bigbio/pubhealth · Datasets at Hugging Face

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800	33813	Groucho Marx made a risqué wisecrack about his cigar to a female You Bet Your Life contestant with 19 children.	Rumor has it that Groucho Marx made a risqué wisecrack about his cigar to a female 'You Bet Your Life' contestant with 17 children.	false
801	854	Indonesia's capital curbs private cars in bid to cut choking pollution.	Indonesia’s capital announced new curbs on private cars on Wednesday as it moves to rein in Jakarta’s choking air pollution, but experts warned the measures were unlikely to stamp out the problem.	true
802	27425	Seattle has imposed an excise tax on the distributors of sweetened drinks.	The stated purpose of the tax and the proceeds derived therefrom are to expand access to healthy and affordable food, close the food security gap (i.e., assist those who do not qualify for SNAP benefits), promote healthy nutrition choices, reduce disparities in social, developmental, and educational readiness and learning for children, assist high school graduates to enter college, and expand services for the birth-to-five population and their families.	true
803	9789	Omega-3 oils shown as good for brain health in study involving older people	At least the Post, unlike CNN, managed to slip in a few caveats about the research in its 270-word snippet of a story. And it didn’t make any questionable claims about the health effects of omega-3s. However, the story lacked a clear explanation of the potential benefits and offered no independent perspective. Both would have been helpful here. We recognize that this feature, Quick Study, is meant to be a short summary of research for the busy reader. And we appreciate the standard disclaimer the feature carries at the end, which says: “conclusive evidence about a treatment’s effectiveness is rarely found in a single study. Anyone considering changing or beginning treatment of any kind should consult with a physician.” Nevertheless, even tiny information nuggets like this one need to provide key details about the research and context. If there’s not enough room for those things, editors should think hard about whether the story is worth running at all. Does this help readers – or just add more background noise in the daily drumbeat of health care news?	false
804	29564	"""The Obama Administration is """"fighting in court"""" to allow non-citizens to vote in general elections."""	"""What's true: The League of Women Voters (along with the NAACP and other parties) filed for injunctive relief against the Election Assistance Commission on 12 February 2016 due to unilaterally imposed voter registration restrictions requiring """"documentary proof"""" of American citizenship; current law prohibits non-citizens from registering to vote or voting under penalty of perjury. What's false: The Obama Administration or Justice Department initiated the suit; the Election Assistance Commission's actions would enable non-citizens to legally vote in 2016 primaries and the general election; any parties are advocating for the right of non-citizens to vote in primary or general elections. What's undetermined: The ultimate outcome of a 9 March 2016 hearing on the suit's merits."""	false
805	29416	A Minnesota man was jailed simply for possessing a windmill on his property.	What's true: Minnesota man Jay Nygard was jailed in October 2015 after being found in contempt of court for refusing to comply with an order to remove a concrete base from his property. What's false: Nygard was not thrown in jail for simply erecting a windmill; Nygard did not spend six months in jail.	false
806	36019	"""Many people remember a line saying, """"I see white people"""" in the film 'Scary Movie', which parodied, among other things, 'The Sixth Sense' — but that line is not actually in 'Scary Movie.'"""	Scary Movie ‘I See White People’ Mandela Effect	true
807	9287	Clinical trial examines safety, effectiveness of drug to treat binge eating disorder	Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s office has proposed waiving a tax on coal to help finance pollution-curbing equipment, according to documents, but the move would also make coal more competitive in price with solar and wind energy.	true
808	12546	President Trump last month proposed a $6 billion cut in funding to the National Institutes of Health. And thank God our congressmen made a deal last night to not go along with that. They actually increased funding by $2 billion.	"""Kimmel said, """"President Trump last month proposed a $6 billion cut in funding to the National Institutes of Health. And thank God our congressmen made a deal last night to not go along with that. They actually increased funding by $2 billion."""" Technically, the two funding changes Kimmel referenced are for different fiscal years, so Congress didn’t precisely exchange the increase for Trump’s proposed cut. But Kimmel’s broader point is solid: The move by Congress to increase, rather than decrease, NIH’s funding for the rest of the 2017 fiscal year is a signal that lawmakers are in no mood to cut NIH’s budget by $5.8 billion once the 2018 spending bills are taken up."""	true
809	36686	"""Two videos show """"Muslim migrants"""" and """"a Muslim mob"""" attacking people."""	Zimbabwe state doctors who were fired for going on strike have rejected a government offer to return to work, their union said on Friday.	false
810	7783	As Ebola threatens mega-cities, vaccine stockpile needs grow.	Doubts are growing about whether the world’s emergency stockpile of 300,000 Ebola vaccine doses is enough to control future epidemics as the deadly disease moves out of rural forest areas and into urban mega-cities.	true
811	31455	Former Alaska governor was critically injured in an automobile accident.	Reports that the former Alaska governor was critically injured in an automobile accident are fake news.	false
812	9601	A Cavity-Fighting Liquid Lets Kids Avoid Dentists’ Drills	The story focuses on the use of silver diamine fluoride (SDF) to treat and prevent dental cavities, particularly in children. The story does a good job of addressing cost, discussing benefits in context, and drawing on input from a variety of independent sources. But the article seems to be somewhat one sided, praising the therapy much more strongly than discussing the downsides of the treatment or the potential need for ongoing repeat treatment. And it sidesteps a solid discussion of what the medical evidence says about SDF. As well, we found this headline problematic. “A cavity-fighting liquid lets kids avoid dentists’ drills.” Yes, SDF could help many kids avoid dentists’ drills for some cavities– but, due to lack of availability, a lot of kids won’t be able to use SDF, and even kids who can use SDF won’t be able to use it if they have particularly large cavities. “A cavity-fighting liquid lets some kids avoid dentists’ drills” would have been more accurate and informative. According to the CDC, cavities are extremely common in young children: 19.5 percent of children aged 2-5, and 20 percent of children aged 5-11, have cavities. SDF offers a relatively faster, less painful, low-cost alternative to the traditional “drilling and filling” treatment of cavities. There has also been news coverage of an increase in the use of general anesthesia on young children in order to treat cavities, though we were unable to find any research on the subject. If SDF can be used to address cavities, allowing children to avoid treatment that requires general anesthesia — and related risks — that’s certainly worth covering. As with medical stories, it’s vital that dental stories like these take a look at the research/evidence for a particular intervention and discuss it with readers, which this one didn’t.	true
813	31413	"""A Clinton Foundation cargo ship arriving from Africa was raided and found to contain """"illegal contraband"""" in the form of foreign refugees, narcotics, weapons, and illegal fruits."""	The Resistance may include information from sources that may or may not be reliable and facts that don’t necessarily exist. All articles should be considered satirical and any and all quotes attributed to actual people complete and total baloney. Pictures that represent actual people should be considered altered and not in any way real.	false
814	29462	Radio personality Michael Savage was fired because he talked about Hillary Clinton's health on the air.	What's true: Michael Savage's nationally syndicated radio show was temporarily preempted by one station in favor of live, on-scene coverage of the 26 September 2016 presidential debate. What's false: Michael Savage was not fired or removed from the airwaves for discussing Hillary Clinton's health.	false
815	2986	High anxiety: Proposed US hemp rules worry industry .	Hemp growers and entrepreneurs who were joyous a year ago after U.S. lawmakers reclassified the plant as a legal agricultural crop now are worried their businesses could be crippled if federal policymakers move ahead with draft regulations.	true
816	5435	‘An Inconvenient Sequel’ kicks off climate-focused Sundance.	Ten years after the watershed environmental documentary “An Inconvenient Truth” debuted, climate change is as dire as ever and yet the solutions are right in front of us, say directors Bonni Cohen and Jon Shenk, whose film “An Inconvenient Sequel” kicks off the Sundance Film Festival on Thursday.	true
817	11403	Your hairs are what you eat, study says	This story reports on the results of a new study describing the use of hair samples to diagnose eating disorders. This short story does not present much information and leaves the reader wondering if hair sample analysis could be useful in clinical practice or if it will simply be an interesting research tool. The story does not mention harms of the test. For example, what might be the harms of the test in the 20% who were misidentified? The story does not mention alternative methods of diagnosing an eating disorder, such as body mass index or other measures. The story also does not adequately quantify the benefits of the test. Although the story says that the test was correct 80% of the time, it is not clear what this means. Does this mean that the test was positive 80% of the time in women with eating disorders (i.e. sensitivity = 80%)? But how often was the test negative in subjects who did not have the disease (i.e. specificity)? The story does not adequately describe the design of the current study or the strength of the available evidence. The story also does not mention costs or comment on the availability of the test. Hair analysis for various purposes is already available and for the most part is of questionable and uNPRoven clinical value. The implication in this story, although there is no explicit comment on availability, is that the test is readily available. Yet the study was done on only 20 women diagnosed as having anorexia, anorexia and bulimia, or bulimia.	false
818	7539	Georgia to reopen some businesses as early as Friday.	Georgia’s governor announced plans Monday to restart the state’s economy before the end of the week, saying many businesses that closed to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus could reopen as early as Friday.	true
819	18193	Sarah Ponder Says $800,000 cost of Texas special legislative session would pay for 1.6 million condoms, 90,000 months of the pill or 20 full-time sexual health educators.	"""Ponder used a conservative estimate for the cost of the second special session, presuming it runs for the full 30 days. She used the lowest price we found for the pill, a mid-range price for condoms and a salary that doesn’t seem out of line for an entry-level sexual health educator position, so it’s probably true that under certain circumstances, you could pay for the items on her sign with $800,000 apiece. Then again, it might be fairer to estimate the pill at $25 a month instead of $9, which means you could only pay for 32,000 months of contraception, not the 90,000 months she cited. And unless you only wanted to hire newly-graduated sexual health educators, you might have to pay them more like $52,000 per year, which would cover 16 instead of 20 educators. So an adjusted version of the sign might read: """"$800,000: 1.6 million condoms, 32,000 months of the pill, 16 full-time sexual health educators"""" instead of """"$800,000: 1.6 million condoms, 90K months of the pill, 20 full-time sexual health educators."""""""	true
820	11080	Weekend workouts can benefit health as much as a week of exercise, say researchers	This story looks at an observational study comparing frequency of exercise vs no exercise on early risk of death, with an emphasis placed on “weekend warrior” style exercise. Like we saw in our review of Newsweek’s take on this study, this story from The UK Guardian confuses association with causation. It also didn’t mention any of the study’s limitations, which were plentiful. However, we were pleased to see the inclusion of an independent source, who helped establish what was novel about the study findings. Many people struggle to get enough exercise, and if the study’s findings are verifiable, then this is good news for people who can only exercise on the weekends. However, news stories shouldn’t overstate the findings nor mislead people about just how beneficial it really is.	true
