American Loon #2198: Kevin Ryerson

Channeling is a process where a fraud or loon (the “channeler”) claims to be invaded by a spirit entity which speaks through said channeler. Kevin Ryerson is one of the more familiar of these, after being featured in an ABC miniseries in 1987 hosted by Shirley MacLaine in which MacLaine...

Read the full lunacy:#2198: Kevin Ryerson Encyclopedia of American Loons

Chiropractors still ‘happily promote bogus treatments’ for infants

Chiropractors, I have repeatedly found, are somewhat slow at learning lessons even from their biggest mistakes. A new paper seem to confirm my suspicion. The purpose of this study was to investigate the report by mothers of their infants’ condition before and after a trial of care provided by chiropractors in addition to ratings of satisfaction, […]

Read the rest here: Chiropractors still ‘happily promote bogus treatments’ for infants

American Loon #2197: Joe Russa

A.k.a. SunEye  Ok, so this seems to be mostly just another New Age crank with a website, but said website is impressively crazy, so we think it is worth a mention. Joe Russa, a.k.a. SunEye, appears to attempt to synthesize every last bit of pink fluff and New Age ravings about chakras,...

Read the full lunacy: #2197: Joe Russa Encyclopedia of American Loons

Walmart is being sued for selling homeopathic products

The Center for Inquiry (CFI) is a non-profit educational, advocacy, and research organization headquartered based in the US. It is also home to the Richard Dawkins Foundation for Reason & Science, the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry, and the Council for Secular Humanism. The Center for Inquiry strives to foster a secular society based on reason, […]

Read the rest here: Walmart is being sued for selling homeopathic products

Kampo, a form of herbal medicine that is not as harmless as some might have hoped

Kampo, the traditional Japanese herbal medicine, developed out of traditional Chinese herbal medicine after it was introduced into Japan in the 7th century. In the early 20th century, Kampo was further influenced by modern Western medicine and science. The Kampo system is a pragmatic and simplified version of Chinese herbal medicine. Kampo medicines are standardised and […]

Read the rest here: Kampo, a form of herbal medicine that is not as harmless as some might have hoped

So-called alternative medicine (SCAM) causes harm in multiple ways – here are 10 dangers that come to my mind. Do you know more?

A new paper reminds us that so-called alternative medicine (SCAM) has been increasing in the United States and around the world, particularly at medical institutions known for providing rigorous evidence-based care. The use of SCAM may cause harm to patients through interactions with prescribed medications or by patients choosing to forego evidence-based care. SCAM may also put […]

Read the rest here: So-called alternative medicine (SCAM) causes harm in multiple ways – here are 10 dangers that come to my mind. Do you know more?

American Loon #2196: Gary Ruskin & the USRTK

Gary Ruskin is the executive director of the US Right to Know (USRTK), an anti-GMO activist organization ostensibly devoted to “uncovering the food industry’s efforts to manipulate scientists into advancing pro-genetically-modified propaganda,” but primarily trying to advance denialist causes...

Read the full lunacy: #2196: Gary Ruskin & the USRTK

Acute-on-Chronic Liver Failure caused by so-called alternative medicine (SCAM)

‘Acute-on-chronic liver failure’ (ACLF) is an acute deterioration of liver function in patients with pre-existing liver disease. It is usually associated with a precipitating event and results in the failure of one or more organs and high short term mortality. An international team of researchers published a analysis examining data regarding drugs producing ACLF. They […]

Read the rest here: Acute-on-Chronic Liver Failure caused by so-called alternative medicine (SCAM)

American Loon #2195: Mark Rushdoony

R.J. Rushdoony is famous for being one of the most deranged fundies of the latter half of the twentieth century. His son, Mark Rushdoony, has hardly managed to achieve the same kind of fame or renown, but he is at least not much less crazy and has dutifully followed in his father’s footsteps....

