Datasets:

bigbio

/

pubhealth

like 1

9528

3560

Who gets to give dietary advice? Health coach fights law.

In California, Heather Del Castillo offered tips on natural eating as a health coach. But in Florida, the title didn’t qualify her to give nutrition advice.

true

9529

10753

The U has developed a test vaccine for CMV, which can cause babies to be born deaf or retarded

"""The story reports on an animal trial of a cytomegalovirus (CMV) vaccine in pregnant guinea pigs. The story does not mention that CMV is species-specific, so results from a guinea pig trial are not directly applicable to humans. CMV infection in newborns is an under-appreciated problem and the story did provide some useful information to readers. However, the story provided no quantitative evidence from the study and failed to put the research into the context of other CMV vaccine research, some of which may be further along. A story on such animal research must remind readers that the vaccine has not yet undergone even safety testing in humans. There is only one brief line that the researcher """"hopes to begin testing the vaccine on people later this year."""" But as the editorial accompanying the journal article makes clear, there are several vaccines well along in development other than the one described. A university news release mentioned twice (once as early as the second paragraph) that human trials had not yet begun. This story mentioned plans for human testing only once – 11 paragraphs deep. The story does not discuss the expected cost of any CMV vaccine or who should receive it – except for the final line from the researcher projecting that """"the best strategy for eradicating CMV some day would be universal immunization of young children."""" What would that cost? Would women of childbrearing age get it? All adults? If it's not too soon to report on such animal research, it's not too soon to start asking such questions. The story cites the lead author of the study and a researcher/policy maker from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, the organization that funded the study – both of whom have an interest in announcing positive results. The story should have offered the perspective of someone not affiliated with the study, especially since there are other vaccines under development. The accompanying editorial in the journal in which this study was published provided balance. Even that editorial writer could have added needed perspective to the story."""

mixture

9530

8806

Group wants FDA to pull J&J birth control patch.

A U.S. advocacy group is urging the Food and Drug Administration to pull Johnson & Johnson’s birth control patch from the market after studies found an increased risk of dangerous blood clots.

true

9531

9809

New European pill works against uterine fibroids

This AP story (the version we reviewed was published in the Denver Post) was superior in the way it clearly explained the researchers’ potential conflicts of interest and described the design of the studies. Uterine fibroids are common, and although not life-threatening, can cause debilitating symptoms in some women. Although surgery remains the only curative treatment, drug treatments could reduce the number of women who opt for more invasive approaches. This is a key area for fully informed, shared decision-making – a point that could have been emphasized in this story.

mixture

9532

11542

Life-Saving Test: How One Minute Can Save Your Life

This morning TV news segment on transnasal endoscopy promises a live, in-studio demonstration of a new, one-minute test that can save lives from a little-known epidemic cancer. Great story–but, alas, not true. The device demonstrated, the TNE, has been the subject of research for nearly a decade and has been in clinical use for several years. Its chief advantage appears to be that it does not require anesthesia, not that it detects cancer more accurately. The cancer is rare and deadly, killing over 85 percent of patients within 5 years of diagnosis, even with early intervention and treatment. Over 99 percent of patients who are diagnosed with the precursor condition, Barrett’s esophagus, do not go on to develop cancer. The test takes not one minute but, in the live demonstration, at least 5 mintues. Some published materials claim the test can take about 10 minutes. But the one-minute claim appears to be a Good Morning America exclusive. So what is new here? We do get to see a guy wearing a suit having a thin tube run up his nose and into his stomach without gagging, all while we get to view his innards live onscreen. Not bad for the morning news. Plus, people who for whatever reason may be facing a conventional upper endoscopy will benefit from learning about this sedation-free alternative. But none of this excuses the segment’s theatrical bravado, intellectual negligence and poor journalistic hygiene. How do things like this wind up on the air?

false

9533

25914

“I, all the way back in January, warned (President Trump that) this pandemic was coming. I talked about what we needed to do.”

Biden expressed concern about the coronavirus weeks before Trump did, and as early as January, he recommended following the Obama administration’s approach on Ebola, including international cooperation and the use of sound science. In a January op-ed, Biden referred to “the possibility of a pandemic” and said the number of cases would increase, though he was not more specific on timing or steps to counteract the virus. Biden offered his first detailed plan on March 12, the day after the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic.

true

9534

9609

Exclusive: Doctors to Test a Groundbreaking Treatment for Strokes

This story explains that researchers at the Cleveland Clinic are searching for a first patient for a trial testing whether deep brain stimulation (DBS) might be helpful in improving the outcome of physical therapy in disabled stroke patients. It provides little solid evidence that such a procedure would lead to a positive clinical outcome. Nevertheless, the story suggests that this serious invasive brain surgery might work and the headline describes it as potentially “groundbreaking.” The story also overlooks that the costs per patient would seem prohibitive for the volume of people who might seek it out. Later in the story, things get a little less breathless: We find out there are harms associated with this surgery, including some that might not yet be known. As this Time Magazine story points out, around 800,000 Americans suffer strokes each year and half of those are disabled by these events. A procedure that might improve their quality of life would be a boon to public health. DBS carries significant risks, is expensive, and this story provides little evidence to support its enthusiastic claims.

true

9535

34102

A man named Rudolph Fentz who had mysteriously disappeared 74 years earlier turned up alive in Times Square in 1950.

Well, I have lived most of my life; I can be robbed of only a few more years. But it seems too bad — this universal craving to escape what could be a rich, productive, happy world. We live on a planet well able to provide a decent life for every soul on it, which is all ninety-nine of a hundred human beings ask. Why in the world can’t we have it?

false

9536

9540

Scientists develop new type of HIV test on a USB stick

Via Imperial College London and DNA Electronics This Reuters story draws readers in with news that scientists have developed a quick HIV test on a USB stick, which could be useful in the developing world. While the story hints at the underlying method —a unique lab-on-a-chip test to estimate the amount of HIV in a person—it glazes over the study’s two-test design. And it’s a big miss: The story confuses the effectiveness of the traditional, test tube-based method with that of the experimental USB stick test that researchers hope will replace it, ultimately overstating the latter’s sensitivity. The reason this happened is because it seems to be based entirely on a news release, which also seems to misunderstand the study’s design. But Reuters wasn’t alone; the Washington Post, International Business Times, Gizmodo, Live Science, and other outlets similarly relied on the press release and mischaracterized the study’s results. News outlets have a responsibility to report accurately on medical research, and go a step beyond the news release. In this case, it appears most news organizations dropped the ball. These inaccurate news stories could very well stoke false hope among HIV field workers and their patients, and further erode public trust in news media.

false

9537

7941

Germany confirms at least 28 new coronavirus infections.

