Shows
ACSH Science DispatchMayo Clinic's Nonsense Anti-opioid StudyResearchers at the Mayo Clinic recently published a study perpetuating the myth that opioid prescriptions launched the ongoing drug overdose epidemic. Two ACSH experts took the clinic to task for sloppy data analysis designed to justify a predetermined conclusion about the risks of painkillers. Let's take a closer look.
Article discussed: Opioid Bogeymen: ACSH Advisor Takes Mayo Clinic to Task, for Its Pain Management Fairytale
Subscribe to the ACSH Dispatch newsletter to get our stories in your inbox.
2024-12-0519 minACSH Science DispatchEverything You Wanted To Know About NSAIDsNon-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are widely used to control pain. They are typically quite effective and safe to use as directed. But many people can't rely on them owing to their sometimes serious side effects—including an increased risk of heart attack. In short, NSAIDs are essential drugs with real limitations. Let's take a look at the most popular of these medicines.
Article discussed: NSAIDs: Pick Your Poison
Sign up for the ACSH Dispatch newsletter to get our stories in your inbox.
2024-12-0315 minACSH Science DispatchShould Scientists Deliberately Give People COVID?As part of a challenge study conducted during the pandemic, 34 healthy volunteers were deliberately infected with SARS-CoV-2 to assess the potential cognitive impacts of COVID-19. Everything about the experiment, from its timing to its design, was suspect and almost certainly unethical. 2024-10-3125 minACSH Science DispatchArtificial Sweeteners Causing Heart Attacks? Nope.Recent headlines declared that the artificial sweeteners Xylitol and Erythritol could increase your risk of stroke and heart attack. Now that the media excitement has died down, let's take a closer look at the study behind the headlines. Does it really implicate these sugar substitutes as a threat to heart health? Not exactly. 2024-10-2112 minACSH Science DispatchFDA Finally Listening To Reason On Opioids?Pain patient advocates recently made their case to the FDA during an agency listening sessions, arguing that the federal government has launched an unjustified crusade against prescription opioids.
Rather than reduce overdose deaths or drug abuse, the nationwide crackdown on painkillers has only left millions of patients to suffer without recourse. Are regulators finally waking up to this reality?2024-10-1526 minACSH Science DispatchIs Science Too Political? If So, What Do We Do About It?Scientific American's endorsement of Kamala Harris for president ignited a ferocious debate in the science community. Is she the best choice for advancing science, as her supporters contend, or is it unwise for researchers and scientific institutions to back political candidates? 2024-10-0822 minACSH Science DispatchThe Profit Motive Behind 'Make America Healthy Again'The emerging Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement has resurrected the well-worn accusation that food and drug companies dictate US public health policy. How true is this claim? And do the leaders of the MAHA campaign have their own conflicts of interest? They sure do. 2024-10-0118 minACSH Science DispatchGender-Affirming Care For Kids: Ethical Or Unacceptable?The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) seems to be in an awkward spot. The group fears that children could be exposed to hormone-disrupting pesticides through food. However, it also endorses the use of puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones—drugs that disrupt normal hormone production—in gender-dysphoric youth.
Are the AAP's divergent standards justified, or is this just a classic case of hypocrisy?2024-09-2629 minACSH Science DispatchHave We Pinpointed A Cause Of Long COVID?Scientists have learned much about COVID-19 over the last four years. But several aspects of the pandemic remain to be fully explained, including Long COVID: a chronic condition that can cause or contribute to some 200 health effects throughout our bodies.
A recent study suggests that fibrin, a key component of blood clots, plays a role in the development on Long COVID, and may lead to effective treatments for the condition. Let's take a closer look at the results. 2024-09-2315 minACSH Science DispatchBreaking The Ozempic Plateau. Do Weight Loss Drugs Stop Working?Some patients taking weight-loss drugs like Ozempic are beginning to report slower or no weight loss as their bodies build up a tolerance to the medication. Does this spell trouble for obese people looking to slim down long-term? Dr. Chuck Dinerstein reports his personal experience with the so-called Ozempic plateau.2024-09-0916 minACSH Science DispatchPompous Pandemic Experts Know Less Than They ThinkScientists often think they're smarter than they are because of their narrow academic expertise, according to a new study. Recent history is littered with corroborating examples in which experts made false declarations about COVID-19 and refused to acknowledge their errors. What drives this hubris, and how should the public respond to it?2024-09-0520 minACSH Science DispatchHelping Chronic Pain Patients Die — Ethical Or Insane?America's anti-opioid crusade routinely denies chronically ill patients access to adequate pain control, relegating them to an agonizing existence. Many of these individuals would rather die than withstand the anguish, and some advocates of physician-assisted suicide say we should help these patients end their lives. Is this an ethical solution to the crisis of untreated pain? We have our doubts. 2024-08-2621 minACSH Science Dispatch'Bite Sized' workouts — Exercise For The Chronically Time-CrunchedIf you're too busy for an hour-long gym session, "exercise snacking" – short bursts of intense activity over several minutes – may help you stay fit despite your jam-packed schedule. That's according to a new study, but how compelling are the results? Let's take a look.2024-08-2114 minACSH Science DispatchSitting More Deadly Than HIV And Smoking? Not ExactlyA recent study claimed that excessive sitting–all too common in our modern, hyper-connected world–is more deadly than smoking and HIV. The solution, the researchers claimed, is a novel creation known as the treadmill desk, which allows people to exercise during their work days. How truthful is all this? Not very.2024-08-1917 minACSH Science DispatchDrug Legalization—The Answer To Our Opioid Crisis?America's prohibitionist assault on prescription opioids has left an untold number of chronically ill patients without access to adequate pain control, encouraging them to use illicit substances like heroin or even take their own lives to end their suffering. Some drug policy reformers say the solution to this tragic situation is outright legalization of all drugs. How well would that policy actually work? Let's take a look. 2024-08-1327 minACSH Science DispatchTwo Hearts Beat As One? Synchronicity Might Actually Drive AttractionAs social creatures, humans often synchronize with each other in watching movies, dancing in groups and mirroring the behavior of our romantic partners. Could this synchronicity actually influence whom we find attractive? A new study says—maybe.2024-08-0615 minACSH Science DispatchHow Weight-Loss Drugs Work—Dr. Dinerstein's 'Ozempic Journey'The blockbuster weight-loss drug Ozempic has ignited a ferocious debate over the ethics and efficacy of treating obesity with medication.