821	3996	Animal health care company to open Mississippi facility.	An animal health care company has announced a new Mississippi distribution center, carrying a $1.7 million investment and the creation of 27 jobs.	true
822	5740	Vaccine panel gives nod to HPV shots for men up to age 26.	A vaccine against cervical and other cancers should be recommended for both men and women up to age 26, a U.S. government advisory panel decided Wednesday.	true
823	23226	When Washington liberals wanted to take away our guns, Chet said no.	Rep. Chet Edwards says he said no to Washington liberals who wanted to take away our guns	false
824	26039	Facebook post Says Gov. Tony Evers “removed the American flag from the Capitol building”	The picture presented as proof was from a rally in support of reopening Wisconsin on April 24, 2020. Like most protests, that occurred on the West side of the building, where the flagpole atop the entrance is controlled by the state Assembly. The Assembly only flies the U.S. flag there when in session, and they weren’t that day. The additional detail about Evers ordering a flag to be removed is nonsense.	false
825	35858	The so-called “Benadryl Challenge” went viral on TikTok in 2020, challenging teenagers to overdose on the allergy medication to elicit hallucinatory effects, prompting warnings from medical experts over the potential risk of overdose death.	Benadryl owner Johnson & Johnson wrote that the misuse of its drug can lead to serious side effects with “potentially long-lasting or even life-threatening consequences.”	true
826	10870	Antidepressant May Help Ease Hot Flashes	In contrast with the poorly sourced blog post, this story includes comments from two experts who provide valuable context about the findings of a recent trial. And while the discussion of harms was still inadequate, this story did at least mention the possibility of harm from the treatment and described one of the most common adverse effects. The story also did a good job of describing the design of the study and reporting the benefits in a way that readers can understand and use. It would have benefited from some cost data, a better comparison of antidepressants with hormone therapy, and more emphasis on the short-term nature of the study (8 weeks) considering that hot flash symptoms can last for years. We need more treatment options for women with disruptive menopausal symptoms. Although hormone treatment is effective, many women are reluctant to take hormones because of the increase in potentially serious adverse effects associated with their use. Emerging research suggests that antidepressants may be an alternate option, but the study discussed in this story found that Lexapro is only slightly more effective than a placebo for reducing hot flashes. In addition, use of antidepressants also may cause a variety of adverse effects which, while less serious than the risks of hormone therapy, can be troublesome enough to cause people to stop taking the medication. Stories should provide this full context to help women make the best possible choice about how to manage their symptoms.	true
827	37612	If you can't speak when calling 999 (the UK's version of 911), pressing 55 will alert the operator to your emergency.	For ‘Silent Help,’ ‘Ring 999, Then Press 55’	mixture
828	3004	New York called to include menthol in flavored tobacco ban.	New York lawmakers could ban flavored tobacco products amid growing concern over the tobacco and vaping industry’s use of flavorings to attract young people and African Americans, though it’s unclear whether a push to ban menthol cigarettes will succeed.	true
829	34707	The artificial butter flavoring used in microwave popcorn poses a danger of lung damage to ordinary consumers.	Does the artificial butter flavoring used in microwave popcorn pose a danger of lung damage to ordinary consumers?	unproven
830	7794	Snowstorms shut down Ireland, Britain calls in army for hospitals.	Snowstorms shut most of Ireland on Friday and forced Britain to call in the army to help battle some of the worst weather seen for nearly 30 years.	true
831	24614	53 percent of Americans cut back on their health care in the last year because of costs.	Pascrell says 53 percent of Americans cut back on health care due to costs	mixture
832	5340	New Mexico governor seeks ideas for recreational pot law.	New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham is launching a new effort to craft legislation that could legalize recreational marijuana sales next year.	true
833	12767	And this would be the first year, if everything holds true, we will spend over $10 billion of our state budget on Medicaid out of the $28 billion budget.	"""Rowden was trying to illustrate that Medicaid spending has reached out-of-control levels. According to Greitens' budget recommendations for fiscal year 2018, the budget for Medicaid has gone up over $1 billion in the last three years and now takes up approximately 37 percent of the state budget. Despite the growing concern from Republicans on the cost of Medicaid spending, Greitens has recommended $10.7 billion for the service for fiscal year 2018, an increase of over $500 million from fiscal year 2017. However, it’s important to note that """"we"""" — as in the state of Missouri — don’t directly fund the entire $10 billion. Because of the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage and the Federal Reimbursement Allowance programs, the state only has to spend approximately $1.7 billion of state revenue on Medicaid. So while Medicaid spending will exceed $10 billion of the nearly $28 billion budget, not all of the money is coming directly from the state. Rowden’s statement is accurate but needs clarification."""	true
834	16130	The number of killings of citizens by police is at a two-decade high.	"""Morial said, """"The number of killings of citizens by police is at a two-decade high."""" Morial was quoting a USA Today analysis based on FBI statistics. In that sense, Morial seemed to have good sources. But digging deeper showed the information is hardly reliable. Only a fraction of law enforcement agencies provide this data to the FBI, and the agencies reporting changes every year. These problems are not new and were in fact noted in the USA Today story he referenced. Normally we would put more stock in FBI statistics. But in this case there are many known problems with the data."""	mixture
835	27088	Anti-abortion Republican U.S. Rep. Scott DesJarlais testified that he encouraged some women to have abortions.	“Despite a fixation by his political opponents on the details of a previous marriage from the 1990s, the people of Tennessee’s Fourth District have shown they care much more about the Congressman’s job in Washington than the details of a divorce,” a spokesman for DesJarlais said in 2015.	true
836	23314	Jeff Merkley Says with the ongoing economic downturn, child abuse is on the rise.	Jeff Merkley says with the economic downturn Oregon is seeing more child abuse	true
837	1505	Millions of Americans to gaze upon Monday's once-in-a-lifetime eclipse.	Twilight will fall at midday on Monday, stars will glimmer and birds will roost in an eerie stillness as millions of Americans and visitors witness the first total solar eclipse to traverse the United States from coast to coast in 99 years.	true
838	21066	"""D.A. King Says Rick Perry """"proposed a binational health insurance program with Mexico."""	Did Rick Perry propose a bi-national health care plan with Mexico?	true
839	33290	A new tranquilizer dart gun on the market is designed to put children to sleep.	Fake news site reports the FDA has approved the sale of a new tranquilizer dart gun intended to put children to sleep.	false
840	5025	Evers vows to ‘fight like hell’ for Medicaid expansion.	Democratic Gov. Tony Evers pledged Thursday to “fight like hell” to expand Medicaid in Wisconsin, a day after Republican legislative leaders said they would kill his proposal next week.	true
841	21	Exclusive: India's NTPC snubs foreign emissions tech, shuts out GE, others from $2 billion orders.	Top Indian electricity generator NTPC has rejected the emissions-cutting technology of GE and other foreign firms for its coal-fired plants, documents show, shutting them out of an estimated $2 billion in orders.	true
842	12315	"""Blogger Says """"CNN host Fareed Zakaria calls for jihad rape of white women."""	Recycled parody: CNN's Zakaria calls for jihadi rape of white women	false
843	2142	Researchers dig up controversy in Jerusalem.	Archaeologists in Jerusalem are competing to unearth artifacts pointing to the ancient city’s Jewish past, which are used to justify Israel’s claim to all of it as the indivisible capital of the modern Jewish state.	true
844	17756	If I have affordable coverage in my workplace, I'm not eligible to go into the marketplace. ... It’s illegal.	"""It’s pretty clear Sebelius was wrong when she said """"it’s illegal"""" for her to buy insurance on the exchange because she already has affordable insurance through her employer. Those inclined to do so certainly can, though the financial incentives to stay with the employer-based plan are quite convincing."""	false
845	6789	Plague in Madagascar hits urban areas, kills 2 dozen people.	Authorities in Madagascar are struggling to contain an outbreak of plague that has killed two-dozen people in recent weeks and has prompted a ban on large public gatherings in the capital to curb the disease’s spread.	true
846	3441	Germany: Rare virus linked to more fatal encephalitis cases.	A review of fatal encephalitis cases in the southern German state of Bavaria has found that more than twice as many as previously known were tied to a rare animal-borne virus, researchers said Wednesday.	true
847	9467	A new study claims prostate cancer screenings significantly reduce deaths. Not everyone agrees	This examination of two new mathematical modeling studies on the value of PSA testing accurately nails the problems in interpreting research of this nature and why it is difficult to draw firm conclusions. The reader is left with a broader understanding of different factors that might affect prostate cancer detection, including what is often called the “healthy user bias”–when those who undergo screening and/or treatments might be a healthier cohort of patients to begin with and it is that factor, not the decision to undergo screening/ treatment, that is the main reason for apparent improved survival. A Los Angeles Times story we reviewed on the same study didn’t provide this important context. PSA testing is a highly controversial, polarizing subject whereby those who promote it, as well as those men who have been treated based on raised prostate specific antigen levels, become evangelists for early detection. Others who examine the randomized trials bring attention to the fact that men who undergo PSA testing are more likely to have their lives drastically altered, suffer the effects of treatment (including urinary incontinence and erectile dysfunction), in exchange for the small likelihood that their lives would be “saved.”	true
848	16157	"""Austin mayoral candidate Steve Adler opposed an injunction to stop a """"company from dumping petrochemicals directly into the Barton Springs aquifer."""	"""Rockwell said Adler opposed an injunction to stop a """"company from dumping petrochemicals directly into the Barton Springs aquifer."""" It’s not that simple. Adler, representing Lowe’s in court, opposed a successful push by the City of Sunset Valley and environmental groups to get a temporary injunction to stop Lowe’s from continuing to build a store over the aquifer. In a hearing, an expert for the plaintiffs testified about observing a hydrocarbon sheen being part of runoff flowing from the site onto underground limestone and, significantly, the judge’s order in response said Lowe’s should address any oil spills. So, Adler sought to keep a project going that on the day before the hearing appeared to one engineer to be sending runoff with an oily sheen directly underground. However, there is vital missing context in that the legal fight wasn’t rooted in letting Lowe’s dump -- or stopping Lowe’s from dumping -- petrochemicals. The big issue was whether the site should be built out with up to 40 percent impervious cover or the 15 percent allowed under the SOS ordinance. The statement is partially accurate but leaves out important details or takes things out of context."""	mixture
849	6495	Fresh grounds for coffee: Study shows it may boost longevity.	Go ahead and have that cup of coffee, maybe even several more. New research shows it may boost chances for a longer life, even for those who down at least eight cups daily.	true
850	4979	Obesity surgery may lower heart attack danger in diabetics.	Obesity surgery may dramatically lower the danger of heart attacks and strokes in patients with diabetes, new research suggests, reinforcing evidence that benefits extend beyond weight loss.	true
