2008 ARTICLES
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STATS "Dubious Data" awards 2008
STATS Staff, December 2008
Worst survey of the year
Rebecca Goldin, December 2008
Silliest science story of the year
Trevor Butterworth, December 2008
The science of parenting and its discontents
STATS blog, Trevor Butterworth, Dec 19, 2008
School bus evacuated over peanut
STATS blog, Trevor Butterworth, Dec 11, 2008
Can amphetamines help cure cocaine and meth addiction?
Dec 8, 2008
STATS Maia Szalavitz investigates on Time.com
Needle exchange and the new drug czar
Maia Szalavitz, Dec 3, 2008
How bad is American health care?
Nirit Weiss MD, MBA, Dec 2, 2008
Addiction pablum at the New Yorker
STATS blog Maia Szalavtiz, Dec 2, 2008
San Francisco Chronicle “toying” with parents’ fears
Trevor Butterworth, Nov 26, 2008
Media scaremongering over vinyl toys shows how little journalists know about science
Dyspercentagia at the New York Times
Rebecca Goldin Ph.D, Nov 24, 2008
If a menstrual disorder affects 90 percent of adolescent girls, is it really a disorder?
Stupid science scare story of the day: Fox News on hairspray
STATS blog, Trevor Butterworth, Nov 24, 2008
When confirmation bias affects global warming analysis
STATS blog, Trevor Butterworth, Nov 17, 2008
Autism and rainfall: a statistical sleight of hand?
STATS blog, Trevor Butterworth, Nov 13, 2008
Is there an ideal time to get married?
Rebecca Goldin Ph.D, Nov 10, 2008
The time to start living happily ever after is whenever you find the right person. Why comparisons between people who marry early and not so early tell us very little about when to say “I do."
Slate says RFK “unconfirmable” as EPA head
STATS blog, Trevor Butterworth, Nov 6
Science blogger worries about RFK heading to EPA: “he’s a booster of pseudoscience”
STATS blog, Trevor Butterworth, Nov 6, 2008
Sexing up sexed-up TV’s effects on teens?
STATS blog, Maia Szalavitz, Nov 4, 2008
Media being spun in attack on FDA's credibility over BPA?
Trevor Butterworth, Oct 29. 2008
The FDA has taken the same position as the European Union on the chemical BPA: It's not a risk to infants or adults. So why is this consensus with Europe being ignored?
Yet another risk assessment finds BPA safe
STATS blog, Trevor Butterworth, Oct 24, 2008
Acrylamide finding challenges rodent carcinogen tests, media
STATS blog, Trevor Butterworth, Oct 22, 2008
Research headline of the day: Two-fisted eaters…
STATS blog, Trevor Butterworth, Oct 22, 2008
Test scores, graduation rates, and school vouchers
Patrick McCloskey, Oct 20, 2008
When eliminating one risk increases another
STATS blog, Trevor Butterworth Oct 17, 2008
When statisticians forget how to do statistics
STATS blog, Trevor Butterworth Oct 17, 2008
Bottled water study junk, says leading microbiologist
STATS blog, Trevor Butterworth Oct 16, 2008
Jonas Brothers for president? The kids speak (but some can’t quite add)
STATS blog, Trevor Butterworth Oct 15, 2008
Doctor debunks 500 news stories in crusade against junk science
STATS blog, Trevor Butterworth Oct 6, 2008
Scientists failing to challenge pseudoscience
STATS blog, Trevor Butterworth Oct 6, 2008
Reporters love rapid detox
STATS blog, Maia Szalavitz, Oct 2, 2008
For a turkey, Thanksgiving is an increasingly unlikely event
STATS blog, Trevor Butterworth Sept 19, 2008
Controversial trial on autism “therapy” stopped
STATS blog, Trevor Butterworth Sept 18, 2008
What kills kids
STATS blog, Trevor Butterworth Sept 15, 2008
Unvaccinated children behind worrying measles increase
STATS blog, Trevor Butterworth Sept 8, 2008
Plenty of nonsense
STATS blog, Trevor Butterworth Aug 21, 2008
Vinyl window shades are not going to make you fat
STATS blog, Trevor Butterworth Aug 20, 2008
A first step on the road to drug coverage recovery
STATS blog, Maia Szalavitz Aug 18, 208
The FT Fact Checks Prince Charles’ GM Food Fears
STATS blog, Trevor Butterworth Aug 14, 2008
Memo to New York Times Copydesk: HIV Prevention Means *Not* Sharing Needles…
STATS blog, Maia Szalavitz, Aug 6, 2008
What’s Lurking in Your Countertop? Um, Probably Nothing
STATS blog, Trevor Butterworth Aug 1, 2008
Reuters Screws Up Drug Statistics - Marijuana Use Hasn’t Been Cut in Half
STATS blog, Maia Szalavitz, July 30, 2008
Scientists Say Thin People Face Extinction in United States: Everyone Will Be Overweight by 2048 – And Less Smart.