Germany on Monday confirmed at least 28 new coronavirus cases, bringing the number of infections in Europe’s most populous country to 157 from 129 on Sunday, the Robert Koch Institute for disease control said, adding the risk was now “moderate”.

true

9538

16976

As unbelievable as it sounds, your tax dollars are funding the federal government's Zombie Apocalypse Plan. I kid you not.

"""Palin wrote on Facebook, """"As unbelievable as it sounds, your tax dollars are funding the federal government's Zombie Apocalypse Plan. I kid you not."""" People who worry about the zombie apocalypse will not be comforted to hear this, but there is no plan. The CDC played off the zombie apocalypse craze in 2011 as way to pass along real information about preparing for emergencies that don't involve zombies. They wrote up a tongue-in-cheek blog post, which successfully generated plenty of attention. So when the zombies come, you’re on your own. And Palin’s claim is False. May 28 update (2:04 p.m.): Since our fact-check first posted, our zombie friends have alerted us to some more zombie government business that we think is worth mentioning. None of it affects our rating of False. In the first case, the Washington Examiner reported on the Department of Homeland Security allowing federal government contractors to potentially be reimbursed for attending HALO Corp.'s 2012 Counter-Terrorism Summit. As part of the summit, Halo put on a """"live war game of a zombie apocalypse, complete with 40 actors in full zombie makeup,"""" the Washington Examiner reported. In the second, Foreign Policy magazine found a 2011 military training document that included plans for a zombie attack. But it’s not really a """"plan."""" It’s part of a training exercise, the magazine reported. """"The document is identified as a training tool used in an in-house training exercise where students learn about the basic concepts of military plans and order development through a fictional training scenario,"""" Navy Capt. Pamela Kunze, a spokeswoman for U.S. Strategic Command, told CNN. """"This document is not a U.S. Strategic Command plan."""""""

false

9539

8538

Brazil's Amazonas state warns its health system overwhelmed by coronavirus.

Brazil’s Amazonas state warned on Thursday that its health system has been overwhelmed by the coronavirus epidemic, with all intensive care beds and ventilators already taken as a result of the outbreak.

true

9540

2489

Differences between the sexes stretches to fitness formulas.

When it comes to fitness, experts say men generally want to be bulkier and women want to be trimmer and everyone wants to do what they are good at.

true

9541

9757

Brain training app could help people with schizophrenia

The story describes study findings regarding an iPad game that appeared to help a small group of schizophrenia patients improve their so-called “episodic” memory — meaning their ability to remember things such as where they may have left their keys. The study discussed in the story evaluated a very small group of people (22), meaning that it may be useful for determining whether it’s worthwhile to pursue a larger study — but that it is impossible to tell whether the iPad game would have any real impact on schizophrenia patients in general. Similarly, the story doesn’t make clear how much improvement the game provided for the patients who participated in the study. The story made a bit of a leap in saying the training helped participants “in their daily lives at home and at work.” Statistical significance was reached on a scale that attempts to measure functioning at home and work, but it’s too much to say with this small group and short-term study whether it actually made a difference. More detail, and a clear statement that this is only the first step in assessing the efficacy of such games for schizophrenia patients, would have been valuable. The story did call it a “proof-of-concept” study, but we don’t think that a general readership will necessarily know what that means. According to the CDC, schizophrenia is thought to affect between 0.5% and 1.1% of people around the world. The disease has a host of symptoms, from hallucinations to disorganized thinking, which are often treated with pharmaceuticals (with varying success). However, there are limited pharmaceutical interventions to help schizophrenia patients deal with memory problems — which are common among schizophrenia patients. Because so many people are affected by schizophrenia, it’s certainly worth tracking the development of a low-cost intervention that could help address a common symptom. However, it’s important to place these development stories in context, so that readers can have a good understanding of how effective such interventions might be and how far they are from use in clinical applications. Informed readers should discern that  “could help” in the headline and “may improve” in the first line – after such a small, short-term study – means that just the opposite may be true.

false

9542

21737

Michael Doherty Says Planned Parenthood provides about 140 visits for prenatal care in each state.

Sen. Michael Doherty claims Planned Parenthood only provides 140 visits for prenatal care in each state

false

9543

16083

"""Doonesbury Says 3,000 Americans """"died of gunfire"""" between the time of the Ebola scare in Dallas and the midterm elections."""

"""Garry Trudeau, speaking through his characters in Doonesbury, said that in the time between the Ebola scare in Dallas and the election, """"statistically"""" about 3,000 Americans died from gunfire. The latest data from the CDC bears that out. Using a five-year average, we found 3,041 deaths in the relevant time period. Given that the debate over gun deaths in this country often centers on homicides or accidental shootings, it is important to note that about two-thirds of the total would likely be suicides. Plus, the CDC data counts the deaths of residents, which might include some noncitizens. Still, the number of deaths is in line with what Trudeau said, even if the precise figures will vary. The claim is accurate but it requires some clarification."""

true

9544

40088

A Halloween warning not to eat Sherwood brand Pirate’s Gold milk chocolate coins because they could contain melamine, a substance that could be toxic.

Melamine Scare In Milk Chocolate Coins

true

9545

7609

Nursing home deaths soar past 3,600 in alarming surge.

More than 3,600 deaths nationwide have been linked to coronavirus outbreaks in nursing homes and long-term care facilities, an alarming rise in just the past two weeks, according to the latest count by The Associated Press.

true

9546

8461

Trump administration halts wildfire prevention tool in California over coronavirus.

The U.S. Forest Service has suspended controlled burns on public lands in wildfire-prone California because of the coronavirus pandemic, upsetting officials who see the program as key to preventing seasonal infernos like those that devastated parts of the state in 2018.

true

9547

24719

"""Washing your hands and covering your mouth when you cough """"makes a huge difference"""" in reducing transmission of the flu."""

Studies show handwashing reduces disease

true

9548

7198

A GOP favorite faces a Democratic groundbreaker in Vermont.

In front of a small group of supporters on a chilly fall morning, Christine Hallquist laid out her economic development plan for a state that she feels is being left behind by prosperity in larger states and urban areas.

true

9549

4344

1 case of tuberculosis confirmed in Mississippi high school.

A case of tuberculosis has been confirmed at a Mississippi high school.

true

9550

26463

Donald Trump Says House Speaker Nancy Pelosi deleted a video of her telling people to go to Chinatown.

Bayer AG plans to argue that a $2 billion jury award and thousands of U.S. lawsuits claiming its glyphosate-based weed killer Roundup causes cancer should be tossed because a U.S. regulatory agency said the herbicide is not a public health risk.

false

9551

25777

“DEVELOPING: Kamala’s sister takes hydroxychloroquine.”

