Free Associations

Free Associations

Population Health Exchange

Free Associations is about using a critical eye when reading journal articles or news coverage about research breakthroughs. With a sense of humor and a healthy dose of skepticism Boston University School of Public Health faculty Matt Fox, Jessica Leibler, and guests talk us through popular health studies and hyperbolic news headlines while teaching us how to ask the right questions. Music: "Duress" by Ketsa under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0.

Episode 151: The Role of Advocacy and Activism in Public Health

Episode 151: The Role of Advocacy and Activism in Public Health

In an expansive, thought-provoking discussion ahead of the pivotal changes in Washington, DC, Matt, Jess and guest host Michael Stein discuss the role of advocacy and activism in public health and the changing views on the role of public health in society. (This discussion was originally part of the December episode, but we felt the subject matter was both timely and relevant enough to highlight on its own.)

Jan 17, • 27:48

Episode 150: Menopausal Hormone Replacement Therapy and the Role of Activism

Episode 150: Menopausal Hormone Replacement Therapy and the Role of Activism

Matt, Jess and guest host Michael Stein discuss a paper that reviews the results of a series of trials that were highly influential in a move away from use of menopausal hormone replacement therapy, but newer analyses suggest the implications maybe be more nuanced than that. Study Link: Women’s Health Initiative Reviews In the second segment (29:30), Matt, Jess and guest host Michael Stein discuss the role of advocacy and activism in public health and what the future holds for both as the admini

Dec 23, 2024 • 57:22

Outdoor Light Pollution and Alzheimer’s disease

Outdoor Light Pollution and Alzheimer’s disease

In a new format for the “Free Associations” podcast, we split our usual podcast into two bite-sized morsels. In the first segment, Jess, Matt and guest host Salma discuss an article that examines the effect of nighttime ambient light on risk of Alzheimer’s disease.   Journal club article: Alzheimer’s Disease Study     In the second segment, Jess, Matt and Salma discuss what attending a predatory conference is like and Salma explains why we should (or maybe shouldn’t) care about a rehabilitated b

Nov 19, 2024 • 25:44

The effects of early cessation of oxytocin

The effects of early cessation of oxytocin

Matt, Jess, and guest host Salma Abdalla discuss a study of early discontinuation of oxytocin during delivery, they try to predict the future of journals alongside a mass editorial board resignation, and Matt and Salma reveal their love for octopuses. Journal club article: Oxytocin discontinuation study

May 21, 2024 • 1:01:21

Tweets and changes in racial sentiments

Tweets and changes in racial sentiments

Matt, Jess, and guest host Allegra Gordon discuss a study using tweets to see if there have been changes in racial sentiment over time, they debate whether in-person or remote work is better for paradigm shifts, and Allegra tells us how birds are smarter than people who don’t want birds nesting on their roofs. Journal club article: Twitter and racial sentiment study Download Transcript

Apr 23, 2024 • 54:13

Human mobility and economic segregation

Human mobility and economic segregation

Matt, Jess, and guest host Jonathan Jay discuss a study using cell phone data to see if living in cities gives us better economic integration, they explore whether AI will be developing our hypotheses in the future, and Matt naps with penguins. Journal club article: Human mobility and economic segregation study

Mar 26, 2024 • 58:54

Workplace interventions for cardiometabolic health

Workplace interventions for cardiometabolic health

Matt, Jess, and guest host Amruta Nori-Sarma examine a study testing the effect of a workplace intervention for cardiometabolic health, they discuss mental health as a human right, and Amruta tells us about the power of Taylor Swift. Journal club article: Workplace intervention for cardiometabolic health study

Feb 27, 2024 • 56:19

A blood-based screening for cancer?

A blood-based screening for cancer?

Matt, Jess, and guest host Salma Abdalla discuss a study testing the efficacy of a blood-based cancer screening tool, they debate the role of the workplace in mental health, and Salma sees if she can pronounce the word “bubbles” while sounding angry. Journal club article: Blood-based cancer screening study

Jan 30, 2024 • 54:32

Do taxes and warning labels affect meat purchases?

Do taxes and warning labels affect meat purchases?

Matt, Jess, and first-time guest host Allegra Gordon discuss a study of the effect of taxes and warning labels on purchases of red meat, they lament the impact of disinformation campaigns, and Matt tells us how AI is going to take our grant writing jobs. Journal club article: Taxes and warning labels on red meat purchases study

Jan 2, 2024 • 56:41

Neighborhood environment and childhood physical fitness

Neighborhood environment and childhood physical fitness

Matt, Jess, and guest host Jonathan Jay discuss a study on child opportunity in the built environment and physical fitness, they debate whether to get rid of discussion sections, and Jon invites us to consider the Golden Bachelor. Journal club article: Neighborhood child opportunity and youth physical fitness study

Dec 5, 2023 • 57:13

Wildfires and medical visits

Wildfires and medical visits

Matt, Jess, and guest host Amruta Nori-Sarma examine a study of the effect of proximity to wildfires on medical visits, they discuss housing as harm reduction, and Matt goes to Olive Garden. Journal club article: Wildfire exposure and health care study

Oct 3, 2023 • 57:23

Can hearing aids prevent dementia?

Can hearing aids prevent dementia?

Matt, Jess, and guest host Salma Abdalla examine a study on the use of hearing aids to prevent dementia, they discuss whether loneliness is a public health problem (and, as usual, descend into talking about COVID), and Salma tells us the difference between coffee and concrete. Journal club article: Hearing aid and dementia study

Sep 5, 2023 • 57:24

A breakthrough for meningitis vaccination?

A breakthrough for meningitis vaccination?

Matt and Jess go solo and Jess hosts for the first time! They discuss a study of the effectiveness of a new meningitis vaccine, whether active shooter drills do anything more than scare kids, and debate the best movie candy. Journal club article: Meningitis vaccine study

Aug 1, 2023 • 53:49

The Best of Amazing and Amusing V (Chris Gill Edition)

The Best of Amazing and Amusing V (Chris Gill Edition)

We are taking a one-month break this summer. Please enjoy this “best of” episode celebrating Chris’ contributions to the podcast.

Jun 27, 2023 • 1:00:59

Is coffee bad for your heart?

Is coffee bad for your heart?

Matt, Jess, and Chris examine a crossover study of the effects of coffee consumption on heart health, they discuss the commercial determinants of health, and Chris gives a heartfelt goodbye to the podcast and to BU. Journal club article: Coffee consumption and heart health study

May 30, 2023 • 1:01:50

Did we have any effect on COVID?

Did we have any effect on COVID?

Matt, Jess, and Chris discuss a complex ecologic study on the effect of various interventions for COVID, they debate whether living evidence syntheses can save science, and Chris updates us on what killed Beethoven. Journal club article: COVID-19 interventions study

May 2, 2023 • 56:14

Do masks work for COVID?

Do masks work for COVID?

