Accurate information is the foundation of a functioning democracy.
Science Feedback is a worldwide network of scientists sorting fact from fiction in science based media coverage. Our goal is to help readers know which news to trust.
Latest Reviews
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InaccurateMisuse of drug tests on energy drinks like Red Bull produces false positives; doesn’t demonstrate these drinks contain cocaine and other drugs
Claim:
Red Bull contain cocaine and buprenorphine
Source: Facebook, TikTok, Social media users, 2023-11-06 -
InaccurateSocial media posts wrongly claim that herbs can cure every disease including cancer, diabetes, Alzheimer’s
Claim:
“There is a cure to every d!isease”; herbs can cure cancer, diabetes, Alzheimer’s
Source: Facebook, Social media users, 2023-11-06 -
InaccurateThere are no genetically modified organisms in the COVID-19 mRNA vaccines; no evidence these vaccines modify our DNA
Claim:
Unapproved genetically modified organisms in the COVID-19 mRNA vaccines could permanently change our DNA
Source: Dystopian Down Under, Julian Fidge, Rebekah Barnett, 2023-07-27 -
IncorrectElon Musk’s claim that ventilators killed COVID-19 patients confuses correlation with causation
Claim:
Ventilators, not COVID, killed hospitalized COVID patients
Source: The Joe Rogan Experience, Elon Musk, 2023-10-31 -
InaccurateSocial media post inaccurately claims natural remedy of garlic, onions, thyme, and lemon can replace the flu shot
Claim:
A soup made of garlic, onions, thyme, and lemon can replace the flu shot and cure other illnesses such as the common cold and norovirus
Source: Healthy Holistic Living, Anonymous, 2023-11-04 -
Inaccurate
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Health Reviews
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Inaccurate
Misuse of drug tests on energy drinks like Red Bull produces false positives; doesn’t demonstrate these drinks contain cocaine and other drugs
Claim:
Red Bull contain cocaine and buprenorphine
Source: Facebook, TikTok, Social media users, 2023-11-06
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Inaccurate
Social media posts wrongly claim that herbs can cure every disease including cancer, diabetes, Alzheimer’s
Claim:
“There is a cure to every d!isease”; herbs can cure cancer, diabetes, Alzheimer’s
Source: Facebook, Social media users, 2023-11-06 -
Inaccurate
There are no genetically modified organisms in the COVID-19 mRNA vaccines; no evidence these vaccines modify our DNA
Claim:
Unapproved genetically modified organisms in the COVID-19 mRNA vaccines could permanently change our DNA
Source: Dystopian Down Under, Julian Fidge, Rebekah Barnett, 2023-07-27
Insights
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Of the many factors that cause wildfires, the influence of climate change and human activities is growing
Although there are multiple things at play when it comes to wildfires, climate change is becoming increasingly important. Wildfires are the result of complex interactions between biophysical and human factors, and it only takes one poorly managed campfire to cause a serious, widespread wildfire disaster. Many wildfires are indeed the direct result of human activities. However, many more and much worse wildfires are now possible because of climate change, leading to greater environmental and economic negative impacts.
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What do we know about the safety of COVID-19 vaccine mRNA in breast milk?
The mRNA inCOVID-19 mRNA vaccines can enter breast milk. However, research only detected small amounts of it, which were mostly degraded and non-functional form. COVID-19 vaccines are beneficial to pregnant women because they are particularly at risk of severe disease and poorer pregnancy outcomes. Furthermore, breast milk from lactating women contains antibodies able to neutralize the COVID-19 virus, meaning that vaccinated women can pass on some protection against COVID-19 to their babies.
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Are phthalates causing a decline in male fertility?
Introduction According to an estimate published by the World Health Organization in April 2023, infertility affects roughly one in six…
Climate reviews
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UnsupportedNo convincing evidence that offshore wind activities explain the increase in whale deaths off the U.S. East Coast despite claims of a proven link by offshore wind energy opponents
Claim:
New documentary proves building offshore wind farms is responsible for the increase in whale deaths off the U.S. East Coast since 2016
Source: New York Post, Michael Shellenberger, 2023-08-23
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IncorrectCLINTEL group inaccurately represents climate science in its declaration of “no climate emergency” once again
Claim:
Global warming is just the end of the Little Ice Age; Warming is slower than climate models forecasted; Carbon dioxide is beneficial to Earth; Global warming is not intensifying or increasing the frequency of natural disasters
Source: The Epoch Times, Clintel, Naveen Athrappully, Viv Forbes, Richard Lindzen, Patrick Moore, Ian Plimer, Guus Berkhout, Christopher Monckton, Benoit Rittaud, 2023-08-19 -
IncorrectMagnetic poles reversals are not cataclysmic events as claimed in the ‘Adam and Eve’ theory discussed on Joe Rogan podcast
Claim:
Magnetic poles reversals involve the Earth flipping vertically and momentarily stopping its rotation, causing cataclysmic events during 6 days.
Source: Spotify, TikTok, The Joe Rogan Experience, Jimmy Corsetti, Joe Rogan, 2023-01-18
Analysis & Investigations
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Who’s Behind The (Mis)Leading Report?
Reputable news sources demonstrate transparency in all aspects of their operation. They disclose their sources of funding, identify staff who produce their content and clearly indicate their sources of information. If they commit errors, they openly acknowledge and correct these errors. Our investigation shows Leading Report exhibits none of these characteristics. The two individuals who run the website and its X/Twitter account appear to hold no relevant credentials in health, medicine or journalism.
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Authorities undertaking climate action targeted by viral “Climate lockdowns” narrative on social media
The increasing number of measures to limit greenhouse gas pollution that can be expected in the future will certainly present opportunities for future weaponization and misrepresentation. Writers, editors, and journalists should be aware of these manipulation tactics when discussing the aftermath of COVID-19 restrictions or future climate policies, knowing that some actors are trawling for any evidence to boost the manufactured ‘climate lockdown’ outrage.
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Misinformation superspreaders are thriving on Musk-owned Twitter
Key results 1. A study of 490 “misinformation superspreaders” (here defined as accounts that have repeatedly published popular tweets linking…