or clinic.

/ March 28, 2018

Dr. Joel Fuhrman Sells Useless Iodine Test

Joel Fuhrman is selling an overpriced iodine urine test that is not valid for testing individuals. Patients may be led to believe they are iodine deficient when they are not. Iodine supplements on the market vary widely including orthomolecular doses, and they make unsupported claims that mislead customers.

/ March 27, 2018
Hallwang Clinic

The deadly false hope of German alternative cancer clinics

We at SBM have written about German cancer clinics that offer a combination of cancer quackery, some real medicine, plus unproven experimental therapies, all at a high cost, both financially and in false hope. Finally, an exposé of these clinics has been published. What these clinics are doing is even worse than even we had feared.

/ March 26, 2018

A Woman Dies from a Severe Allergic Reaction After Live Bee Acupuncture Session

A woman in Spain has died from a severe allergic reaction after a session of live bee acupuncture. With low plausibility, the potential for fatal outcomes, no evidence to suggest that benefits outweigh even minor side effects, and lots of dead bees, this is an intervention that should be avoided.

/ March 23, 2018