851	7755	France to cull wild boar at Belgium border in swine fever alert.	France will cull all wild boar in a zone along the Belgian border to try and avoid an outbreak of a deadly swine disease after new cases were discovered nearby in Belgium, the French agriculture ministry said on Monday.	true
852	41948	"""Says an Obama-era rule denied gun rights to the elderly who """"sought help to do their taxes."""	In a speech to conservatives, National Rifle Association CEO Wayne LaPierre distorted the facts when talking about the federal system for conducting background checks on prospective gun buyers.	false
853	4651	Marijuana farms may be straining New Mexico water supplies.	More medical marijuana plants are being grown in New Mexico than ever, and the crop could be straining local water supplies.	true
854	10551	Fish Oil Use in Pregnancy Didnâ€™t Make Babies Smart	"""This story didn’t fare quite as well in our scoring as a competing Wall Street Journal story. However, neither story adequately explained what can actually and effectively be measured at 18 months of age that is compelling. Can anything definitively – pro or con – be said so early? Did the researchers get out ahead of themselves in reporting on this early interim phase when later followups are planned? All of the issues discussed in this story – and in this research – the quest for """"smarter babies,"""" reduction of postpartum depression, and reduced risk of premature birth – are important issues that we think deserved a bit more detail."""	mixture
855	5723	Eastern equine encephalitis detected in 2 more communities.	New Hampshire health officials say that Eastern equine encephalitis has been detected in three mosquito batches, one in Portsmouth and two in Fremont.	true
856	6229	Study: More evidence links earthquakes to energy waste wells.	Scientists say they have more evidence that an increase in earthquakes on the Colorado-New Mexico border since 2001 has been caused by wells that inject wastewater from oil and gas production back underground, similar to human-caused quakes in Oklahoma and other states.	true
857	26706	"""Being exposed to the sun for two hours"""" kills the 2019 coronavirus."""	There is no evidence that sun exposure kills the 2019 coronavirus. UNICEF has debunked a post that claims the organization said sunlight is effective against the virus. There is evidence that viruses don’t like heat. President Trump has said coronavirus infections could slow with warmer weather, but some experts doubt that prediction. A few of the best ways to prevent the coronavirus are to wash your hands with soap and water, avoid touching your face and disinfect surfaces in your home daily.	false
858	9872	Flash: No Needles. Acupuncture No Better Than Placebo for Hot Flashes	This is a well-balanced and thorough report on the first randomized controlled trial of acupuncture for menopausal hot flashes. It clearly describes the problem, the study, and its results. The writer provides useful context for understanding the scope of the problem and why researchers are interested in finding alternatives to the most commonly used hot flash treatment, hormone therapy. By providing detail about how the study was done and by explaining that hot flashes often get better even with inactive (or placebo) treatments, the story helps readers understand the finding that acupuncture was no better than a sham treatment. Many women reportedly use some type of complementary or alternative therapy to try to control hot flashes. This article wraps these new data about acupuncture neatly around a well-written story about why some of them might get relief and others not. Given the story’s overall quality, the lack of information on costs is a relatively minor flaw.	true
859	22087	You can't give a child an aspirin in school without permission. You can't do any kind of medication, but we can secretly take the child off and have an abortion.	The thrust of Oelrich's point is correct: You can’t give a child an aspirin in school without permission. To administer any non-prescription medication, school officials must have approval from the parent. And in some cases, the schools also need a note from a doctor -- even for cough drops. While Oelrich is right about the permission part, he specifically mentioned aspirin so we should add that giving aspirin to children is considered risky because of the medicine's connection to a deadly disease. But that wasn't exactly Oelrich's point in a debate over abortion and a minor's right to privacy.	true
860	3684	Agency: Partially treated sewage enters Delaware Bay.	Partially treated sewage is still flowing into the Lewes-Rehoboth Canal and the lower Delaware Bay due to a system malfunction at a treatment plant, state officials said.	true
861	8129	India shuts down flights, big cities as coronavirus toll rises in region.	India on Monday announced a halt to domestic flights and said the majority of the country was under complete lockdown to stop the spread of coronavirus as the number of people dying of the disease ticked up across densely populated South Asia.	true
862	2803	Europe assessing if weight affects 'morning after pill' success.	European regulators said on Friday they would assess whether emergency contraceptives, known as the “morning after pill” worked as effectively in women weighing more than 165.34 pounds, and whether the warning labels should be changed.	true
863	4443	Huntsmans give $150M to start mental health institute.	A new mental health institute funded by a $150 million donation from the influential Huntsman family will focus on researching the genetic causes of the illnesses and provide more treatment to college students and rural residents, the University of Utah announced Monday.	true
864	9482	Novel Procedure Improves Kidney Transplant Success	This news article describes a small clinical trial of an enzyme engineered to remove sensitizing antibodies from a patient about to undergo kidney transplantation within a few hours, increasing the chances of transplant success for potentially thousands of patients whose bodies are likely to quickly and forcefully reject a donor organ and for whom it is highly difficult to find a compatible tissue-matched donor. So-called pre-transplant “desensitization” is a strategy that has been around for about 15 years, but the new study involves a one-time, shorter-term, less complex approach than previous efforts. The article includes most of the needed cautions, shortcomings and barriers to clinical use of what remains an experimental treatment. However, the piece needed a stronger, explicit statement up high in the story that this treatment is clearly not yet ready for prime time, especially to counter the headline, which needed more context. Any strategy that can safely, effectively, more easily and at lower cost improve successful transplant rates will be newsworthy to thousands seeking donor organs. But these hopeful patients also deserve to know the hurdles that stand in the way before the treatment is available to them. This story covered most of those hurdles.	true
865	29871	"""A bill before the Oregon state legislature is “designed to allow for the starving of patients with dementia or mental illness"""" to death. """	Because both Senate Bill 494 or House Bill 4135 did not substantively alter the legal requirements for terminating life support in incapable adults, however, we rank as false the claim that these bills’ purpose was “designed to allow for the starving of patients with dementia or mental illness.”	false
866	10664	Two new blood thinners better than Plavix and warfarin, studies say	This story reported on two studies published in the same issue of the New England Journal of Medicine. Both studies compared the effects of an anti-clotting medication on a currently available treatment, though the two studies involved different patient populations. The story never made clear whether there was a connection between the two studies reported; as the information provided on the two studies differed, this review focused on the first half of the story about the results of a phase III clinical trial involving the medication ticagrelor. The reporting on ticagrelor, a medication for use in patients with acute coronary syndrome that may be available in the future. There was discussion of how this drug differs from the currently available therapies and the story discussed, albeit incompletely, some of the reasons this drug may be preferable to those on the market as well as covering some issues that may arise from the use of this drug. The story would have been improved if it had included results from the other studies that have been conducted which had different results. Providing a more complete picture would better enable readers to understand the value in the new treatment.	true
867	27181	President Trump did not recite the Apostles' Creed as other attendees did during George H.W. Bush's funeral.	This wasn’t the only criticism levied at President Trump over something he allegedly did (or didn’t do) at George H.W. Bush’s funeral. Many social media users also accused him of disrespecting the deceased by failing to place his hand over his heart while the former president’s casket was carried into Washington National Cathedral. We investigated this rumor, too, and found that the accusation was largely inaccurate.	true
868	31574	"""There are """"no-go zones"""" in Sweden where the police can't enter."""	Those news reports are a far cry from the experiences of Malmö citizens, however. “I don’t recognize at all the picture in the media versus what my experience is,” Malmö resident Pontus Böckman told us. “We feel safe.”	false
869	7427	Jobless claims decline as New Mexico prepares for reopening.	Fewer people filed for unemployment benefits for the week ending May 9, and state officials are hopeful that number will decline even more as New Mexico businesses prepare for the relaxing of coronavirus restrictions beginning Saturday.	true
870	26001	“COVID19 PCR tests are scientifically meaningless.”	Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests are among the most common and reliable ways to test for the coronavirus. These tests look for the genetic material of the coronavirus in a sample that’s typically taken from a person’s nose or throat. Health care providers use them to confirm whether someone has the disease.	false
871	11166	The Healthy Skeptic: DHA touted as ‘smart’ pill for kids	We typically love the Healthy Skeptic column and truly look forward to its thoughtful analysis of health claims being made for various products and treatments. In this piece about DHA supplements, though, we felt there wasn’t enough hard-hitting skepticism. The story did a great job explaining the supplements themselves and discussing the way they are marketed. It also provided good cost information. Most importantly, it presented strong evidence to counter the claims that DHA makes kids smarter. That evidence, however, was undercut by the only two people quoted in the story. Two medical doctors who give their own children DHA. These experts essentially say that kids should take the supplements even if the evidence supporting its benefit is weak. The article quotes one of these experts saying, “There’s no downside to it.” Glossing over potential risks and touting uNPRoven benefits are usually areas where the Healthy Skeptic finds fault. We fear this story will become yet another piece of marketing for an health supplement that has no documented health benefit. Young children don’t make most diet choices for themselves, and they certainly don’t buy themselves health supplements. Parents understandably want to help their children succeed in school, and if they see a possible brain booster in a product such as a DHA supplement, they are going to buy it, especially if they see the product being touted in the Los Angeles Times and other mainstream publications. The Times owes it to its readers to be more critical of these products and to help parents understand what reasonable steps they can take to help their children do well in school without taking an unnecessary pill.	mixture
872	8036	U.S. group bombards doctors with coronavirus petition to cut 'red tape'.	Dr. Eric Anderson had just finished vacuuming his New Hampshire home early on Wednesday when the phone in his pocket buzzed with an unusual text message.	true
873	9174	More IV fluids, fewer c-sections	Despite efforts by obstetrical organizations and other groups over the years to reduce cesarean surgeries, the procedure continues to be performed in approximately one-in-three births in the United States. The study described here explores the possible benefits of increased hydration during labor and finds, via a well-designed meta-analysis, that giving low-risk, first-time mothers more fluids via intravenous (IV) therapy during labor reduces the number of cesarean sections, as well as the overall length of labor. The news release offers readers a summary of the findings without much detail and, importantly, fails to note that the women included in the analysis cannot be generalized to all women in labor. The release does specify the absence of conflicts of interest among the principal investigators, an important transparency component. Cesarean surgeries are invasive, complicated, and fraught with possible repercussions. They are life-saving when necessary, but critics have long argued that their use in the United States far exceeds normal parameters. Studies such as the one described here, if supported by additional research to explore the applicability to a wider general population, can contribute to better decision making on when to perform cesarean procedures.	mixture