Maya Harris, the sister of Sen. Kamala Harris, announced in April that she takes hydroxychloroquine for lupus, not COVID-19.

mixture

9552

8789

Tau drug shows early promise in Alzheimer's.

An Alzheimer’s drug that attacks abnormal tangles in the brain appeared to slow progression of the disease, British researchers said on Tuesday, but doctors cautioned that the results are early.

true

9553

8376

Canadian military town prepares for coronavirus evacuees.

A small town in central Canada that is host to the country’s largest air force base is preparing, with some apprehension, for the arrival of some 200 evacuees from Wuhan, China, the epicenter of a coronavirus outbreak.

true

9554

28848

"""The Obama administration has proposed revising power guidelines that could affect eagles, but the President hasn't issued a """"kill order"""" allowing the slaughter of thousands of bald eagles per year."""

What's true: Proposed revisions to wind power guidelines could allow wind power companies to injure or kill more bald and golden eagles per year without penalty. What's false: The revised guidelines are unlikely to lead to thousands of additional eagle deaths because they impose more stringent requirements on wind power companies to minimize such accidents, and there's little evidence that wind turbines currently kill anywhere close to 4,200 eagles per year.

mixture

9555

11401

High-risk lung cancer patients may not need annual screenings

This news release summarizes a study published in Lancet Oncology which looked at the appropriate frequency of screening using low-dose computed tomography (CT) for lung cancer in former smokers. The 7-year study included more than 19,000 individuals with an initial negative CT scan. These patients were much less likely to have lung cancer on future scans compared to those whose initial scans had detected an abnormality. The news release provides good descriptions of the benefits and evidence from the study. A re-analysis of the world’s largest lung cancer screening trial could have major consequences for patients and health systems. This study found that if initial low-dose CT screening is negative then less frequent subsequent screening seems reasonable. The study also pointed out an important side effect of reduced screening: reduced exposure of patients to radiation and over-diagnosis. In addition, reducing the frequency of screening CT from once a year to even once every two years in a sub group will reduce the costs of screening dramatically.

true

9556

1848

Paralyzed woman uses thoughts to move robotic arm.

Using just her thoughts, a 58-year-old paralyzed woman instructed a robotic arm to grasp a cup of coffee and guide it to her mouth where she sipped from a straw, the first drink she has been able to serve herself in 15 years.

true

9557

12488

"""Greg Abbott Says Travis County Sheriff Sally Hernandez """"declared that she would not detain known criminals accused of violent crimes."""

"""Abbott said Hernandez """"declared that she would not detain known criminals accused of violent crimes."""" That’s a distortion of Hernandez’s statements and her announced policy. The sheriff made it clear she wouldn’t automatically honor all requests to hold suspects for ICE. But the policy specifies several violent crimes for which the department directly grants the hold requests and it reserves the office’s right to exercise discretion in the interests of justice. Abbott, a seasoned judge and former state attorney general, should know better. We find this claim incorrect and ridiculous. The statement is not accurate and makes a ridiculous claim. """

false

9558

11421

Spanish flu vaccine late, but welcome

"""This article presents interesting scientific work that has resulted in regeneration of the Spanish flu virus of 1918-1919 and two approaches that were successful in producing a 100% effective immune response in mice challenged with the regenerated flu virus. Although this story did mention that the study results were 'proof of concept', this may not be a familiar notion for most readers and the story was not explicit that the vaccines developed afforded protection from this particular flu to mice and may or may not have direct translation to humans. In fact, the study mentioned that the method of immunization is far less effective in humans than in the mouse model studied. The story confuses species when it says, """"Now, working with mice, scientists have shown that a vaccine can prompt the body's natural defenses to mount an attack on the virus–and that bodes well for future efforts to fight dangerous flu strains."""" (Emphasis added.) The article neglected to point out that existing antiviral drugs have shown to be of benefit in the mouse model for at least some forms of the Spanish Flu virus (genetically engineered). The article suggests that we are defenseless and while that may be true, there is evidence to suggest otherwise."""

mixture

9559

28898

Bill Maher smoked a joint during a live broadcast of 'Real Time with Bill Maher,' and the FCC imposed a hefty fine.

What's true: Maher maintained the joint (or blunt) was real. What's false: Maher was fined by the FCC.

mixture

9560

12206

Every one of the financial bad management practices that I inherited, every one of them, have either been eliminated or cut significantly.

"""Emanuel says his administration has either ended or curtailed """"every one"""" of the poor management practices that were in place when he took office in 2011. He described each of those practices in a speech in 2015 and his office provided explanations backed by official data of how each has been addressed. Yet while claiming a new era in good budget practices, the administration used budget-speak to keep the $70 million cost for Year 2 of Emanuel’s police plan out of the """"lowest-in-a-decade"""" preliminary budget gap. Emanuel’s curtailment of expensive """"scoop and toss"""" refinancing is admirable in city government, but it’s of little solace to property taxpayers who still foot the bill for it from Chicago Public Schools. Emanuel indeed inherited significant fiscal headaches from Daley, but fixes he is taking credit for like phasing out scoop and toss were initiated only after the problems were exposed by media investigations. It’s also worth noting that it wasn’t until after Emanuel won election to his second term that a major credit rating agency downgraded the city’s credit to near junk bond status, timing that suggests if nothing else he was slow to act. Factoring in the caveats and history. """

mixture

9561

26300

Janel Brandtjen Says Gov Tony Evers’ administration deemed dentists non-essential

The executive order from Gov. Tony Evers classified dental offices as essential Dentists could individually choose how to operate when the order was in effect, but Wisconsin’s Department of Health Services recommends they follow CDC guidelines, which meant postponing elective procedures and visits.

false

9562

11107

NIH study confirms benefits of intensive blood pressure management among seniors aged 75 and older

This news release reports on new results from an on-going and major clinical trial — the SPRINT (Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial) — that compared the outcomes of two groups of elderly hypertensive people given different systolic blood pressure goals — 140 mm of mercury versus 120 mm of mercury. And while it does report that the clinical outcome for those in the lower target group was better than that of the higher target group, the release (from the National Institutes of Health [NIH] section dealing with heart and lung disease) gives scant details that might help readers apply the results to their own situations. The omissions mirror problems we’ve seen in previous NIH press communications about the SPRINT study, which we’ve called attention to repeatedly on our blog: NIH, news media, need to slow down on the SPRINT hype NIH SPRINT study sparks questions about overtreatment of mild hypertension Do published SPRINT study results live up to premature NIH news release hype? Informed patients need one thing not provided in SPRINT trial news: what were the absolute benefit/harm numbers? The public has gotten conflicting recommendations on what the optimum goal for blood pressure treatment should be for seniors. The recommendations range from 140 mm Hg for adults to 150 mm Hg for adults aged 60 and up, and to 160 mm Hg for people over 80. The release states that, “About three-fourths of the U.S. population aged 75 and older live with hypertension, a leading contributor to cardiovascular disease and death,” which certainly argues for the importance of any strategy that can mitigate this condition. If changing either a medication or its dosage can bring about a better clinical outcome, then surely that is important.

false

9563

28599

"""President Trump ordered the White House bathed in blue light to honor fallen police officers, something President Obama """"refused"""" to do."""

