The study of centenarians is one of the fastest evolving fields of gerontology. In a seemingly paradoxical counterpoint to their almost inevitable tally of frailties, this group is simultaneously endowed with a remarkable psychological and physical toughness: the meek and the weak have died at earlier ages, rather like the first waves of Mosquitos succumbing […]
Edzard Ernst: The “natural” equals “safe” fallacy
Things that are natural must be safe—this fallacy is deeply ingrained in our minds; it almost seems that, as human beings, we are hard-wired to believe this myth. An entire industry has developed around this claim: from toothpaste to wine, from dog-food to hand-cream, products are deemed to be better if they carry the label […]
Toby Pitts-Tucker: Reining in the euphoria—the public health legacy of London 2012
The success of the London 2012 Olympics rather took the country by surprise. Not only did team GB amass an unprecedented pile of gleaming gold, silver, and bronze, but also the whole event was remarkably smooth. Construction was delivered on time and on budget, the opening and closing ceremonies were a huge triumph and everyone […]
Emma Rourke reviews Horizon: Eat, Fast, and Live Longer
There’s a new intervention being trialled. It will help you lose weight, it will delay the potential onset of dementia, and best of all it will enable you to live in the fullest of health for longer. Perhaps the main virtues of this intervention centre on its sheer simplicity: it doesn’t involve putting any chemicals […]
Richard Smith: Did the future of scientific publishing happen?
Ten years ago editors and publishers from the BMJ produced four scenarios on how the future of scientific and medical publishing might look. After I read Des Spence’s column arguing that the BMJ pay wall should be taken down and Peter Suber’s editorial on open access. I thought that it would be fun to revisit […]
Richard Lehman’s journal review—13 August 2012
JAMA 8 Aug 2012 Vol 308 575 When Stephen Lock was editor of the BMJ, he banned the expression “further research is needed” on the grounds that further research is always needed. Here is a piece by John Oiannidis which argues that further research is very often badly needed—and that it is very often instantly […]
Judit Rius Sanjuan: Do no harm—how a US led free trade agreement threatens the prospects for an AIDS free generation
The theme of the 19th International AIDS Conference that took place in Washington, DC recently was “Turning the Tide Together.” It captured the inspiring optimism and momentum around HIV/AIDS. Fuelled by new science showing that a combination of prevention and treatment tools can start reversing the AIDS epidemic if implemented at scale, and buoyed by […]
Richard Hurley: Extreme pornography and how doctors became the arbiters of decency
This week, the defendant in the latest in a spate of obscenity trials in the UK was found not guilty on all counts (see links to other recent cases in The Daily Telegraph and Guardian newspapers). Summing up, Judge Nicholas Price QC asked the jury to focus on the testimony of medical experts in reaching its verdict. The prior Labour […]
Domhnall MacAuley: Olympic fatigue syndrome
Square eyes and pressure sores. Emotional exhaustion. Sensory overload. These Olympics are overwhelming. I need a rest. But, expecting symptoms of withdrawal in a few days. Thank goodness we haven’t had much input from doctors. Steve Peters, a psychiatrist who has been involved with international cycling for many years, did appear to tell us about […]
John Davies: “Sexist and ridiculous” synchronised swimming
At the Aquatics, the synchronized swimming events have started. I will get myself into trouble with what I say about these, but to me they are sexist, ridiculous and lacking in any of the artistic merit they strive for. But they are extraordinary displays of athleticism! […]