TOP 100 SCIENCE SITES
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| Video: Men – how to look hot on the dancefloor Scientists have identified the moves that make men irresistible – and the ones that make them look like their dads guardian.co.uk |
Fibbing With Numbers A science writer examines the many ways of fudging figures and statistics. feeds.nytimes.com |
Pioneer of In Vitro Fertilization Wins Nobel Prize Robert G. Edwards of Britain won the prize in medicine for a breakthrough that has helped millions to have children. feeds.nytimes.com |
The Nightingale Collaboration A new skeptical campaign launched at TAM London by Simon Singh, Alan Henness and Maria MacLachlan aims to put the screws on alternative medicine. (Guest announcement by Alan Henness and Maria MacLachlan)Misinformation about complementary and alternative therapies is rifeon the Internet, in newspapers and magazines and on the high streetand this misinformation misleads the public. It is particularlyimportant that the public have accurate information about healthcareso they can make informed choices.This misleading information won't disappear by itself: it needs to bechallenged.Complaints about chiropractors' website claims, made by Alan Henness,Simon Perry and others, have shown that it is possible to confront andhighlight misleading information, have it withdrawn and thoseresponsible held to account.The Nightingale Collaboration will continue this work and will shareknowledge and best practice with others and give them support andencouragement.Florence Nightingale is well known for her commitment to using robustevidence to decide what worked in improving healthcare. As the firstwoman to be elected to the Royal Statistical Society and on thecentenary of her death in 1910, the Nightingale Collaborationacknowledges her great legacy.AimsThe Nightingale Collaboration will work to improve the protection ofthe public by ensuring claims made about complementary and alternativetherapies are not misleading. We will do this by:challenging misleading claims made by practitioners on their websites,in adverts and in their promotional and sales materials and subjectingthese to scrutiny by the appropriate regulatory bodies;striving to ensure that organisations representing complementary andalternative practitioners have robust codes of conduct for theirmembers that protect the public and that these are rigorouslyenforced.MethodsThere are several different methods of working that will be used toachieve the Aims:A. Nightingale Collaboration Campaigns: conducted by NightingaleCollaboration personnel, gathering information, planning and executingthe campaign, with the support of volunteers where required. This typeof campaign would clearly be carried out in the name of theNightingale Collaboration.B. Associated Campaigns: we will collaborate with volunteers oncampaigns by providing advice and authorisation to ensure maximumimpact and liklihood of success. These campaigns will be publicised asbeing conducted in association with the Nightingale Collaboration.C. The Nightingale Collaboration will make tools and resourcesavailable so that others can pursue their own individual campaignswith maximum effect. These campaigns will be entirely separate fromthe Nightingale Collaboration.Volunteer rolesThere will be differing roles for volunteers, allowing for varyinglevels of commitment. Volunteers will be able to contribute accordingto their skills and whatever time commitment suits them.It will be very much a collaborative effort.Possible tasks include: Locating misleading information, whether that is on theInternet, in national or local press, in local clinics, etc.Gathering this misleading information in a legal and intelligent manner.Coordinating local campaigns.Submitting complaints to the appropriate regulatory bodies.Volunteer trainingThe Nightingale Collaboration will provide training for key volunteersto help them in their roles.Tools and resourcesThere will be Nightingale Collaboration tools, resources, advice andguidance available to volunteers, some of which will also be publiclyavailable to anyone who wants to act wholly independently.Code of ConductThere will be a code of conduct on how we obtain information and howwe deal with others so we maintain the moral high ground and keepwithin the law. All personnel and volunteers will be required to abideby it.ExpertsWe will have access to various experts who can advise us on legalmatters and supply authoritative advice on scientific evidence to usein our campaigns.The Nightingale CollaborationThe Nightingale Collaboration must be seen to be ethical, legal,authoritative, thorough and tenacious. This is so that we attract goodvolunteers and so that the Nightingale Collaboration is takenseriously — providers of misinformation must be clearly aware that wemean business. We must gain a reputation for effectiveness.More information will be released on the website over the coming weeksand months. To be kept informed, send an email toinfo@nightingale-collaboration.org or follow @NightingaleC on Twitter.Martin Robbinsguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds guardian.co.uk |
Contraceptive gel could offer alternative to pill Women in gel trials report no side effects often associated with the pill, such as weight gain and acneA new contraceptive gel that is applied directly to the skin could offer women an alternative to the pill, a study suggests.The clear gel is put on once a day and delivers a dose of hormones to prevent pregnancy. Women using the gel have reported none of the typical side effects associated with the pill, such as weight gain and acne.It is suitable for breastfeeding women, who are often warned not to take the combined pill because its hormone levels interfere with milk supply.The gel can be applied to the abdomen, thighs, arms or shoulders and is quickly absorbed, with no residue. Experts hope to bring it to market if clinical trial results continue to be positive.Dr Ruth Merkatz, director of clinical development of reproductive health at the not-for-profit Population Council research centre in New York, led the latest study on the gel, which involved 18 women in their 20s to 30s.Over the course of seven months, none of the women fell pregnant and the gel had "very high acceptability", she said.The research found the optimum dose was 3mg a day. "They only need to use a small quantity, once a day," Merkatz said. "From this small study we found it was effective."Merkatz, who is presenting the findings at the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, said the gel could enhance women's choices. "It is really helpful to have different ways of administering contraception."The key drug in the gel is Nestorone, a new type of progesterone. The product also contains a type of oestrogen that is chemically identical to the oestrogen produced by a woman's body. Both these hormones play an important role in pregnancy and the gel works by interfering with their normal patterns of production.Merkatz said Nestorone does not appear to have any of the negative effects seen in oral contraceptives, such as weight gain. "This could be a reason why women might choose it," she said. "It's in early-stage development but if we move on, we will obviously test it in many, many more women."Natika Halil, director of information at the Family Planning Association, said: "Any contraceptive system that increases the choice of methods available to women and helps to prevent unwanted pregnancies is welcome."Our research shows there are approximately 2 million women using a contraceptive method that they are unhappy with, so they will benefit from improved choices and options. This product won't suit everyone and will only be for women comfortable putting it on their skin and having their contraceptive cover that way."Simon Blake, chief executive of the sexual health charity Brook, said: "Obviously this is still in the very early stages of development but anything that can help young women has got to be a good thing. Clearly what young women need is more choice."The drug is being developed with the drug firm Antares Pharma. More than 3 million women in the UK use the pill, making it the most popular form of contraception for women.ReproductionMedical researchPregnancyHealthHealth & wellbeingFamilyguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds guardian.co.uk |