Matt, Jess, and Chris examine a meta-analysis on whether masks reduce respiratory virus transmission, they discuss the peer review madness, and Jess tells us about vibrating pills. Journal club article: Masks to reduce the spread of respiratory viruses study

Apr 4, 2023 • 58:02

Gestational age at birth and cognitive outcomes

Gestational age at birth and cognitive outcomes

Matt, Jess, and Chris discuss a study on the impact of gestational age at birth and cognitive outcomes, they debate who should be an author on an academic publication, and Jess tells us whether fish can recognize themselves. Journal club article: Gestational age and cognitive outcomes study

Mar 7, 2023 • 1:05:12

Are magic mushrooms the answer to severe depression?

Are magic mushrooms the answer to severe depression?

Matt, Jess, and Chris discuss a phase 2 clinical trial on the use of psilocybin to treat severe depression, they lament the state of health literacy, and Chris finds out what happens when you give drugs to spiders. Journal club article: Psilocybin for major depression study

Feb 7, 2023 • 59:33

The best of Amazing and Amusing IV

The best of Amazing and Amusing IV

Please enjoy this compilation of the best of Amazing and Amusing. Regular episodes will return in February.

Jan 10, 2023 • 48:00

RSV during the COVID pandemic

RSV during the COVID pandemic

Matt, Jess, and guest host Leo Martinez discuss a study on the respiratory syncytial virus during the pandemic, they debate the value of the evidence in preprints, and Jess redesigns the urinal. Journal club article: Respiratory syncytial virus study

Dec 13, 2022 • 58:38

Effects of racism on health in New Zealand

Effects of racism on health in New Zealand

Matt, Jess, and guest host Collette Ncube examine a study using different types of measurement to look at the effects racism has on health outcomes in New Zealand, they discuss what makes for a good research question when it comes to studying health disparities, and Jess teaches us how to hold a baby if you want them to sleep. Journal club article: Experiences of racism in New Zealand study

Nov 15, 2022 • 54:58

Synergistic mindsets to reduce stress

Synergistic mindsets to reduce stress

Matt, Jess, and guest host Sarah Lipson examine a study on synergistic mindsets to reduce stress in adolescents, they discuss what it’s like to study mental health, and Matt makes a friendly wager. Journal club article: Synergistic mindsets study

Oct 18, 2022 • 56:06

Redlining and preterm birth

Redlining and preterm birth

Matt, Jess, and guest host Jonathan Jay examine a study on the impact of historical redlining and structural racism on preterm birth rates in New York City, they discuss firearm research in the US, and Jess enlightens us on the smellscape. Journal club article: Redlining and preterm birth study

Sep 20, 2022 • 49:51

All the pretty COVID models

All the pretty COVID models

Matt, Chris (that’s right, he’s back for an episode), and guest host Brooke Nichols review one of the earliest COVID modelling papers, they discuss the importance and value of COVID models in general, and Brooke tells us why we should care about losing our hats. Journal club article: SARS-COV-2 modelling study

Aug 23, 2022 • 56:07

Cyclones and health

Cyclones and health

Matt, Jess, and guest host Amruta Nori-Sarma examine the impact of cyclones on mortality in the US, they discuss the uneven impacts of global climate change, and Jess tells us what we will be eating in the future. Journal club article: Cyclones and mortality study

Jul 26, 2022 • 59:44

Cardiovascular risk factors in childhood

Cardiovascular risk factors in childhood

Matt, Jess, and guest host Marcia Pescador Jimenez discuss the impact of cardiovascular risk factors in childhood and their relation to cardiovascular events as adults, they review the benefits of vaccination after infection with COVID, and Marcia tells a spooky story. Journal club article: Childhood cardiovascular risk factors study

Jun 28, 2022 • 55:38

Acetaminophen and blood pressure

Acetaminophen and blood pressure

Matt, Jess, and guest host Junenette Peters examine a study on whether acetaminophen (paracetamol) increases blood pressure, they discuss what the best measure of the impact of the pandemic is, and Jess wonders what a world of all electric cars would be like. Journal club article: Acetaminophen and blood pressure study

May 31, 2022 • 51:06

Did the NFL defeat COVID?

Did the NFL defeat COVID?

Matt, Jess, and returning guest host Jacey Greece consider how well the NFL did with their COVID protocols, they discuss intervention mapping with respect to implementation science, and Jacey questions the rankings of math departments. Journal club article: NFL and COVID study

May 3, 2022 • 54:02

Pesticides and glioma?

Pesticides and glioma?

Matt and Jess go it alone this week and discuss a study looking at whether pesticide ingestion on fruit and vegetables increases the risk for glioma, they examine the rise in pandemic preprints, and Jess pays tribute to bringing your whole self to work. Journal club article: Pesticide residue and glioma study

Apr 5, 2022 • 54:20

Is free fruit and veg enough?

Is free fruit and veg enough?

Matt, Jess, and guest host Jacey Greece examine a study looking at whether giving free fruit and vegetables to school kids in Norway reduces BMI, they discuss the COVID new normal, and Jess gives Matt nightmares about orcas and egg salad. Journal club article: School fruit and vegetable study

Mar 8, 2022 • 57:06

A strong case for a viral cause of multiple sclerosis

A strong case for a viral cause of multiple sclerosis

Matt, Chris, and Don discuss a study looking at whether the very common Epstein-Barr virus is causally related to multiple sclerosis, they debate about a vaccine misinformation juggernaut, and Chris has the most random facts about Utrecht. Journal club article: Epstein-Barr virus and multiple sclerosis study

Feb 22, 2022 • 46:44

What can VAERS tell us about vaccine exemptions?

What can VAERS tell us about vaccine exemptions?

Matt, Chris, and Don examine a study that looked at whether changes in reports to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System are linked to a vaccine exemption change in California (before COVID), they discuss the implications of poor vaccination coverage surveys, and Don shows us that computers can be used for plagiarism, but there are often telltale signs. Journal club article: Vaccine exemption policy study

Feb 8, 2022 • 54:46

Could a bigger house prevent hypertension?

Could a bigger house prevent hypertension?

Matt, Chris, and Jess discuss a study looking at the relationship between livable space and hypertension, they consider what we have learned from the 2001 anthrax attacks in the US, and Matt has a quiz. Journal club article: Livable residential space study

Jan 25, 2022 • 50:02

HIV self-testing kits in Zambia

HIV self-testing kits in Zambia

Matt, Chris, and Jess examine a study looking at whether giving pregnant women HIV self-testing kits can increase HIV testing and access to care for male partners in Zambia, they discuss using confidence intervals to judge null results, and Chris solves a musical medical mystery. Journal club article: HIV self-test kits study

Jan 11, 2022 • 52:06

Daily COVID testing in schools

Daily COVID testing in schools

Matt, Chris, and Don examine a study of the effect of daily COVID-19 testing in the UK for school contacts to stay in school rather than isolate, they discuss issues of equity in the COVID-19 crisis, and Don has thoughts on how to clear your sinuses. Journal club article: Daily COVID testing study

Dec 28, 2021 • 47:12

Does HPV vaccination prevent cervical cancer in the UK?

Does HPV vaccination prevent cervical cancer in the UK?

