Doubtful News website posts evidence-based critiques of news of the paranormal, pseudoscience, health claims, and anomalies.
Here is a selection of the most important "doubtful" news stories of the past week.
It’s not magically harmonized water – just snake oil A company in New Zealand says it treats water with "standing waves" and then sells it as a supplemental treatment for a multitude of illnesses. The advocacy group Society for Science-Based Healthcare is on the case, filing an official complaint and telling the media, "It's just water!". The company is steadfast that it's "Science". Want to make a bet on science or snake oil?
Espanola police conclude “ghost” is the only possible explanation for an insect on the camera A New Mexico police office tells the media they are convinced there is a ghost captured on their surveillance camera footage. Even though it looks exactly like an out-of-focus insect crawling across the lens, it's a ghost, they say. Isn't this sort of embarrassing to admit that the police investigation stops there?
Footballer states he did not kill his friends to further his career Imagine this happening in the U.S. -- A sports star is accused of murdering his friends in a ritual sacrifice to improve his career and team chances of winning. And people really believe it! He has to publicly deny it. The locals in Ghana will remain suspicious until the two missing bodies are found.
FDA issues warning letters to companies marketing Ebola “cures” The US Food and Drug Authority issued warning letters to three companies who are selling "cures" to diseases including Ebola. The companies market essential oils, colloidal silver, and other preparations that have not been show to medically treat anything and are not FDA approved drugs. They've been told to quit the advertising as it's a violation of federal laws to make such a claim for an unapproved drug.
State Farm is there – dropping anti-vax spokesperson Schneider State Farm insurance company dropped an ad campaign featuring comedic actor Rob Schneider after receiving many complaints about how ridiculous it was for an insurance company (who supports vaccinations) to have an outspoken anti-vaccination ranter for their ads. Schneider, angry, pulled the "free speech" card. Well, State Farm did too. They have the right to fire him for promoting such ignorant nonsense.
Here is a selection of the most important "doubtful" news stories of the past week.
It’s not magically harmonized water – just snake oil A company in New Zealand says it treats water with "standing waves" and then sells it as a supplemental treatment for a multitude of illnesses. The advocacy group Society for Science-Based Healthcare is on the case, filing an official complaint and telling the media, "It's just water!". The company is steadfast that it's "Science". Want to make a bet on science or snake oil?
Espanola police conclude “ghost” is the only possible explanation for an insect on the camera A New Mexico police office tells the media they are convinced there is a ghost captured on their surveillance camera footage. Even though it looks exactly like an out-of-focus insect crawling across the lens, it's a ghost, they say. Isn't this sort of embarrassing to admit that the police investigation stops there?
Footballer states he did not kill his friends to further his career Imagine this happening in the U.S. -- A sports star is accused of murdering his friends in a ritual sacrifice to improve his career and team chances of winning. And people really believe it! He has to publicly deny it. The locals in Ghana will remain suspicious until the two missing bodies are found.
FDA issues warning letters to companies marketing Ebola “cures” The US Food and Drug Authority issued warning letters to three companies who are selling "cures" to diseases including Ebola. The companies market essential oils, colloidal silver, and other preparations that have not been show to medically treat anything and are not FDA approved drugs. They've been told to quit the advertising as it's a violation of federal laws to make such a claim for an unapproved drug.
State Farm is there – dropping anti-vax spokesperson Schneider State Farm insurance company dropped an ad campaign featuring comedic actor Rob Schneider after receiving many complaints about how ridiculous it was for an insurance company (who supports vaccinations) to have an outspoken anti-vaccination ranter for their ads. Schneider, angry, pulled the "free speech" card. Well, State Farm did too. They have the right to fire him for promoting such ignorant nonsense.