874	33647	Pop star Lady Gaga is a 'hermaphrodite.'	For those who don’t fancy placing full faith in any one celebrity’s word, particularly where potentially delicate matters are concerned, we note that no one (of either sex) whom Lady Gaga has been intimate with has reported having come across any surprises of a penile nature. Given the all too often baseness of human nature and the high degree of interest the tabloids would have in such an intelligence, Lady Gaga’s word plus the thunderous silence of those she has befriended should serve to put this canard to rest.	false
875	35346	A viral photograph showing a canine coronavirus vaccine demonstrates that there should already exist a human vaccine for COVID-19.	The popular Facebook photo does show a real vaccine used to help dogs fight a specific strain of coronavirus unique to that species. The type of shot, however, is not effective in humans and will not help scientists fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.	false
876	35270	A photograph shows protesters displaying an anti-Semitic sign during a COVID-19 lockdown protest.	Ohio state Rep. Casey Weinstein, who had previously tweeted the above photograph along with the comments “There is a long, scary and disgusting history of blaming Jews for plagues and disease. NOT ON MY WATCH” and “I’ll call this out and stand right up to antisemitism wherever and whenever I see it!” also tweeted a second photograph of the two men wielding the anti-Semitic sign:	true
877	26401	“Sweden has zero lockdown” and “is in no worse shape than Denmark or Norway,” which are in lockdown.	It goes too far to say Sweden has no lockdown in response to COVID-19. Sweden’s recommendations aren’t as strict as Norway’s and Denmark’s, but it is recommending social distancing. The rate of confirmed coronavirus cases is rising faster in Sweden than in Norway and Denmark, and Sweden has a higher death rate. Differences such as how much testing is being done from one country to another can make comparisons difficult.	false
878	11270	FDA approves first new drug for lupus in 56 years	"""Good caveats, including in the patient profiled, who said, """"It’s a bittersweet thing for me because I have friends with lupus for whom this drug won’t work. There’s no one-size-fits-all for lupus and I’m just extremely fortunate that my lupus is mild and is helped by Benlysta."""" The story should have discussed potential harms and costs. As the story explained, this was not only the first new lupus drug approved in 56 years, but it could be """"a milestone that medical experts say could prompt development of other drugs that are even more effective in treating the debilitating immune system disorder."""""""	true
879	28247	Two women entered a closed amusement park and then sued its operators after injuring themselves while improperly self-operating an attraction.	What's true: Two women entered a closed beachside amusement park and then sued its operators after they injured themselves while improperly self-operating a slide. What's false: The women withdrew their lawsuit within days of filing it.	mixture
880	37567	"""Players in the online """"World of Warcraft"""" game were hit with an in-game virus, one that was later studied by researchers."""	Was ‘World of Warcraft’ Once Hit by a Virus That Was Subsequently Studied by Researchers?	true
881	35277	The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's guidelines for listing COVID-19 on death certificates in the absence of a test are resulting in a case overcount.	Jensen’s commentary contributed to a narrative promoted by right-leaning media outlets that the ongoing COVID-19 coronavirus disease pandemic is not as deadly or serious as reported, and that social-distancing measures implemented to control its spread are unwarranted. “HUGE! MN Senator and Dr. Reveals HHS Document Coaching Him on How to Overcount COVID-19 Cases,” read one headline from the conspiracy site The Gateway Pundit.	false
882	28871	The Corrections Corporation of America (CCA) said that cannabis legalization would harm their profits, and they spend $1 million per year fighting changes to marijuana laws.	"""What's true: The wording on the meme comes from the CCA's SEC filings, and the organization spends approximately $1 million on (all forms of) lobbying per year. What's false: CCA's lobbying expenditures don't focus solely on marijuana prohibition, and the meme's quoted wording was neither taken from a """"memo"""" nor expresses CCA's stated reason for opposing marijuana legalization."""	mixture
883	38439	Flu shots contain toxins and ingredients that can destroy your brain and cause Alzheimer’s disease.	Flu Shots Cause Alzheimer’s Disease	false
884	12474	Last year was one of the deadliest years ever for law enforcement officers.	"""Sen. Thom Tillis, a North Carolina Republican, said a new pro-police law is needed because 2016 """"was one of the deadliest years ever for law enforcement officers."""" That’s wrong. In fact, 2016 saw a below-average number and rate of officer deaths compared to the last half-century. The 66 officers killed in 2016 pales in comparison to the 1970s and 1980s, and wasn’t much different from the typical year in the 1990s, either."""	false
885	37845	"""New evidence"""" shows that wearing a face mask can """"help coronavirus enter the brain"""" and """"pose more health risk."""	There’s No ‘New Evidence’ Face Masks Pose Health Risks to Healthy People During the COVID-19 Pandemic	false
886	30907	Every time a particular message is shared, a company will donate money towards the medical care of a 14-year-old boy who was shot by his stepfather while he was defending his 2-year-old sister from rape.	If you want to make a difference in a sick child’s life, the best way is still the old-fashioned one: donate your money or your time, not a worthless text message.	false
887	19276	Laurie Monnes Anderson Says she is a registered nurse.	Is Laurie Monnes Anderson a registered nurse?	false
888	7338	Most US states fall short of recommended testing levels.	As businesses reopened Friday in more of the U.S., an overwhelming majority of states still fall short of the COVID-19 testing levels that public health experts say are necessary to safely ease lockdowns and avoid another deadly wave of outbreaks, according to an Associated Press analysis.	true
889	33673	KISS bassist Gene Simmons had a cow's tongue grafted onto his own.	What's not to believe about a band founded as much on outrageousness as on music?	false
890	5420	British-Iranian woman held in Iran moved to psychiatric ward.	A British-Iranian woman imprisoned in Iran has been transferred to a hospital mental health facility, her husband said Wednesday.	true
891	33840	Mr. and Mrs. Leland Stanford decided to found their own university after being rebuffed by Harvard's president.	A 2001 version of this e-mail falsely attributed the piece to Malcolm Forbes, the founder and publisher of Forbes (a business magazine).	false
892	37353	"""Illegal immigrants"""" are trashing the Arizona desert when they pass through on their way into the United States."""	Photos of Trash in the Arizona Desert Left Behind by ‘Illegal Immigrants’?	mixture
893	42158	Federal Witness Due To Testify Against Hillary Clinton For Drug Crimes Killed In Massive Explosion	Q: Were the victims of a New Jersey home explosion tied to an investigation into the Clinton Foundation?A: No. A viral conspiracy theory is spreading that claim without any evidence. Investigators told us they “found no evidence of foul play” and that the deaths were ruled “accidental.”	false
894	35297	Former U.S. Rep. Trey Gowdy penned a text suggesting that COVID-19 was part of a conspiracy against U.S. President Donald Trump.	The common flu has killed more people this year already and the media is SILENT!	false
895	9566	Study shines a light on low winter-time male libido	This story reports on a pilot study that used light boxes, similar to those for treating seasonal affective disorder, to increase flagging sex drive in men. Researchers said exposure to bright light for 30 minutes every morning for two weeks led to higher average testosterone levels and greater average reported levels of sexual satisfaction, possibly due to a series of hormonal affects. The story appears to rely nearly entirely on the news release and does not mention costs, harms or limitations of the study, which researchers acknowledge was too small to draw clinical conclusions. Overall, the story was too brief to be helpful and as many stories of “new findings” do, shared only positive conclusions. Any study on a potential treatment for sexual dysfunction is bound to trigger an avalanche of coverage. This proved no exception, generating more than 20 news stories from outlets as varied as the BBC, Huffington Post, Fox News and Maxim, which ran the grossly misleading headline: “Want To Be Better At Sex? Just Turn on the Lights.” All this hype for a study hasn’t been published in any peer-reviewed journal and involved just a few dozen patients. Even the researchers involved acknowledge that a large, independent trial is needed before light therapy can be recommended as a treatment. And while there could be a connection between short days and low sex drive, it’s far from clear how many men can blame their lack of libido on a dearth of sunlight. Such cautions are lost amid sensational coverage that could leave readers with a false impression that you can cure sexual dysfunction simply by turning on a light switch.	false
896	6587	Dale Earnhardt Jr. to miss at least 2 more races.	Dale Earnhardt Jr. has not been cleared by doctors to return to racing and will miss at least two more races — at Michigan and Darlington — as he recovers from a concussion.	true
897	7658	U.S. warns citizens in China about pneumonia outbreak.	The U.S. State Department warned Americans in China about an outbreak of pneumonia in the central city of Wuhan believed to be caused by a new strain of coronavirus, which has killed one person.	true
898	11139	A drink a day good for middle-aged women, study finds	We liked the careful framing of results, which avoided any suggestion that the alcohol was causing the better health outcomes. We also appreciated the caveat about avoiding higher alcohol intakes, which would likely negate any health benefits. But we wish the story included a comment or two from an independent expert about the limitations of the study, or the size of the effect that was seen. Single-source coverage invariably tells only one side of a story about health research. An independent perspective can almost always help readers interpret complicated studies better. Stories reporting on dietary or lifestyle exposures have to be particularly careful to include context and discussion of possible harm.	false
899	10464	Fruits and Vegetables May Prolong Your Life	Similar to another WebMD report we reviewed that was also about an article in the Archives of Internal Medicine, this one appears to be cribbed from the journal’s news release. The study reported that a one-time measurement of alpha-carotene blood levels showed that higher levels were associated with lower death rates recorded over the following 14 years. The story then leaps to the unfounded interpretation that the study results show eating foods rich in antioxidants fights disease. The story fails to point out that this sort of observational study cannot prove cause-and-effect. (Read our primer on this topic.) And the story didn’t discuss any of the important limitations in the analysis. There are no independent sources quoted and the lack of that perspective makes it difficult for readers to understand how this study fits in with other evidence on nutrition and health. “Eat your veggies” may appear to be a benign lead, but this sort of incomplete reporting can lead to potentially hazardous misinterpretations of the evidence on nutrition and health. Similar observational studies hinted at benefits of beta-carotene, but when beta-carotene supplements were tested in experiments, it turned out that not only were the pills not beneficial, but those taking the supplements actually had higher rates of lung cancer. Vitamin-E is another example of a food component that was wildly promoted by those who misinterpreted observational studies. Then many people were surprised when careful experiments failed to find the hoped-for health benefits. Careful reporting of the limitations and pitfalls of this sort of study is essential if readers are to get an accurate sense of what the evidence actually says… so they are less likely to be disappointed and discouraged in the future… and also less likely to be misled by those who have a financial interest in making claims that are not actually supported by the best evidence.	false

