In a strange turn of events, The Lancet—one of the world's oldest medical journals—has taken a line you might expect to hear from Robert F. Kennedy Jr., declaring "ultra-processed" food a driver of chronic disease. Is there any evidence behind this association, or are we just dealing with academic snobs who can't appreciate the benefits of convenient, abundant food?

With highly potent and (sometimes) legal marijuana widely available across the US, emergency rooms are reporting an increase in cannabis hyperemesis syndrome (CHS), an unpleasant condition characterized by screaming and vomiting—"scromiting" in the vernacular. The condition is yet more evidence that marijuana’s reputation as a low-risk drug is undeserved.

The trillions of microbes that live in and on the human body—collectively known as the microbiome—appear to have profoundly important effects on our health. This raises a potential concern: some of our most significant public health interventions—vaccines, antibiotics, sanitation—are designed to kill or limit exposure to harmful germs. Have we gone too far in our war against microbial exposure? Let's take a closer look.

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.

Flu 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?

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?

In 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?

Some 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."

Recent 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.

The 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.

The 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?

Artificial 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.

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.

How much fiber do you really need to maintain optimal metabolic health? Ferocious partisans on either side of the debate will give you opposing answers, each supported by superficially compelling scientific evidence. But who's actually telling you the truth? It's complicated.

A 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 the diagnosis of schizophrenia. It's become a chicken or egg which-came-first problem. A new study suggests cannabis is the gateway, creating 15% of new cases of schizophrenia annually.

• Will Pfizer's New Weight Loss Pill Silence the Ozempic Commercials?

If you're one of the 100% of viewers who want to put a brick through your TV when one of the ceaseless, nauseating Ozempic ads comes on there's hope on the horizon. Pfizer has a pill that seems to work as well as the O-O-O-Ozempic injections. Perhaps this will shut up those wretched ads. A look at Pfizer's clinical trial data.

Cutting 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 not. Here is what happened when the FDA cut the maximum acetaminophen dose to 325 mg. You may be surprised.

• A Bit of Irony: J&J Developing Drug to Undo Liver Damage ... From Its Own Tylenol

Johnson & Johnson is working on a drug to repair liver damage caused by Tylenol, which has made the company billions since it was launched in 1955. Isn't this a bit like having a dentist's office in the back of a candy store?

Dr. 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 of COVID

Dr. Fauci, speaking on vaccinations: “Past unsuccessful attempts to elicit solid protection against mucosal respiratory viruses [COVID-19] and to control the deadly outbreaks and pandemics they cause," he said, "have been a scientific and public health failure that must be urgently addressed.” That's a lot to unpack.

• A Misguided Golden State Bill

A bill recently introduced in the California State Assembly would prohibit five chemicals: brominated vegetable oil, potassium bromate, polyparaben, red dye #3, and titanium dioxide – all banned in Europe – from food products in California. Let’s dig past the headline.

A 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 used to treat ADHD – attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder – is a story of supply, demand, the invisible hand of market forces. It’s also about a bureaucracy focused on regulation rather than outcome. It has all the hallmarks of the opioid crisis. We have learned nothing.

• EPA Scientifically-Challenged PFAS Numbers
  

With much fanfare, the EPA announced the proposed drinking water regulations for two “forever chemicals,” PFOA and PFOS. EPA Administrator Michael Regan said, “Communities across the country have suffered far too long from the ever-present threat of PFAS pollution. That is why President Biden launched a whole-of-government approach to aggressively confront these harmful chemicals, and EPA is leading the way forward.”

Does 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)

The ability of masks, especially high-quality ones, to prevent the transmission of respiratory infections, including COVID-19, is incontrovertible, but some commentators have come unglued on the subject.

• The Misinformation About Misinformation

The misinformation about the 2016 and 2020 elections and the misinformation about COVID’s origins and treatments are responsible for our disarray. That, at least, is what many of us believe, even though what is “disarrayed” differs quite a bit between MSNBC and FOX. Is misinformation so powerful that it overcomes the truth? Or is there something about human behavior that makes misinformation seem more powerful than truth? A new study suggests the fault lies more within us than “in our stars.”

Social 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 being admitted into professions as diverse and important as medicine and law. This policy may satisfy demands to make the these fields more diverse and equitable, but it also puts public health and our broader society at risk in a variety of ways.