"""What's true: President Obama did not order that the White House be lit in blue to commemorate police officers slain in the line of duty. What's false: He did not neglect to honor their sacrifice in other ways, such as flying flags at half-staff; there is no evidence that he specifically """"refused"""" to light up the building in blue."""

mixture

9564

7369

Nebraska to require coronavirus plans from nursing homes.

Nebraska will require long-term care centers to develop formal plans outlining how they’ll keep the coronavirus from spreading among the vulnerable residents who live in those facilities, Gov. Pete Ricketts said Friday.

true

9565

9756

A Green Light for Red Palm Oil as Health Aid? Manufacturers cite healthy antioxidants and heart benefits

The “Verdict” of this story on red palm oil may not be what marketers want to read, but this overview story packs a delicious and nutritious serving of information for consumers trying to see through swirling health claims. The story covers a lot of ground, even addressing environmental and human rights concerns, so it is understandable that not every detail made it into the final edition. But there are enough specifics, a good sample of expert opinions, and an overall impression that a lot of homework went into providing readers with a clear summary of the evidence. Like a solid review article that provides clinicians with an overview of the body of evidence about a condition or treatment, a well done consumer advice article such as this one helps busy readers get the big picture quickly. With a broad scope, the story is understandably short on some details, but it gives readers a clear message, and the feeling that the reporter and editors were thorough in their research and objective in their summary. Most people in developed countries – so most people who read the Wall Street Journal – don’t need additional vitamin E or A. They do need more stories like this in their news diet.

true

9566

26497

45 nations had already moved” to enforce travel restrictions with China “before the president moved.”

Credible estimates say either 36 or 45 countries moved faster than the U.S. to enact various restrictions on travel from China — from the suspension of visa programs to entry denial. Experts say Biden is wrong to say that the U.S. travel restriction was slow. It came shortly after the World Health Organization declared a public health emergency and around the same time as other nations’ restrictions.

mixture

9567

29634

An infographic describing how to amputate a gentleman’s arm is a genuine historical document.

As the graphic at issue was made in 2011, however, claims that it is a historical document are false.

false

9568

11532

Beer ingredient may fight prostate cancer

"""The story reports that an ingredient found in beer may help prevent prostate cancer or enlargement. While the story provides some details about the history of this ingredient and lets readers know this is still being researched and cautions them not to rush out to buy more beer, there are several areas for improvement. There is no information about prostate cancer, specifically that it may not cause harm even if a man does develop it. There is also no description of the evidence upon which claims are based or even a description of the effects, or """"benefits,"""" observed so far in research. And, there is absolutely no information about potential harms. What's less clear is whether the story should have talked about how this option might fit into existing options for prevention, which themselves have benefits that are somewhat unclear. Finally, almost the entire story is a direct copy of an Oregon State University news release. There is no independent corroboration that there may be any health benefits from this compound. (Publisher's Note: this same story appeared in many print and broadcast news reports across the U.S., demonstrating the impact of one Associated Press story that comes directly from a news release.)"""

false

9569

9736

Panel Says Aspirin Lowers Heart Attack Risk For Some, But Not All

A federal task force has issued a recommendation to limit the daily ingestion of low-dose aspirin among Americans to individuals with a clear risk of heart attack or stroke. This story delivers that message effectively but lacks the quantitative specificity that would have helped readers/listeners fully understand the possible benefits or harms of continuing their aspirin-a-day habit. While a brief radio story may well be unable to be that specific, providing the additional information on the outlet’s text version of the story would be helpful. Many individuals with low risk of heart attack or stroke now take daily, low-dose aspirin in preventive mode. If such a practice is—at best—useless or—at worst—harmful, folks need to know that. This story makes a solid effort to inform.

true

9570

33386

A phony carpark attendant collected parking fees outside the Bristol Zoo for over twenty years.

Similarly, in May 2008 a maintenance worker with the Birmingham [Alabama] Parking Authority collected fees from motorists attending a nearby charity event then directed them to leave their cars on a private lot. Many of those vehicles were subsequently towed and their drivers charged $200 to retrieve their cars.

false

9571

7464

The week that was: A balance of economy and public health.

As heads of state, local leaders, business owners and individual citizens weighed the costs of re-opening the global economy, fears of new outbreaks grew. A central question emerged: How much infection and loss of life will emerge amid the push to restart business?

true

9572

13511

American Unity PAC Says Ted Strickland supported giving $150 billion to Iranian regime that persecutes women, Christians and gays.

An American Unity PAC digital ad claims that Strickland supported giving $150 billion to Iran without a commitment from that regime to stop its harsh treatment of Christians, gays and women. Strickland said he supported the Iran nuclear deal last year during his campaign, but he didn't hold federal office when the deal was completed and he didn't vote in favor of it. There are other problems with the ad. For one, the $150 billion estimate is too high, experts say. Also, separate U.S. sanctions for human rights violations remain in place and continue to be enforced. And Strickland’s symbolic support of the deal wasn’t tacit approval of Iran’s persecution of women, non-Muslims, and homosexuality.

false

9573

17240

"""Millions of Americans are """"paying more and getting less"""" under Obamacare."""

"""Americans for Prosperity said """"millions are paying more and getting less"""" under Obamacare. We found their explanation of """"less"""" rather dubious. Most people on the individual market are getting more benefits under the law. At worst, they’re paying more to get more, though in many cases they’re actually paying less."""

false

9574

27932

A text reproduces Theodore Roosevelt's words regarding the assimilation of immigrants into American culture.

A copy of this letter, obtained from the Manuscript Division of the Library of Congress, can be viewed here.

true

9575

29300

New research has uncovered that the true cause of fibromyalgia is an excess number of specific nerves found near a specific kind of blood vessel in the hands and feet, ending the controversy over the disease’s cause and mechanism.

What's true: A 2013 study published in Pain Medicine studied the hands of 24 female patients and discovered an excess number of specific nerves surrounding a specific kind of blood vessel, hinting at a possible physical and identifiable cause for the disease. What's false: The study is no longer new, despite its having been billed as such for the past five years, nor has it changed the prevailing scientific view about the disease, which most argue is caused by an heightened sensitization of the nervous system.

false

9576

8363

BP boss Looney sets out to 'reinvent' oil giant with zero carbon goal.