Oddly, this intense ideological battle has glossed over perhaps the most important question we should answer: how does the drug impact individual patients? Our Director of Medicine Dr. Chuck Dinerstein is working to correct that oversight by documenting his experience with Ozempic.2024-07-3019 minACSH Science DispatchRed Meat Research Exposes Epidemiology's Critical FlawsMost health scares you see in the headlines are generated by low-grade epidemiology research that correlates food or chemicals exposures with negative health outcomes. A recent review employing a new analytical tool highlighted some of the critical problems in this research by looking at studies reporting health risks linked to red meat consumption. Let's take a look at their findings.2024-07-2419 minACSH Science DispatchXylitol Won't Ruin Your Heart HealthA recent study, predictably followed by alarmist headlines, suggested that the sweetener xylitol may increase the risk of cardiovascular complications and blood clots. As usual, there is much more to the story—including the fact that xylitol is perfectly safe for most people to consume as a sweetener. 2024-07-2216 minACSH Science DispatchSome Drugs Cause Weight Gain. Could A Keto Diet Help?Mental health medications are a blessing to many people. But they sometimes come with undesirable side effects, including significant weight gain. A recent study suggests that a high-fat, low-carb ketogenic diet could help some patients manage their weight while taking psychiatric drugs. Let's take a closer look at the results.2024-07-0813 minACSH Science DispatchLunchables and Lead Poisoning—More Nonsense From Consumer ReportsOur children face a wide range of health and safety risks these days: choking, fentanyl poisoning and school shootings, just to name a few.
But put aside such paltry concerns because Consumer Reports (CR) has identified the real threat to your kids: Lunchables. These safe, affordable prepackaged meals may actually expose your children to potentially harmful levels of lead, the activist group claims. As usual, CR is pushing a baseless health scare to raise money. 2024-07-0811 minACSH Science DispatchThe Journal 'Science' Doesn't Know What A Scientist IsHolden Thorpe, editor of the once-prestigious academic journal 'Science,' has made many strange claims in recent years, including the assertion that anybody involved in or adjacent to science (a journalist, policy wonk and perhaps even an activist) is actually a scientist. ACSH's Dr. Henry Miller calls shenanigans. 2024-06-2612 minACSH Science Dispatch'Chevron' Supreme Court Decision Could Weaken Federal Agencies. Blessing Or Curse?The Supreme Court is poised to decide a case that could seriously restrict the authority of federal regulatory agencies.
Some legal observers say the decision will put power-hungry bureaucrats in their place, though others maintain the decision could force judges and members of Congress to make scientific determinations they aren't qualified to make. Let's talk to a legal scholar to make sense of the "Chevron deference."2024-06-2516 minACSH Science DispatchMicroplastics In Your Lungs? The New Public Health BogeymanRecent research suggested that our lungs contain tiny (micro- and nano-sized) plastic particles, courtesy of our widespread use plastic consumer products. Let's take a deeper look at the study to determine how serious of a health risk we're up against. As always, the media didn't tell you the whole story. 2024-06-1418 minACSH Science DispatchMedetomidine—The New Unwelcome Guest In Illicit FentanylThere's yet another adulterant showing up in illicit fentanyl in cities across North America: medetomidine—a drug used for sedation, analgesia, and muscle relaxation, typically in veterinary settings. How dangerous is the drug, and what can be done to stop its recreational use? Let's take a look.2024-06-1415 minACSH Science DispatchSkin Cancer, Sunburns And Sunscreen—Just The FactsWhich is more dangerous, sunscreen or the sun itself? Should we just wear sun-protective clothing instead? As summer approaches, let's examine the latest research and separate sun facts from myths before heading to the beach. 2024-05-1314 minACSH Science DispatchPesticides, Parkinson's And The Messy Influence Of GeneticsTort lawyers regularly bring litigation against pesticide companies alleging that their products cause devastating diseases. Of course, our genetic makeup profoundly influences our risk for certain medical conditions, including those allegedly caused by pesticide exposure. Yet this reality rarely gets the attention it deserves in court. Let's take a closer look at the science the lawyers would rather ignore. 2024-05-1317 minACSH Science DispatchDeadly Microplastics In Your Arteries? Not So FastMicroplastics are everywhere, including in your arteries, and they heighten your heart attack risk! So declared a slew of recent headlines reporting on a study in the New England Journal of Medicine. Let's examine all the science reporters ignored in their rush to get hyperbolic stories out the door. 2024-05-0116 minACSH Science DispatchSkipping Meals Restores Your Youth? The Science Behind FastingA recent study found that controlled periods of fasting could hold the key to unlocking a longer, healthier life. Do we finally have evidence that skipping meals reverses aging, or is the situation more complicated than that?2024-05-0118 minACSH Science DispatchAI In Medicine—Who's To Blame When Things Go Wrong?Artificial Intelligence (AI) plays an increasingly prominent role in modern life, medicine included. While the technology promises to improve health care in many ways, it also carries potentially serious risks. That raises a critical question: when AI harms patients, who's responsible?
Join Cameron English and Dr. Barbara Billauer on Episode 70 of the Science Dispatch podcast as they discuss AI in medicine with Stanford Law professor Michelle Mello:2024-04-1027 minACSH Science DispatchCould This FDA-Approved Treatment Silence Tinnitus?Tinnitus–a vexing ringing in one or both of your ears not caused by external sound–impacts some 740 million adults globally. A recently FDA-approved treatment appears poised to help many of these patients reduce the severity of their symptoms and thereby boost their quality of life. Let's take a closer look at this therapy to find out how it works. 2024-04-0415 minACSH Science DispatchProhibition Absurdity—Drug Warriors Take Opioids From Terminal Cancer PatientsThe standard argument for restricting patient access to pain medications is that these drugs frequently lead to addiction. A large body of research contradicts that claim, though it's doubly absurd when directed at people afflicted by terminal (and often very painful) illnesses. They sometimes have only weeks or months to live, yet they're denied pain medicine in the name of fighting opioid dependence. Such absurdity has to stop.2024-04-0118 minACSH Science DispatchDr. Paul Offit: Lessons Learned From COVID-19Unlike other public health emergencies, the COVID-19 pandemic had unmistakably partisan overtones. Politics exerted an unhealthy influence on how governments, scientists, reporters and ordinary Americans responded as SARS-CoV-2 swept across the world and upended our lives for the better part of four years. What went wrong and what can we learn from it? Dr. Paul Offit joins us to answer those critical questions.2024-03-2534 minACSH Science DispatchFraudulent Research Threatens Scientific ProgressThe Bible of science–the body of peer-reviewed literature–is increasingly filled with dubious and even fraudulent research. Most academics openly recognize the threat this poses to scientific progress, though viable solutions to academic fraud are sorely lacking. How do we address this critical problem?