STATS blog, Trevor Butterworth July 29, 2008
European Union Scientists Say Bisphenol A is Safe; Criticizes U.S. and Canada for Promoting Bad Science
STATS blog, Trevor Butterworth, July 29, 2008
How to Give Yourself Brain Damage from Drinking Water
STATS blog, Trevor Butterworth, July 22, 2008
Hurrah for Amanda Peet (and Salon)
STATS blog, Trevor Butterworth, July 17, 2008
Boo for the Red Cross
STATS blog, Trevor Butterworth, July 17, 2008
Is the European Union About to Make the World’s Food Crisis Worse?
STATS blog, Trevor Butterworth, July 8, 2008
Does the New York Times Hate American Medicine?
STATS blog, Trevor Butterworth, June 30, 2008
The Carbon Cost of Bathing
STATS blog, Trevor Butterworth, June 25, 2008 by
Greenpeace Urges Americans to Lie to Congress
STATS blog, Trevor Butterworth, June 23, 2008
When Scientists Corrupt Science
STATS blog, Trevor Butterworth, June 19, 2008
Washington Post Consumer Blog Covers Great Shower Curtain Scare of 2008
STATS blog, Trevor Butterworth, June 18, 2008
The Los Angeles Times, Perez Hilton, Fishing Monkeys, Toxic Shower Curtains, and the Future of Journalism
STATS blog, Trevor Butterworth, June 13, 2008
Congress Doesn’t Know Much About Science, Says Democrat Physicist
STATS blog, Trevor Butterworth, June 12, 2008
Enviro Psycho! Embarrassing Disclosure in Poisonous Shower Curtain Scare
STATS blog, Trevor Butterworth, June 12, 2008
Colon Blow or Asteroid Bang?
STATS blog, Trevor Butterworth, June 2, 2008
BPA Baby Bottle Scare: Fear is Taking Over Society, Says Mom
STATS blog, Trevor Butterworth, May 27, 2008
Times Ignores Science, Calls for Ban on BPA
STATS blog, Trevor Butterworth, May 20, 2008
More Scientifically Incorrect Reporting On BPA
STATS blog, Trevor Butterworth, May 20, 2008
Greenpeace Worries About Gender-Bending Xboxes, Wiis and Playstations: Publicity Stunt or Science?
STATS blog, Trevor Butterworth, May 20, 2008
Women Not Interested in Science? What About Biology, Chemistry and Medicine?
STATS blog, Trevor Butterworth, May 19, 2008
Do Antidepressants Work?
Maia Szalavitz, May 15, 2006
Miracle drug, poison, placebo, or all three? STATS Maia Szalavitz reviews the latest research and talks to the experts for MSN Health and Fitness.
'Cuddle chemical' could treat mental illness
Maia Szalavitz, May 14, 2008
There is growing interest in Oxytocin's potential as a therapy for mental illnesses characterised by "people problems" - autism, personality disorders, depression, social phobia, psychosis and even impotence. STATS Maia Szalavitz reports in New Scientist (sub req'd).