BP set one of the oil sector’s most ambitious targets for curbing carbon emissions on Wednesday as new chief executive Bernard Looney began the biggest revamp in its 111-year history.

true

9577

7982

Trump warns Americans of a tough two weeks ahead in coronavirus fight.

President Donald Trump warned Americans on Tuesday of a “painful” two weeks ahead in fighting the coronavirus, with a mounting U.S. death toll that could stretch into the hundreds of thousands even with strict social distancing measures.

true

9578

37498

H.R. 5717 would require that gun owners obtain federal licenses for both new gun purchases and their existing firearms.

Does H.R. 5717 Require That Gun Owners Be Licensed by the Government?

mixture

9579

1782

Allowing blood donations from gay men could help save over a million lives - U.S. study.

(This story from Sept. 19 has been refiled to correct stated position of medical groups in paragraph 6)

true

9580

2519

Tabata metes out fitness in short, repeated flashes.

For people who are too bored or busy to spend an hour on a treadmill an exercise regime that was developed for athletes but is being taught in gyms may help to build fitness in less time.

true

9581

1739

Review of evidence finds e-cigarettes may help smokers quit.

Evidence suggests e-cigarettes help smokers quit, but more research is needed to confirm this and find out if “vaping” nicotine is better than using patches or gum, scientists said on Wednesday.

true

9582

27318

Video captures a woman who thwarted and subdued an armed man attempting to rob attendees of a Mother's Day event.

A compelling video captured an off-duty female Brazilian police officer shooting and subduing an armed robber.

true

9583

25521

Rural schools enroll 40 percent of American children, but receive only 22 percent of federal education funding.

In ‘Billions’, a U.S. television show set in the world of hedge funds, traders at the fictional Axe Capital regularly attend sessions with an in-house psychiatrist.

false

9584

10238

Two-year, EU-funded Study Reveals a Medical Food in the Form of a Daily Nutritional Drink Can Help to Conserve Memory, the Ability to Think and Perform Everyday Tasks, as well as Reduce Brain Shrinkage in People with Very Early Alzheimer's Disease (AD)[1] (Pre-dementia)

People have been waiting for three years to learn more about a yogurt-based drink that showed some positive results in a memory-loss study by Harvard and Massachusetts Institute of Technology researchers. Coverage of that study mentioned prominently that the nutritional drink was made by Dannon, the yogurt company. Something that tastes good and also helps you remember where you put your keys? What’s not to like? But this update to that study received a bewilderingly opaque treatment in this news release. We have to wonder why the release avoided spelling out cost, benefits, risks, and the overall contours of the study. There is a lot of space spent on the organizations involved in the study and far too little on what they actually did and, most importantly, found. The release notes that the research was presented as a “late-breaking presentation” at an international medical meeting but offered no easy way to access the research. The release directs us to the LipiDiDiet website for more information on the study, but there we are told: “15 October 2015 We are pleased to note that there is considerable interest in the LipiDiDiet clinical trial. Data from the LipiDiDiet clinical trial are currently being analysed. We will make the results public through various channels, including through this website.” When clicking on promising headlines that looked like they might take us to actual studies, we’re told to click on another news release. Finding a treatment for Alzheimer’s dementia, in its many stages, has proven to be a frustrating exercise with no clear options at the moment. That is what makes the potential for a nutritional approach that might delay or reduce the disease effects so appealing. It is that appeal that makes reporting on results of studies critically important. This particular release is important as the makers of the product are knocking at America’s door. If the product is dubbed a “medical food” as opposed to a supplement, the FDA may regulate it and require it be available by prescription only.

false

9585

29752

"""New prohibitions on public drinking and cannabis use """"in every province of Canada"""" were scheduled to come into force in July 2019."""

In reality, regulations on public drinking and smoking vary from province to province and city to city in Canada, in contrast to Canada-Eh.info’s false claim of a new nationwide crackdown on both behaviors — “new tougher laws in every province” — scheduled for implementation in July 2019. As such, the claim is false.

false

9586

9162

A potential cure for metastatic prostate cancer? Treatment combination shows early promise

Britain’s Greggs launched a vegan version of its popular steak bake on Thursday, aiming to capitalize on the success of the meatless sausage roll that has boosted the baker’s profits and helped fuel an 80% rise in its share price last year.

false

9587

1320

Scientists devise new, more accurate peanut allergy test.

British scientists have developed a far more accurate blood test to diagnose peanut allergy, offering a better way to monitor a significant food hazard.

true

9588

8575

Indonesia ferry passengers jump ship amid coronavirus fears.

Several passengers on an Indonesian ferry jumped into the sea and swam ashore after authorities sought to block the vessel docking due to fears of suspected coronavirus cases, as tensions rise over the spread of the disease across the archipelago.

true

9589

27695

"""John Kerry suggested that the media cover acts of terrorism less often, and perhaps people might not """"know what's going on."""

It is true that John Kerry said media coverage of terrorist acts might not be beneficial in efforts to reduce terrorism, and that he specifically said people “wouldn’t know [what was] going on.” But those two sentences are part of a larger speech in which Kerry warned wall-to-wall coverage of terror attacks “quickly feed the frenzy that can come with opposition and panic and hysteria,” exacerbating tensions between civilians and terror groups, and possibly inspiring subsequent terrorist acts.

true

9590

21848

Rep. Jim Renacci’s plan to end Medicare also puts nursing home care for 3,000 seniors in the district in immediate jeopardy.

DCCC says Rep. Jim Renacci plan would jeopardize nursing home care

false

9591

4068

Yakima County reports 18 hepatitis A cases.

Yakima County has 18 confirmed cases of hepatitis A, a number authorities say will likely increase in the weeks and months ahead.

true

9592

29451

Dozens of veterans' bodies were left to rot in a Chicago-area VA hospital's morgue.