Join Cameron English and Dr. Chuck Dinerstein on Episode 66 of the Science Dispatch podcast as they examine the growing problem of scientific fraud:
The Lasting Impacts of Scientific Fraud
Far too many scientific papers are being retracted from prestigious scientific journals because scientists fabricated or falsified data. Although no one defe...2024-03-1122 minACSH Science DispatchListen Up! The Surprising Link Between Zinc and Hearing LossLoud noises and...trace minerals? Let's break down a new study examining an important contributor to age-related hearing loss. Spoiler alert: stocking up on zinc supplements is not the solution.
Join Cameron English and Dr. Chuck Dinerstein on Episode 65 of the Science Dispatch podcast as they examine the science of preserving hearing:
Can You Hear Me Now? If Not, Zinc May Be Why
Hearing loss, frequently due to exposure to loud noises, is a
significant health problem. Its biological underpinning may well be due to what we consider a...2024-03-0816 minACSH Science DispatchPorn Is Probably Bad For You. Here's The ScienceNPR recently lost its nerve over the realization that some men are giving up internet porn, fearing this "masturbation abstinence" trend is a gateway to radical right-wing politics. The media should be more interested in the potentially serious health impacts of porn itself. 2024-02-2616 minACSH Science DispatchRisks and Benefits of Legal MarijuanaThe FDA has proposed changing the classification of marijuana from a Schedule I to a Schedule III drug. What impacts could this regulatory status change have on public health and drug regulation around the US? Let's take a look. 2024-02-2615 minACSH Science DispatchCorrupt Assault On Opioids Harms Cancer PatientsDo opioids effectively control moderate-to-severe cancer pain? A recent review of the evidence says yes, though the press release for the study says otherwise, its headline declaring that the efficacy of opioids against cancer pain remains "unclear." Both statements can't be true, so which one is false?2024-02-0617 minACSH Science DispatchSix-Step Liver Cleanse? Debunking "Doctor" Josh Axe's Bad Nutrition AdviceLike all natural health matchstick men, Josh Axe is a supplement
hustler and champion of bad nutritional advice. On Episode 61 of the Science Dispatch podcast, hosts Cameron English and Dr. Chuck Dinerstein sit down with ACSH contributor Katie Suleta to examine one of Axe's latest cons: a six-step "liver cleanse."
2024-01-3117 minACSH Science DispatchTylenol Plus Advil Equals Exploitation; Phony Pesticide ScaresPharma companies have taken to combining over-the-counter drugs into the same pill or bottle and charging higher prices. There's little evidence this marketing practice benefits anybody but said pharma companies. There's a new pesticide scare loose in the headlines: the weedkiller paraquat allegedly causes Parkinson's Disease. It's a phony scandal cooked up by activists and trial lawyers.2024-01-2342 minACSH Science DispatchAwkward Facts About Electric Cars; The Science Of BidetsElectric vehicles (EV) have been hailed as our gateway out of fossil fuel "addiction." But recent declines in EV sales driven by reliability issues have raised tough questions about the future of this once-celebrated technology.
It's an age-old question: bidet or no bidet? Let's see if science can bring clarity to this contentious debate. 2024-01-1035 min
Daily RemedyA conversation on health policy and misinformation with Dr. Josh Bloom of ACSHDr. Jonathan (Josh) Bloom, ACSH's Director of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Science, earned his Ph.D. in organic chemistry at the University of Virginia, followed by postdoctoral training at the University of Pennsylvania. His first career was in drug discovery research, mostly at Wyeth.
During this time he participated in research in a number of therapeutic areas, including diabetes and obesity, new antibiotics, HIV/AIDS, and hepatitis C. His group discovered the novel antibiotic Tygacil®, which was approved by the FDA for use against resistant bacterial infections in 2005. He is the author of 25 patents, and 35 a...2024-01-0852 minACSH Science DispatchWegovy, Ozempic—The Unintended Effects. Why Only Some People Wear MasksThe blockbuster weight-loss drugs Wegovy and Ozempic have helped many patients rapidly slim down. But these powerful pharmaceuticals could have unintended consequences we may not be ready for. What motivates people to wear masks? Post COVID, researchers are finally beginning to find some answers. 2023-12-1432 minACSH Science DispatchDerek Chauvin's 'Excited Delirium' Defense; Will 10,000 Steps Make You Fit?Was Derek Chauvin's use of force against George Floyd justified? His attorney said yes, pointing to a controversial syndrome known as "excited delirium" to explain Floyd's frenzied behavior while in
custody. Does this defense withstand scientific scrutiny?
10,000 steps: it's a magic threshold often used to pinpoint fitness, but there's little evidence behind this popular idea.
2023-12-0632 minACSH Science DispatchSenators Don't Understand Opioid Use (Or Math). Body Parts For Sale?If you needed further evidence that politicians don't understand the fentanyl crisis they helped to create, Senator Joe Manchin has you covered. We already sell some body fluids in select circumstances; will the day come when we sell body parts to the highest bidder?2023-11-2252 minACSH Science Dispatch'Health Coaching' is a Scam; the Latest on COVID BoostersThe 'wellness' industry has birthed yet another scam: health
coaching. Usually lacking any medical or scientific training, health
coaches will charge you a king's ransom for useless and arguably harmful advice. Buyer beware. The CDC says everyone six months and older needs COVID boosters. Here's what the data show.
