WHAT IS STATS?
We Want
People to think about the numbers behind the news
We Look
At major issues and news stories from a quantitative and scientific perspective
We Help
Journalists think quantitatively through education, workshops and direct assistance with data analysis
We Are
Non-partisan and non-profit; we advocate scientific and statistical methods as the best way of analyzing and solving society's problems. We are a sister organization of the Center for Media and Public Affairs - "America's preeminent news analysts"
STATS Investigates
Jewish researcher attacks DNA evidence linking Jews to Israel
Jon Entine, May 13, 2013
It’s one of the consequences of the ongoing conflict between Israel and its neighbors that the origins of the “Jewish people” periodically surfaces as an issue of great controversy. It’s particularly troublesome when a scientist—in this case, an Israeli molecular geneticist whose motivations appear more personal and ideological than scientific—stokes the contretemps.
The CDC Goes To War Against Wine
Trevor Butterworth, May 13, 2013
The May 2 editorial in Pennsylvania’s Scranton Times Tribune, said it all: “Perdition just a vote away.” The plan by Governor Tom Corbett to end the state’s monopoly on wine and spirits sales has triggered hellish prognostications from a constellation of groups who argue that the best way to prevent alcohol abuse is to have the government sell it reluctantly.
Walking the ethical edge: ‘Made-to-order’ embryos address genuine needs
Jon Entine, May 6, 2013
An important debate has erupted around the desire for infertile couples to have children and how best to service this growing need.
RECENT ANALYSIS
New Research Holds Promise For The Most Deadly Form Of Cancer
Geoffrey Kabat, Ph.D., May 2, 2013
Media Mangles Latest Biotech Innovation— Hornless Cows
Jon Entine, April 29, 2013
Modish, Anti-Science Thinking Won't Advance Breast-Cancer Prevention
Geoffrey Kabat, Ph.D., April 23, 2013
BPA Archive
STATS BLOG
Competition in Forestry Certification Standards Is Beneficial Too - By Donald Rieck & Wayne Winegarden, EconoSTATS
(May 9, 2013)
Tracking the Negative Economic Consequences of Sequestration: Part 2 - By Donald Rieck & Wayne Winegarden, EconoSTATS
(April 22, 2013)
Tracking the Sequester’s Cuts: Part 1 - By Donald Rieck & Wayne Winegarden, EconoSTATS
(April 22, 2013)
Obama Budget Proposal - By Donald Rieck, EconoSTATS Managing Editor
(April 18, 2013)
Read more blog itemsSTATS IN THE NEWS
SCOTUS: Upholding Monsanto Patent, Justices Rule Indiana Farmer and Darling of Anti-Biotechnology Activists is a 'Seed Thief'
STATS Senior Fellow Jon Entine on Forbes
(May 17, 2013)
The Temple Grandin on the Autistic Brain
STATS Fellow Maia Szalavitz on TIME Healthland
(May 16, 2013)
The Dangers Lurking in Male Sexual Supplements
STATS Fellow Maia Szalavitz on TIME Healthland
(May 16, 2013)
Beware of stem cell therapy claims
Genetic Literacy Project mentioned on USA Today
(May 15, 2013)
In Plea To Stop Exaggerating Food Fears, NYT Writer Links Sugar To Gun Killings
STATS Editor-at-Large Trevor Butterworth on Forbes
(May 15, 2013)
Jewish researcher attacks DNA evidence linking Jews to Israel
Genetic Literacy Project Executive Director Jon Entine
(May 13, 2013)
Peru crop biotech ban highlights botched debate over biodiversity; Foodies push anti-science views
Genetic Literacy Project Writer/Editor Kenrick Vezina and Executive Director Jon Entine
(May 13, 2013)
Check out the Genetic Literacy Project- Where Science Trumps Ideology
A groundbreaking study conducted by STATS and The Center for Health and Risk Communication at George Mason University shows how experts view the risks of common chemicals - and that the media are overstating risk.
You can view the Media Monitor, Toxicologists' Opinions on Chemical Risk and Media Coverage, here.
Plus check out Science suppressed: How America became obsessed with BPA
on the web, or download a PDF of the full report here
Sugar-sweetened beverages have become the focus of intense debate in the US as public health advocates and policy makers argue that these drinks are driving the obesity epidemic which is, in turn, driving huge health care costs. Therefore, many argue that soda is subject to a sin tax.
This analysis looks at the soda tax debate and asks whether the data adds up to a compelling case for either position.
Plus, Slimmed Down Sourcing: Media Coverage of Soda Taxes on STATS' sister organization, CMPA.
Underage drinking is a serious problem for our society. From reports in the media, one gets the impression that it is getting worse ever year and that even casual teenage drinking carries with it devastating implications for our youth, including increasing the alcoholism rate of those who drink early and even death. Do the statistics support these stories?
Plus, The do's and don'ts of kicking addiction and treating alcoholism.
Cutting through the clutter, spin, and sophistry: what you need to know to understand ongoing budget debates.
Op-Ed: Capping the debt hyperbole
Climate scientists agree on warming, disagree on dangers, and don’t trust the media’s coverage of climate change
S. Robert Lichter, Ph.D,
April 24, 2008
STATS experts analyze the everyday concerns of parenting.
Land of the free, home of the scared: An interview with Lenore Skenazy
A fellow at STATS since 2004, Szalavitz writes about health, science and public policy. She is co-author, with leading child trauma expert Bruce D. Perry, MD, PhD, of The Boy Who Was Raised as a Dog and Other Stories from a Child Psychiatrist's Notebook: What Traumatized Children Can Teach Us About Loss, Love and Healing (Basic, 2007). Her new book Born for Love: Why Empathy Is Essential--and Endangered is out now.
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STATS's mission is to improve the quality of scientific and statistical information in public discourse, and to act as a resource for journalists and policy makers on scientific issues and controversies. We rely on general support from subscribers and viewers like you. If you support unbiased analysis of science, public and social policy, please consider donating to us by clicking here.