Professor's Perspective
Shaving for a Cause
Pediatric cancer is more common than you might think: More than 16,000 kids in the United States will be diagnosed this year. […]
Professor’s Perspective
Professor's Perspective
Is Chocolate Actually Good at Relieving Coughs? Take a Look at the Science
Everyone loves chocolate, and nobody likes to cough, and some reputable sources are saying chocolate is better than cough medicine. But if you want to know what The Science really says, you have to read past the headlines. The best way to do that is to look at the actual study – where the information, originally came from. […]
Professor's Perspective
Food “Columbusing” and the Debate Over Cultural Appropriation
In the past few years there has been a great deal of popular and academic buzz over the notion of authenticity in cooking and who has the right to cook a particular cuisine. This is part of a larger debate over what is called cultural appropriation. […]
Professor's Perspective
“Straddling” in the Grocery Store Game
Whole Foods will not be opening additional 365 format stores, small-format 365 stores targeted at millennial shoppers. Why has this option floundered? […]
Professor's Perspective
Using Genetic Tests to Predict Medicine Responses—Don’t Do It
“Personalized” medicine sounds appealing. Rather than just guessing at what medication to try, a genetic test can figure out, in advance, which medications will be effective and which medications are more likely to make you sicker. Except it doesn’t work. […]
Professor's Perspective
New Fad Medicine: Release Active Drug
New alternative medicines called “release active drugs” (RAD) are hitting Russian markets. Dr. Steven Novella discusses what RADs are and why medical regulation is important. […]
Professor's Perspective
Draw to Remember Better
What’s the most effective memory trick? New studies now point to drawing as a mnemonic strategy, boosting memory performance. […]
Professor's Perspective
Cursed Movies? No. Confirmation Bias? Probably.
Why the singular of “data” is not “anecdote.” Many have heard of the “cursed” movies: Poltergeist I, II, and III, The Exorcist and others that brought misfortune and even death to those who worked on them. But is this the work of the supernatural, or confirmation bias? […]
Professor's Perspective
Air Dryers vs Paper Towels
Which hand drying method is the best, air or paper towel? The answer is more complicated than you might think – but do wash your hands. […]
Professor's Perspective
The Effect of Competition on Creativity
Can creative work be hindered or blossomed by a competitive working environment? A new study shows that there is a Goldilocks zone for ideal creative output. […]