800

33813

Groucho Marx made a risqué wisecrack about his cigar to a female You Bet Your Life contestant with 19 children.

Rumor has it that Groucho Marx made a risqué wisecrack about his cigar to a female 'You Bet Your Life' contestant with 17 children.

false

801

854

Indonesia's capital curbs private cars in bid to cut choking pollution.

Indonesia’s capital announced new curbs on private cars on Wednesday as it moves to rein in Jakarta’s choking air pollution, but experts warned the measures were unlikely to stamp out the problem.

true

802

27425

Seattle has imposed an excise tax on the distributors of sweetened drinks.

The stated purpose of the tax and the proceeds derived therefrom are to expand access to healthy and affordable food, close the food security gap (i.e., assist those who do not qualify for SNAP benefits), promote healthy nutrition choices, reduce disparities in social, developmental, and educational readiness and learning for children, assist high school graduates to enter college, and expand services for the birth-to-five population and their families.

true

803

9789

Omega-3 oils shown as good for brain health in study involving older people

At least the Post, unlike CNN, managed to slip in a few caveats about the research in its 270-word snippet of a story. And it didn’t make any questionable claims about the health effects of omega-3s. However, the story lacked a clear explanation of the potential benefits and offered no independent perspective. Both would have been helpful here. We recognize that this feature, Quick Study, is meant to be a short summary of research for the busy reader. And we appreciate the standard disclaimer the feature carries at the end, which says: “conclusive evidence about a treatment’s effectiveness is rarely found in a single study. Anyone considering changing or beginning treatment of any kind should consult with a physician.” Nevertheless, even tiny information nuggets like this one need to provide key details about the research and context. If there’s not enough room for those things, editors should think hard about whether the story is worth running at all. Does this help readers – or just add more background noise in the daily drumbeat of health care news?

false

804

29564

"""The Obama Administration is """"fighting in court"""" to allow non-citizens to vote in general elections."""

"""What's true: The League of Women Voters (along with the NAACP and other parties) filed for injunctive relief against the Election Assistance Commission on 12 February 2016 due to unilaterally imposed voter registration restrictions requiring """"documentary proof"""" of American citizenship; current law prohibits non-citizens from registering to vote or voting under penalty of perjury. What's false: The Obama Administration or Justice Department initiated the suit; the Election Assistance Commission's actions would enable non-citizens to legally vote in 2016 primaries and the general election; any parties are advocating for the right of non-citizens to vote in primary or general elections. What's undetermined: The ultimate outcome of a 9 March 2016 hearing on the suit's merits."""

false

805

29416

A Minnesota man was jailed simply for possessing a windmill on his property.

What's true: Minnesota man Jay Nygard was jailed in October 2015 after being found in contempt of court for refusing to comply with an order to remove a concrete base from his property. What's false: Nygard was not thrown in jail for simply erecting a windmill; Nygard did not spend six months in jail.

false

806

36019

"""Many people remember a line saying, """"I see white people"""" in the film 'Scary Movie', which parodied, among other things, 'The Sixth Sense' — but that line is not actually in 'Scary Movie.'"""

Scary Movie ‘I See White People’ Mandela Effect

true

807

9287

Clinical trial examines safety, effectiveness of drug to treat binge eating disorder

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s office has proposed waiving a tax on coal to help finance pollution-curbing equipment, according to documents, but the move would also make coal more competitive in price with solar and wind energy.

true

808

12546

President Trump last month proposed a $6 billion cut in funding to the National Institutes of Health. And thank God our congressmen made a deal last night to not go along with that. They actually increased funding by $2 billion.

"""Kimmel said, """"President Trump last month proposed a $6 billion cut in funding to the National Institutes of Health. And thank God our congressmen made a deal last night to not go along with that. They actually increased funding by $2 billion."""" Technically, the two funding changes Kimmel referenced are for different fiscal years, so Congress didn’t precisely exchange the increase for Trump’s proposed cut. But Kimmel’s broader point is solid: The move by Congress to increase, rather than decrease, NIH’s funding for the rest of the 2017 fiscal year is a signal that lawmakers are in no mood to cut NIH’s budget by $5.8 billion once the 2018 spending bills are taken up."""

true

809

36686

"""Two videos show """"Muslim migrants"""" and """"a Muslim mob"""" attacking people."""

Zimbabwe state doctors who were fired for going on strike have rejected a government offer to return to work, their union said on Friday.

false

810

7783

As Ebola threatens mega-cities, vaccine stockpile needs grow.

Doubts are growing about whether the world’s emergency stockpile of 300,000 Ebola vaccine doses is enough to control future epidemics as the deadly disease moves out of rural forest areas and into urban mega-cities.

true

811

31455

Former Alaska governor was critically injured in an automobile accident.

Reports that the former Alaska governor was critically injured in an automobile accident are fake news.

false

812

9601

A Cavity-Fighting Liquid Lets Kids Avoid Dentists’ Drills

The story focuses on the use of silver diamine fluoride (SDF) to treat and prevent dental cavities, particularly in children. The story does a good job of addressing cost, discussing benefits in context, and drawing on input from a variety of independent sources. But the article seems to be somewhat one sided, praising the therapy much more strongly than discussing the downsides of the treatment or the potential need for ongoing repeat treatment. And it sidesteps a solid discussion of what the medical evidence says about SDF. As well, we found this headline problematic. “A cavity-fighting liquid lets kids avoid dentists’ drills.” Yes, SDF could help many kids avoid dentists’ drills for some cavities– but, due to lack of availability, a lot of kids won’t be able to use SDF, and even kids who can use SDF won’t be able to use it if they have particularly large cavities. “A cavity-fighting liquid lets some kids avoid dentists’ drills” would have been more accurate and informative. According to the CDC, cavities are extremely common in young children: 19.5 percent of children aged 2-5, and 20 percent of children aged 5-11, have cavities. SDF offers a relatively faster, less painful, low-cost alternative to the traditional “drilling and filling” treatment of cavities. There has also been news coverage of an increase in the use of general anesthesia on young children in order to treat cavities, though we were unable to find any research on the subject. If SDF can be used to address cavities, allowing children to avoid treatment that requires general anesthesia — and related risks — that’s certainly worth covering. As with medical stories, it’s vital that dental stories like these take a look at the research/evidence for a particular intervention and discuss it with readers, which this one didn’t.

true

813

31413

"""A Clinton Foundation cargo ship arriving from Africa was raided and found to contain """"illegal contraband"""" in the form of foreign refugees, narcotics, weapons, and illegal fruits."""

The Resistance may include information from sources that may or may not be reliable and facts that don’t necessarily exist. All articles should be considered satirical and any and all quotes attributed to actual people complete and total baloney. Pictures that represent actual people should be considered altered and not in any way real.

false

814

29462

Radio personality Michael Savage was fired because he talked about Hillary Clinton's health on the air.

What's true: Michael Savage's nationally syndicated radio show was temporarily preempted by one station in favor of live, on-scene coverage of the 26 September 2016 presidential debate. What's false: Michael Savage was not fired or removed from the airwaves for discussing Hillary Clinton's health.

false

815

2986

High anxiety: Proposed US hemp rules worry industry .

Hemp growers and entrepreneurs who were joyous a year ago after U.S. lawmakers reclassified the plant as a legal agricultural crop now are worried their businesses could be crippled if federal policymakers move ahead with draft regulations.

true

816

5435

‘An Inconvenient Sequel’ kicks off climate-focused Sundance.

Ten years after the watershed environmental documentary “An Inconvenient Truth” debuted, climate change is as dire as ever and yet the solutions are right in front of us, say directors Bonni Cohen and Jon Shenk, whose film “An Inconvenient Sequel” kicks off the Sundance Film Festival on Thursday.

true

817

11403

Your hairs are what you eat, study says

This story reports on the results of a new study describing the use of hair samples to diagnose eating disorders. This short story does not present much information and leaves the reader wondering if hair sample analysis could be useful in clinical practice or if it will simply be an interesting research tool. The story does not mention harms of the test. For example, what might be the harms of the test in the 20% who were misidentified? The story does not mention alternative methods of diagnosing an eating disorder, such as body mass index or other measures. The story also does not adequately quantify the benefits of the test. Although the story says that the test was correct 80% of the time, it is not clear what this means. Does this mean that the test was positive 80% of the time in women with eating disorders (i.e. sensitivity = 80%)? But how often was the test negative in subjects who did not have the disease (i.e. specificity)? The story does not adequately describe the design of the current study or the strength of the available evidence. The story also does not mention costs or comment on the availability of the test. Hair analysis for various purposes is already available and for the most part is of questionable and uNPRoven clinical value. The implication in this story, although there is no explicit comment on availability, is that the test is readily available. Yet the study was done on only 20 women diagnosed as having anorexia, anorexia and bulimia, or bulimia.

false

818

7539

Georgia to reopen some businesses as early as Friday.

Georgia’s governor announced plans Monday to restart the state’s economy before the end of the week, saying many businesses that closed to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus could reopen as early as Friday.

true

819

18193

Sarah Ponder Says $800,000 cost of Texas special legislative session would pay for 1.6 million condoms, 90,000 months of the pill or 20 full-time sexual health educators.

"""Ponder used a conservative estimate for the cost of the second special session, presuming it runs for the full 30 days. She used the lowest price we found for the pill, a mid-range price for condoms and a salary that doesn’t seem out of line for an entry-level sexual health educator position, so it’s probably true that under certain circumstances, you could pay for the items on her sign with $800,000 apiece. Then again, it might be fairer to estimate the pill at $25 a month instead of $9, which means you could only pay for 32,000 months of contraception, not the 90,000 months she cited. And unless you only wanted to hire newly-graduated sexual health educators, you might have to pay them more like $52,000 per year, which would cover 16 instead of 20 educators. So an adjusted version of the sign might read: """"$800,000: 1.6 million condoms, 32,000 months of the pill, 16 full-time sexual health educators"""" instead of """"$800,000: 1.6 million condoms, 90K months of the pill, 20 full-time sexual health educators."""""""

true

820

11080

Weekend workouts can benefit health as much as a week of exercise, say researchers

This story looks at an observational study comparing frequency of exercise vs no exercise on early risk of death, with an emphasis placed on “weekend warrior” style exercise. Like we saw in our review of Newsweek’s take on this study, this story from The UK Guardian confuses association with causation. It also didn’t mention any of the study’s limitations, which were plentiful. However, we were pleased to see the inclusion of an independent source, who helped establish what was novel about the study findings. Many people struggle to get enough exercise, and if the study’s findings are verifiable, then this is good news for people who can only exercise on the weekends. However, news stories shouldn’t overstate the findings nor mislead people about just how beneficial it really is.

true

821

3996

Animal health care company to open Mississippi facility.