2023-11-1542 minACSH Science Dispatch'Non-GMO' Labels Don't Make Food Safer; Airhead Actress Peddles Useless 'Natural' TylenolA teenager died recently after taking the "One Chip Challenge," eating Paqui's uber-spicy tortilla chip and going as long as possible without eating or drinking anything else. The cause of death remains unclear. But there's an interesting lesson here about the uselessness of "non-GMO" food labels. Actress Jessica Biel sells all-natural Tylenol—which is identical to plain ole' Tylenol. Another case of dubious health marketing? Yep. 2023-11-0940 minACSH Science DispatchTrouble With Rapid Drug Tests; Fabricating COVID-19 Health 'Disparities'Roadside drug tests are unreliable, so why are they so widely used in the US? Researchers who make "health disparities" the focus of their work sometimes misrepresent their results. Here's a textbook example from a study that used pulse oximetry to measure disparities in COVID treatment. 2023-10-3046 minACSH Science DispatchGood News About Flu Shots; The Sudafed PE DebacleFlu shots perform inconsistently because it's hard to anticipate
which strains of the virus will be circulating in a given year. So far
in 2023, it appears that the latest round of vaccines are working well.
The FDA has determined that Sudafed PE doesn't work. Questions and accusations are flying as a result: why were we sold a useless decongestant in the first place? And more importantly, who's to blame for this public health blunder?
2023-10-1242 minACSH Science DispatchTylenol, The Useless Analgesic? Suing Doctors For Spreading COVID 'Misinformation'Evidence suggests that Tylenol isn't an effective pain reliever in many cases, so why do doctors rely on it post-surgery? When it comes to treating and discussing COVID-19, do doctors have the right to speak freely, even when they dissent from accepted medical wisdom?2023-09-2652 minACSH Science DispatchCharging Doctors With Manslaughter; Science Journalists As Paid Political HacksIn the wake of hurricane Katrina in 2005, a physician was charged with manslaughter for administering morphine and another drug to patients who couldn't leave the hospital during the disaster. Was she alleviating their pain and anxiety or trying to kill them? Many news outlets are paid to slant their science coverage. How did that happen?2023-09-1951 minACSH Science DispatchNew COVID Surge Coming? Raw Oysters Are Gross—And Possibly DangerousSome indicators suggest that we're in for a potentially serious fall COVID surge. How fearful should we be? On a lighter note, are you risking your health every time you eat raw oysters? Maybe not, but at least one scientist thinks this particular seafood is "gross."
2023-09-0728 minACSH Science DispatchSynthetic Embryos coming soon? 'Painkiller': Netflix's Dreadful Opioid MiniseriesRecent breakthroughs in stem-cell research have raised the prospect of one day "breeding" humans and growing organs in a lab. How realistic are these scenarios? Netflix just released an embarrassing miniseries about the opioid epidemic. Let's take a closer look at the show's claims.2023-08-2552 minACSH Science DispatchIARC's Defective Aspartame-Cancer Study; In Defense of 'Ultra-Processed' FoodThe International Agency for Research on Cancer's (IARC) conclusion that the sweetener aspartame "possibly" causes cancer is definitely stupid. You can eat a diet consisting of 91 percent 'ultra-processed' food and be healthy, according to a new study. Let's take a closer look.2023-08-1027 minACSH Science DispatchBMI Is Racist? No, CDC, Men Can't BreastfeedThe American Medical Association claims the body mass index (BMI) is "white supremacist" medicine, and the CDC says men can breastfeed babies. The public health establishment seems to have lost its grip on reality. How did this happen?2023-08-0140 minACSH Science DispatchAI's Growing (And Possibly) Harmful Impact On Medicine; Yes, Pop-Tarts Are FoodArtificial Intelligence (AI) is playing an increasingly important role in health care. It could lower costs and streamline patient interactions—but the technology has a dark side, too. Critics of "ultra-processed" food often claim that certain snacks aren't even food. Let's debunk this myth, with a special focus on Pop-Tarts. 2023-07-2430 minACSH Science DispatchSucralose-Cancer Hysteria, Debunked; Time For Climate Change Reparations?A new health scare is brewing as reporters speculate about the cancer risk of consuming the sweetener sucralose. Is there any evidence behind the panic? No. A team of scientists recently argued that it's time for developed nations to pay reparations for causing climate change. Let's take a critical look at their claims.2023-07-1039 minACSH Science DispatchCannabis Causes Schizophrenia? Not So Fast; Pfizer's Weight Loss Drug v. OzempicA recent study linking marijuana use to schizophrenia attracted widespread attention. Now that the excitement has died down, let's take a closer look at the science. How does Pfizer's weight-loss pill compare to Ozempic, the obesity treatment beloved celebrities the world over?
Join host Cameron English as he sits down with Dr. Chuck Dinerstein to break down these stories on Episode 43 of the Science Dispatch podcast:
Which Came First, the Cannabis or the Schizophrenia?
Within the timeframe of the legalization of recreational cannabis, there's been a rise in cannabis “use disorder” and...2023-06-0840 minACSH Science DispatchDanger of Tylenol In Opioids; J&J Drug Could Undo Liver Damage—Caused By Its TylenolCutting the dose of Tylenol in opioids makes the drugs safer. Why? Pharma company J&J is developing a drug that could reduce liver damage caused by Tylenol—which J&J also sells. Join host Cameron English as he sits down with Dr. Josh Bloom to break down these stories on Episode 42 of the Science Dispatch podcast:
Making Vicodin and Percocet Safer, By Reducing the Dose of Tylenol
Lost in the discussion of the alleged danger of opioid medications is that most of them also contain acetaminophen (Tylenol). Although acetaminophen is generally seen as benign, it is...2023-05-0936 minACSH Science DispatchCan COVID Improve Vaccine Development? California's Nonsensical Chemical BansDr. Tony Fauci, former head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, recently acknowledged that the COVID shots didn't perform as well as public health experts hoped they would. What can policymakers learn from this controversial analysis? California is poised to ban five commonly used chemicals under the guise of protecting children. There's no science to justify the legislation.
Join host Cameron English as he sits down with Dr. Chuck Dinerstein to break down these stories on Episode 41 of the Science Dispatch podcast:
At Last, A Scientific Explanation of Vaccines in the Time...2023-04-2641 minACSH Science DispatchAmerica's Troublesome Adderall Shortgage; EPA's Nonsensical PFAS Water StandardsA concerning shortage of Adderall, one of the drugs commonly used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), is putting patients at risk. What caused it, and how can we fix it? The EPA has set new guidelines to keep PFAS out of drinking water. There's a problem, however: the agency's standards are absurd.
Join host Cameron English as he sits down with Dr. Chuck Dinerstein to break down these stories on Episode 40 of the Science Dispatch podcast:
ACSH Asks Where's the Adderall?
