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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.

A Trilogy of (Acupuncture) Terror (David Gorski)  http://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/a-trilogy-of-acupuncture-terror/ (1) A news report showed that acupuncture is not harmless: athlete Kim Ribble-Orr got a collapsed lung and was left with 55% function in one lung, ending her dreams of competing in the Olympics. (2) Acupuncture doesn’t work for in vitro fertilization: a “positive” study showed the opposite of what the authors claim it showed. (3) A study claiming that acupuncture works for lymphedema was uncontrolled; there’s no good evidence that it works, and it’s dangerous.

The Bendectin Controversy Redux? (Harriet Hall)  http://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/the-bendectin-controversy-redux/ Bendectin was a safe, effective treatment for nausea in pregnancy that was removed from the market because of litigation, despite the scientific consensus that it was safe. The Daubert case led to revised rules for admitting expert testimony and scientific evidence in the courtroom. A Bendectin equivalent (Diclegis) is now back on the market, but a recent flawed study raised fears that antihistamines cause adverse fetal outcomes. A careful reading of the evidence shows there is no reason to avoid Diclegis.

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This week had news of big black cats and other strange things in odd places, horrifying child deaths due to belief and probing questions for acupuncture and a best selling author. Check out the best stories of the week courtesy of Doubtful News.   

There has been an ongoing story about sightings of a black "panther" in the French Riviera.  

But no evidence has been found. This week in Louisiana, a very intriguing set of pictures were released showing a big black cat with features that do not seem to match with just a large domestic cat. We still don't know what it is.

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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.

Expectations versus reality in science-based oncology (David Gorski)  http://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/expectations-versus-reality-in-science-based-oncology/ Patients with advanced cancer are often given palliative chemotherapy or radiation treatment whose only goal is to relieve symptoms and improve their quality of life. A significant number of patients misunderstand and think the treatment is likely to cure them or extend their life. Paradoxically, patients who rated higher scores for physician communication were more likely to misunderstand the goals of palliative treatment.

Visiting a Victorian Duckpond (Harriet Hall)  http://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/visiting-a-victorian-duckpond/ A new book describes the Victorian “medical electricians” who sold all kinds of bogus electrical devices with extravagant health claims, from hairbrushes to rings for rheumatism. It’s a fascinating story with more quacks than any duckpond, and it’s sad to realize that the same kind of charlatans are still thriving today.

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Witchcraft suspicion is ubiquitous in Ghana, a deeply pervasive social reality simmering under the social surface. An unexpected death, sudden disease or misfortune trigger suspicions. Suspicion murmurs into accusation. Accusations can justify exile or death at the hands of a mob.

Suspicion of witchcraft can touch men as well as women, the very old and even children can be branded witches. Witchcraft accusation and resulting execution occurs in rural and urban areas, on the streets, in the market places, on farms and in offices. Schools and colleges are not immune, teachers and students accuse and are accused.

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 Battling in the trenches filled with shot-down arguments and decaying disagreements, it’s hard to remember the progress of science unpolluted by pseudoscience. Astronomy recalls when astrology hung as a gangrenous limb from its body. Our climate science chokes on carbon-saturated air while solar cycles are repeatedly claimed as the cause of the cough. But these hangers-on are almost always thrown from the shoulders of giants as science marches on.

  1. TAM 2013!
  2. This Week In Doubtful News
  3. Last Week In Science-Based Medicine
  4. It's time to shake your tail feathers!