• FDA Wants to Label Foods as 'Healthy'

"Claims like 'healthy' on food labels can provide information to consumers to help them identify healthier food choices at a glance. Foods must meet specific nutrient-related criteria to use the nutrient content claim 'healthy.'” So begins the FDA’s quest to label what is healthy and what is not. Good luck with that fool’s errand.

Panicked 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 Cleveland Clinic study suggests yes. But that yes comes with a great deal of uncertainty.

• Death By Dietary Supplement

Many herbal dietary supplements are complex, highly variable, impure, and unsafe. They need better oversight.

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, has filed lawsuits against Walmart and CVS for putting homeopathic "remedies" on shelves next to actual over-the-counter drugs – as if to suggest that they are of equal effectiveness. They are not. Such a placement is unethical at best and maybe even fraudulent. Here's why.

• Tylenol After Surgery? Why the Feds Make Patients Suffer Needless Pain (USA Today)

When government, politicians, and law enforcement take control of the practice of medicine this is what we get: Cruelty and incompetence. The next time you're given Tylenol for a broken leg or post-surgical pain you'll understand.

Peer-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 standard" of reliability, but its luster has become tarnished by greed – the desire of the research community to tap into research funds, the pressure on scientists to publish or perish, and publishers of scientific journals seeking to maximize profits.

• People Worry Hysterically About Low Risk Carcinogens. And Then They Drink

Thanks largely to the press and some radical environmental groups most people are terrified of chemicals because they can give us cancer. Almost all of these scares are bogus, but one that isn't is a beloved chemical – alcohol. Unlike a diet soda, a glass of alcohol poses a legitimate risk.

America 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 drugs are endemic in the U.S. To address the problem, we need a policy change that would enable overseas manufacturers to sell products in the U.S. that already have received marketing approval from certain foreign governments with standards comparable to ours and vice versa. In other words, there should be reciprocity of drug approvals.

• Will the Biden Administration’s Attempt to Boost the ‘Bioeconomy’ Do the Opposite?

The Biden Administration's attempt to boost the "bioeconomy" is burdened with bureaucratic requirements and busy-work initiatives and projects. It will fail.

In early October, Brazil faced a nationwide health emergency as adulterated alcohol, primarily white spirits like vodka and cachaça, was laced with toxic methanol—an industrial chemical used to falsely boost alcohol content.

Authorities suspect organized crime diluted liquor to evade taxes or increase profits, triggering widespread contamination that sickened hundreds of people—with symptoms like blinding headaches, vomiting, and organ failure—and killed at least 10 people.

Are there any public health lessons to learn from this tragic episode?

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 can be attributed to gas stove use.” Could that be true? Only if you believe in Mathmagic.

• Childhood Asthma and Second-Hand Cannabis Smoke

Asthma is a significant disease; among children, the prevalence is between 7 and 11%. The exacerbation of asthma by second-hand tobacco smoke is well documented, but as smoking tobacco has declined, smoking wacky weed has increased. What effect has this second-hand smoke had on “the children?”

Sweden 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 Great Barrington Declaration has its roots in the Swedish  response. But beyond those snippets, what actually took place there? It  is time for many of us, including myself, to find out.

• Ignore the News: Earth Is Getting Cleaner and Healthier

Dreary, despondent headlines about pollution and climate change are  the norm. But they are not painting an accurate picture. Many countries  are making serious efforts to protect the environment. Human ingenuity  is the ultimate resource. 

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 recipe for good public health policy is like a souffle—simple  ingredients combined in a complex manner. Done well, it’s a delight.  Heavy-handed, using sour (outdated) ingredients, it’s a mess, even  toxic.

• Even the Mighty Might Fall: The Continued Story of C. Everett Koop

Everett Koop was a man of morals. A religious man who read the bible.  He was also a man of science. He got his job through politics. Yet he  knew how to keep these forces separate. Nowhere was this more apparent  than in his pushback against political pressures to oppose abortion on  health grounds and to educate the populace about AIDS and tobacco use.

Heavy 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 sacred and profane. While polite society often reflects on swearing’s negatives, it turns out that there are some health benefits for the sender (but not the receiver).

• Autism and Baby Foods

I almost drove off the road listening to an ad from a law firm urging parents with children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) to be part of a lawsuit suing baby food manufacturers for causing their child’s condition. According to the ad, the question of what causes ASD has been settled and what remains is for parents to get what is owed them from baby food manufacturers that have been hiding the truth from the public for years.