Matt, Chris, and Don examine a study of the effect of the UK’s HPV vaccination policy, they discuss the dangers of meta-analyses in relation to Ivermectin, and Matt gets catty. Journal club article: HPV vaccination study

Dec 14, 2021 • 47:33

COVID-19, heart attacks, and stroke

COVID-19, heart attacks, and stroke

Matt, Chris, and Jess discuss a complex study of the effect of COVID-19 on heart attacks and strokes, they discuss the mild influenza season (or at least Matt and Jess do), and Chris tells us how many fish we need to catch to decide the color of the fish in the lake. Journal club article: COVID and CVD study

Nov 30, 2021 • 53:24

Convalescent plasma and COVID

Convalescent plasma and COVID

Matt, Chris, and Jess examine a study of the effect of convalescent plasma on recovery from COVID-19, they discuss the implications of an increase in gun violence prevention research funding, and Matt gets lyrical. Journal club article: Convalescent plasma study

Nov 16, 2021 • 50:09

The Doppler Effect

The Doppler Effect

Matt, Chris, and Don discuss a study on whether or not Doppler ultrasound has played a role in declining fetal mortality in Norway, they talk about vaccine sharing, and Matt explains just how his getting older is preventing him from preparing for this show. Journal club article: Doppler ultrasound study

Nov 2, 2021 • 49:55

Cannabis and car crashes

Cannabis and car crashes

Matt, Chris, and Don discuss a study on the role of cannabis in car crashes, they talk about something called “lay epidemiology”, and Chris gets mellow. Journal club article: Cannabis and car crashes study

Oct 19, 2021 • 56:40

White privilege and health

White privilege and health

Matt and guest hosts Lori Dean and Dustin Duncan discuss a study on how white privilege affects health, they talk through the role of neighborhoods and health, and Lori tells us about her new favorite TV show. Journal club article: White privilege and health study

Oct 5, 2021 • 56:55

Migraine prevention AND treatment?

Migraine prevention AND treatment?

Matt and guest hosts Michelle Caunca and Sarah Ackley discuss a study on a new treatment to stop migraines, they talk about stitching together multiple datasets to study lifecourse epidemiology, and Michelle tells us about how doctors react to observational epidemiology. Journal club article: Migraine treatment study

Sep 21, 2021 • 59:32

Obamacare and medical debt

Obamacare and medical debt

Matt, Jess, and guest host Erica Walker discuss a study on whether The Affordable Care Act reduced medical debt, they consider the role epidemiologists play in communicating information about COVID, and Erica fights off various wild animals. Journal club article: ACA and medical debt study

Sep 7, 2021 • 45:50

Do sugar taxes really work to reduce sugar consumption?

Do sugar taxes really work to reduce sugar consumption?

Matt and guest hosts Hoda S. Abdel Magid and Geetika Kalloo discuss a study on whether a tax on sugar sweetened beverages reduces consumption in South Africa, they talk through ethical guidelines for peer reviewers, and Simone Biles makes a return appearance. Journal club article: Sugar sweetened beverage tax study

Aug 24, 2021 • 55:59

Do birthdays cause COVID?

Do birthdays cause COVID?

Matt and guest hosts Bertha Hidalgo and Rachel Widome review a study on whether COVID transmission was more likely after a birthday, they discuss teaching epidemiology online, and Matt is pretty shocked by how much a journal costs. Journal club article: COVID and birthdays study

Aug 10, 2021 • 50:53

More nurses, fewer deaths?

More nurses, fewer deaths?

Matt and Chris (in another summer two-person episode) review a new study on whether mandating the nurse to patient ratios can improve hospital outcomes, discuss what happened with the FDA approval of aducanumab, and Chris give us all the haikus he can. Journal club article: Nurse to patient ratio study

Jul 27, 2021 • 48:23

Infecting mosquitos with a bacteria to prevent a virus?

Infecting mosquitos with a bacteria to prevent a virus?

Matt and Chris (in a rare two-person episode) examine a study that tested infecting mosquitos with Wolbachia to prevent dengue, discuss whether we should be training students in “legal epidemiology”, and Chris tells us what happens when we drink with strangers. Journal club article: Wolbachia and dengue study

Jul 13, 2021 • 54:21

MDMA for PTSD?

MDMA for PTSD?

Matt, Chris, and Don discuss a study on the effectiveness of MDMA for treatment of PTSD, they look at whether electronic passports for COVID vaccination are ethical and legal, and Matt goes into the history of peer review. Journal club article: MDMA for severe PTSD study

Jun 29, 2021 • 55:03

Is this show going down the tubes?

Is this show going down the tubes?

Matt, Chris, and Don discuss a study on the effectiveness of ear tubes for ear infections, they consider the role of funders in international research, and Don goes cicada hunting. Journal club article: Tympanostomy tubes for ear infections

Jun 15, 2021 • 59:36

A new drug for weight loss?

A new drug for weight loss?

Matt, Chris, and Jess examine a study of using a diabetes medication for weight loss for obesity, they discuss whether Africa needs unique solutions to COVID-19, and Jess is a bit sheepish. Journal club article: Weight loss treatment study

Jun 1, 2021 • 57:05

Addressing malnutrition through the microbiome

Addressing malnutrition through the microbiome

Matt, Chris, and Jess look at a study of whether or not a new microbiota-driven supplement does better at combatting malnutrition than traditional approaches, they discuss the importance of code review, and Matt looks to the future on mRNA vaccines. Journal club article: Food intervention study

May 18, 2021 • 57:35

More walkies for health? Pets and diabetes

More walkies for health? Pets and diabetes

Matt, Chris, and Don discuss a study that asks whether pets and humans get diabetes in pairs, they debate who got the best of the new deal between Elsevier and University of California, and Chris and Matt share a love of a specific food. Journal club article: Pets and diabetes study

May 4, 2021 • 47:05

Is the key to concussions in saliva?

Is the key to concussions in saliva?

Matt, Chris, and Don look at some new research on whether a saliva test can detect concussions, they discuss how to take down the anti-vaxx industry, and Matt gets saucy. Journal club article: Concussions study

Apr 20, 2021 • 51:04

The self-controlled podcast

The self-controlled podcast

Matt, Chris, and Jess examine a study that looks at whether opioids increase the risk of fractures, they discuss what is likely to happen with measles when COVID is over, and Matt worries about lawsuits. Journal club article: Opioids and fractures study

Apr 6, 2021 • 51:18

Quit clowning around

Quit clowning around

Matt, Chris, and Jess may be freaked out by clowns but apparently they help kids with pain, they discuss the ethics of paying people to get vaccinated, and Chris goes out of this world. Journal club article: Clown study

Mar 23, 2021 • 59:13

Would you take half a vaccine?

Would you take half a vaccine?

Matt, Chris, and Don examine a study that looks at whether smaller doses of yellow fever vaccine do just as well, they discuss whether one of the COVID vaccines is related to allergic reactions, and Chris gives us his best take on vaccines. Journal club article: Fractional dosing of yellow fever vaccine study

Mar 9, 2021 • 59:52

Getting spicy! Does spicy food cause or prevent GI cancers?

Getting spicy! Does spicy food cause or prevent GI cancers?

