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Science News Review

Thursday
28 August 2008

Science news for the average citizen.

Another Example of Irresponsible Science News?

Continuing the theme of bad science writing - confusing or completely ridiculous headlines, absurd assertions of fact and fancy, questionable conclusions, etc. - take a look at the screenshot below of the BBC website’s lead story in their ‘Health’ section this past Monday…

Now, it might give you a chuckle, as it did me. But come on, folks… I hereby add ‘Irresponsible Use of Illustration’ in science news reporting as yet another category for the Science News Booby Prizes at year’s end. After last week’s sordid destruction of Nobel Laureate James Watson’s storied career as a notorious bigot, this sort of thing can definitely make one wonder what the heck these science reporters are thinking.

If they are in fact thinking at all.

BBC News: Health

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Beware The Bong: Paraphernalia Addiction

Plus… DNA Pioneer Watson Steps in it Again

This week there are a couple of notably humorous science news stories making the rounds, to the delight of all science-watchers who sometimes suspect that scientists take themselves way, way too seriously.

hookah

First up we have researchers at the University of Memphis informing us that Water pipe use is as addictive as smoking.

Whoa! Who’d have thought that the pipe you smoke is as addictive as what you’re smoking through it? Yet this is just what Dr. Wasim Maziak warns…

“As water pipe use is increasing throughout Europe and North America it is very important that we initiate comprehensive research efforts to combat this looming epidemic,” Maziak said in a statement.

Don’t laugh too hard. Someone funded this research, and it was probably us.

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