Science Versus: 10 Years of Fact-Checking Culture
Celebrating a Decade of Evidence
Science Versus is celebrating its 10th anniversary! Over the past decade, the show has dedicated itself to separating fact from fad, investigating everything from health trends and diseases to controversial medical claims. This milestone episode features heartfelt messages from listeners, highlights from foundational investigations, and a look back at the show's very first pilot episode.
Investigations & Scientific Highlights
The Orgasm Gap
In 2020, the team conducted its first original research to investigate the orgasm gap between men and women. Collaborating with sex researchers from Queen's University, the team analyzed responses from over 5,000 listeners to uncover the neurological and behavioral nuances of female pleasure.
"The number one enemy in brain studies is movement. To get a clean scan in an MRI, your head needs to be perfectly still, which is a bit tough when you're having a wank."
Vaccines and the Autism Myth
The show revisits its 2017 investigation into the fear surrounding the MMR vaccine. Despite the persistence of misinformation, the episode highlights:
• The origins of the debunked study by Andrew Wakefield.
• The overwhelming global consensus from studies involving over a million children showing no connection between the vaccine and autism.
• The ongoing struggle to fight medical misinformation in the age of social media.
The Ivermectin Controversy
The team reflects on their clash with Dr. Pierre Corey regarding the efficacy of ivermectin for COVID-19. The discussion underscores how high-quality data often contradicts personal anecdotes and why distinguishing between conspiracy theories and objective, peer-reviewed science is vital for public health.
The Paleo Diet: Looking Back at the Pilot
The show concludes by re-airing its 2015 pilot episode on the paleo diet. Experts clarify that modern paleo eating bears little resemblance to actual Paleolithic diets, noting that the health benefits attributed to the diet often stem simply from avoiding processed foods rather than imitating cavemen. Ultimately, science dictates that while moving away from refined sugars is good, the rigid labeling and exclusion of legumes or dairy lack robust evolutionary or biological support.