Matt, Chris, and Don discuss a study that looks at whether spicy foods prevent gastrointestinal cancers in China, they debate the role of social media in public health messaging, and Matt repeats himself, yet again. Journal club article: Spicy food and GI cancer study

Feb 23, 2021 • 57:26

Cannabis in the driver's seat

Cannabis in the driver's seat

Matt, Chris, and Jess examine a study that looks at whether cannabis reduces the ability to drive well, they discuss whether COVID is affecting just the elderly, and Jess shows us she’s an animal lover. Journal club article: Cannabis and driving study

Feb 9, 2021 • 46:54

The C-section implications

The C-section implications

Matt, Chris, and Jess discuss a study that looks at whether babies born by C-section are more likely to have infectious illnesses after birth, they debate who should be allowed to critique public health (and who even is public health?), and Chris quizzes us on traffic. Journal club article: Mode of birth and infections study

Jan 26, 2021 • 57:32

The best of Amazing and Amusing III

The best of Amazing and Amusing III

Please enjoy this compilation of the best of Amazing and Amusing. Regular episodes will return in two weeks.

Jan 12, 2021 • 56:07

Short break: back in two weeks!

Short break: back in two weeks!

Happy Holidays! We took a break from recording this week. We’ll be back in 2 weeks with another episode. Wishing you all the best in the new year!

Dec 29, 2020 • 0:32

Live with Dean Sandro Galea

Live with Dean Sandro Galea

Matt, Chris, and Don are joined by Dean Sandro Galea for a live episode where we discuss a study that looks at whether decreases in COVID mortality are due to improvements in treatment, take audience questions, and Don measures our ears. Journal club article: Trends in COVID-19 mortality study

Dec 15, 2020 • 56:55

Survival after bariatric surgery

Survival after bariatric surgery

Matt, Chris, and Don discuss a study that looks at whether survival after bariatric surgery is increasing, they lament patterns of prescribing hydroxychloroquine, and Matt gets prideful. Journal club article: Bariatric surgery study

Dec 1, 2020 • 53:25

Vaccine misinformation blues

Vaccine misinformation blues

Matt, Chris, and Don examine a study that looks at whether social media micro-influencers can increase flu vaccine uptake, they discuss an alliance of western states to review COVID vaccine safety data, and Chris gets batty. *Editor’s note: Horseshoe bats are insectivores, not fruit bats. Journal club article: Micro-influencers study

Nov 17, 2020 • 52:26

Should I stay or should I go? Resuscitation and transport

Should I stay or should I go? Resuscitation and transport

Matt, Chris, and Jess go over a study that looks at whether it is better to try to resuscitate people on site or transport them to hospital, they discuss whether there is a role for a precision approach in public health, and Chris tells us about his back yard. Journal club article: Transport and resuscitation study

Nov 3, 2020 • 50:01

Will convalescent plasma cure COVID?

Will convalescent plasma cure COVID?

Matt, Chris, and Jess discuss a study on whether plasma from those who have recovered from COVID can be used to treat people with COVID, they explore whether masks might actually help make people immune to SARS-CoV-2, and Jess has the solution to forgetting your mask at home (though maybe not for everyone). Journal club article: Convalescent plasma study

Oct 20, 2020 • 53:16

Does vaccinating moms against RSV protect babies?

Does vaccinating moms against RSV protect babies?

Matt, Chris, and Don examine a study that looks at whether vaccinating mothers against RSV prevents their babies from getting infected, they discuss attacks on health workers in the time of COVID, and Chris brings us all down with a new COVID study. Journal club article: Maternal RSV vaccination study

Oct 6, 2020 • 51:06

Is Vitamin D a magic cure-all or a bust?

Is Vitamin D a magic cure-all or a bust?

Matt, Chris, and Don discuss a study that looks at whether vitamin D can prevent getting tuberculosis, they debate whether citation hacking is really a thing, and Don reminds us all that there is still amusement in the amazing and amusing. Journal club article: Vitamin D and TB prevention study

Sep 22, 2020 • 56:14

A treatment to prevent influenza?

A treatment to prevent influenza?

Matt, Chris, and Jess discuss a study that looks at using an influenza treatment for prevention in exposed contacts, they debate whether we should be using lotteries to decide who gets scarce coronavirus treatments, and Matt shows he really does read the reference section. Journal club article: Influenza prevention study

Sep 8, 2020 • 52:29

The pro vs anti probiotics showdown

The pro vs anti probiotics showdown

Matt, Chris, and Jess examine a study that looks at the effectiveness of probiotics in those in care homes, they discuss cognitive biases in relation to decisions about COVID policies, and Jess wows us with her first Amazing and Amusing. Journal club article: Probiotics study

Aug 25, 2020 • 1:01:45

Gun ownership and suicide in California

Gun ownership and suicide in California

Don, Chris, and Matt examine a study that looks at the impact of gun ownership and risk of suicide in California, they discuss whether we should be doing trials of coronavirus policies, and Matt proves he doesn’t know a thing about hens. Journal club article: Handguns and suicide study

Aug 11, 2020 • 57:17

Could vaccines for other infectious diseases help with COVID?

Could vaccines for other infectious diseases help with COVID?

Don and Chris are back with Matt to go over a study that looks at the impact on survival in those who got tuberculosis and smallpox vaccination in Denmark, they discuss whether it is ethical to expose people to coronavirus in vaccine trials, and Chris gets snotty. Journal club article: BCG and vaccinia vaccination study

Jul 28, 2020 • 57:52

Does one pregnancy complication predict another?

Does one pregnancy complication predict another?

Matt welcomes guests Nedghie Adrien and Julie Petersen to discuss a study that looks at whether having a complication in a first pregnancy predicts having one in a second, they debate whether anyone should make clinical decisions based on non-significant trial results, and Nedghie updates us on the latest in toilet technology. Journal club article: Pregnancy complications study

Jul 14, 2020 • 59:32

Did Netflix’s 13 Reasons Why lead to suicides?

Did Netflix’s 13 Reasons Why lead to suicides?

Matt welcomes guests Lisa Bodnar and Jaimie Gradus to discuss a study that looks at the impact of the Netflix series 13 Reasons Why on suicides, they discuss whether epidemiologists should be called “Doctor”, and Lisa finally uses the word ‘twizpipe’ correctly. Journal club article: 13 Reasons Why study

Jun 30, 2020 • 52:23

A new treatment for adolescent obesity?

A new treatment for adolescent obesity?

Matt, Jen, and guest Hailey Banack from The University of Buffalo discuss a study that looks at the effect of a new drug to treat adolescent obesity, they discuss the rise of armchair epidemiologists, and Jen reminds us of a past public health success. Journal club article: Adolescent obesity study

Jun 16, 2020 • 52:38

Which is worse, social media or eating potatoes?

Which is worse, social media or eating potatoes?

Matt, Jen, and guest Kerry Keyes from Columbia University discuss a study that looks at the effect of digital media on health of adolescents, they debate whether COVID research is moving too fast, and Kerry warns us about taking medical advice from cartoons. Journal club article: Digital media and mental health study

Jun 2, 2020 • 50:31

Is fish oil all that useful?

Is fish oil all that useful?