Read the full lunacy: #2195: Mark Rushdoony Encyclopedia of American Loons

Elderberry for influenza? How consumers are being misled by seemingly responsible sources

“Eating elderberries can help minimise influenza symptoms.” This statement comes from a press-release by the University of Sydney. As it turned out, the announcement was not just erroneous but it also had concealed that the in-vitro study that formed the basis for the press-release was part-funded by the very company, Pharmacare, which sells elderberry-based flu […]

Read the rest here: Elderberry for influenza? How consumers are being misled by seemingly responsible sources

A German manufacturer of homeopathic remedies is taking legal action against critics

German homeopathy has had a free ride for about 200 years. But, since a few years, critics have started voicing their opposition pointing out that homeopathy lacks evidence of effectiveness. Sales figures, previously in excess of 600 million Euros, have thus started to decline. As a result the homeopathic industry has begun to fight back […]

Read the rest here: A German manufacturer of homeopathic remedies is taking legal action against critics

Vienna 2019: the end of quackademia

My former institution, the medical school of Vienna, had invited me to give the key-note for a conference entitled ‘Esoterik in der Medizin’ (22/5/2019). The event was to celebrate the success of a new course for medical students which was initiated after Prof Frass’ lectures on homeopathy had been discontinued. Remarkably, this move had been […]

Read the rest here: Vienna 2019: the end of quackademia

American Loon #2194: Austin Ruse

The Center for Family and Human Rights (formerly the Catholic Family and Human Rights Institute), also known as C-FAM, is a fundie wingnut organization devoted to all things wingnut, and (of course) particularly associated with anti-gay-rights campaigning. The organization likes to portray...

Read the full lunacy: #2194: Austin Ruse Encyclopedia of American Loons

Sophrology: the French love it, but does it work?

Sophrology is big in France, but almost unknown in English-speaking countries. What is it? According to a recent article in ‘The Guardian‘, Sophrology is a system of mind and body, a little bit meditative, a little bit mindful, eastern principles of centredness and focus fed through a European system of rules that can feel just as […]

Read the rest here: Sophrology: the Fench love it, but does it work?

‘Reiki distant healing’ … has now been scientifically proven !?!?

The UK Reiki Federation (UKRF) is an independent organisation of individuals who have been attuned to Reiki, with the objective of providing support and guidance to Reiki professionals and to the public, with particular reference to education and training, and the public practice of Reiki. Some of their members give of their time each week […]

Read the rest here: ‘Reiki distant healing’ … has now been scientifically proven !?!?

American Loon #2193: Luke Rudkowski

Chuck Rudd is very silly, but too minor even for us to be bothered with. Luke Rudkowski, on the other hand, has at least made a bit of a splash among paranoid wingnut groups. Rudkowski is a wingnut “investigative journalist” and activist, conspiracy theorist and founder of “We Are Change”, a...

Read the full lunacy: #2193: Luke Rudkowski Encyclopedia of American Loons

Spinal subdural haematoma after lumbar spinal manipulation

Spinal manipulation has been associated with a wide range of serious complications. Usually, they occur after neck manipulations. Neurologists from Morocco just published a case-report of a patient suffering a subdural haematoma after lumbar spinal manipulation. A previously healthy 23 years-old man was receiving spinal manipulation for chronic back pain by a physiotherapist when he […]

Read the rest here: Spinal subdural haematoma after lumbar spinal manipulation

American Loon #2192: Bob Rucho

Deranged crackpot William D. Rubinstein must, despite being born in the US, be counted as British, which is unfortunate since he is absolutely hilarious. Robert Anthony Rucho, on the other hand, is as American as Chinese fortune cookies. Rucho is a member of the North Carolina General...

Read the full lunacy: #2192: Bob Rucho Encyclopedia of American Loons

And now Belgium: ‘It is unacceptable that homeopathic products are sold as medicines’

A pro-homeopathy site (to be taken with a pinch of salt) claims that today 300 homeopathic MDs belong to the “Unio Homoeopathica Belgica” and 4,000 MDs (about 10% of all doctors) are prescribing homeopathics at least occasionally. One-fourth of the Belgian population uses homeopathy. As of 1998, only MDs can legally practice homeopathy. But now it […]

Read the rest here: And now Belgium: ‘It is unacceptable that homeopathic products are sold as medicines’