A 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 fails to tell the whole story. Let’s skip the public relations version and consider the study's findings.

• Ozempic Goes Way Off-Label

Ozempic, a drug indicated for Type 2 diabetes, has become the latest weight-loss darling. Not since ivermectin has a drug gained so much interest from its off-label uses. Let’s take a deeper look at the science and a regulatory conundrum.

A 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, angry response from many sources. I have studied acknowledging, correcting, and atoning for medical mistakes, including my own, for decades. Here is what I am thinking.

• Smart Water for Dumb Consumers

If you watch TV, ads for Coca-Cola's Smart Water are inescapable. Also inescapable is that the ads suggest that the stuff will make you smart or perhaps offer some other health benefit. But the only thing smart about Smart Water is Coca-Cola's ability to make you shell out money to buy something you could pretty much get from a fire hydrant in Newark.

30 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, recently received a Distinguished Alumni Award from her alma mater. But rather than stress her stellar career as an actor, she discussed an earlier moment as a citizen-scientist. “Once you know how to search out and credit the facts around certain problems, you are called on by your conscience to act on them. The Vassar conscience rings a bell in your head; it’s a call to action in your heart.” The problem? Alar.

• NYT Attacks Great Scientist, Further Tanks Its Credibility

The New York Times has again attacked an upstanding scientist based on claims made by duplicitous activist groups. This episode illustrates why the public's trust in media is plummeting.

"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 the village of people who subsequently cared for me, we would be speaking through a Ouija Board.

• Unregulated Algorithms in Healthcare – EPIC and Sepsis

Sepsis is an overwhelming infection: bacterial, viral, or fungal. It requires immediate medical attention and intervention. EPIC, the company with the largest share of the electronic medical records market, developed an algorithm to help physicians timely identify at-risk patients. An independent study shows that it is not helpful. Is this healthcare’s 737Max moment?

• Cleveland Clinic Pushes Dangerous Anti-Vaping Propaganda

The Cleveland Clinic, one of the world's foremost academic medical centers, has jumped on the anti-vaping bandwagon, perpetuating unfiltered nonsense about the health effects of nicotine.

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 in the emergency department. She is dually board-certified in emergency and addiction medicine, bringing over 25 years of experience treating frontline cases of addiction.

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 of different fungi that grow within  different tumors. Could this be a breakthrough in cancer screening? Or  maybe more? A strange but fascinating theory.

• ACSH Debates 'Fat Acceptance' Advocates on Dr. Phil

Cameron English recently appeared on "Dr. Phil" to discuss the  fat-acceptance movement—a dangerous, misnamed "social justice" cause  that needs to die an abrupt death. Let's break down the debate that  ensued.

Yet another junk epidemiological study claims that "ultra-processed" foods are addictive. The research is little more than a conclusion desperately in search of evidence. Let's take a look at its critical flaws.

Yet 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, had its sales grow 250% between 2004 and 2019. Why? We don't have 250% more epileptics. No, it's because the drug is being forced down the throats of people who can no longer get sufficient pain relief. The result? Abuse and also more overdose deaths. Just another chapter in our psychotic war against legitimate opioid drugs and the people who need them.

• Censorship? Twitter Puts A 'Warning' on ACSH Obesity Article

Continuing its trend of unjustified censorship, Twitter put a "warning" on one of our recent tweets "so people who don’t want to see sensitive content can avoid it." This protects nobody, but it denies the public access to credible health information.

Will 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 will not keep dementia away.)

• Did COVID Lockdowns Work? 

Did COVID lockdowns save lives? At what cost and to whom? The answer to both is that it depends. Let’s consider some of the issues that make up “it depends.”

Artificial 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 system. It has a celebrity patient, Michael J. Fox. Still, with a million patients living with the disease in the US and sixty thousand new diagnoses annually, it lacks a biomarker to aid in early detection. An artificial intelligence program looking at nocturnal breathing may change that and, ultimately, how we care for these patients.

• Woodstock 99: A Lesson in Preventing Civilizational Collapse

Some 400,000 people attended Woodstock 99 in Rome, New York. The weekend-long music festival ended in preventable disaster, and it offers an important lesson to policymakers and activists eager to ban important technologies.