The shortage of Adderall, an important medication...2023-04-1335 minACSH Science DispatchMasks Prevent COVID? A Friendly Debate; Don't Fall For Misinformation About MisinformationDoes masking reduce the transmission of SARS-CoV-2? The Cochrane Collaboration tried to analyze the messy evidence around that question and re-ignited an incendiary political debate. What conclusion should we draw from their findings? There's lots of misinformation out there; there's also rampant misinformation about that misinformation. Don't be fooled by either of them.
Join host Cameron English as he sits down with Dr. Chuck Dinerstein to break down these stories on Episode 39 of the Science Dispatch podcast:
Do Masks Prevent COVID? (Spoiler Alert: Of Course, They Do)
2023-04-0535 minACSH Science Dispatch'Woke' Policies Harm Public Health? FDA's Silly 'Healthy' Food LabelsSocial justice advocates continue to demand that professions like medicine become more 'diverse.' Critics contend this development could bring unqualified physicians into the profession and jeopardize public health. Should we be worried? The FDA wants to label certain foods in the grocery store "healthy." It's an awful idea. Join host Cameron English as he sits down Dr. Chuck Dinerstein to break down these stories on Episode 38 of the Science Dispatch podcast:
Woke Policies Are a Path to Societal Mediocrity — Or Worse
In the name of "social justice, "unqualified candidates are be...2023-03-2431 minACSH Science DispatchErythritol Probably Doesn't Cause Heart Disease; Dietary Supplements Can KillPanicked headlines recently warned that the popular artificial sweetener erythritol could increase heart-disease risk. The study that generated these claims in no way supports that possibility. Dietary supplements are a multi-billion-dollar industry; they've also killed people. Do they need more regulatory oversight?
Join host Cameron English as he sits down with Dr. Chuck Dinerstein to break down these stories on Episode 37 of the Science Dispatch podcast:
Debunking the Erythritol Study
“Artificial sweeteners have been widely introduced into the food chain … ” While perhaps helpful in reducing weight, could they unintentionally promote poorer cardiovascular outcomes? A new Clevel...2023-03-1626 minACSH Science DispatchTylenol After Surgery Is Useless; CVS Sued For Selling Homeopathic 'Remedies'Drug store conglomerate CVS displays real pain relievers next to useless homeopathic "remedies." A lawsuit could put an end to that marketing practice. Will Tylenol alleviate severe pain? It will not, yet patients are routinely given the drug after major surgery. Thank your congressman for such insanity.
Join host Cameron English as he sits down Dr. Josh Bloom to break down these stories on episode 36 of the Science Dispatch podcast:
No, Homeopathic 'Remedies' and OTC Drugs Don't Belong on the Same Shelf
The Center For Inquiry, a non-profit group with a similar mindset to ACSH, h...2023-03-0931 minACSH Science DispatchPeer-Reviewed' Science Ain't So Scientific; Alcohol and Cancer Risk In ContextPeer-review is supposed to keep sloppy and fraudulent research out of academic journals. Sadly, the process fails all too frequently. What can we do to prevent further corruption of our science publications? Consumers often avoid supposedly harmful chemicals to reduce their cancer risk—then they drink alcohol, a well-known carcinogen, without a second thought. Why?
Join host Cameron English as he sits down Dr. Chuck Dinerstein to break down these stories on episode 35 of the Science Dispatch podcast:
How Scientific is ‘Peer-Reviewed’ Science?
"Peer review" of scientific articles before publication is often considered the "gold standa...2023-02-2728 minACSH Science DispatchSolving America's Drug Shortage; Biden's Bioeconomy Plan—A Bureaucratic MessAmerica is facing a critical shortage of many medically important drugs. The good news? There's a simple solution if we're willing to implement it. The Biden Administration is poised to invest billions of dollars in America's "bioeconomy." Will this really boost the US biotech sector, or just waste valuable resources that should be spent elsewhere?
Join host Cameron English as he sits down Dr. Henry Miller to break down these stories on episode 34 of the Science Dispatch podcast:
Drug Shortages Are a Problem for Physicians and Patients. There’s a Solution
Shortages of widely prescribed dr...2023-02-1527 minACSH Science DispatchWhat Everyone Got Wrong About Gas Stoves; Smoking Pot Causes Asthma?Now that the political drama around gas stoves has waned, it's time to discuss the science. Here's what all the talking heads got wrong. Does secondhand weed smoke cause asthma? Maybe, though the most recent study cited as evidence isn't all that rigorous. Join host Cameron English as he sits down Dr. Chuck Dinerstein to break down these stories on episode 33 of the Science Dispatch podcast:
Cooking with Gas
The Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) recently concluded that gas stoves have polluted our indoor spaces. So polluted that “more than 12% of current childhood asthma cases in the US...2023-02-0131 minACSH Science DispatchSweden's COVID Response; Eco-Doomsday Is CancelledSweden garnered both intense criticism and high praise for its conservative pandemic response. How did the country's COVID-19 outcomes compare to those of the US and other countries? From deforestation to climate change and pollution, headline after headline warns that we're rapidly destroying our planet. These scandalous assertions are out of step with the latest evidence.
Join host Cameron English as he sits down Dr. Chuck Dinerstein to break down these stories on episode 32 of the Science Dispatch podcast:
The Swedish Response to COVID
Sweden has been the poster child of the live-free-or-die, no-lockdown crowd. The...2023-01-2635 minACSH Science DispatchC. Everett Koop—A Rebel Public Health Official?Former surgeon general C. Everett Koop was a towering figure in the world of public health. A pediatric surgeon with deeply held religious convictions, Koop was an iconoclast willing to challenge the accepted wisdom of both major political parties when their platforms contradicted the evidence. What could public health officials today learn from Koop's example?
Join host Cameron English as he sits down Dr. Chuck Dinerstein and ACSH contributor Barbara Pfeffer Billauer to break down these stories on episode 31 of the Science Dispatch podcast:
Icons of Public Health Leadership: The Story of C. Everett Koop
The re...2023-01-1836 minACSH Science DispatchBaby Food Doesn't Cause Autism; Swearing Might Be Good For youHeavy metals in baby food do not cause autism. Listen in as we discuss the evidence. Dropping an F-bomb now and again might confer an important health benefit, according to recent research. Do we finally have a scientific justification for the use of colorful language?
