This Week In Doubtful News
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- Written by Sharon Hill
- Category: Latest JREF News
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This week in Doubtful News for May 8, 2012
Here is a rundown of the top stories in pseudoscience, paranormal and anomaly news from the past week courtesy of Doubtful News
Ghost hunting is a popular pastime for those looking for some thrills. These aren’t your serious, sciencey paranormal investigators but kids whose curiosity leads them to trespass and vandalize or to just annoy local residents with their screaming.
Meanwhile, the media circus over the Toms River, New Jersey supposedly haunted house moves to The People’s Court (TV show) so everyone can watch the proceedings as the former tenants try to get their deposit money back.
Last Week At Science-Based Medicine
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- Written by Dr. Harriet Hall
- Category: Latest JREF News
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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 in medicine.
Supplements and cancer prevention (David Gorski) http://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/index.php/supplements-and-cancer-prevention/ Several supplements are claimed to prevent cancer, and there are some supporting studies, but there is also considerable evidence indicating that supplements either make no difference or may even increase the incidence of some cancers. Under the fiction that they are foods, the DSHEA allows the sale of these products to customers who are led to believe they are cancer-preventing medicines.
Homeopathy for Whooping Cough
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- Written by Dr. Steven Novella
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Homeopathy is witchcraft. From a scientific point of view it is no more valid than brewing magic potions with eye of newt and lizard tails. Homeopaths, however, continue to stubbornly promote their potions as if they were real medical treatments.
Increased attention to the unscientific nature of homeopathy has caused somewhat of a backlash, but not enough to fully dislodge the entrenched interests of homeopathy. Still, it is good to hear of regulatory bodies taking their missions seriously and applying them to homeopathic fraud.
Skeptic History: Pulitzer Prizes
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- Written by Tim Farley
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On April 5, 2011, English journalist Brian Deer won Specialist Journalist of the Year from the British Press Awards for the second time. The second award was for Deer’s investigation that uncovered the fraudulent nature of Andrew Wakefield’s long discredited MMR research. Wakefield sued Deer in January, and Deer responded with an Anti-SLAPP motion on March 9.
Here in the United States, the most prominent press awards are the Pulitzer Prizes. Since the 2012 winners are going to be announced next Monday, I thought it might be good to take a look back at past Pulitzers which are relevant to skepticism. There have been at least five. Two concern cults, and three more relate to evolution.
James Randi Speaks to the Ann Arbor Skeptics
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- Written by Brian Thompson
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This weekend, the Ann Arbor Skeptics hosted a live Skype video conference with James Randi. They discussed skeptical activism at the grassroots, Randi's upcoming book A Magician in the Laboratory, and took questions from the audience. Randi loves reaching out to the worldwide skeptical community like this, and interfacing with enthusiastic local skeptics groups is a hugely important part of our mission here at the JREF.
While this Skype conference was all too brief, skeptics from dozens of local groups will be able to chat with Randi and friends for four whole days at The Amazing Meeting in Las Vegas July 12-15. Nothing beats meeting Randi in person, and the benefit to grassroots skeptics who attend is immense. TAM is the perfect place to share ideas, create new skeptical projects, and (best of all) have fun! To register, just click here.
Brian Thompson is the field coordinator for the James Randi Educational Foundation.
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