"""What's true: A Chicago-area CBS affiliate reported that two unclaimed veterans' bodies may not have been buried in a timely fashion due to delays outside the VA's control. What's false: An image that appeared with some versions of the story dated to 2010, had nothing to do with VA hospitals or morgues, and misleadingly suggested that it proved numerous """"rotting"""" veterans' bodies had been """"stacked"""" in an overcrowded morgue."""

false

9593

10016

Narcolepsy Drug Eyed for Cocaine Users

This story discusses modafinil (trade name Provigil) as a potential treatment for the withdrawal symptoms of cocaine addiction, such as fatigue, depression and lack of concentration. The drug may also blunt some of the desire for a cocaine “high”. While modafinil is listed as “legal”, the drug is not yet approved to treat cocaine addiction. Only small pilot studies have been conducted on the safety and effectiveness of the drug. Modafinil is currently only approved to treat narcolepsy and other sleep disorders. The story provides no information on the cost of taking this medication daily, and no estimate of how long someone experiencing cocaine withdrawal would need to take modafinil. Treatment of cocaine addiction with modafinil is listed as new, and large scale, randomized clinical trails of the drug for this use have yet to be conducted. While early studies of the drug seem promising, the story gives no evidence regarding the effectiveness of this drug over other treatments and no information about the potential side effects of taking this drug. The discussion of modafinil allowing former cocaine addicts to “think strategically” is an overstatement, as there is no evidence in the pilot study of improved decision making with modafinil. Insomnia is listed as a typical side effect of modafinil, but the story doesn’t describe how common this is in people who take the drug for withdrawal symptoms of cocaine dependence. In the pilot study mentioned, side effects were twice as common in the treatment group, and included nausea, anxiety, tachycardia, loss of appetite and urinary tract infection. Only 40 of 62 patients completed the 8-week study, though side effects are not listed as the reason for 22 patients not completing the study. The story doesn’t discuss any other pharmacological, psychosocial or behavioral interventions for cocaine abuse, although cognitive behavioral therapy was part of the treatment for all patients in the pilot study mentioned. While treatment of the biochemical and physical symptoms of cocaine addiction is important, there are other variables involved in drug abuse, including negative psychological and environmental factors that are not blunted by the use of modafinil or any pharmacological treatment. The pilot study principal investigator, who is interviewed in the story, is a hired speaker for Cephalon, maker of modafinil, though this is not mentioned in the article. The disclosure is readily available in the source journal article.

false

9594

42002

"""Meme claims 7,182 students have been """"killed in U.S. schools"""" since 2012."""

A meme circulating online claims that 7,182 students have been “killed in U.S. schools” since 2012, but that number is inflated. It likely refers to all firearm fatalities involving children, including suicides and shootings off campus.

false

9595

2804

No serious side effects with Merck allergy pill: FDA documents.

No serious safety concerns were raised over Merck & Co’s experimental pill for ragweed allergies, according to FDA documents Friday, ahead of a meeting next week of outside medical experts who will discuss whether the drug merits approval.

true

9596

7209

‘Veep’ star Julia Louis-Dreyfus says she has breast cancer.

Julia Louis-Dreyfus says she has been diagnosed with breast cancer.

true

9597

16263

Money towards the Ebola vaccine is basically cut in half to what it was. More cuts are coming under the congressional sequester.

"""Cutter said, """"Money towards the Ebola vaccine is basically cut in half to what it was,"""" and """"more cuts are coming under the congressional sequester."""" Whether money for the vaccine was cut in half depends on the metric you use. It’s true if you compare 2010 to the 2014 estimate, when vaccine research spending fell from $37 million to $17.2 million, but not if you use other parameters. The financial picture for the NIH is not expected to substantially brighten any time soon amid constraints from budget-control measures, though given the emergence of the threat in the United States and the massive attention to the issue, Congress and the president could choose to increase funding for Ebola going forward."""

true

9598

18082

"""Lone Star Project Says Greg Abbott """"converted over $1 million in federal grant money intended for use to prosecute online sexual predators and other cyber crimes and instead used it to harass and prosecute senior citizens who were assisting other senior citizens in applying for mail-in ballots."""

"""The Lone Star Project said Abbott """"converted over $1 million in federal grant money intended for use to prosecute online sexual predators and other cyber crimes and instead used it to harass and prosecute senior citizens who were assisting other senior citizens in applying for mail-in ballots."""" Actually, less than $100,000 of a grant—less than one-fifteenth of it--was spent investigating alleged violations of election law. The grant aid also wasn't restricted, or necessarily intended for, other purposes. So there was no conversion. Senior citizens were pursued, but our sense is it’s an eye-of-the-beholder question whether the investigations were harassment."""

false

9599

3956

City of Richmond offering free flu shots throughout December.

The city of Richmond, Virginia, is offering free flu shots to anyone 6 months or older during the month of December.

true

9600

12905

"""The HIV virus has been """"detected in Walmart bananas after 10 year old boy contracts the virus."""

Fake news claims that Walmart bananas have HIV virus are fruitless

false

9601

7428

Patient testing for virus in N. Carolina to expand greatly.

North Carolina health officials greatly expanded the scope of COVID-19 testing in the state Friday, encouraging doctors to order tests for higher-risk individuals even when they show no symptoms.

true

9602

26965

Tweets Says drinking a bleach solution will prevent you from getting the coronavirus.

"""Conspiracy theorists are spreading a dangerous claim that says drinking a bleach solution will ward off the coronavirus. The spray, known as Miracle Mineral Solution, is a bleaching agent that fringe groups falsely tout as a """"miracle cure"""" for several ailments. But officials have repeteadly warned consumers against injesting it, saying doing so could cause severe vomiting and liver failure."""

false

9603

11430

Mixed Result in Treating Schizophrenia Pre-Diagnosis

This story discusses a randomized, double-blind trial of Zyprexa for the prevention or delay of schizophrenia in high-risk young adults experiencing early symptoms of psychosis (schizophrenia is a more severe, chronic psychotic disorder). Due to potentially serious side effects, Zyprexa and similar anti-psychotic drugs are not currently FDA approved for prevention of schizophrenia in patients identified at high-risk of developing this psychotic disorder. The story mentions that this was a small clinical trial and the idea of identifying patients at high-risk of developing a psychotic disorder and treating them with a drug like Zyprexa is still new and has several risks, with very limited long-term benefit. There is no mention of other treatment options for patients who show signs of psychosis or who go on to develop schizophrenia. The story mentions some of the harms of treatment with Zyprexa seen in this short-term trial, but there is no mention of the long-term side effects or safety of taking this medication. Diabetes and complications of the metabolic syndrome have been noted in many patients taking newer anti-psychotic medications, including Zyprexa. This may be a result of the significant weight gain from the drugs. The FDA has issued an additional warning hypoglycemia and diabetes as a result of taking Zyprexa: http://www.fda.gov/medwaTCH/SAFETY/2004/zyprexa.htm The story lists the limited benefit of taking Zyprexa to delay psychosis after one year of treatment, but this difference was only marginally statistically significant. The story does not mention that after the medication was stopped, these patients showed more severe psychotic symptoms than when they were first recruited for the study, suggesting that while symptoms were blunted, the disorder had progressed despite anti-psychotic medication. Additionally, many of the patients did not complete the study, so from the 60 initially recruited, only 12 completed the full 2-year trial. Results from such a small number of patients would not be generalizable to a larger population of patients at high risk of developing a psychotic disorder. There is no mention of the cost of Zyprexa and no mention of how long this medication would need to be taken to prevent a severe psychotic break in susceptible young adults. There is appropriate discussion that Zyprexa is made by Eli Lilly and that the study was partly funded by this manufacturer and the National Institute of Mental Health. Sources other than the study authors are cited and provide some perspective on the treatment and outcome of the trial.

mixture

9604

21402

"""Michael Skindell Says that  in the recent year homeowners across Ohio have signed mineral rights agreements """"and I understand that over a billion dollars worth of leases have been signed to date."""

