Results for: abstract
Systematic Review of Systematic Reviews of Acupuncture
No surprise - there is precious little evidence that acupuncture does anything.
Improving how the NIH decides which grants to fund: Reality vs. conspiracy
Last week, the United States National Institutes of Health (NIH) announced a plan to decrease the problem of reputational bias in grant funding. I couldn't help but contrast how hard the NIH tries to use the most rigorous scientific criteria to decide whose grants to fund with the conspiracy theory that Anthony Fauci personally doles out NIH dollars like a mob boss...
What the New York Times gets wrong about puberty blockers for transgender youth
The New York Times recently published an article expressing grave concern about the use of puberty blockers to treat gender dysphoria in transgender adolescents. Unfortunately, the reporting ignored evidence and important context to weave a narrative portraying puberty blockers as far more risky than they actually are.
The Aseem Malhotra lecture isn’t what you think it is
In November 2022, Dr. Aseem Malhotra gave a lecture that was more about advancing a narrative than explaining the science.
ASCO endorses “integrative oncology” quackery for cancer pain
Last week, the American Society of Clinical Oncology and the Society for Integrative Oncology published guidelines for treating cancer pain. These guidelines endorsed quackery like reflexology and acupuncture. The infiltration of quackademic medicine continues apace in oncology.
Aromatase inhibitors and acupuncture in breast cancer: Spinning a negative study, four years later
Four years ago, I wrote about an essentially negative study looking at whether acupuncture could alleviate joint pain caused by aromatase inhibitors, a common treatment for estrogen-sensitive breast cancer. The study's back, and it doesn't look any more positive.
Risk of Myocarditis Following COVID-19 Vaccine
Risk of myocarditis following mRNA vaccines is real but tiny, and far outweighed by the benefit of vaccines.
Does “therapeutic ultrasound” actually work?
Ultrasound, a commonly used rehabilitation technique, may offer little benefit.
The Plant Paradox: Steven Gundry’s War on Lectins
Most of what Steven Gundry says in his book The Plant Paradox is demonstrably wrong. There is no science-based reason to avoid lectins.
Cutting through the Lies and Misinterpretations about the Updated Standards of Care for the Health of Transgender and Gender Diverse People
The new WPATH standards of care have sparked controversy and intensified debates around gender-affirming care for trans children and adolescents.