Matt, Jen, and guest Laura Sampson discuss a study that looks at the effect of fish oil on cardiovascular disease, they get into the weeds on the proportional hazards assumption (no hate mail please), and Matt sits down to do some coloring. Journal club article: Fish oil study

May 19, 2020 • 54:19

Is it worth the risk to bike to work?

Is it worth the risk to bike to work?

Matt, Jen, and guest Laura Sampson examine a study that looks at the risk of accidents from cycling to work, they discuss an impressive response to a mistake in a research study, and Laura gives us the skinny on doctors’ coffee consumption habits. Journal club article: Cycling and accidents study

May 5, 2020 • 57:16

Are C-sections increasing BMI in kids?

Are C-sections increasing BMI in kids?

Matt, Jen, and guest Jennifer Weuve discuss a study that looks at whether elective and non-elective C-sections are leading to increased BMI in kids, they discuss a blog that asks whether bad statistical practices are crowding out good ones, and Matt breaks out his dance moves. Journal club article: C-section study

Apr 21, 2020 • 1:00:50

Can kids with chicken pox protect you from shingles?

Can kids with chicken pox protect you from shingles?

Matt, Jen, and guest host Jennifer Weuve discuss a study that looks at whether exposure to kids with chicken pox protects adults from shingles, they ask whether blinding in randomized trials really matters, and Jen survives a podcast episode that feels like a year on Mars. Journal club article: Chicken pox and shingles study

Apr 7, 2020 • 59:01

An informal chat about COVID-19

An informal chat about COVID-19

The gang paused their usual format this week to discuss how they are all dealing with the changes that have come about due to COVID-19. We got Chris, Matt, Don, Jen and newcomer Laura (and even a guest appearance by Nick) all on Zoom. We’ll be back to our regular format in two weeks.

Mar 24, 2020 • 41:30

Long-term follow up on a new prevention for breast cancer

Long-term follow up on a new prevention for breast cancer

Matt and Jen discuss a long-term follow up study of a drug to prevent breast cancer, they ask whether papers in predatory journals get cited, and Matt lets it all out watching guilty pleasure movies on planes. Journal club article: Breast cancer prevention study

Mar 10, 2020 • 49:59

What is hotspotting healthcare and does it work?

What is hotspotting healthcare and does it work?

Matt and Jen discuss a study on the hotspotting of healthcare, they raise a toast to the error detectors, and Jen instructs us on surviving encounters with wildlife. Journal club article: Hotspotting healthcare

Feb 25, 2020 • 53:16

Social determinants of homicides in the US

Social determinants of homicides in the US

Matt, Chris, and Jen examine a study on the social determinants of homicides, they discuss whether Mendelian randomization will save epidemiology, and Matt goes for the old BMJ Christmas edition. Journal club article: Social determinants of homicides

Feb 11, 2020 • 1:03:26

Does quality of care affect maternal and neonatal outcomes?

Does quality of care affect maternal and neonatal outcomes?

Matt, Chris, and Jen discuss a study modeling the impact of improvements in quality of care, they discuss a poorly thought through letter from a group of publishers to the president, and Jen teaches us about worm memories. Journal club article: Quality of care impact

Jan 28, 2020 • 57:31

What's new for treating Ebola?

What's new for treating Ebola?

Matt, Chris, and Jen examine a study on new treatments for Ebola, they discuss whether retracted papers should still be cited, and Chris and Jen have the same Amazing and Amusing. Journal club article: Ebola treatment study

Jan 14, 2020 • 54:18

Can my Apple Watch detect atrial fibrillation?

Can my Apple Watch detect atrial fibrillation?

Matt, Chris, and Jen discuss a study on whether Apple Watches can detect atrial fibrillation, they discuss a proposal to limit researchers to one published paper per year, and Matt wants to clown around. Journal club article: Smartwatches and atrial fibrillation

Dec 31, 2019 • 1:01:09

Does the time you take your blood pressure meds matter?

Does the time you take your blood pressure meds matter?

Matt, Chris, and Jen discuss a study on whether taking blood pressure medication at night is better than taking it during the day, they discuss the harms that come from hyping medical research (and what we can do about it), and Matt finally has an amazing and amusing that goes in the amazing direction. Journal club article: Blood pressure medication timing study

Dec 17, 2019 • 53:50

Professional soccer and neurodegenerative disease

Professional soccer and neurodegenerative disease

Matt, Chris, and Jen discuss a study on whether playing professional soccer increases the risk of death from neurodegenerative disease, they vent about how much it costs in time and money to reformat papers for journal submission, and Jen gives Chris and Matt an early Christmas present. Journal club article: Soccer and neurodegenerative disease

Dec 3, 2019 • 50:29

Low dose radiation and cancer

Low dose radiation and cancer

Matt and Jen examine a study from South Korea on the effects of low dose radiation on cancer, we discuss a fascinating study that was retracted and republished because of a coding error, and Matt shares Star Wars secrets gleaned from a figure in a research paper. Journal club article: Low dose radiation and cancer study

Nov 19, 2019 • 57:44

Red meat for the public health crowd

Red meat for the public health crowd

Matt and Jen discuss a new set of surprising recommendations around eating red meat, we skip the second segment entirely because we had so much to say on segment 1, and Jen reveals who has been killing all the cane toads. Journal club article: Red meat recommendation study

Nov 5, 2019 • 1:00:24

California’s Extreme Risk Protection Law

California’s Extreme Risk Protection Law

Matt, Chris, and Jen discuss a case series on California’s Extreme Risk Protection Law, the gang discuss why it’s so difficult to talk about science on controversial topics, and Chris gets serious about classical music. Journal club article: Extreme risk protection law study

Oct 22, 2019 • 1:01:28

Sugary drinks and cancer

Sugary drinks and cancer

Matt, Chris, and Jen discuss a study on the relationship between sugary drinks and cancer, the gang discuss how to improve nutritional epidemiology, and Jen gets us all up to speed about avocados. Journal club article: Sugary drinks and cancer

Oct 8, 2019 • 59:10

A breakthrough for sickle cell disease?

A breakthrough for sickle cell disease?

Matt, Chris, and Don discuss a study on a new treatment for sickle cell disease, the gang discuss some advances in registered reports, and Matt figures out which celebrity he should publish a paper with. Journal club article: Sickle cell treatment study

Sep 10, 2019 • 55:34

Contraception and HIV risk

Contraception and HIV risk

Matt, Chris, and Don discuss a study on whether commonly used contraception increases HIV risk, the gang discuss how to improve the communication of science, and Don finally does standup comedy. Journal club article: Contraception and HIV study

Aug 27, 2019 • 58:07

Smells like an associational study

Smells like an associational study

Matt, Chris, and Don discuss the relationship between ability to smell and mortality, the gang discuss the role that journals have to play in combating false medical claims, and Matt explains his concerns about the future of sandwiches. Journal club article: Olfaction and mortality study

Aug 13, 2019 • 54:04

And I would walk 10,000 steps

And I would walk 10,000 steps

Matt, Chris, and Don determine whether you really need to walk 10,000 steps per day, the gang discuss a paper that had two discussion sections which came to two different conclusions, and Don enlightens us on whether couples look alike. Journal club article: 10,000 steps study

Jul 30, 2019 • 55:46

The best of Amazing and Amusing II

The best of Amazing and Amusing II

Matt, Chris, and Don have been traveling recently so for this episode we bring you another collection of the best of Amazing and Amusing. Enjoy!