State Sen. Michael Skindell says oil, gas companies in Ohio have spent $1 billion plus on drilling leases

true

9605

34116

"""The daddy longlegs is the """"world's most poisonous animal."""

In the pantheon of venomous animals, the box jellyfish is a particularly bad creature for humans to encounter. With the realm of venomous spiders, the funnel web spider or the brown recluse spider are among the most dangerous to people.

false

9606

6102

Groups plan new lawsuit over Fairbanks-area air pollution.

Environmental groups say they are planning another lawsuit against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to push action in addressing air pollution in the Fairbanks North Star Borough.

true

9607

26096

“President Obama and Vice President Biden never even tried to fix this (police reforms) during their eight-year period.”

Trump’s claim ignores key initiatives and priorities of the Obama administration. After the 2014 fatal shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Mo., Obama created a task force to specifically identify better policing practices. Law enforcement and criminal justice experts said improving policing was a priority for the Obama administration and it investigated misconduct at local police departments.

false

9608

1895

Italy risks worst environmental disaster in 20 years.

Italy risks its worst environmental disaster in more than two decades if the 2,400 tonnes of thick fuel in the capsized Costa Concordia pollutes one of the Mediterranean’s most prized and pristine maritime reserves.

true

9609

14696

Since John F. Kennedy was assassinated in 1963, more Americans have died by gunfire within our own country than American servicemen and women who were killed in all our wars.

The Virginia Center for Public Safety says that since 1963, more Americans have been killed by gunfire than have been killed in all U.S. wars. Figures going back to 1968 show about 1.5 million firearms deaths have occurred since then. That doesn’t include data from gun deaths from 1963 to 1967, years for which figures aren’t available, so this is a conservative estimate on firearms deaths since Kennedy was assassinated. In contrast, a high-side figure for U.S. war deaths shows that about 1.4 million service members have been killed in conflicts.

true

9610

26664

"""Silver Solution used on strains of coronavirus """"totally eliminate it. Kills it. Deactivates it.”"""

"""Our ruling Sellman claimed that a Silver Solution used on strains of coronavirus """"totally eliminate it. Kills it. Deactivates it."""" Sellman claimed that a Silver Solution used on strains of coronavirus """"totally eliminate it. Kills it. Deactivates it."""" No, no, and no. No, no, and no. There are no pills or remedies that cure any strain of human coronavirus including COVID-19. In fact, Sellman’s """"silver solution,"""" and colloidal silver, can hurt you, and not just your wallet. There are no pills or remedies that cure any strain of human coronavirus including COVID-19. In fact, Sellman’s """"silver solution,"""" and colloidal silver, can hurt you, and not just your wallet."""

false

9611

10923

Keep an ovary, preserve a brain

"""There is mounting evidence that removing the ovaries early, prior to menopause, increases a woman’s risk of heart disease, fracture, and now, potentially, neurologic deficits. For these women, using estrogen replacement therapy may be beneficial to block these effects as well as treating symptoms. This story reports on the results of a large cohort study showing that women who had their ovaries removed prior to menopause had an increased risk of developing Parkinson’s Disease. This short piece adequately represents the novelty and availability of oophorectomy, sufficiently describes the harms of the procedure and does not engage in disease mongering. However, the story fails to describe the strength of the available evidence, does not quote multiple independent sources and does not describe any alternatives to the surgery. Most importantly, however, the story does not adequately quantify the harms of oophorectomy. Specifically, the story provides quantification in relative terms only by stating that """"surgical removal of the ovaries before menopause raises by half a woman’s risk of neurological problems."""" What that statement does not show is how rare those neurological problems are. By stating the increased risk in purely relative terms, the story appears to inflate the actual risk. See our primer on absolute versus relative risks."""

mixture

9612

3776

Top Kenya court dismisses British American Tobacco challenge.

Kenya’s Supreme Court on Tuesday dismissed a British American Tobacco challenge to regulations that charge the tobacco industry a fee to help compensate people affected by smoking.

true

9613

2627

Power walking falls between the ramble and the race.

If watching the London Olympics has sparked an interest in race walking, with its singular hip-swinging, rolling gait, but the pace is not right, consider power walking, its more easygoing cousin.

true

9614

4335

Cal State San Bernardino student diagnosed with TB.

Health officials say a California State University, San Bernardino, student has been diagnosed with tuberculosis and they’re urging about 400 students and employees to be tested.

true

9615

9313

Potential life-saving peanut allergy drug on horizon, scientists say

This Fox News story describes a new treatment for kids with peanut allergy called AR101, which could help protect against severe reactions to peanut ingestion. It’s one of two stories we reviewed about this important and newsworthy study. The other was from CNN. This story does not appear to contain original reporting. Instead it relies on a news release, including multiple quotes from the study authors, one using the unfortunate word “breakthrough.” Significantly, it doesn’t address costs or harms. Peanut allergy is one of the most common food allergies. It typically presents early in life, is known for severe reactions, and is rarely outgrown. There currently are no treatments for peanut allergy, besides emergency care in the event of a reaction. So a treatment with the potential to make reactions less severe is certainly of interest.

false

9616

7466

FDA probes accuracy issue with Abbott’s rapid virus test.

