Results for: publication bias
Public Attitude Toward Science
New Pew research findings show confidence in science remains high, but there are some important caveats.
Black Cumin – Be Skeptical
The claims made for black cumin follow a familiar pattern – implausible and a lack of evidence.
Spinning a negative acupuncture study: Same as it ever was
Investigators at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center reported the results of a trial of acupuncture for xerostomia (dry mouth) secondary to radiation therapy for head and neck cancers. It was a negative trial, but investigators still tried to spin it as positive, but with a twist. There was a large difference between results found at M.D. Anderson and the second site in China....
Scientific Fraud in China
There is a systemic problem with fraud in Chinese medical science. The problem goes all the way to the top.
Gary Null’s Attack on SBM
Gary Null's fact- and logic-free attack on SBM.
Study on Acupuncture for Angina
Another acupuncture study claims positive results, but is plagued by methodological flaws and dubious results.
Naturopaths try (and fail yet again) to argue that they are science-based
That booster of all things "integrative," John Weeks has devoted the entire most recent issue of The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, which he edits, to trying to demonstrate that naturopathy is science-based. It does not go well. Same as it ever was.
Critical Thinking in Medicine
Cognitive Errors and Diagnostic Mistakes is a superb new guide to critical thinking in medicine written by Jonathan Howard. It explains how our psychological foibles regularly bias and betray us, leading to diagnostic mistakes. Learning critical thinking skills is essential but difficult. Every known cognitive error is illustrated with memorable patient stories.
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.
Reproducibility Follow Up
Let's explore dueling narratives about the reproducibility "crisis."