Here is a recap of the stories that appeared last week at Science-Based Medicine, a multi-author skeptical blog that separates the science from the woo-woo in medicine.
Breast cancer myths: No, antiperspirants do not cause breast cancer (David Gorski) The idea that antiperspirants are a leading cause of breast cancer is a myth that refuses to die; it is based on ignorance of biology and implausible hypotheses about aluminum, parabens, toxins, and lymphatic drainage. The fearmongers cite studies that don’t really show what think they show. A causal relationship is unlikely, especially since no one has been able to convincingly demonstrate even a correlation.
Why Does This Immunologist Reject Vaccinations? (Harriet Hall) An immunologist, Tetyana Obukhanych, has written about the “vaccine illusion,” saying vaccination compromises our natural immunity. She makes a lot of unsubstantiated assertions and even offers a false definition of immunology. Her book is biased, inaccurate, irresponsible and dangerous; unfortunately it will appeal to those who have decided not to vaccinate and are looking for a “scientific” rationalization.
The Miracle Cure for Everything (Steven Novella) Proponents of pseudoscience tend to exaggerate the scope of their beliefs and think they have found a panacea that will cure everything. This may be good for marketing, but it is out of contact with reality and does not lead to scientific progress. Biology is complicated, diseases have many causes, and it is highly improbable that any one treatment could address a significant portion of human illness.
Naturopathy vs. Science: Infertility Edition (Scott Gavura) A comparison between naturopathic and mainstream treatment of infertility shows that naturopaths are paternalistic and disregard the scientific evidence. Naturopaths routinely and consistently offer treatments that are unproven or even have been proven ineffective, including homeopathy, herbs, acupuncture, and gluten avoidance.
Delaying School Start Time for Sleep Deprived Teens (Clay Jones) Puberty alters the circadian rhythm and sleep drive; teenagers tend to stay up later at night and have a hard time waking up in the morning. Inadequate sleep has a negative impact on health. Later school start times have increased student sleep times and have had a significant impact on mood, motivation, grades, test scores, attendance, dropouts, and even car accidents.
Breast cancer myths: No, antiperspirants do not cause breast cancer (David Gorski) The idea that antiperspirants are a leading cause of breast cancer is a myth that refuses to die; it is based on ignorance of biology and implausible hypotheses about aluminum, parabens, toxins, and lymphatic drainage. The fearmongers cite studies that don’t really show what think they show. A causal relationship is unlikely, especially since no one has been able to convincingly demonstrate even a correlation.
Why Does This Immunologist Reject Vaccinations? (Harriet Hall) An immunologist, Tetyana Obukhanych, has written about the “vaccine illusion,” saying vaccination compromises our natural immunity. She makes a lot of unsubstantiated assertions and even offers a false definition of immunology. Her book is biased, inaccurate, irresponsible and dangerous; unfortunately it will appeal to those who have decided not to vaccinate and are looking for a “scientific” rationalization.
The Miracle Cure for Everything (Steven Novella) Proponents of pseudoscience tend to exaggerate the scope of their beliefs and think they have found a panacea that will cure everything. This may be good for marketing, but it is out of contact with reality and does not lead to scientific progress. Biology is complicated, diseases have many causes, and it is highly improbable that any one treatment could address a significant portion of human illness.
Naturopathy vs. Science: Infertility Edition (Scott Gavura) A comparison between naturopathic and mainstream treatment of infertility shows that naturopaths are paternalistic and disregard the scientific evidence. Naturopaths routinely and consistently offer treatments that are unproven or even have been proven ineffective, including homeopathy, herbs, acupuncture, and gluten avoidance.
Delaying School Start Time for Sleep Deprived Teens (Clay Jones) Puberty alters the circadian rhythm and sleep drive; teenagers tend to stay up later at night and have a hard time waking up in the morning. Inadequate sleep has a negative impact on health. Later school start times have increased student sleep times and have had a significant impact on mood, motivation, grades, test scores, attendance, dropouts, and even car accidents.
