Debunk: to expose the sham or falseness of, related to “bunk” meaning nonsense (merriam-webster). Can we stop with the “debunking” already? The diet-wars crew in the blogosphere loves to “debunk" things. But rather than going after a myth or a false idea that’s been propagated with no evidence, they go after a study, a researcher,... Continue Reading →
Wait, but why?
Why would I, a busy person with a demanding job in academia, spend my precious free time doing even more writing?
What we talk about when we talk about research findings in the news
What happens when journalists report the findings of a scientific study to the general public? Often, the findings are stated out of context, broadly interpreted, and stripped of the nuance and uncertainty that characterize much of scientific research. Should this scare us back from publicizing findings to a wider audience than you might typically find... Continue Reading →
What happens when a plant-loving scientist watches What the Health
I'm not a diet absolutist or a purist, but if I had to join a diet camp and stay there, it would be with the vegans, and specifically the whole-foods, plant-based vegans. My experience and common sense tell me that this is a good way to eat. There's some evidence that it's healthy. There's a lot... Continue Reading →
Women’s Health: Beyond the Bikini
Health is complex. Women are complex. Women’s health is complex. So why does "women’s health" so often refer to reproductive issues alone? The American Heart Association and the American College of Obsetricians and Gynecologists did something smart. They looked at the past few decades of progress in women’s cardiovascular health and asked “why are women... Continue Reading →
Kinesio taping: yea nor nay?
I’ve had a minor niggling calf pain for a week or so. Should I kinesio tape that sucker? Kinesio tape (also called KT tape, though technically that’s a brand name): it was a hot ticket at the olympics a few years ago (London, maybe?). I’ve used it before, for minor tweaks and sore spots. I... Continue Reading →
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