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One small step at a time, the alternative medicine industry is radicalising people
The alternative medicine industry has built up an ecosystem that efficiently radicalises its devotees into extreme positionsOur manifesto against pseudoscience in health challenges alt-med at a global level
Pseudoscience is a global phenomenon - if we want to protect the public in our individual countries, it will take global action.From the outset, chiropractors have held anti-vax views – sadly, not much has changed
Despite overwhelming evidence vaccines work, many chiropractors focus unduly on the risks, and refuse to recommend them to patientsInstitute of Biomedical Science falls for the Traditional Chinese Medicine hype
Brian Eggo - 0The September issue of Biomedical Scientist magazine ignores the real story in their rose-tinted history of Traditional Chinese Medicine.
- Health
Our manifesto against pseudoscience in health challenges alt-med at a global level
Pseudoscience is a global phenomenon - if we want to protect the public in our individual countries, it will take global action.How to Cook That, with Ann Reardon: cooking tutorials with baked-in skepticism
Mark Horne - 0Ann Reardon's uber-successful cookery YouTube channel smuggles in good, solid skepticism among the Spongebob Squarepants cakesA new study suggests coronavirus antibodies fade over time – but how concerned should we be?
We shouldn't be overly worried by the data showing that coronavirus antibodies wane after infection, explains immunologist Professor Sheena CruickshankFailure to listen to patients is causing unacceptable delays in endometriosis diagnosis
Endometriosis affects one in ten women – yet patients continue to face an uphill battle for diagnosis and treatment
- Paranormal
Ghosts, curses and werewolves: archaeologists see human belief up close
Dealing with human remains teaches us we don't have to share somebody's belief to respect them - as long as those beliefs aren't causing harmThe Witch’s Itch: Possible explanations for the symptoms of the Salem ‘victims’
While much has been written about those accused of witchcraft in Salem, a modern understanding of psychology can shed light on the reports of their alleged 'victims'Has the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in an increase in ghostly encounters?
With pandemic-related anxiety and stress causing an increase in experience of sleep paralysis, we may well see an uptick in paranormal belief.Fairies Dancing in a Ring
This image of fairies dancing in a ring comes dates from around 1600 and was in its original form a woodcut, before appearing in an issue of The Strand magazine in 1892.
- Conspiracy
One small step at a time, the alternative medicine industry is radicalising people
The alternative medicine industry has built up an ecosystem that efficiently radicalises its devotees into extreme positionsFacebook’s efforts to curb QAnon and anti-vax conspiracies are too little, and much too late
Facebook's bans on anti-vax adverts and QAnon groups fail to deal with how misinformation really spreads on their platformThe Curse of Monster Island: a four year experiment in unmoderated free speech
A forum for unmoderated free speech quickly became a place to showcase the worst aspects of human nature, with grim consequences.An Unhealthy Dose of Viral Conspiracy
As conspiracy theories flood social media and users struggle to tell fact from fiction, we need to find better ways to stop misinformation from spreading.
- Society
Brazil’s government throw their weight behind Creationism and Intelligent Design
Driven by the Discovery Institute, Creationism and Intelligent Design have been gaining ground in Brazil, and finding support in government.Ghosts, curses and werewolves: archaeologists see human belief up close
Dealing with human remains teaches us we don't have to share somebody's belief to respect them - as long as those beliefs aren't causing harmThe Witch’s Itch: Possible explanations for the symptoms of the Salem ‘victims’
While much has been written about those accused of witchcraft in Salem, a modern understanding of psychology can shed light on the reports of their alleged 'victims'By invoking ‘Spirit of the Blitz’ nostalgia, we do a disservice to what was achieved on the home front
Rose-tinted references to the 'Spirit of the Blitz' miss the real story of deep inequality, and of progress built through campaigning and protesting
- Science
Comedians can help us see the funny side of a world governed by blind chance
Scientists recognise that the world is governed by blind chance - a view embraced by comedians. Sean B. Carroll asks Eric Idle why that is.A new study suggests coronavirus antibodies fade over time – but how concerned should we be?
We shouldn't be overly worried by the data showing that coronavirus antibodies wane after infection, explains immunologist Professor Sheena CruickshankAre digital pregnancy tests simply taking the pee?
Digital pregnancy tests might look like another example of expensive e-waste, but we should look more carefully about their use and accessibility before we rush to condemn.(False) Memories of Childhood
On 5 October 2017, I, along with four other memory researchers, read out an essay on memory in front of an audience at the...The Death & Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks
On the 29th January, 1951, a woman named Henrietta Lacks called into John Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, complaining that she felt a ‘knot’ in...
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Expert skeptical analysis of pseudoscience, conspiracy theory and claims of the paranormal.
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