Irritated about bad science (headlines)

[lauradi7dw]

Generally about "scientists make things worse," from a doctor who is very pro-science. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7leWXMr3ayk&feature=youtu.be Worth the twenty minutes. I'm still pissy about the neck gaiter thing, which got huge amounts of publicity (including on the Washington Post), based on a brief, not very good but entertaining study. The methodology and conclusions have been disputed since, but of course we really don't have ultimate knowledge about best face coverings. I like the idea of transparency that underlies pre-print articles. I like retractions for bad papers. I like controlled trials as a concept, but I also kind of like anecdotal evidence. Studies have shown that routine screening mammograms over time don't really improve lifespan, and they aren't entirely benign. https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD001877.pub5/full Still, my doctor wants me to have one regularly, even thinking that it's worth being briefly in a tiny room with a stranger now. Arthur's cousin is convinced it saved her life. Rambling, as is often the case.