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 in the grips of a severe drought. This has prompted China to try cloud seeding to try to squeeze some water from the clouds. Is this real? Does it work? The Dreaded Chemistry Lesson From Hell is included at no extra charge.

• Sugar Tax Benefits Governmental Revenue, Not Necessarily Our Health

Sugar-sweetened beverages, SSBs, contain added sugar, or in some  cases, noncaloric sweeteners, and are nonalcoholic. As global waistlines  have increased, so have taxes on these “bad boy” products – now implemented in “45 countries, including numerous subnational local jurisdictions.” A systematic review considers the impact of these taxes on raising revenue and improving health.

• Heart-Stopping Stupidity: Climate Change Isn't Increasing Heart Attacks

Climate change is real; we contribute to it. But warmer temperatures aren't driving unprecedented increases in the number of heart attacks we suffer.

Many 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?

There is no question that health, fitness, and anti-aging issues dominate our culture. They have risen to a cult- level obsession for millions of people. Can these misguided consumers learn to occupy a sensible middle ground?

• Thinking Out Loud: 'Midinformation' and the COVID Pandemic

With the announcement by Dr. Rochelle Walensky, the Director of the Centers for Disease Control, that “The CDC has to change,” the season for bureaucratic changes in response to its failing pandemic responses is fully underway. But to misquote William Shakespeare, I have come to neither bury nor praise their work. Instead, I want to discuss their efforts through the lens of “midinformation.”

Recent 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 Lesson From Hell

A recent story about the bizarre symptoms of policemen, who were  exposed to street fentanyl, turned out to be anxiety attacks – not fentanyl poisoning. What happened? Yes, it's time for another Dreaded Chemistry Lesson From Hell!

• Bill Maher is Right About the Fat-Acceptance Movement

Comedian Bill Maher is in trouble after attacking the fat-acceptance movement on his show recently. Not only was the segment hilarious, but it highlighted an important fact many people would rather not discuss: social-justice activists are rewriting science to protect their ideological commitments.

The 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. While at the same time prescriptions for legal pain medications have been cut by half in the past decade. The FDA’s solution? Postage-paid envelopes for people to return the extra pills they don't have. It's almost funny. Just don't laugh until it hurts.

• Slow Food's 10 Anti-Pesticide 'Facts' Debunked

The activist group Slow Food recently published a listicle warning consumers about the dangers of pesticides. Let's see if their top-10 list stands up to scrutiny.

We'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  intake because of the deleterious effects on our blood pressure and  heart. A new study suggests that the recommendation about salt is about  to come tumbling down.

• Recent SIDS Coverage Shows How Science Journalism Should Work

A recent study has helpfully advanced our understanding of sudden  infant death syndrome (SIDS). Some journalists exaggerated the paper's  results in their rush to publish stories. Fortunately, other reporters  helpfully and publicly corrected the errors. This is how the media  should always operate.

Everybody 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 as dire as they claim.

• The Clinical Trial That Should (But Probably Won't) Close the Book on Ivermectin

The controversy surrounding ivermectin as a therapy for COVID has been longstanding and fierce. A recent paper in NEJM may or may not settle the ongoing debate. But the paper is full of data. Here is a condensed look at the key numbers.

"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 District of Columbia)  legalizing recreational pot, and no ability to determine the presence of  marijuana as an intoxicant, there is rising concern about the drug’s  impact on traffic accidents and fatalities.

• 'Climate-Anxious' College Students Troubled by Pesticides Need Science Lesson

Suffering from "climate anxiety," some of America's entitled college  students are working to get low-risk pesticides banned from their  campuses, in a bid to slow global warming. They all need therapy and a  basic science lesson.

We should genetically engineer ticks and release them into the environment, so they can infect people with a meat allergy. That's a real—and thoroughly wicked—proposal from two bioethicists at Western Michigan University. Join us as we dissect possibly the dumbest idea the academy has ever produced.

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. 

The 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 colleagues repeatedly asks God, "Please  give me patience right away.” That seems to be the case for us that are  not scientists; we often are not patient enough for the data to unfold;  the data, in this case, some reliable findings on the incidence of  myocarditis and pericarditis associated with the COVID vaccinations.

• The 'GMO Industry' Just Wants To Sell Pesticides? Anti-Biotech Activists Wrong Again

Do biotech companies lie about the pesticide-saving benefits of  genetically engineered crops? The activist group GM Watch says yes. Do  they have a convincing case? Nope.

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.