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'Do Your Own Research': Was It Dangerous Advice During the Pandemic?

The idea of “doing your own research” didn't begin with the pandemic, but new research suggests that those who follow that ideology have been more likely to believe COVID misinformation.

“We had heard the phrase a lot before,” prior to the pandemic, said researcher Sedona Chinn, a professor of life sciences ...

Parents' Mistrust of HPV Vaccine May Be Growing

It was a no-brainer for New York City mom Jen L. when a pediatrician suggested that she vaccinate her two sons against human papillomavirus (HPV).

“Before my kids were eligible for the vaccine, I had read up on it to learn about the vaccine and its positives in general, and also to learn if there were any significant side effects," she said. “I have a good friend who had issues f...

Need Accurate Info on Liver Disease? Don't Head to TikTok

About 4.5 million adults in the United States have liver disease. If they're looking for information about their condition, they'd be wise to look beyond TikTok, new research suggests.

About 40% of posts about liver disease on the social media platform are false or misleading, pushing claims about fad diets and detox drinks, according to a researcher from the University of Arizona College...

Dozens of Medical Groups Launch Effort to Battle Health Misinformation

Alarmed by the increasing spread of medical misinformation, 50 U.S. medical and science organizations have announced the formation of a new group that aims to debunk fake health news.

Called the Coalition for Trust in Health & Science, the group brings together reputable associations representing American academics, researchers, scientists, doctors, nurses, pharmacists, drug and insurance...

You Can't Trust Sleep Advice Found on YouTube: Study

If you're struggling to find ways to get a good night's sleep, you may not want to use YouTube videos as a resource.

Researchers found what they described as an alarming amount of medical misinformation in YouTube videos about sleep disorders.

"What's tricky is that so much of health information is very nuanced, and a lot of popular YouTube videos have clickbait and appeal to shorte...

Dangerous Myths Keep Many Adults With Food Allergies From Getting an EpiPen

The EpiPen is a known lifesaver when someone with a serious food allergy eats something they can't tolerate.

Yet the auto-injection treatment is greatly underused in the United States, according to a new survey.

Just over half of at-risk adults said they had ever been prescribed the device, researchers found. And more than one-third of severe allergy sufferers mistakenly believe th...

Looking for Reliable Hay Fever Advice? It's Probably Not on YouTube

Need information about hay fever? Steer clear of YouTube, a new study advises.

Researchers found misinformation about allergic rhinitis, the medical name for the disorder, in a large numbers of posts on the popular video-sharing site.

That's significant, because 7 in 10 patients wi...

Myths, Ignorance Persist Around Lung Cancer: Poll

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States, but doctors have had access to a screening tool for nearly a decade that can catch it for early treatment.

Unfortunately, neither of those facts has sunk in for many Americans, according to a new survey from the American Lung Association (ALA).

Only 29% of Americans know that

  • Dennis Thompson HealthDay Reporter
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  • August 1, 2022
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  • Full Page
  • Misinformation on Cancer Nutrition Abounds on Pinterest: Study

    About one-third of cancer nutrition information on the social media site Pinterest is misleading and posted by businesses trying to sell products, according to a new study.

    "Our results revealed a significant amount of misinformation about cancer and nutrition," said study co-author Tracy Crane, an assoc...

    Depression Might Predispose You to Believe COVID Vaccine Lies

    Misinformation about COVID-19 vaccines abounds, and people with depression are more likely than others to fall for it, a new study finds.

    "One of the notable things about depression is that it can cause people to see the world differently -- sort of the opposite of rose-colored glasses...

    COVID Vaccine Won't Affect Fertility, But Getting COVID Might

    One less excuse to avoid that COVID vaccine: The shots don't affect fertility in either men or women, new research shows, but coronavirus infection could cause short-term fertility problems in men.

    "Many reproductive-aged individuals have cited concerns about fertility as a reason for remaining unvaccinated," said lead study author Amelia Wesselink. She is research assistant professor of ...

    Insurance Often Covers Ivermectin for COVID, Even Though Drug Doesn't Work

    U.S. insurers are paying millions of dollars a year to cover the cost of ivermectin for COVID-19 patients despite a lack of proof the anti-parasitic drug is effective against the virus, a new study finds.