Join host Cameron English as he sits down Dr. Chuck Dinerstein and ACSH contributor Susan Goldhaber to break down these stories on episode 30 of the Science Dispatch podcast:
The Health Benefits of Swearing – WTF?!
Swearing – defined as speaking “specific, negatively charged, and often emotionally loaded terms” – violates our norms of both the sa...2023-01-1033 minACSH Science DispatchMarijuana—Worse Than We Thought? The Benefits (And Risks) Of Weight-Loss DrugsA recent study found that marijuana smoke may cause emphysema. The problem? The study was complete garbage. Celebrities and social-media "influencers" are hyping the weight-loss benefits of repurposed diabetes drugs. Should these medicines really be used to slim down? It's complicated.
Join host Cameron English as he sits down Dr. Chuck Dinerstein to break down these stories on episode 29 of the Science Dispatch podcast:
Another Health Harm from Marijuana
“In a new analysis of medical records, cannabis smokers had higher rates of a certain type of emphysema than tobacco smokers.” It's another attention-grabbing headline that fail...2022-12-1430 minACSH Science DispatchEveryone's Wrong About COVID 'Amnesty'; Smart Water—A Beverage For DummiesA ferocious debate ensued over Emily Oster's recent call in the Atlantic for COVID "amnesty." Everybody in the dispute is wrong. Should you drink Smart Water? Only if you're "dumb," says our resident chemist.
Join host Cameron English as he sits down Dr. Chuck Dinerstein and Dr. Josh Bloom to break down these stories on episode 28 of the Science Dispatch podcast:
Thinking Aloud: COVID Amnesty
Emily Oster, an economist and popular author on the real facts of parenting, suggested that it was time for a COVID amnesty. There was a quick, demonstrative, and at times, a...2022-12-0747 minACSH Science DispatchRemembering The Alar Scare; NYT Should Stop Targeting Scientists30 years ago, Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) launched a PR campaign against a plant-growth regulator called Alar, effectively eliminating use of the chemical in agriculture. What's the legacy of this infamous anti-chemical scare? The New York Times continues to attack good scientists on the say-so of environmental groups. The paper is trashing its credibility.
Join our directors of bio-sciences and medicine, Cameron English and Dr. Chuck Dinerstein, as they break down these stories on episode 27 of the Science Dispatch podcast.
From the Archives: Apples, Alar, NRDC and Meryl Streep
Meryl Streep, a proud Vassar grad, r...2022-11-2828 minACSH Science DispatchDr. Dinerstein's Near-Death Experience; Unregulated Medical Devices; Cleveland Clinic's Anti-Vaping Nonsense"It can disappear in a moment," Dr. Chuck Dinerstein said after his near-fatal battle with a pulmonary embolism. How should our mortality influence our worldviews? Unregulated medical devices may put patients in harm's way. Why is the Cleveland Clinic parroting anti-vaping talking points from the Truth Initiative?
Join ACSH directors of bio-sciences and medicine, Cameron English and Dr. Chuck Dinerstein, as they break down these stories on episode 26 of the Science Dispatch podcast.
I Died Last Week
Last week I stopped breathing. If it was not for my wife, who gave me some breaths, and t...2022-11-1443 minACSH Science DispatchCould Marijuana Send You To The ER?In the wake of legalization campaigns across the US, medicinal and recreational use of cannabis have gained widespread support, with nearly 60 million Americans reporting use of marijuana in 2020. The drug is thought to pose minimal risk while offering a number of potential medical benefits. Nevertheless, there can be significant health risks associated with cannabis use. Just as we openly discuss the harms associated with alcohol, tobacco, and, opioids, so too should we discuss the downsides of cannabis use, argues Dr. Roneet Lev.
Ronnet Lev is a nationally acclaimed medical expert and speaker who continues to treat patients...2022-10-2531 minACSH Science DispatchACSH Goes To Dr Phil; Cancers Have A 'Fungal Biome'Some cancers can be detected based on the fungi that grow within tumors, researchers say. Could this discovery lead to a life-saving screening technique? ACSH debated a pair of "fat acceptance" advocates on Dr. Phil. Let's break down the discussion.
Join our directors of bio-sciences and chemistry, Cameron English and Dr. Josh Bloom, as they break down these stories on episode 24 of the Science Dispatch podcast.
Tumors Have a 'Fungal Biome' - Implications for Powerful New Cancer Screens
An Israeli group has discovered that some cancers can be identified by blood tests that identify the DNA...2022-10-1837 minACSH Science DispatchNeurontin—The Lousy Opioid Alternative; Twitter Censors ACSHYet another study shows that Neurontin is a poor substitute for prescription opioids, so why do physicians continue to prescribe it? Twitter recently put a warning on an ACSH obesity story. Is social-media censorship here to stay?
Join our directors of bio-sciences, chemistry, and medicine Cameron English, Dr. Josh Bloom, and Dr. Chuck Dinerstein as they break down these stories on episode 23 of the Science Dispatch podcast.
The Devil You Know - Neurontin's Massive Flop as an Opioid Alternative
Wanna hear something sickening? Neurontin, a drug developed for epilepsy and used off-label for neuropathic pain...2022-10-1136 minACSH Science DispatchFighting Dementia With—Vitamins? A Retrospective On COVID LockdownsWill taking cocoa or multivitamins slow the onset of dementia? A new study suggests at least one of these interventions may make a difference. COVID lockdowns quickly became a topic for partisan bickering, but did they actually work?
Join our directors of bio-sciences and medicine Cameron English and Dr. Chuck Dinerstein as they break down these stories on episode 22 of the Science Dispatch podcast.
Cocoa, Multivitamins, and Dementia
Could cocoa extract or a multivitamin slow the onset of dementia? A new randomized placebo-controlled study offers some hope. (Spoiler alert: Eating a chocolate bar a day w...2022-10-0237 minACSH Science DispatchDiagnosing Parkinson's with AI; Banning Technology Is Risky BusinessArtificial intelligence may help physicians identify patients at risk for Parkinson's Disease (PD) before symptoms develop, improving health care and possibly zeroing in on potential causes of PD. Restricting access to technology can generate disastrous consequences. Why, then, are 'green' politicians so eager to ban these useful tools?
Join our directors of bio-sciences and medicine Cameron English and Dr. Chuck Dinerstein as they break down these stories on episode 21 of the Science Dispatch podcast.