Jul 16, 2019 • 52:54

Doc, you really need a medical scribe…

Doc, you really need a medical scribe…

Matt, Chris, and Don look at the impact of medical scribes on doctor productivity, the gang discuss a journal that only publishes unsurprising results, and Don grosses us out with facts about viruses. Journal club article: Medical scribes study

Jul 2, 2019 • 51:35

Undetectable = untransmissible

Undetectable = untransmissible

Matt, Chris, and Don look at a study of the risk of HIV transmission when a person is successfully taking HIV treatment (spoiler: the risk is 0), the gang discuss what a “risk factor” is, and Matt channels his inner Harry Potter. Journal club article: HIV transmission study

Jun 18, 2019 • 55:38

Rebroadcast: A tough pill to swallow?

Rebroadcast: A tough pill to swallow?

As we are nearing our 50th episode we wanted to take a look back at one of our favorites. Enjoy this rebroadcast of the poop pill episode. Journal club article: Fecal transplant study

Jun 4, 2019 • 54:21

The social jetlag episode (it’s a thing)

The social jetlag episode (it’s a thing)

Matt, Chris, and Don look at how living on the wrong side of a time zone affects your health, the gang discuss when it might be ok to conduct a trial without patient consent, and Matt wines. Journal club article: Time zone study

May 21, 2019 • 54:27

Cannabis use and psychosis

Cannabis use and psychosis

Matt, Chris, and Don look at a study of the impact of cannabis use on psychosis, the gang discuss something called ethics dumping, and Chris goes on a rant about naked mole rats. Journal club article: Cannabis study

May 7, 2019 • 55:03

A breakthrough for postpartum depression?

A breakthrough for postpartum depression?

Matt, Chris, and Don look at a new treatment for postpartum depression, the gang discuss some statistical pitfalls in personalized medicine, and Chris schools us all on cat behavior. Journal club article: Brexanolone study

Apr 23, 2019 • 57:13

Complementary medicine and cancer

Complementary medicine and cancer

Matt, Chris, and Don look at a study of whether complementary medicines during cancer treatment impact survival, the gang discuss when it is ok to self-plagiarize, and Don has some breaking news about cheese. Journal club article: Complementary medicine and cancer study

Apr 9, 2019 • 51:25

Are we really talking about MMR and autism again? (still no link)

Are we really talking about MMR and autism again? (still no link)

Matt, Chris, and Don look at yet another study that found no link between the measles mumps rubella vaccine and autism, the gang discuss whether email is making us stupid (stupider?), and Matt has some news about beer. Journal club article: MMR and autism study

Mar 26, 2019 • 55:25

What can we learn about asthma from the Amish?

What can we learn about asthma from the Amish?

Matt, Chris, and Don look at a study among the Amish to look for causes of asthma, the gang discuss an update to Plan S, and Chris notices an interesting pattern around STI transmission. Journal club article: Asthma among the Amish study

Mar 12, 2019 • 53:52

Can e-cigarettes help people quit smoking?

Can e-cigarettes help people quit smoking?

Matt, Chris, and Don look at a study that tested whether e-cigarettes are better than traditional approaches for helping people quit smoking, the gang discuss the value of “null” findings, and Matt has a message for cheaters. Journal club article: E-cigarettes study

Feb 26, 2019 • 49:12

Peanut allergy desensitization

Peanut allergy desensitization

Matt, Chris, and Don look at a study of a desensitization treatment for those with peanut allergy, the gang discuss whether artificial intelligence will replace us, and Matt learns how quickly he can put us all to sleep with a boring conference talk. Journal club article: Peanut allergy study

Feb 12, 2019 • 47:30

A breakthrough for Alzheimer’s treatment?

A breakthrough for Alzheimer’s treatment?

Matt, Chris, and Don look at a study that used an antibody to treat Alzheimer’s disease, the gang goes back to the well to talk about conflicts of interest, and Matt tells us the secret to good course evaluations! Journal club article: Alzheimer’s study

Jan 29, 2019 • 56:48

One week break: back in two weeks!

One week break: back in two weeks!

We took a break from recording this week as we have a lot going on – the holidays, end of semester crunch, and Matt relocating for a 6 month sabbatical to the UK. We’ll be back in 2 weeks with another episode so tune in!

Jan 15, 2019 • 1:21

Is ADHD over-diagnosed?

Is ADHD over-diagnosed?

Matt, Chris, and Don look at a study using month of birth to explore whether attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is over-diagnosed, the gang discusses a study on how patients feel about having their clinical trial data shared, and Don enlightens us on which Legos taste best. Journal club article: ADHD and month of birth study

Jan 1, 2019 • 1:01:58

Are organic foods the answer to cancer?

Are organic foods the answer to cancer?

Matt, Chris, and Don look at a study of the effects of eating organic foods on risk of cancer, the gang discusses the role of data safety and monitoring boards in clinical trials, and Matt gives his shortest amazing and amusing ever. Journal club article: Organic food and cancer study

Dec 18, 2018 • 1:01:43

Herpes virus and dementia

Herpes virus and dementia

Matt, Chris, and Don look at a study of whether herpes virus is associated with dementia, the gang discusses a new database of retracted studies and what it tells us, and Don gives us the ICD10 codes we never knew we needed. Journal club article: HSV and dementia study

Dec 4, 2018 • 1:00:30

Is more better? The asthma dosing episode

Is more better? The asthma dosing episode

Matt, Chris, and Don look at two studies on asthma medication dosing, the gang discusses whether ad hominem attacks on science are more effective than attacks on the science itself, and Matt finally figures out which host is more popular. Journal club articles: Asthma dosing study 1 Asthma dosing study 2

Nov 20, 2018 • 1:05:54

The born to run episode: Exercise and mental health

The born to run episode: Exercise and mental health

Matt, Chris, and Don look at a massive cross-sectional study on the relationship between exercise and mental health, the gang discusses whether critiquing science gives fodder to those who wish to dismiss science, and Don finally solves all our manuscript issues. Journal club article: Exercise and mental health study

Nov 6, 2018 • 55:29

The target trial episode: The case of diclofenac and cardiovascular disease

The target trial episode: The case of diclofenac and cardiovascular disease

Matt, Chris, and Don look at a study that used a unique approach, analyzing observational data like a randomized trial, to look at the effect of a common NSAID on cardiovascular disease, the gang discusses a study attempting (and often failing) to reproduce results originally published in Nature and Science, and Chris, yet again, finds a way to talk about bees. Journal club article: Diclofenac study

Oct 23, 2018 • 58:29

The sleep episode: melatonin for a sleep disorder

The sleep episode: melatonin for a sleep disorder

Matt, Chris, and Don look at a trial that focuses on whether melatonin can help people with a sleep disorder, the gang discusses a provocative editorial that says nutritional epidemiology is deeply flawed, and Chris learns the dangers of ignoring Matt’s emails. Journal club article: Melatonin study

Oct 9, 2018 • 1:00:56

Is smog really affecting our minds?