    Both the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the World Health Organization say ivermectin pills -- typically used to treat parasitic infections like worms -- should not be used for COV...

    'Wellness' Vapes Are All the Rage, But FDA Says Buyer Beware

    “Fights off tumors and alleviates symptoms of chemotherapy," one vape's advertising claims, while another is touted as an "asthma remedy, ADHD remedy, and dementia treatment."

    Don't believe the hype.

    Despite claims that certain vaping products may alleviate health problems, there's no proof that they do -- and they may even cause health issues, the U.S. Food and Drug Administratio...

    Protecting Your Skin From Sun Won't Weaken Your Bones: Study

    Most people know that sun-sourced vitamin D is good for their bones. So could avoiding the sun to reduce skin cancer risk weaken your bones?

    A new study brings a reassuring answer: "Sun-protective" behavior -- wearing long sleeves, seeking shade or using sunscreen -- "was not associated with decreased bone mineral density or increased risk of osteoporotic fracture," the researchers conclu...

    Sales of Unproven, Unapproved Stem Cell Therapies Are Booming

    The sale of unproven and unapproved stem cell treatments has skyrocketed in the United States, according to a new five-year study.

    The study found a fourfold jump since 2016 in the availability of the treatments, which claim to do everything from relieving pain to slowing aging.

    People who use these treatments are needlessly spending thousands of dollars and could be putting their h...

    Confusion, Seizures: People Hospitalized After Taking Veterinary Drug for COVID

    It's a drug that's been supported by some conservative media figures, but taking ivermectin to treat or prevent COVID-19 might land you in the hospital, a new study warns.

    Interest in the drug surged last summer as the highly contagious Delta variant took over the United States. But instead of protecting against the virus, the use of a medicine typically reserved for horses and cattle has...

    Medical Mistrust Fuels Vaccine Hesitancy Among Hispanics

    Misinformation and medical mistrust are major drivers of vaccine hesitancy among U.S. Hispanics, new research shows.

    The researchers also found that protecting other family members is an important factor in convincing Hispanics to get vaccinated.

    The small study included 22 Hispanic mothers in Oregon and 24 of their children who were in grades 9 to 12. At the time of the study, Hisp...

    Use Facebook a Lot? You're More Likely to Be Unvaccinated

    Americans who get their COVID-19 news and information solely from Facebook have much lower vaccination rates than the general population.

    That's the takeaway from a new survey of nearly 20,700 people across the United States. The researchers asked them in June which of six sources they use for COVID-19 news and info. The six included: Facebook, CNN, Fox News, MSNBC, the Biden administrati...

    Mississippi Health System Buckles Under 'Astounding' Rise in COVID Cases

    An "astounding" rise in COVID-19 cases in Mississippi is putting intense strain on the state's health care system.

    Compared to the first half of July, the number of infections more than doubled in the past two weeks and deaths rose by 51%. In Mississippi, deaths lost to COVID-19 now average between three and four a day, health officials said at a news conference held Wednesday, The Ne...

    Pandemic Boosted Paranoia and Conspiracy Theories, Study Confirms

    The COVID-19 pandemic upended life in the United States in many ways. Now, a new study confirms another effect: paranoia and belief in conspiracy theories, especially in areas with low adherence to mask mandates.

    "Our psychology is massively impacted by the state of the world around us," said study author Phil Corlett, an associate professor of psychology at Yale University, in New Haven,...

    How Trust in Science Can Make You Vulnerable to 'Pseudoscience'

    Trusting science is good, but it could put you at risk for being duped by false science, or "pseudoscience," if you let your guard down, researchers warn.

    Investigators found that people who trust science are more likely to believe and share false claims that contain scientific references than those who don't trust science.

    "We conclude that trust in science, although desirable in m...

    Who's Most Likely to Refuse a COVID Vaccine?

    COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among American adults fell by one-third in the first five months of 2021, a new study finds, but distrust of vaccines and the government are still keeping many people from getting vaccinated.

    Researchers analyzed data gathered from about 1 million Americans a month between January and May as part of an ongoing national COVID-19 survey. Those who said they would ...

    Bots Blamed for COVID Misinformation on Facebook

    Bots, not individual users, drive much of the COVID-19 misinformation on Facebook, according to a new study.

    Bots are large numbers of automated accounts controlled by single users.