Prozac Wars: Slate versus “The Infinite Mind”
Trevor Butterworth, May 12, 2008
A vicious spat over sourcing and disclosure on an NPR- aired show reveals two news organizations at fault.
Bringing Back the Overdose Dead
Maia Szalavtiz, May 12, 2008
OD has become a major killer, but prevention and even reversal are possible. Maia Szalavitz investigates on MSN Health and Fitness.
Why Journalism is Failing the Public on the Risk from Plastics
In the media's rush to report a health scare over bisphenol a (BPA), crucial facts and scientific consensus have gone missing.
Drugs, Dollars and Diagnosis
Does diagnosing controversial conditions help patients—or are drug companies the only beneficiaries?
STATS Maia Szalavitz investigates on MSNBC
Congressional Hearings on “Tough Love” Child Abuse
Spurred by STATS Maia Szalavitz's research, the House Education and Labor Committee held the second round of hearings last Thursday into the widespread abuse of children at residential treatment facilities.
Nobel Laureate in Chemistry Says Phthalates Do Not Pose a Risk to Health
STATS blog, Trevor Butterworth, May 12, 2008
Does The Washington Post Want You to Burn?
Trevor Butterworth, April 15, 2008
A one-source story makes for incendiary reporting on mattresses safety.
Odds Ratios
Rebecca Goldin Ph.D, April 4, 2008
Possibly the most difficult concept to grasp when reporting research findings...
Dishonest or Stupid? Either Way, PBS' NOW is a Journalistic Disgrace
I love PBS, and have always felt that it’s a great source for independent and in-depth reporting, writes prize-winning mathematician Dr. Rebecca Goldin. That is, until I was recently interviewed for its show NOW...
Drugs, Dollars and Diagnosis
MSN Health and Fitness. Does diagnosing controversial conditions help patients—or are drug companies the only beneficiaries?
STATS Maia Szalavitz investigates .
The 10 Deadliest Prescription Drugs
MSN Health and Fitness. They may be approved, but how safe are they? STATS Maia Szalavitz examines the evidence. March, 2008
The Truth About Painkillers
MSN Health and Fitness. STATS Maia Szalavitz looks at seven myths about the risks and dangers of opioid analgesics. March 2008
Time to Chill Out Over Drugs in the Water
STATS blog, Maia Szalavitz, March 11, 2008
Salon Plays Up Statistics on Accidental Addiction; Doctors at Fault
Huffington Post, March 7, 2008
No, says STATS Maia Szalavitz, Salon doesn't distinguish between addicts' overdoses and those caused by doctor or patient error.
Napping vs Sleeping
STATS blog, Rebecca Goldin Ph.D and Jenna Krall, March 5, 2008
Acupuncture and Fertility: The Media Screws Up
Rebecca Goldin Ph.D and Jenna Krall, March 3, 2008
Odds ratios can also be prickly...
Okay, Maybe One Woman and Several Editors are Math-Challenged
STATS blog, Trevor Butterworth, March 3, 2008
Pyrex, Soda Lime, Borosilicate, and the Environment
STATS blog, Trevor Butterworth, February 29, 2008
Does Pyrex “Explode” Because the Manufacturer Changed the Mix? CBS Chicago’s Epic Investigation Continues
STATS blog, Trevor Butterworth, February 28, 2008
What the Media Misses About Antidepressants
STATS blog, Maia Szalavitz, February 27, 2008
Pyrex-o-mania Continues on CBS Chicago
STATS blog, Trevor Butterworth, February 27, 2008
STATS blog, Trevor Butterworth, February 26, 2008
Local TV’s Never-Ending Scary Bedtime Story
Trevor Butterworth, February 20, 2008
Playing up the imagined risks from fire retardants in beds puts the public in real danger
Will Smoking Pot Really Make Your Gums Rot?