Is smog really affecting our minds?

Matt, Chris, and Don take on a study from China on the relationship between smog and cognitive function, the gang discusses a new policy by EU funders preventing their grantees from publishing in paywalled journals, and Chris insists he gets two Amazing and Amusings. Journal club article: Smog and cognitive function

Sep 25, 2018 • 54:29

The best of Amazing and Amusing

The best of Amazing and Amusing

It’s our one year anniversary! Chris and Don are away this week so rather than have Matt talk to himself, we thought we’d go back and revisit some of our favorite Amazing and Amusing segments from the past year. Thanks for listening and for a great year!

Sep 11, 2018 • 44:01

Is low-dose aspirin for everyone? (Guest host!)

Is low-dose aspirin for everyone? (Guest host!)

Matt, Chris, and Jen talk about a study of whether low-dose aspirin to prevent vascular events should be weight dependent, the gang revisits placebo effects and wonders if it is all just regression to the mean, and Jen focuses on the empathy of our dogs. Journal club article: Low dose aspirin study

Aug 28, 2018 • 1:04:13

Should we pay people to quit smoking? (Guest host!)

Should we pay people to quit smoking? (Guest host!)

Jennifer Rider joins us in the studio as our first ever guest host. Matt, Chris, and Jen discuss a pragmatic trial of smoking cessation, the gang examines the pros and cons of surrogate endpoints, and Chris schools us all on horse dentistry. Journal club article: Smoking cessation trial

Aug 14, 2018 • 1:05:32

Does food labeling reduce calorie consumption?

Does food labeling reduce calorie consumption?

Matt, Chris, and Don review the literature on whether food labelling can reduce purchase and consumption of calories, the gang discusses a series of trials that were found to have errors and what it means for science, and Chris calculates the sum total of all living things on earth. Journal club article: Food labelling and calorie consumption

Jul 31, 2018 • 59:43

Can a vaccine treat diabetes?

Can a vaccine treat diabetes?

Matt, Chris, and Don examine a study that looked at whether a vaccine to prevent tuberculosis can treat Type 1 diabetes, the gang discusses the “Loss of Confidence Project” and what to do when you no longer have faith in one of your studies, and Matt reports on an N of 1 study that suggests red wine may be good for blood sugar. Journal club article: BCG vaccine and Type 1 diabetes

Jul 17, 2018 • 58:56

The napping episode: Does weekend sleep influence mortality? (Live!)

The napping episode: Does weekend sleep influence mortality? (Live!)

Matt, Chris, and Don do their second ever live podcast, exploring a study on the effects of sleep on mortality, the gang discusses a proposal to change the definition of statistical significance, and Chris goes rogue and has three amazing and amusing articles. Journal club article: Sleep duration and mortality study

Jul 3, 2018 • 1:00:09

What is a "synbiotic" anyway and can it prevent sepsis?

What is a "synbiotic" anyway and can it prevent sepsis?

Matt, Chris, and Don examine a trial done in India using synbiotics to prevent neonatal sepsis, the gang discusses a study that looked at whether scientific productivity has been increasing over time, and Don gives us just a study title for his amazing and amusing. Journal club article: Synbiotics to prevent sepsis study

Jun 19, 2018 • 48:21

A breakthrough for lung cancer treatment?

A breakthrough for lung cancer treatment?

Matt, Chris, and Don discuss a new treatment for lung cancer (immunotherapy), the gang discusses a controversy that occurred when a large clinical trial decided to change its endpoint, and Chris dives into the world of linguistics (again). Journal club article: Pembrolizumab lung cancer trial

Jun 5, 2018 • 57:48

An antidepressants do-over

An antidepressants do-over

Matt, Chris, and Don look at a case study of a drug company antidepressant trial in adolescents that was re-analyzed by different authors who came to different conclusions, the gang discusses the pre-registration movement in psychology and what it might tell us in medical research, and Matt finds out what happens to all those unreported clinical trials. Journal club article: Restoring study 329 antidepressant study

May 22, 2018 • 56:51

People who live in glass houses...

People who live in glass houses...

Matt, Chris, and Don finally take on one of their own studies on the effectiveness of outpatient pneumonia treatment in Pakistan and see how it holds up, the gang discusses what to do when your study has flaws, and Chris tells us what happens if you don’t get funding as a junior faculty member. Journal club article: NO-SHOTS pneumonia outpatient treatment in Pakistan

May 8, 2018 • 1:00:46

The opioids vs non-opioids showdown!

The opioids vs non-opioids showdown!

Matt, Chris, and Don tackle a study on the effectiveness of opioids vs non-opioids for treatment of back, hip, and knee pain, then the gang discusses the new NIH rules on how a clinical trial is defined, and Matt reads us some academic love poems. Journal club article: Opioids vs non-opioids for back, hip, and knee pain

Apr 24, 2018 • 54:39

Antidepressants — our first in-studio guests!

Antidepressants — our first in-studio guests!

Matt, Chris, and Don are joined by Ludovic Trinquart and Mike LaValley from the BUSPH Biostats Department to discuss a massive meta-analysis on the effectiveness of antidepressants, then we talk about the pros and cons of meta-analysis, and Don gives us some driving advice. Journal club article: Antidepressants effectiveness

Apr 10, 2018 • 1:02:29

Is the HPV vaccine reducing infection?

Is the HPV vaccine reducing infection?

Matt, Chris, and Don discuss a study from Scotland on the introduction of the HPV vaccine and the impact on prevalence of HPV, the gang discusses what the goal of peer review is, and Matt gets on twitter to find out the latest on significance. Journal club article: HPV in Scotland

Mar 27, 2018 • 54:19

All about that gluten!

All about that gluten!

Matt, Chris, and Don puzzle out whether a diet low in gluten has an effect on coronary artery disease, the gang discusses whether it is ok to have prior beliefs when critiquing a study, and Don explains how sandwiches are killing the planet. Journal club article: Gluten and heart disease

Mar 13, 2018 • 55:25

The jellyfish and memory edition

The jellyfish and memory edition

Matt, Chris, and Don look at the science behind a supplement aimed at improving memory, the gang debates whether industry has a conflict of interest in running their own research, and Matt explains why Don is to blame for his hearing loss. Journal club article: Apoaequorin and memory study

Feb 27, 2018 • 1:00:46

Should I take my calcium/vitamin D supplements?

Should I take my calcium/vitamin D supplements?

Matt, Chris, and Don debate a new meta-analysis on the evidence behind calcium and vitamin D supplements for prevention of fractures, Matt once again explains why he hates null hypothesis significance testing, and Don alerts us to the dangers of listening to heavy metal. Journal club article: Vitamin D and calcium study

Feb 13, 2018 • 1:01:49

The author responds: HIV incidence in Uganda (Bonus)

The author responds: HIV incidence in Uganda (Bonus)

In this special bonus episode, we have our first guest, Dr. Kate Grabowski, the author of the study we reviewed on HIV incidence in Uganda in episode 14. She talks with Matt and sets the record straight on a few issues we got wrong and we talk about the wider impact of her work on HIV. Journal club article: HIV prevention in Uganda study

Feb 13, 2018 • 56:02

Why is HIV incidence dropping in Uganda?