    "The coronavirus pandemic has sparked what the World Health Organization has called an 'infodemic' of misinformation," said study leader John Ayers, a scientist who specializes in public health surveilla...

    As Teen He Made News Opposing Anti-Vax Mom. Now, He's Urging COVID Shots for Youth

    Ethan Lindenberger knows what it's like when you have anti-vaxxer parents: At 18, he gained national notoriety when he sought vaccines in defiance of his mother's fervent wishes.

    Now, the 20-year-old has some advice for teens facing a similar dilemma posed by the pandemic -- how to convince their anti-vaxxer parents to let them get the COVID-19 vaccine.

    The Pfizer shot is now FDA--a...

    Debunking Myths That Have Some Parents Resisting COVID Vaccines for Teens

    Many health experts hailed the recent approval of the Pfizer vaccine for those aged 12 to 15, but some parents have been hesitant to take their kids in for a shot.

    "Parents naturally worry more about their children than they do about themselves -- I think that's parenting defined," said Dr. Hina Talib, a pediatrician and adolescent health specialist at the Children's Hospital at Montefior...

    Science Studies Most Likely to Be Wrong Are the Most Widely Read

    Studies that can't be verified and may be untrue are much more likely to be cited in the media because they tend to be more interesting, researchers report.

    They looked at studies in top psychology, economic and nature/science journals and found that only 39% of 100 psychology papers were successfully replicated. The replication rates were 61% for 18 economic studies, and 62% amo...

    Debunking Social Media Myth, Study Finds COVID Vaccine Won't Harm Placenta

    Contrary to misleading reports spread on social media, a new study finds the COVID-19 vaccine does no damage to the placenta in pregnancy.

    In a study of placentas from patients who were vaccinated for COVID-19 during pregnancy, researchers found no evidence of any harm.

    "The placenta is like the black box in an airplane. If something goes wrong with a pregnancy, we usually see chan...

    1 in 4 Parents Won't Vaccinate Their Kids Against COVID-19: Poll

    More than one-quarter of U.S. parents don't plan to vaccinate their kids for COVID-19, and roughly as many oppose school-required coronavirus shots, a new study finds.

    This opposition was more common among moms than dads, and was especially common among white mothers who identified as Republican/Republican-leaning, the researchers said.

    "Women tend to serve as family health managers...

    Still Leery of COVID Vaccines? Top Expert Debunks Those Myths

    Don't believe everything you hear: A sizable minority of Americans are still hesitant about getting the new COVID-19 vaccine, but their fears are mostly not warranted, a leading vaccine expert says.

    "Not only has it been shown to be safe in tens of thousands of people before approval, it's been shown to be safe in tens of millions of people post-approval," Dr. Paul Offit, director of the ...

    Talks With Doctors May Be Key to Vaccine Acceptance: Study

    Talking with their doctors may help convince reluctant Americans to get COVID-19 vaccines, evidence from a previous pandemic suggests.

    Researchers analyzed responses from more than 19,000 people in the United States who were surveyed during the H1N1 swine flu pandemic in 2009.

    The poll assessed respondents' attitudes toward doctors, their openness to discussing vaccines with their p...

    'Birthing Girdle' Shows Traces of Medieval Women in Labor

    In medieval Europe, when childbirth was highly perilous for both mother and child, women and those caring for them used various talismans to try to influence a safe delivery.

    Not many of those relics have survived, but scientists have been studying one -- a parchment "birthing girdle" -- using non-invasive sampling and protein analysis.

    "Although these birth girdles are thought to h...

    When Facebook, Twitter Flag Posts as 'Unverified,' Readers Listen

    Readers pay attention when social media sites label an article as "unverified" or "suspicious," a new study suggests.

    But how an article is presented -- including author credentials and writing style -- doesn't affect readers' views about its credibility.

    The findings show that big tech companies such as Facebook and Twitter have a responsibility to combat the spread of misleading a...

    Anti-Vaxxers Mounting Internet Campaigns Against COVID-19 Shots

    People who are hesitant about getting the COVID-19 vaccine don't have to work hard to find internet rumors and theories that will fuel their fears regarding the vaccine's safety.

    That's because anti-vaccine groups and individuals are working overtime to promote frightening, false theories about the two COVID-19 vaccines that have now been administered to more than 24 million Americans, in...