Parkinson’s Disease Gets Diagnostic Help From Artificial Intelligence
Parkinson’s Disease is one of several degenerative diseases in our neurologic syst...2022-09-2233 minACSH Science DispatchWhy Soda Taxes Fail; Seeding Clouds With Silver; Climate Change Causes Heart Attacks?China is 'seeding' clouds to increase rainfall and fight a severe drought. Will it work? A large body of research shows that soda taxes are ineffective, so why do public health experts continue to endorse them? Finally, has climate change increased the number of heart attacks we suffer? No.
Join the ACSH directors of bio-sciences, chemistry, and medicine Cameron English, Dr. Josh Bloom, and Dr. Chuck Dinerstein as they break down these stories on episode 20 of the Science Dispatch podcast.
Why Are Clouds Seeded with 'Silver'? Does it Work?
Much of the planet is now i...2022-09-1245 minACSH Science DispatchWhy Do People Follow Crazy Diets? Lessons To Learn From The COVID PandemicMany Americans are obsessed with nutrition or totally disinterested in it. Why are these extremes so common? ACSH contributor David Lightsey joins us to explain. Public health officials committed many blunders during the pandemic. Part of the problem may have been the incomplete and often inaccurate information they were working with. How can they avoid the same errors next time around?
Join our directors of bio-sciences and medicine Cameron English and Dr. Chuck Dinerstein as they break down these stories on episode 19 of the Science Dispatch podcast.
Can I Eat a Chocolate Chip Cookie in Peace?
2022-09-0731 minACSH Science DispatchDoes Fentanyl Penetrate Skin? 'Fat Acceptance' Is DangerousRecent news reports have spurred concern that just touching fentanyl can be dangerous. Let's take a look at the chemistry behind this claim. Comedian Bill Maher recently attacked the fat-acceptance movement as a danger to public health, sparking ferocious criticism on social media. Sadly, few people recognized the most important point about Maher's commentary: he was right.
Show notes
Join ACSH directors of bio-sciences and chemistry Cameron English and Dr. Josh Bloom as they break down these stories on episode 18 of the Science Dispatch podcast:
Does Fentanyl Penetrate Skin? A Long Overdue Dreaded Chemistry Le...2022-08-3046 minACSH Science DispatchFDA's Laughable Opioid 'Give-Back' Program; 10 Anti-Pesticide 'Facts' DebunkedThe FDA has tried to fight opioid addiction by asking patients to mail their excess prescription pain meds to the agency for disposal. It's an absurd proposal. There's lots of anti-pesticide 'facts' floating around the internet; let's debunk the most popular of these claims.
Join ACSH directors of bio-sciences and chemistry Cameron English and Dr. Josh Bloom as they break down these stories on episode 17 of the Science Dispatch podcast:
FDA Opioid Giveback Program: Who Knew They Had a Sense of Humor?
Two thousand people a week are dying from (almost entirely) illegal street drugs. W...2022-08-2446 minACSH Science DispatchSalt Ain't So Bad After All? Diagnosing SIDS Before It's Too LateWe've been told for decades that less is more when it comes to salt in the diet. New research has thrown that conclusion into doubt. Can we identify children who may be at risk for SIDS before it suddenly and tragically strikes?
Join ACSH directors of bio-sciences and medicine Cameron English and Dr. Chuck Dinerstein as they break down these stories on episode 16 of the Science Dispatch podcast:
Another Dogma Falls: Salt Restriction
Along with usual dietary advice about eating moderate amounts of many different types of food, physicians often suggest we reduce our sodium in...2022-08-1633 minACSH Science DispatchEnvironmentalism Gone Wild; Looking Back At The Ivermectin DebateEverybody wants to protect our planet, but environmentalism long ago morphed into a radical progressive movement. Where did it go wrong? As the COVID pandemic gradually recedes, what do we know about ivermectin?
Join ACSH directors of bio-sciences and chemistry Cameron English and Dr. Josh Bloom as they break down these stories on episode 15 of the Science Dispatch podcast:
Earth Day 2022: Doomsday Isn't Around the Corner
Another earth day has come and gone with activist groups making fresh predictions of an impending eco-disaster. A brief survey of the evidence shows that the situation isn't nearly...2022-08-0934 minACSH Science DispatchDriving While Stoned; Spoiled College Students Against Safe Pesticides"Climate-anxious" college students are pushing to have low-risk pesticides banned from their campuses. Meanwhile, states that have legalized recreational marijuana use are concerned that their new policy may cause more car accidents. We examine the science behind both stories on episode 14 of the Science Dispatch podcast.
One Toke Over the Median: Driving Stoned
There is some truth to the urban myth that those high on marijuana tend to drive more slowly and at greater distances from other cars, either out of fear of being pulled over or because of some impairment of their perceptions. With eighteen states (and the...2022-08-0326 minACSH Science DispatchArtificial Sweeteners Polluting The Environment?Is widespread use of artificial sweeteners polluting our drinking water? If so, what do we do about it? Join us on the latest episode of the Science Dispatch podcast as we take a critical look at the evidence. 2022-07-2522 minACSH Science DispatchCRISPR Crops Boost Pesticide Use? No. Latest On COVID Vaccine Side EffectsThe activist group GM has attacked gene-edited crops by alleging that they're designed to increase pesticide use. Is there any truth to this allegation? With millions of COVID vaccine doses administered since December 2020, what have we learned about the risks associated with the shots?
Join ACSH directors of bio-sciences and medicine Cameron English and Dr. Chuck Dinerstein as they break down these stories on episode 12 of the Science Dispatch podcast:
Myocarditis or Pericarditis Following mRNA COVID-19 Vaccination
Surgeons are frequently impatient, “never letting the skin get in the way of the problem.” One of my colleague...2022-07-1847 minACSH Science DispatchChemicals Don't Cause Obesity; Does An Omicron Booster Make Sense?Join ACSH directors of bio-sciences and chemistry, Cameron English and Dr. Josh Bloom, as they break down these stories:
The 'Obesogen' Myth: Chemicals Don't Cause Weight Gain
Environmental Working Group has again claimed that chemicals in food and consumer products are contributing to obesity. They are mistaken, embarrassingly so.
Does An Omicron ‘Booster’ Make Sense?