An animal health care company has announced a new Mississippi distribution center, carrying a $1.7 million investment and the creation of 27 jobs.

true

822

5740

Vaccine panel gives nod to HPV shots for men up to age 26.

A vaccine against cervical and other cancers should be recommended for both men and women up to age 26, a U.S. government advisory panel decided Wednesday.

true

823

23226

When Washington liberals wanted to take away our guns, Chet said no.

Rep. Chet Edwards says he said no to Washington liberals who wanted to take away our guns

false

824

26039

Facebook post Says Gov. Tony Evers “removed the American flag from the Capitol building”

The picture presented as proof was from a rally in support of reopening Wisconsin on April 24, 2020. Like most protests, that occurred on the West side of the building, where the flagpole atop the entrance is controlled by the state Assembly. The Assembly only flies the U.S. flag there when in session, and they weren’t that day. The additional detail about Evers ordering a flag to be removed is nonsense.

false

825

35858

The so-called “Benadryl Challenge” went viral on TikTok in 2020, challenging teenagers to overdose on the allergy medication to elicit hallucinatory effects, prompting warnings from medical experts over the potential risk of overdose death.

Benadryl owner Johnson & Johnson wrote that the misuse of its drug can lead to serious side effects with “potentially long-lasting or even life-threatening consequences.”

true

826

10870

Antidepressant May Help Ease Hot Flashes

In contrast with the poorly sourced blog post, this story includes comments from two experts who provide valuable context about the findings of a recent trial. And while the discussion of harms was still inadequate, this story did at least mention the possibility of harm from the treatment and described one of the most common adverse effects. The story also did a good job of describing the design of the study and reporting the benefits in a way that readers can understand and use. It would have benefited from some cost data, a better comparison of antidepressants with hormone therapy, and more emphasis on the short-term nature of the study (8 weeks) considering that hot flash symptoms can last for years. We need more treatment options for women with disruptive menopausal symptoms. Although hormone treatment is effective, many women are reluctant to take hormones because of the increase in potentially serious adverse effects associated with their use. Emerging research suggests that antidepressants may be an alternate option, but the study discussed in this story found that Lexapro is only slightly more effective than a placebo for reducing hot flashes. In addition, use of antidepressants also may cause a variety of adverse effects which, while less serious than the risks of hormone therapy, can be troublesome enough to cause people to stop taking the medication. Stories should provide this full context to help women make the best possible choice about how to manage their symptoms.

true

827

37612

If you can't speak when calling 999 (the UK's version of 911), pressing 55 will alert the operator to your emergency.

For ‘Silent Help,’ ‘Ring 999, Then Press 55’

mixture

828

3004

New York called to include menthol in flavored tobacco ban.

New York lawmakers could ban flavored tobacco products amid growing concern over the tobacco and vaping industry’s use of flavorings to attract young people and African Americans, though it’s unclear whether a push to ban menthol cigarettes will succeed.

true

829

34707

The artificial butter flavoring used in microwave popcorn poses a danger of lung damage to ordinary consumers.

Does the artificial butter flavoring used in microwave popcorn pose a danger of lung damage to ordinary consumers?

unproven

830

7794

Snowstorms shut down Ireland, Britain calls in army for hospitals.

Snowstorms shut most of Ireland on Friday and forced Britain to call in the army to help battle some of the worst weather seen for nearly 30 years.

true

831

24614

53 percent of Americans cut back on their health care in the last year because of costs.

Pascrell says 53 percent of Americans cut back on health care due to costs

mixture

832

5340

New Mexico governor seeks ideas for recreational pot law.

New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham is launching a new effort to craft legislation that could legalize recreational marijuana sales next year.

true

833

12767

And this would be the first year, if everything holds true, we will spend over $10 billion of our state budget on Medicaid out of the $28 billion budget.

"""Rowden was trying to illustrate that Medicaid spending has reached out-of-control levels. According to Greitens' budget recommendations for fiscal year 2018, the budget for Medicaid has gone up over $1 billion in the last three years and now takes up approximately 37 percent of the state budget. Despite the growing concern from Republicans on the cost of Medicaid spending, Greitens has recommended $10.7 billion for the service for fiscal year 2018, an increase of over $500 million from fiscal year 2017. However, it’s important to note that """"we"""" — as in the state of Missouri — don’t directly fund the entire $10 billion. Because of the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage and the Federal Reimbursement Allowance programs, the state only has to spend approximately $1.7 billion of state revenue on Medicaid. So while Medicaid spending will exceed $10 billion of the nearly $28 billion budget, not all of the money is coming directly from the state. Rowden’s statement is accurate but needs clarification."""

true

834

16130

The number of killings of citizens by police is at a two-decade high.

"""Morial said, """"The number of killings of citizens by police is at a two-decade high."""" Morial was quoting a USA Today analysis based on FBI statistics. In that sense, Morial seemed to have good sources. But digging deeper showed the information is hardly reliable. Only a fraction of law enforcement agencies provide this data to the FBI, and the agencies reporting changes every year. These problems are not new and were in fact noted in the USA Today story he referenced. Normally we would put more stock in FBI statistics. But in this case there are many known problems with the data."""

mixture

835

27088

Anti-abortion Republican U.S. Rep. Scott DesJarlais testified that he encouraged some women to have abortions.

“Despite a fixation by his political opponents on the details of a previous marriage from the 1990s, the people of Tennessee’s Fourth District have shown they care much more about the Congressman’s job in Washington than the details of a divorce,” a spokesman for DesJarlais said in 2015.

true

836

23314

Jeff Merkley Says with the ongoing economic downturn, child abuse is on the rise.

Jeff Merkley says with the economic downturn Oregon is seeing more child abuse

true

837

1505

Millions of Americans to gaze upon Monday's once-in-a-lifetime eclipse.

Twilight will fall at midday on Monday, stars will glimmer and birds will roost in an eerie stillness as millions of Americans and visitors witness the first total solar eclipse to traverse the United States from coast to coast in 99 years.

true

838

21066

"""D.A. King Says Rick Perry """"proposed a binational health insurance program with Mexico."""

Did Rick Perry propose a bi-national health care plan with Mexico?

true

839

33290

A new tranquilizer dart gun on the market is designed to put children to sleep.

Fake news site reports the FDA has approved the sale of a new tranquilizer dart gun intended to put children to sleep.

false

840

5025

Evers vows to ‘fight like hell’ for Medicaid expansion.

Democratic Gov. Tony Evers pledged Thursday to “fight like hell” to expand Medicaid in Wisconsin, a day after Republican legislative leaders said they would kill his proposal next week.

true

841

21

Exclusive: India's NTPC snubs foreign emissions tech, shuts out GE, others from $2 billion orders.

Top Indian electricity generator NTPC has rejected the emissions-cutting technology of GE and other foreign firms for its coal-fired plants, documents show, shutting them out of an estimated $2 billion in orders.

true

842

12315

"""Blogger Says """"CNN host Fareed Zakaria calls for jihad rape of white women."""

Recycled parody: CNN's Zakaria calls for jihadi rape of white women

false

843

2142

Researchers dig up controversy in Jerusalem.

Archaeologists in Jerusalem are competing to unearth artifacts pointing to the ancient city’s Jewish past, which are used to justify Israel’s claim to all of it as the indivisible capital of the modern Jewish state.

true

844

17756

If I have affordable coverage in my workplace, I'm not eligible to go into the marketplace. ... It’s illegal.

"""It’s pretty clear Sebelius was wrong when she said """"it’s illegal"""" for her to buy insurance on the exchange because she already has affordable insurance through her employer. Those inclined to do so certainly can, though the financial incentives to stay with the employer-based plan are quite convincing."""

false

845

6789

Plague in Madagascar hits urban areas, kills 2 dozen people.

Authorities in Madagascar are struggling to contain an outbreak of plague that has killed two-dozen people in recent weeks and has prompted a ban on large public gatherings in the capital to curb the disease’s spread.

true

846

3441

Germany: Rare virus linked to more fatal encephalitis cases.

A review of fatal encephalitis cases in the southern German state of Bavaria has found that more than twice as many as previously known were tied to a rare animal-borne virus, researchers said Wednesday.

true

847

9467

A new study claims prostate cancer screenings significantly reduce deaths. Not everyone agrees

This examination of two new mathematical modeling studies on the value of PSA testing accurately nails the problems in interpreting research of this nature and why it is difficult to draw firm conclusions. The reader is left with a broader understanding of different factors that might affect prostate cancer detection, including what is often called the “healthy user bias”–when those who undergo screening and/or treatments might be a healthier cohort of patients to begin with and it is that factor, not the decision to undergo screening/ treatment, that is the main reason for apparent improved survival. A Los Angeles Times story we reviewed on the same study didn’t provide this important context. PSA testing is a highly controversial, polarizing subject whereby those who promote it, as well as those men who have been treated based on raised prostate specific antigen levels, become evangelists for early detection. Others who examine the randomized trials bring attention to the fact that men who undergo PSA testing are more likely to have their lives drastically altered, suffer the effects of treatment (including urinary incontinence and erectile dysfunction), in exchange for the small likelihood that their lives would be “saved.”

true

848

16157

"""Austin mayoral candidate Steve Adler opposed an injunction to stop a """"company from dumping petrochemicals directly into the Barton Springs aquifer."""

"""Rockwell said Adler opposed an injunction to stop a """"company from dumping petrochemicals directly into the Barton Springs aquifer."""" It’s not that simple. Adler, representing Lowe’s in court, opposed a successful push by the City of Sunset Valley and environmental groups to get a temporary injunction to stop Lowe’s from continuing to build a store over the aquifer. In a hearing, an expert for the plaintiffs testified about observing a hydrocarbon sheen being part of runoff flowing from the site onto underground limestone and, significantly, the judge’s order in response said Lowe’s should address any oil spills. So, Adler sought to keep a project going that on the day before the hearing appeared to one engineer to be sending runoff with an oily sheen directly underground. However, there is vital missing context in that the legal fight wasn’t rooted in letting Lowe’s dump -- or stopping Lowe’s from dumping -- petrochemicals. The big issue was whether the site should be built out with up to 40 percent impervious cover or the 15 percent allowed under the SOS ordinance. The statement is partially accurate but leaves out important details or takes things out of context."""

mixture

849

6495

Fresh grounds for coffee: Study shows it may boost longevity.

Go ahead and have that cup of coffee, maybe even several more. New research shows it may boost chances for a longer life, even for those who down at least eight cups daily.

true

850

4979

Obesity surgery may lower heart attack danger in diabetics.