    Facebook Posts Big Drivers in Vaccine Resistance, Study Finds

    As Americans await their COVID-19 shot, a new study of a different vaccine shows the power of Facebook posts in fueling "anti-vax" resistance to immunization.

    The study included more than 10 years of public Facebook posts on the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine. It found that nearly 40% of 6,500 HPV vaccine-related posts from 2006 to 2016 amplified a perceived risk. The data suggest the...

    Don't Believe Vaccine Myths

    There's a lot of misinformation about vaccines as the United States begins its massive COVID-19 vaccination program, so an expert wants to dispel the many myths about vaccines in general.

    Vaccines are among the most heavily studied of all drugs, and the evidence shows they are safe and extremely effective, according to Dr. Patrick Gavigan, a pediatric infectious disease physician at Penn ...

    'Tough Guy' Mentality Keeps Athletes in Denial About Pain

    A culture of toughness and resilience is encouraged among elite college rowers, but it can keep them from reporting injuries, a new study finds.

    There's an overall myth among athletes that admitting pain is a sign of weakness and failure, the researchers said.

    Irish and Australian rowers in this study felt compromised by lower back pain, which is common in the sport, the st...

    COVID-19 Facts or Fiction: 1 in 4 YouTube Videos Misleads Viewers

    More than one-quarter of popular English-language COVID-19 information videos posted to YouTube are misleading, researchers warn.

    There are posts, for example, falsely claiming that drug companies already have a cure for COVID-19, but won't sell it, and that different countries have stronger strains of coronavirus, a new study finds.

    YouTube viewers "should be skeptical, us...

    Coronavirus Conspiracy Theories Abound, and They Could Cause Real Harm

    Whenever societies are placed under stress, conspiracy theories blaming this or that nefarious agent for secretly fomenting the threat inevitably arise.

    It's no different during the current coronavirus crisis.

    Some of the evidence-free hoaxes circulating now include theories that the virus is a military bioweapon created in a Chinese lab; that it was made and even patented ...

    Social Media Stokes Myths About Vaccines

    Nearly 1 in 5 American adults has mistaken beliefs about vaccines, and misinformation is more common among those who rely on social media than on traditional media, a new study finds.

    Researchers surveyed nearly 2,500 adults nationwide in the spring and fall of 2019, when the United States was dealing with its largest measles outbreak in decades, and found that up to 20% of respon...

    Asthma Myths That Can Hurt You

    Even though asthma is common in the United States, there are many misconceptions about the respiratory disease, an allergy/immunology expert says.

    "Asthma is a serious condition that affects more than 26 million Americans -- more than 8% of the population," Dr. Todd Mahr, president of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, said in a college news release.

    Common Sleep Myths Endanger Public Health

    Mistaken beliefs about sleep are common and pose a significant health threat, a new study warns.

    Among these myths: some people only need five hours of sleep; snoring is harmless; a drink before bedtime helps you fall asleep.

    "Sleep is a vital part of life that affects our productivity, mood, and general health and well-being," said lead investigator Rebecca Robbins. "Dispel...

    More Americans Now Think Vaping Is Harmful

    Amid growing concern about the safety of e-cigarettes, more American adults now believe vaping is just as dangerous as smoking cigarettes.

    Between 2012 and 2017, the number of people who considered e-cigarettes less harmful than tobacco cigarettes dropped significantly, according to an analysis of two surveys.

    In one, the percentage fell 16 points -- from 51 to 35 percent. ...

    Largest Study Ever Finds No Link Between Measles Vaccine, Autism

    Amid ongoing U.S. measles outbreaks, one of the largest studies to date provides fresh evidence that the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine does not cause autism.

    Danish researchers found no link between the MMR vaccine and autism, even when they focused on children at greater risk for developing autism.

    "In a study of more than 650,000 Danish children, there was no di...

    Sleeping In on Weekends May Not Repay Your Sleep 'Debt'

    People who are sleep-deprived during the week often try to make up for it on weekends. But a new study suggests the tactic may backfire.

    Researchers found that weekday sleep loss had negative effects on people's metabolism -- and "catch-up" sleep on the weekend did not reverse it.

    In fact, there were signs that the extra weekend shut-eye could make matters worse, said senior...