The FDA just voted to approve a different Covid vaccine; this one based on one of the Omicron subvariants. But the decision was anything but simple. A look at the science.2022-07-1150 minACSH Science DispatchFDA Tries To Ban JUUL; Low-Nicotine Cigarettes Coming Soon?The FDA recently attempted to ban JUUL vaping products and announced a proposal to cut nicotine levels in combustible cigarettes. The policies are designed to reduce tobacco use—but will they? We have our doubts.
Stories discussed on this episode
Let's talk about nicotine
Nicotine has been in the news a lot between the plan to remove JUUL, a nicotine delivery system from the market, and the FDA proposal to require cigarettes to have lower nicotine levels. I asked myself a simple question for which I did not have a ready answer, what amo...2022-07-0532 min
ACSH Science DispatchBlame Your Genes For Type 2 Diabetes? Go Vegan To Lose Weight?On episode 9 of the Science Dispatch Podcast, we examine data suggesting that type-2 diabetes may be due largely to genetics. We then break down a recent study which found that veganism leads to more weight loss than other common diets.
Join ACSH directors of bio-sciences and medicine, Cameron English and Dr. Chuck Dinerstein, as they break down these stories:
Good Genes, Good Diet ... or Both?
Good genes and a good diet should spare most of us from developing Type II diabetes. The popular nutritional thought suggests that it is predominantly a bad diet, p...2022-06-2725 minACSH Science DispatchPaxlovid's Waning Efficacy? Epoch Times' Anti-Glyphosate Hysteria DebunkedOn episode 8 of the Science Dispatch Podcast, we examine recent claims about the efficacy of Paxlovid. Is the COVID-19 drug as effective as experts thought it'd be? We then debunk an Epoch Times story alleging that the weedkiller glyphosate is lurking around every corner, just waiting to poison you and your children.
Stories Discussed on this Episode:
Paxlovid Doesn't Prevent You From Catching COVID. Here's Why That's Good News
Reader Request: The Epoch Times' Glyphosate Hysteria Debunked
2022-06-2142 minACSH Science DispatchFree Medical School Yields Better Health Care? Blueberries Don't Prevent DementiaOn episode 6 of the Science Dispatch Podcast, we review New York University's experiment to offer students free medical school, the goal being to push doctors into under-served communities and understaffed specialties. We then tackle a popular nutrition myth: the dementia-fighting benefits of blueberries.
Articles discussed on this episode:
The Impact of NYU's Match
Blueberries: Miracle Food That Prevents Dementia? Unlikely2022-06-1327 minACSH Science DispatchAlopecia Areata At The Oscars; Fiber's Fading Benefits; GMO Debate Over?On Episode 6 of the Science Dispatch Podcast, ACSH contributor Susan Goldhaber explains the genetic underpinnings of Alopecia areata, an autoimmune disease affecting some 2.5 million Americans—including Jada Pinkett Smith. Now that Will Smith's so-called "slap heard 'round the world" has faded from the headlines, let's discuss the science behind the infamous Oscar meltdown. We then examine fiber's exaggerated health benefits and the anti-GMO movement's descent into obscurity.
Stories discussed on this episode:
Behind the Slap Heard Around the World
Fiber Gets More Complicated
The World Isn't Scared of GMOs Anymore2022-06-0937 minACSH Science Dispatch'Radium Girls'—The Troubling History Of Courtroom Science DenialOn Episode 5 of the Science Dispatch Podcast, ACSH contributor Dr. Barbara Billauer recounts the tragic story of the "Radium Girls," a cohort of young women who were gradually sickened and killed by occupational radium exposure in the early 20th century. Subsequent research has shown that their employers knew the girls were at risk, but denied culpability and continuously assured them that all was well.
These shocking developments changed the way we view occupational health and safety—providing the foundation for current radiation exposure standards.
Stories discussed on this episode:
The Swinging Pendulum of Soc...2022-06-0740 minACSH Science DispatchCOVID Boosters And Herd Immunity; Obesity Denial And 'Cancel Culture' In ScienceOn Episode 4 of the ACSH Science Dispatch Podcast, we examine the need for COVID boosters and the increasingly irrelevant concept of herd immunity. We then dive into an incendiary discussion about the social-justice-inspired effort to deny the risks of obesity, and "cancel culture" in science.
Stories discussed:
The Concept of Classical Herd Immunity May Not Apply
What to Do About the Second Booster?
Woke Science Denial: Social Justice Comes for 'Obesity,' and Other Harmful Language
Silencing Science: NC State Cancels Panel Discussion to Appease Woke Activists
Jo...2022-06-0134 minACSH Science DispatchUkraine War Exposes Anti-GMO Folly; Giant Spiders And The Value of PesticidesOn Episode 3 of the ACSH Science Dispatch Podcast, we examine how food shortages caused by the Ukraine war have pressured Europe to abandon its long-held GMO phobia. Is this the silver lining of a tragic situation? We then discuss the value of pesticides, using a recent NPR story about giant spiders as a springboard.
Ukraine War Exposes Folly of Anti-GMO Protectionism
Beyond needless loss of life, the war in Ukraine has caused a trade war that could slash global food production, taking the greatest toll on the poorest of us. The silver lining: this tragic s...2022-05-2330 minACSH Science DispatchNonsensical Vaccine Mandates; Diet Soda Promotes Weight LossOn Episode 2 of the ACSH Science Disptach Podcast, we examine New York City's now-defunct COVID vaccine mandate. Did it work, why or why not? We then dive into recent research showing that, despite popular claims to the contrary, diet soda can help you safely lose weight.
Show notes:
New York's Sports Vaccine Mandates Are Just Plain Nuts
Diet Soda Wars: Do Sugar Substitutes Promote Obesity?
Join our Dispatch newsletter to get these stories and more delivered right to your inbox. 2022-05-1625 minACSH Science Dispatch'MathMagic': Lead exposure destroys 825 million IQ points, alcohol shrinks your brain?How many IQ points have Americans lost due to lead exposure? A recent study put that figure at 824,097,690 million, though its conclusion probably doesn't mean what you think it means. Another recent paper also grabbed headlines by suggesting that consuming even small quantities of alcohol can shrink your brain. It's a shocking conclusion—and probably incorrect.
Join the American Council on Science and Health as we take a critical look at the evidence behind these misunderstood studies.
Show notes:
Getting the Lead Out
No, Half a Beer Won't Shrink Your Brain2022-04-1922 min