Why is HIV incidence dropping in Uganda?

Matt, Chris, and Don weigh in on an area they finally have some expertise in (HIV) by reviewing a study of HIV prevention in Uganda, the gang tries to explain the difference between “efficacy” and “effectiveness,” and Matt gets dangerously close to a word we’re not allowed to say. Journal club article: HIV prevention in Uganda study

Jan 30, 2018 • 56:11

A tough pill to swallow?

A tough pill to swallow?

Matt, Chris, and Don try to act like grownups in discussing a study of the effects of fecal transplants delivered through oral capsules to treat C. difficile infection, Matt mispronounces yet another medical term, p-values are finally, though not fully taken on (taken down?), and Chris reveals the enlightening truth that “jellyfish ain’t babies”. Journal club article: Fecal transplant study

Jan 16, 2018 • 52:34

The sham podcast: Heart stents and angina?

The sham podcast: Heart stents and angina?

Matt, Chris, and Don discuss a fascinating study that contradicts much of the previous evidence on the benefits of heart stents for angina, Matt learns how angina is really pronounced during a discussion of ethics in medical research, and the three answer the question of just how bad Vegemite really is. Journal club article: Heart stents for treatment of angina

Jan 2, 2018 • 59:26

Back to school: Does exercise increase academic achievement?

Back to school: Does exercise increase academic achievement?

Matt, Chris, and Don run an obstacle course (metaphorically) through a study on exercise and academic achievement (our first listener generated topic), then Matt lobs dodgeballs at Chris to pin him down on why he’s so skeptical about observational studies, and Don seems to suggest it’s ok to talk on a cell phone while crossing the street as long as you are in good shape. Journal club article: Exercise and academic achievement study

Dec 19, 2017 • 48:11

Live episode Q&A (Bonus)

Live episode Q&A (Bonus)

Bonus content! Matt, Chris, and Don answer questions from a live audience.

Dec 12, 2017 • 24:57

It's alive!!! A live podcast, featuring fat and carbs?

It's alive!!! A live podcast, featuring fat and carbs?

Matt, Chris, and Don bring the podcast to a live audience and then feed them burritos before asking whether fat and carbs are killing us, wrestle with whether the ranking of a journal is a safe proxy for the quality of the articles within, and Chris finally teaches us why bees don’t use back scratchers. Journal club article: Fats and carbs and mortality study

Dec 5, 2017 • 51:40

Is watching hockey the same as exercising?

Is watching hockey the same as exercising?

Matt, Chris, and Don get checked into the boards on this new study on watching hockey and heart rates (seriously), get called for high sticking over their take on how big a study needs to be, and Chris warns us about the dangers of pizza deficiency syndrome. *We recorded video for this episode as well. Check it out below!* Journal club article: Hockey and heart rate study

Nov 21, 2017 • 42:44

Could kids in Uganda do this podcast better than we can?

Could kids in Uganda do this podcast better than we can?

Matt, Chris, and Don decide whether school kids in Uganda can be taught to evaluate the validity of health claims (hey, isn’t that our job?), take their best shot at conveying their strategies for determining who study results generalize to and Chris finds the answers in rubbing his bald spot. Journal Club Article: Informed health choices study

Nov 7, 2017 • 43:50

Freaky associations between flu vaccine and miscarriage?

Freaky associations between flu vaccine and miscarriage?

Matt, Chris, and Don put down their Halloween candy long enough to debate whether H1N1 flu vaccine can cause spontaneous abortions in pregnant women, attempt to discern whether or not it is ok to divide up your data (going on fishing expeditions?) and Matt explains why he didn’t make it all the way through The Unbearable Lightness of Being. Journal club article: Influenza vaccine and spontaneous abortions

Oct 31, 2017 • 51:31

Are artificial sweeteners the cause or the cure?

Are artificial sweeteners the cause or the cure?

Matt, Chris, and Don figure out whether or not artificial sweeteners are good or bad for your weight, pontificate on whether conflicts of interest change how we judge the results of a study, and Don and Matt have surprisingly similar feelings about what shall only be called “baloney” so that we don’t get a PG-13 rating. Journal club article: Nonnutritive sweeteners and cardiometabolic health study

Oct 24, 2017 • 48:16

To increase regulation on pollution or not to, that is the question?

To increase regulation on pollution or not to, that is the question?

Matt, Chris, and Don discuss a new study that suggests increasing pollution regulation standards in the US could save lives (Trump’s EPA isn’t going to like this one), debate whether or not medical researchers should make policy recommendations (spoiler, Matt is alone on an island on this one) and Chris answers the question that has puzzled philosophers for centuries: is it safer to ride in blue or yellow taxis? Journal club article: Air pollution and mortality in the medicare population

Oct 10, 2017 • 51:45

Is this the paper that launched a thousand anti-vaxxers?

Is this the paper that launched a thousand anti-vaxxers?

Matt, Chris, and Don put on their best flannel shirts and go back to the 90s to discuss the paper that set off the MMR and autism controversy (spoiler, there is no controversy, MMR does not cause autism), dive deep into the peer review system (and debate whether the system is broken) and Chris and Don leave Matt scratching more than his head with their Amazing and Amusing contributions. Journal club article: Ileal-lymphoid-nodular hyperplasia, non-specific colitis, and pervasive developmental di

Sep 26, 2017 • 53:15

A glass of wine a day keeps the doctor away?

A glass of wine a day keeps the doctor away?

Matt, Chris, and Don dig into the latest study on whether alcohol is good for your heart (please, please, please let this one work out!), discuss what kinds of health studies the media likes to report on and review the harshest peer reviewer feedback we can find. Journal club article: Association between clinically recorded alcohol consumption and initial presentation of 12 cardiovascular diseases: population based cohort study using linked health records

Sep 12, 2017 • 44:34

Can chocolate make the heart grow healthier?

Can chocolate make the heart grow healthier?

Matt, Chris, and Don review a new study suggesting chocolate may reduce your risk for atrial fibrillation (and resist the urge to just declare this one causal without ever reading the paper), discuss the difference between observational studies and randomized controlled trials and ask whether Usain Bolt is fast enough to cause a Doppler shift. Journal club article: Chocolate intake and risk of clinically apparent atrial fibrillation: the Danish Diet, Cancer, and Health Study

Sep 12, 2017 • 40:26

Early to bed, early to a healthy BMI?

Early to bed, early to a healthy BMI?

Matt, Chris, and Don examine a report on how routines in childhood affect obesity at age 11, discuss their takes on how to critically read a journal article (without being as cranky as we’d like to be), and the gang debates the plural of platypus, debate the science behind that “asparagus smell” (don’t pretend you don’t know what we’re talking about) and why neurotic cats need boxes. Journal club article: Self-regulation and household routines at age three and obesity at age eleven: Longitudinal

Sep 12, 2017 • 1:01:39

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