Chiros at war

In the bizarre world of chiropractic, the war between vitalistic subluxationists and reformers has reached a new climax. The World Federation of Chiropractic (WFC) has just announced that its president, Laurie Tassell, has resigned. The move follows what the International Chiropractor’s Association (ICA) called a “blatant offensive behaviour on a public stage” that “speaks for itself” […]

Read the rest here: Chiros at war

American Loon #2191: Lyssa Royal & Ron Holt

Lyssa RoyalTom Rowles is, of course, British. Now, we are not entirely sure about Lyssa Royal and her husband Ron Holt, but they seem to be American. Holt and Royal (or Royal Holt) are the directors of the Seed of Life Institute LLC and the SOLi School, an organization “whose primary purpose...

Read the full lunacy: #2191: Lyssa Royal & Ron Holt Encyclopedia of American Loons

Glucosamine supplements might reduce cardiovascular risks

Glucosamine supplements are often advocated for the treatment of osteoarthritis. But there is evidence that they might convey other benefits as well. This prospective observational study assessed the association of habitual glucosamine use with risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) events. The UK Biobank data of 466 039 participants without CVD at baseline was used. They completed a […]

Read the rest here: Glucosamine supplements might reduce cardiovascular risks

The days of homeopathy in France are counted

Homeopathy has had a long and profitable ride in France; nowhere else in Europe is it more popular, nowhere in Europe are the profit margins higher, and nowhere have I seen pharmacists pushing so hard to earn a few extra Euros on useless homeopathic remedies. But, since a few months, sceptics have started to raise […]

Read the rest here: The days of homeopathy in France are counted

American Loon #2190:Robert J. Rowen

Robert J. Rowen is apparently an MD, but probably one you should stay clear. Rowen is also an “integrative physician”, and his probably most famous for his promotion of ozone therapy. Indeed, Rowen claims that ozone therapy even cures Ebola. He does seem to be a true believer rather than an...

Read the full lunacy: #2190:Robert J. Rowen Encyclopedia of American Loons

Chiropractic manipulation is not the best therapy for back pain of seniors

The debate what might be the optimal treatment of back pain has been going on for many years. This new study provides important further insights. The RCT assessed the comparative effectiveness of adding spinal manipulative therapy (SMT) or supervised rehabilitative exercise to home exercise in adults 65 or older suffering from sub-acute or chronic low […]

Read the rest here: Chiropractic manipulation is not the best therapy for back pain of seniors

Danshen, an effective treatment for cancer?

Radix Salviae Miltiorrhizae (Danshen) is a herbal remedy that is part of many TCM herbal mixtures. Allegedly, Danshen has been used in clinical practice for over 2000 years. But is it effective? The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate the current available evidence of Danshen for the treatment of cancer. English and Chinese electronic […]

Read the rest here: Danshen, an effective treatment for cancer?

Discussing with a patient who is fond of SCAM

One of the most difficult things in so-called alternative medicine (SCAM) can be having a productive discussion with patients about the subject, particularly if they are deeply pro-SCAM. The task can get more tricky, if a patient is suffering from a serious, potentially life-threatening condition. Arguably, the discussion would become even more difficult, if the […]

Read the rest here: Discussing with a patient who is fond of SCAM

American Loon #2189: Amy Rothenberg

“I love being able to look at new approaches that may come along and to ask myself, ‘Is this within the bounds of the philosophy I so embrace?’ And if not, to let it go,” – Amy Rothenberg, Not a Doctor. (We hope we don’t have to explain to readers why whether something fits my...

Read the full lunacy: #2189: Amy Rothenberg Encyclopedia of American Loons

Fibromyalgia – can any type of SCAM treat the ‘root cause’ of this (or any other) condition?

Fibromyalgia (FM) is one of the most frequent generalized pain disorders. It accounts for a sizable proportion of healthcare costs. Despite extensive research, the etiology (the ‘root cause’) of FM remains unknown – except, of course, to SCAM practitioners! Most types of SCAM are said to be effective for FM (while the evidence for such […]

Read the rest here: Fibromyalgia – can any type of SCAM treat the ‘root cause’ of this (or any other) condition?