Obesity surgery may dramatically lower the danger of heart attacks and strokes in patients with diabetes, new research suggests, reinforcing evidence that benefits extend beyond weight loss.

true

851

7755

France to cull wild boar at Belgium border in swine fever alert.

France will cull all wild boar in a zone along the Belgian border to try and avoid an outbreak of a deadly swine disease after new cases were discovered nearby in Belgium, the French agriculture ministry said on Monday.

true

852

41948

"""Says an Obama-era rule denied gun rights to the elderly who """"sought help to do their taxes."""

In a speech to conservatives, National Rifle Association CEO Wayne LaPierre distorted the facts when talking about the federal system for conducting background checks on prospective gun buyers.

false

853

4651

Marijuana farms may be straining New Mexico water supplies.

More medical marijuana plants are being grown in New Mexico than ever, and the crop could be straining local water supplies.

true

854

10551

Fish Oil Use in Pregnancy Didnâ€™t Make Babies Smart

"""This story didn’t fare quite as well in our scoring as a competing Wall Street Journal story. However, neither story adequately explained what can actually and effectively be measured at 18 months of age that is compelling. Can anything definitively – pro or con – be said so early? Did the researchers get out ahead of themselves in reporting on this early interim phase when later followups are planned? All of the issues discussed in this story – and in this research – the quest for """"smarter babies,"""" reduction of postpartum depression, and reduced risk of premature birth – are important issues that we think deserved a bit more detail."""

mixture

855

5723

Eastern equine encephalitis detected in 2 more communities.

New Hampshire health officials say that Eastern equine encephalitis has been detected in three mosquito batches, one in Portsmouth and two in Fremont.

true

856

6229

Study: More evidence links earthquakes to energy waste wells.

Scientists say they have more evidence that an increase in earthquakes on the Colorado-New Mexico border since 2001 has been caused by wells that inject wastewater from oil and gas production back underground, similar to human-caused quakes in Oklahoma and other states.

true

857

26706

"""Being exposed to the sun for two hours"""" kills the 2019 coronavirus."""

There is no evidence that sun exposure kills the 2019 coronavirus. UNICEF has debunked a post that claims the organization said sunlight is effective against the virus. There is evidence that viruses don’t like heat. President Trump has said coronavirus infections could slow with warmer weather, but some experts doubt that prediction. A few of the best ways to prevent the coronavirus are to wash your hands with soap and water, avoid touching your face and disinfect surfaces in your home daily.

false

858

9872

Flash: No Needles. Acupuncture No Better Than Placebo for Hot Flashes

This is a well-balanced and thorough report on the first randomized controlled trial of acupuncture for menopausal hot flashes. It clearly describes the problem, the study, and its results. The writer provides useful context for understanding the scope of the problem and why researchers are interested in finding alternatives to the most commonly used hot flash treatment, hormone therapy. By providing detail about how the study was done and by explaining that hot flashes often get better even with inactive (or placebo) treatments, the story helps readers understand the finding that acupuncture was no better than a sham treatment. Many women reportedly use some type of complementary or alternative therapy to try to control hot flashes. This article wraps these new data about acupuncture neatly around a well-written story about why some of them might get relief and others not. Given the story’s overall quality, the lack of information on costs is a relatively minor flaw.

true

859

22087

You can't give a child an aspirin in school without permission. You can't do any kind of medication, but we can secretly take the child off and have an abortion.

The thrust of Oelrich's point is correct: You can’t give a child an aspirin in school without permission. To administer any non-prescription medication, school officials must have approval from the parent. And in some cases, the schools also need a note from a doctor -- even for cough drops. While Oelrich is right about the permission part, he specifically mentioned aspirin so we should add that giving aspirin to children is considered risky because of the medicine's connection to a deadly disease. But that wasn't exactly Oelrich's point in a debate over abortion and a minor's right to privacy.

true

860

3684

Agency: Partially treated sewage enters Delaware Bay.

Partially treated sewage is still flowing into the Lewes-Rehoboth Canal and the lower Delaware Bay due to a system malfunction at a treatment plant, state officials said.

true

861

8129

India shuts down flights, big cities as coronavirus toll rises in region.

India on Monday announced a halt to domestic flights and said the majority of the country was under complete lockdown to stop the spread of coronavirus as the number of people dying of the disease ticked up across densely populated South Asia.

true

862

2803

Europe assessing if weight affects 'morning after pill' success.

European regulators said on Friday they would assess whether emergency contraceptives, known as the “morning after pill” worked as effectively in women weighing more than 165.34 pounds, and whether the warning labels should be changed.

true

863

4443

Huntsmans give $150M to start mental health institute.

A new mental health institute funded by a $150 million donation from the influential Huntsman family will focus on researching the genetic causes of the illnesses and provide more treatment to college students and rural residents, the University of Utah announced Monday.

true

864

9482

Novel Procedure Improves Kidney Transplant Success

This news article describes a small clinical trial of an enzyme engineered to remove sensitizing antibodies from a patient about to undergo kidney transplantation within a few hours, increasing the chances of transplant success for potentially thousands of patients whose bodies are likely to quickly and forcefully reject a donor organ and for whom it is highly difficult to find a compatible tissue-matched donor. So-called pre-transplant “desensitization” is a strategy that has been around for about 15 years, but the new study involves a one-time, shorter-term, less complex approach than previous efforts. The article includes most of the needed cautions, shortcomings and barriers to clinical use of what remains an experimental treatment. However, the piece needed a stronger, explicit statement up high in the story that this treatment is clearly not yet ready for prime time, especially to counter the headline, which needed more context. Any strategy that can safely, effectively, more easily and at lower cost improve successful transplant rates will be newsworthy to thousands seeking donor organs. But these hopeful patients also deserve to know the hurdles that stand in the way before the treatment is available to them. This story covered most of those hurdles.

true

865

29871

"""A bill before the Oregon state legislature is “designed to allow for the starving of patients with dementia or mental illness"""" to death. """

Because both Senate Bill 494 or House Bill 4135 did not substantively alter the legal requirements for terminating life support in incapable adults, however, we rank as false the claim that these bills’ purpose was “designed to allow for the starving of patients with dementia or mental illness.”

false

866

10664

Two new blood thinners better than Plavix and warfarin, studies say

This story reported on two studies published in the same issue of the New England Journal of Medicine. Both studies compared the effects of an anti-clotting medication on a currently available treatment, though the two studies involved different patient populations. The story never made clear whether there was a connection between the two studies reported; as the information provided on the two studies differed, this review focused on the first half of the story about the results of a phase III clinical trial involving the medication ticagrelor. The reporting on ticagrelor, a medication for use in patients with acute coronary syndrome that may be available in the future. There was discussion of how this drug differs from the currently available therapies and the story discussed, albeit incompletely, some of the reasons this drug may be preferable to those on the market as well as covering some issues that may arise from the use of this drug. The story would have been improved if it had included results from the other studies that have been conducted which had different results. Providing a more complete picture would better enable readers to understand the value in the new treatment.

true

867

27181

President Trump did not recite the Apostles' Creed as other attendees did during George H.W. Bush's funeral.

This wasn’t the only criticism levied at President Trump over something he allegedly did (or didn’t do) at George H.W. Bush’s funeral. Many social media users also accused him of disrespecting the deceased by failing to place his hand over his heart while the former president’s casket was carried into Washington National Cathedral. We investigated this rumor, too, and found that the accusation was largely inaccurate.

true

868

31574

"""There are """"no-go zones"""" in Sweden where the police can't enter."""

Those news reports are a far cry from the experiences of Malmö citizens, however. “I don’t recognize at all the picture in the media versus what my experience is,” Malmö resident Pontus Böckman told us. “We feel safe.”

false

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7427

Jobless claims decline as New Mexico prepares for reopening.

Fewer people filed for unemployment benefits for the week ending May 9, and state officials are hopeful that number will decline even more as New Mexico businesses prepare for the relaxing of coronavirus restrictions beginning Saturday.

true

870

26001

“COVID19 PCR tests are scientifically meaningless.”

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests are among the most common and reliable ways to test for the coronavirus. These tests look for the genetic material of the coronavirus in a sample that’s typically taken from a person’s nose or throat. Health care providers use them to confirm whether someone has the disease.

false

871

11166

The Healthy Skeptic: DHA touted as ‘smart’ pill for kids

We typically love the Healthy Skeptic column and truly look forward to its thoughtful analysis of health claims being made for various products and treatments. In this piece about DHA supplements, though, we felt there wasn’t enough hard-hitting skepticism. The story did a great job explaining the supplements themselves and discussing the way they are marketed. It also provided good cost information. Most importantly, it presented strong evidence to counter the claims that DHA makes kids smarter. That evidence, however, was undercut by the only two people quoted in the story. Two medical doctors who give their own children DHA. These experts essentially say that kids should take the supplements even if the evidence supporting its benefit is weak. The article quotes one of these experts saying, “There’s no downside to it.” Glossing over potential risks and touting uNPRoven benefits are usually areas where the Healthy Skeptic finds fault. We fear this story will become yet another piece of marketing for an health supplement that has no documented health benefit. Young children don’t make most diet choices for themselves, and they certainly don’t buy themselves health supplements. Parents understandably want to help their children succeed in school, and if they see a possible brain booster in a product such as a DHA supplement, they are going to buy it, especially if they see the product being touted in the Los Angeles Times and other mainstream publications. The Times owes it to its readers to be more critical of these products and to help parents understand what reasonable steps they can take to help their children do well in school without taking an unnecessary pill.

mixture

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U.S. group bombards doctors with coronavirus petition to cut 'red tape'.

Dr. Eric Anderson had just finished vacuuming his New Hampshire home early on Wednesday when the phone in his pocket buzzed with an unusual text message.

true

873

9174

More IV fluids, fewer c-sections

Despite efforts by obstetrical organizations and other groups over the years to reduce cesarean surgeries, the procedure continues to be performed in approximately one-in-three births in the United States. The study described here explores the possible benefits of increased hydration during labor and finds, via a well-designed meta-analysis, that giving low-risk, first-time mothers more fluids via intravenous (IV) therapy during labor reduces the number of cesarean sections, as well as the overall length of labor. The news release offers readers a summary of the findings without much detail and, importantly, fails to note that the women included in the analysis cannot be generalized to all women in labor. The release does specify the absence of conflicts of interest among the principal investigators, an important transparency component. Cesarean surgeries are invasive, complicated, and fraught with possible repercussions. They are life-saving when necessary, but critics have long argued that their use in the United States far exceeds normal parameters. Studies such as the one described here, if supported by additional research to explore the applicability to a wider general population, can contribute to better decision making on when to perform cesarean procedures.

mixture

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33647

Pop star Lady Gaga is a 'hermaphrodite.'