Federal health officials are alerting doctors to a potential accuracy problem with a rapid test for COVID-19 used at thousands of hospitals, clinics and testing sites across the U.S., including the White House.

true

9617

11592

Strips help snorers (and partners) sleep easier

"""This is a review of a column originally published in the Miami Herald but picked up in the Hartford Courant when we found it. Hardly a word is wasted in this 300-word evaluation of Breathe Right nasal strips’ effect on snoring. It’s informative and easy to read. It has clear consumer value and an explicit takeaway message. As the star rating shows, even in this brief space the item abides by most health journalism best practices. Unfortunately, the story has two serious flaws which nearly negate its excellent form and content: It fails to acknowledge that taken as a whole the evidence of benefit is equivocal, and some of the studies showing benefit are limited in significant ways (study size, methodology, lack of controls and consistent measures, etc.) The failure to dig for negative findings results in an inaccurate positive impression of the product’s effectiveness. This does not serve the public well. Interestingly, if the reporter had dug deeper and summarized the research findings more accurately, the consumer takeaway would be very similar: They might work, they probably don’t hurt, give them a try if you like. The second flaw of even greater consequence. The story implies, or at least permits a reading that suggests, Breathe Right strips can treat sleep apnea. The description of results from the Journal of Rhinology study are carefully worded: When used by people with snoring and sleep apnea, the strips """"reduced nasal obstruction"""" for most study subjects. This could be misread to mean the strips successfully treated apnea. This is not the case. Apnea is caused when muscles of the palate or other tissue collapse and block airflow to the trachea. It is not caused by nasal obstruction. The strips may have improved nasal airflow for people with apnea, but this isn’t relevant to the underlying disease mechanism. Apnea is a serious condition with cognitive, cardiovascular and overall health consequences. It can be deadly. Breathe Right strips cannot treat it. The item allows readers to believe it can. The approach taken in this item is excellent. More health journalism should embrace this """"concentrated"""" approach, paring out unnecessary information, avoiding conventional forms and focusing on consumer value. In a time of shrinking newshole and growing web distribution, this form can be very effective. But working in a tight, tailored format like this does not relieve health journalists of their most important obligations: Digging enough to find the truth, and protecting the public from harm. This item fails to do so."""

true

9618

18222

Wendy Davis Says 92 percent of Texas counties had no abortion provider in 2008.

Davis said that in 2008, 92 percent of Texas counties had no abortion provider. Her statement matched the Guttmacher Institute’s findings, which seem supported by the locations of Texas abortion facility license holders as of late June 2013. But the institute’s study also said it likely undercounted facilities, while presenting an arguably more meaningful statistic; 33 percent of Texas women of child-bearing age lived in counties lacking abortion providers, meaning more than 65 percent lived in a county with a provider. Davis’ statement lacked these clarifications.

true

9619

26767

“I certainly supported Barack Obama and Joe Biden. ... I was there both times for them.”

Mike Bloomberg defended Barack Obama in mid 2008 against attacks that Obama was anti-Israel. Bloomberg did not endorse Obama in 2008. Bloomberg endorsed Obama in 2012 in a post that included praise and criticism.

mixture

9620

9300

Mounting evidence demonstrates improved cognitive function from cocoa flavanol consumption

This content-light release has a lot of persuasive power. For an eight-week, 90-person study, it makes some overly broad claims. Reporters should be wary. The danger is that a vague release like this will be simplified to a misleading message such as, “To improve memory, consider chocolate.” CBC News has a terrific story about why that irresistible message is not accurate. The cocoa drink studied here isn’t chocolate at all, and it’s certainly far from what you’d find in a packet of Swiss Miss. And though we gave the release partial credit for mentioning in an editor’s note that this product isn’t commercially available, we think that caveat buried at the end will likely get lost in a lot of news coverage. It certainly did in this story based on the release that claims, “Chocolate may be good for your brain.”

mixture

9621

10978

Moms who take folic acid, iron have smarter kids

This story captures most of the good news from this study about the benefits of folic acid and iron supplementation in children in rural Nepal, but it skirts some of the thornier issues, namely the costs associated, the specific benefits and harms involved and the question of availability. We applaud the story for tackling an issue that is not U.S.-focused. We just wish a little more information had been included. Iron deficiency is a critically important public health problem worldwide, particularly in the developing world, and some studies have shown a link between iron deficiency and cognitive impairment. If vitamin and iron supplementation prove to be a low-cost and effective way to improve the lives of children in poor countries, we all will benefit.

false

9622

11162

Risk of death higher for prostate cancer patients with heart disease who use hormone therapy

A new study published in this week’s Journal of the American Medical Association supports more conservative use of hormone therapy in men with advanced prostate cancer who also have heart disease risk factors. Although it has been known for some time that hormone therapy increases the risk of heart disease, the new study suggests that any benefit hormone therapy may provide from treating the prostate cancer may be cancelled out by harms from heart disease, particularly in men who are already at high risk. In these men, the study found an overall increase in mortality related to the hormone therapy. This study may change the risk-benefit equation for many men considering hormone therapy. What is clear is that heart disease risk must be a part of that decision. This story, in only about 500 words, meets the basic standard for all of our criteria. It is comprehensive in listing the side effects and harms of hormone therapy, which are numerous and varied. It quotes multiple sources and explains the design of the current study. It does a good job of quantifying the risk of heart disease by providing multiple ways of expressing that risk, both absolute and relative terms. The story also mentions the monthly cost of the therapy of $1,400 and that it is taken for 4 months on average. The story could have been improved by providing more content on the pros and cons of the alternatives to hormone therapy such as radiation/brachytherapy and surgery. But, overall, this was a good demonstration of how a story can address our ten criteria even in a relatively short piece.

true

9623

35152

A homemade hand sanitizer made with Tito's Vodka can be used to fight the new coronavirus.

A number of DIY articles on the internet explain how to make homemade hand sanitizer. While some of these articles specified that vodka containing at least 60% alcohol was required to make an effective hand sanitizer, others simply stated that any vodka would do. Good Housekeeping, for instance, published an article on March 2 that told readers they could make homemade hand sanitizer with any “plain vodka.”

false

9624

287

The obscure advisory committees at the heart of the U.S. drug pricing debate.

Expectations were high last year for three new migraine drugs hitting the market from Amgen Inc, Eli Lilly and Co and Teva Pharmaceutical Industries.

true

9625

5847

Numbers show jump in STD cases at the University of Kansas.

New numbers show that cases of sexually transmitted diseases are on the rise at the University of Kansas.

true

9626

11300

Device’s trial run gets high praise

There’s nothing inherently wrong with a local newspaper story that lets readers know about local medical centers participating in a multi-center trial. But what can be wrong with such a story was seen in this story. It failed to:  provide any data on harms or benefits go beyond a single positive anecdote of patient success offer any independent perspective, interviewing only a single conflicted source include any estimate of costs of this approach which could be considerable. There must be a big promotional campaign underway for this device, since the substance of this story – and the timing of it – is very similar to one we reviewed on NBC just a few weeks ago. This is not the way journalism should cover new medical devices. What kind of an environment does such unquestioning storytelling create for public discussion and understanding of medical technology assessment and comparative effectiveness research? Journalism can help the public understand more about scrutinizing evidence, about potential harms and about costs. These factors were sorely missing in this story.

false

9627

26133

League of Conservation Voters Says Donald Trump has opposed plans to clean up “Toxic chemicals that cause cancer (that) are in the water …. (and) put Wisconsin at risk.”

The Trump Administration did release a statement opposing the PFAS Action Act  But the ad does not take into consideration previous legislation that Trump signed into law, which does combat the chemicals

mixture