TOP 100 SCIENCE SITES
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| In defence of homeopathy As someone who has researched and published on the nocebo and placebo effect in homeopathy, I wonder why Ben Goldacre is so sure homeopaths cannot also be nocebo researchers (Bad science, 28 November). He may well be right that homeopathy does not work through the physical power of its pills. But if therapies were banned from the NHS not because they didn't work, but because they did not work through physical mechanisms, there would be no counselling or psychotherapy available. It seems to me that homeopaths are in a great position to say something interesting about both the placebo and the nocebo effects; and that it is those who seek to ban homeopathy from the NHS who live in a "reductionist one-dimensional" world.Bob WithersBrighton, East Sussex• If only patient satisfaction were the same as effectiveness (Letters, 30 November). Recently a friend of mine went to a local holistic clinic advertising "Stop Smoking in 24 Hours". She was smoking again in two days. "Would you go back there?" I asked. "Yes," she said, "they were very nice people." I asked the therapist how she knew the treatment worked. The therapist replied that she didn't do follow-up calls because it was a bit intrusive – but no one had ever come back to complain. As a responsible scientist, I rest my case.Professor Graham DaveySchool of psychology, University of Sussex• Earlier this year the World Health Organisation, in response to a letter from Voice of Young Science, condemned homeopathic practitioners who promote worthless remedies for malaria, tuberculosis and a range of other serious infectious diseases. Such behaviour is both mad and lethal. It is entirely irresponsible to suggest that any treatment promoted to the general public does not need scientific support.Roger FiskenBedale, North Yorkshire HealthNHSMedical researchguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2009 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds guardian.co.uk |
Vital Signs: RISKS: Fighting Diabetes With Lots of Espresso Coffee and tea drinkers are less likely to develop Type 2 diabetes than nondrinkers, a study found. feeds.nytimes.com |
Science Weekly: When plants bite back Prof Sue Hartley comes into the studio to discuss the battle between flora and flora. Sue is an ecologist at the University of Sussex specialising in the study of plant-animal interactions and will be presenting The 300 Million Year War: this year's Royal Institution Christmas lectures.This holiday season spare a thought for those who can't be with their loved ones ... especially those who are not even on this planet. Gregory Vogt, one of the authors of The Astronaut's Cookbook, tells us how to eat like a spaceman or woman. Post your comments below.Join our Facebook group. Listen back through our archive.Follow the podcast on our Science Weekly Twitter feed and receive updates on all breaking science news stories and comment from Guardian Science.Subscribe free via iTunes to ensure every episode gets delivered. (Here is the non-iTunes URL feed).Alok JhaAndy Duckworth guardian.co.uk |
NASA Announces Designs for Personal Flying Suit Forget the Segway. Leave that jet pack behind. NASA is working on a personal flying suit. feeds.nytimes.com |
In pictures Sniffer dogs: The conservationist's best friend news.bbc.co.uk |