STATS blog, Rebecca Goldin, Ph.D and Jenna Krall, February 13, 2008
If You Vomit While Talking to a CBS Reporter Are You Allergic to CBS?
STATS blog, Trevor Butterworth, February 12, 2008
European Scientists Poo-Poo Baby Bottle Risk
STATS blog, Trevor Butterworth, February 11, 2008
Should You Be Worried About Toxic Baby Bottles?
Trevor Butterworth, February 9, 2008
Lots of scare stories, but independent European scientific assessments and new studies argue research showing risk is flawed. This news isn't making the media coverage.
Seven Rules for Reporting Polls and Research Results
Steve Ross, February 7, 2008
Award-winning journalist, technology writer, and journalism educator Steve Ross boils down the essential principles journalists should follow when reporting on science, polling and statistics.
Dept of Unworkable Solutions: Nasal Flushing
STATS blog, Rebecca Goldin, Ph.D and Jenna Krall, February 7, 2008
Mythbusting: Your iPod isn’t Weapon of Electromagnetic Disruption
STATS blog, Trevor Butterworth, February 5, 2008
And Yet Another Study Finds No Link Between Autism and the MMR Vaccine
STATS blog, Trevor Butterworth, February 5, 2008
Washington Post Finds Political Significance in “Statistically Insignificant” Job Losses
STATS blog, Trevor Butterworth, February 4, 2008
Conventional Wisdom Busting: Social Networking Not a Haven for Sex Predators
STATS blog, Trevor Butterworth, February 1, 2008
Unhappiness is a U-Shaped Curve
STATS blog, Trevor Butterworth, February 1, 2008
Germans are the Fattest Europeans
STATS blog, Trevor Butterworth, January 31, 2008
How to Tell a Good Scientist from a Bad Scientist
STATS blog, Trevor Butterworth, January 31, 2008
Should Fractions Be Scrapped?
STATS blog, Rebecca Goldin, Ph.D, January 31, 2008
Generation Google Suck at Using the Web
STATS blog, Trevor Butterworth, January 30, 2008
ABC’s Disgrace: Artistic Freedom Doesn’t Excuse Vaccination Scaremongering
STATS blog, Trevor Butterworth, January 29, 2008
New study on drug addiction exposes media’s misrepresentation of OxyContin “plague.”
Trevor Butterworth, January 25, 2008
The media, DEA, created a myth of widespread accidental addiction new data on drug addicts shows.
Coffee and Miscarriage: Jitters or Junk?
STATS blog, Rebecca Goldin, Ph.D, January 22, 2008
Antidepressants: Hiding Studies That Find No Result or Ignoring Poorly Designed Studies?
Trevor Butterworth, January 25, 2008
Keep Your Eyes on the Slope, and Stop Worrying About “Toxic” Ski Wax
STATS blog Trevor Butterworth, January 17, 2008
STATS blog Trevor Butterworth, January 17, 2008
Truth in Drama:
Which is Better at Covering Drug Addiction, HBO’s “The Wire” or The Baltimore Sun?
Maia Szalavitz, January 15, 2008
A newspaper exposes the damage from buprenorphine. But did it end up hurting addicts by misrepresenting the case for addiction medication and harm reduction?
STATS blog Trevor Butterworth, January 15, 2008
The Worst Science Stories of 2007: STATS Dubious Data Awards
Trevor Butterworth, January 10, 2008
Sex, Drugs, Race and the Chemicapocalypse - we look back at some of the worst science and health stories of the past year.
“Leading” Scientific Experts for Vaccine-Mercury-Autism Connection Disqualified by Court for Lack of Expertise
STATS blog Trevor Butterworth, January 9, 2008
The National Journal Takes on the Lancet Iraq Casualty Figures
STATS blog Rebecca Goldin, Ph.d, January 8, 2008
The More Bad Data You See, The More Bad Data You’ll See
STATS blog Trevor Butterworth, January 2, 2008
STATS blog Trevor Butterworth, January 2, 2008