For those who don’t fancy placing full faith in any one celebrity’s word, particularly where potentially delicate matters are concerned, we note that no one (of either sex) whom Lady Gaga has been intimate with has reported having come across any surprises of a penile nature. Given the all too often baseness of human nature and the high degree of interest the tabloids would have in such an intelligence, Lady Gaga’s word plus the thunderous silence of those she has befriended should serve to put this canard to rest.

false

875

35346

A viral photograph showing a canine coronavirus vaccine demonstrates that there should already exist a human vaccine for COVID-19.

The popular Facebook photo does show a real vaccine used to help dogs fight a specific strain of coronavirus unique to that species. The type of shot, however, is not effective in humans and will not help scientists fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

false

876

35270

A photograph shows protesters displaying an anti-Semitic sign during a COVID-19 lockdown protest.

Ohio state Rep. Casey Weinstein, who had previously tweeted the above photograph along with the comments “There is a long, scary and disgusting history of blaming Jews for plagues and disease. NOT ON MY WATCH” and “I’ll call this out and stand right up to antisemitism wherever and whenever I see it!” also tweeted a second photograph of the two men wielding the anti-Semitic sign:

true

877

26401

“Sweden has zero lockdown” and “is in no worse shape than Denmark or Norway,” which are in lockdown.

It goes too far to say Sweden has no lockdown in response to COVID-19. Sweden’s recommendations aren’t as strict as Norway’s and Denmark’s, but it is recommending social distancing. The rate of confirmed coronavirus cases is rising faster in Sweden than in Norway and Denmark, and Sweden has a higher death rate. Differences such as how much testing is being done from one country to another can make comparisons difficult.

false

878

11270

FDA approves first new drug for lupus in 56 years

"""Good caveats, including in the patient profiled, who said, """"It’s a bittersweet thing for me because I have friends with lupus for whom this drug won’t work. There’s no one-size-fits-all for lupus and I’m just extremely fortunate that my lupus is mild and is helped by Benlysta."""" The story should have discussed potential harms and costs. As the story explained, this was not only the first new lupus drug approved in 56 years, but it could be """"a milestone that medical experts say could prompt development of other drugs that are even more effective in treating the debilitating immune system disorder."""""""

true

879

28247

Two women entered a closed amusement park and then sued its operators after injuring themselves while improperly self-operating an attraction.

What's true: Two women entered a closed beachside amusement park and then sued its operators after they injured themselves while improperly self-operating a slide. What's false: The women withdrew their lawsuit within days of filing it.

mixture

880

37567

"""Players in the online """"World of Warcraft"""" game were hit with an in-game virus, one that was later studied by researchers."""

Was ‘World of Warcraft’ Once Hit by a Virus That Was Subsequently Studied by Researchers?

true

881

35277

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's guidelines for listing COVID-19 on death certificates in the absence of a test are resulting in a case overcount.

Jensen’s commentary contributed to a narrative promoted by right-leaning media outlets that the ongoing COVID-19 coronavirus disease pandemic is not as deadly or serious as reported, and that social-distancing measures implemented to control its spread are unwarranted. “HUGE! MN Senator and Dr. Reveals HHS Document Coaching Him on How to Overcount COVID-19 Cases,” read one headline from the conspiracy site The Gateway Pundit.

false

882

28871

The Corrections Corporation of America (CCA) said that cannabis legalization would harm their profits, and they spend $1 million per year fighting changes to marijuana laws.

"""What's true: The wording on the meme comes from the CCA's SEC filings, and the organization spends approximately $1 million on (all forms of) lobbying per year. What's false: CCA's lobbying expenditures don't focus solely on marijuana prohibition, and the meme's quoted wording was neither taken from a """"memo"""" nor expresses CCA's stated reason for opposing marijuana legalization."""

mixture

883

38439

Flu shots contain toxins and ingredients that can destroy your brain and cause Alzheimer’s disease.

Flu Shots Cause Alzheimer’s Disease

false

884

12474

Last year was one of the deadliest years ever for law enforcement officers.

"""Sen. Thom Tillis, a North Carolina Republican, said a new pro-police law is needed because 2016 """"was one of the deadliest years ever for law enforcement officers."""" That’s wrong. In fact, 2016 saw a below-average number and rate of officer deaths compared to the last half-century. The 66 officers killed in 2016 pales in comparison to the 1970s and 1980s, and wasn’t much different from the typical year in the 1990s, either."""

false

885

37845

"""New evidence"""" shows that wearing a face mask can """"help coronavirus enter the brain"""" and """"pose more health risk."""

There’s No ‘New Evidence’ Face Masks Pose Health Risks to Healthy People During the COVID-19 Pandemic

false

886

30907

Every time a particular message is shared, a company will donate money towards the medical care of a 14-year-old boy who was shot by his stepfather while he was defending his 2-year-old sister from rape.

If you want to make a difference in a sick child’s life, the best way is still the old-fashioned one: donate your money or your time, not a worthless text message.

false

887

19276

Laurie Monnes Anderson Says she is a registered nurse.

Is Laurie Monnes Anderson a registered nurse?

false

888

7338

Most US states fall short of recommended testing levels.

As businesses reopened Friday in more of the U.S., an overwhelming majority of states still fall short of the COVID-19 testing levels that public health experts say are necessary to safely ease lockdowns and avoid another deadly wave of outbreaks, according to an Associated Press analysis.

true

889

33673

KISS bassist Gene Simmons had a cow's tongue grafted onto his own.

What's not to believe about a band founded as much on outrageousness as on music?

false

890

5420

British-Iranian woman held in Iran moved to psychiatric ward.

A British-Iranian woman imprisoned in Iran has been transferred to a hospital mental health facility, her husband said Wednesday.

true

891

33840

Mr. and Mrs. Leland Stanford decided to found their own university after being rebuffed by Harvard's president.

A 2001 version of this e-mail falsely attributed the piece to Malcolm Forbes, the founder and publisher of Forbes (a business magazine).

false

892

37353

"""Illegal immigrants"""" are trashing the Arizona desert when they pass through on their way into the United States."""

Photos of Trash in the Arizona Desert Left Behind by ‘Illegal Immigrants’?

mixture

893

42158

Federal Witness Due To Testify Against Hillary Clinton For Drug Crimes Killed In Massive Explosion

Q: Were the victims of a New Jersey home explosion tied to an investigation into the Clinton Foundation?A: No. A viral conspiracy theory is spreading that claim without any evidence. Investigators told us they “found no evidence of foul play” and that the deaths were ruled “accidental.”

false

894

35297

Former U.S. Rep. Trey Gowdy penned a text suggesting that COVID-19 was part of a conspiracy against U.S. President Donald Trump.

The common flu has killed more people this year already and the media is SILENT!

false

895

9566

Study shines a light on low winter-time male libido

This story reports on a pilot study that used light boxes, similar to those for treating seasonal affective disorder, to increase flagging sex drive in men. Researchers said exposure to bright light for 30 minutes every morning for two weeks led to higher average testosterone levels and greater average reported levels of sexual satisfaction, possibly due to a series of hormonal affects. The story appears to rely nearly entirely on the news release and does not mention costs, harms or limitations of the study, which researchers acknowledge was too small to draw clinical conclusions. Overall, the story was too brief to be helpful and as many stories of “new findings” do, shared only positive conclusions. Any study on a potential treatment for sexual dysfunction is bound to trigger an avalanche of coverage. This proved no exception, generating more than 20 news stories from outlets as varied as the BBC, Huffington Post, Fox News and Maxim, which ran the grossly misleading headline: “Want To Be Better At Sex? Just Turn on the Lights.” All this hype for a study hasn’t been published in any peer-reviewed journal and involved just a few dozen patients. Even the researchers involved acknowledge that a large, independent trial is needed before light therapy can be recommended as a treatment. And while there could be a connection between short days and low sex drive, it’s far from clear how many men can blame their lack of libido on a dearth of sunlight. Such cautions are lost amid sensational coverage that could leave readers with a false impression that you can cure sexual dysfunction simply by turning on a light switch.

false

896

6587

Dale Earnhardt Jr. to miss at least 2 more races.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. has not been cleared by doctors to return to racing and will miss at least two more races — at Michigan and Darlington — as he recovers from a concussion.

true

897

7658

U.S. warns citizens in China about pneumonia outbreak.

The U.S. State Department warned Americans in China about an outbreak of pneumonia in the central city of Wuhan believed to be caused by a new strain of coronavirus, which has killed one person.

true

898

11139

A drink a day good for middle-aged women, study finds

We liked the careful framing of results, which avoided any suggestion that the alcohol was causing the better health outcomes. We also appreciated the caveat about avoiding higher alcohol intakes, which would likely negate any health benefits. But we wish the story included a comment or two from an independent expert about the limitations of the study, or the size of the effect that was seen. Single-source coverage invariably tells only one side of a story about health research. An independent perspective can almost always help readers interpret complicated studies better. Stories reporting on dietary or lifestyle exposures have to be particularly careful to include context and discussion of possible harm.

false

899

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Fruits and Vegetables May Prolong Your Life

Similar to another WebMD report we reviewed that was also about an article in the Archives of Internal Medicine, this one appears to be cribbed from the journal’s news release. The study reported that a one-time measurement of alpha-carotene blood levels showed that higher levels were associated with lower death rates recorded over the following 14 years. The story then leaps to the unfounded interpretation that the study results show eating foods rich in antioxidants fights disease. The story fails to point out that this sort of observational study cannot prove cause-and-effect. (Read our primer on this topic.) And the story didn’t discuss any of the important limitations in the analysis. There are no independent sources quoted and the lack of that perspective makes it difficult for readers to understand how this study fits in with other evidence on nutrition and health. “Eat your veggies” may appear to be a benign lead, but this sort of incomplete reporting can lead to potentially hazardous misinterpretations of the evidence on nutrition and health. Similar observational studies hinted at benefits of beta-carotene, but when beta-carotene supplements were tested in experiments, it turned out that not only were the pills not beneficial, but those taking the supplements actually had higher rates of lung cancer. Vitamin-E is another example of a food component that was wildly promoted by those who misinterpreted observational studies. Then many people were surprised when careful experiments failed to find the hoped-for health benefits. Careful reporting of the limitations and pitfalls of this sort of study is essential if readers are to get an accurate sense of what the evidence actually says… so they are less likely to be disappointed and discouraged in the future… and also less likely to be misled by those who have a financial interest in making claims that are not actually supported by the best evidence.

false