American Loon #2188: Joseph Rossell

Joseph Rossell is Assistant to the Chief Financial Officer at and occasional blogger for Concerned Women for America. Rossell is particularly notable for his anti-environmentalism, claiming that environmental protection efforts represent “an incredibly evil set of values,” if not “the most...

Read the full lunacy: #2188: Joseph Rossell Encyclopedia of American Loons

Homeopathy, “no evidence … even after hundreds of clinical trials”

  ‘Rationable’ has recently published a remarkable article on homeopathy. Its author starts admitting that for most of my life, I have taken it for granted that homoeopathy worked. I didn’t know how or why, I just knew that my parents and most other people swore by it, so there had to be something to […]

Read the rest here: Homeopathy, “no evidence … even after hundreds of clinical trials”

The power of Reiki??? No, the power of Reiki to deceive us.

Reiki is a form of energy healing popularised by the Japanese Mikao Usui (1865-1926). ‘Rei’ means universal spirit (sometimes thought of as a supreme being), and ‘ki’ is the assumed universal life energy. Reiki is broadly based on some of the obsolete concepts of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Reiki practitioners believe that they can transfer ‘healing […]

Read the rest here: The power of Reiki??? No, the power of Reiki to deceive us.

American Loon #2187: Marvin Rosenthal

The Holy Land Experience is a theme park (or, as some visitors have acutely observed, a series of gift shops) run by the Trinity Broadcasting Network with the purpose of showing people the historical Middle East as conceived of by US evangelical fundamentalists. The HLE was founded by...

Read the full lunacy: #2187: Marvin Rosenthal Encyclopedia of American Loons

Acupuncture: much more than meets the eye!

Acupuncture is often promoted as a totally safe therapy. This may be good advertising but, as we have so often discussed on this blog, it is not true. A recent paper evaluated 17 systematic reviews on this subject. Four major categories of adverse effects (AEs) were identified: organ or tissue injuries (13 reviews, median: 36 […]

Read the rest here: Acupuncture: much more than meets the eye!

Prince Charles is visiting Germany

Prince Charles is visiting Germany. According to the British press, he will say (or, by now, probably has said): “… Our countries and our people have been through so much together… As we look towards the future, I can only hope that we can also pledge to redouble our commitment to each other and to […]

Read the rest here: Prince Charles is visiting Germany

American Loon #2186: Joel Rosenberg

Joel C. Rosenberg is a fundie communications strategist, founder of The Joshua Fund, and author of the rather popular Last Jihad series. The latter details, in the form of novels, how Rosenberg, a Messianic Jew (or something similar), interprets terrorism in light of Bible prophecy....

Read the full lunacy: #2186: Joel Rosenberg Encyclopedia of American Loons

The FDA warns: homeopathic firms are putting patients at risk

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration posted warning letters to 4 US companies producing homeopathic products for significant violations of current good manufacturing practice (CGMP) regulations, including a letter to King Bio Inc. of Asheville, N.C. The FDA previously warned the public about the agency’s serious concerns with the quality of drug products produced by […]

Read the rest here: The FDA warns: homeopathic firms are putting patients at risk

American Loon #2185: Lawrence Rosen

Lawrence Rosen is an “integrative” pediatrician and chair-elect of the American Academy of Pediatrics Section on Complementary and Integrative Medicine, Clinical Assistant Professor in Pediatrics at UMDNJ/New Jersey Medical School, and Chief of Pediatric Integrative Medicine at the Joseph M....

Read the full lunacy: #2185: Lawrence Rosen Encyclopedia of American Loons

Measles on board the ‘Freewinds’ + Scientologists hoisted by their own petard

The luxury cruise ship Freewinds with about 300 passengers on board has been quarantined in port of St. Lucia after a crew member or passenger (the reports are contradictory) was diagnosed with measles. That news would not be funny – however, it gets positively hilarious when we learn that the ship is linked to the […]

Read the rest here: Measles on board the ‘Freewinds’ + Scientologists hoisted by their own petard

2019 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming Digest #18

Story of the Week... Interview of the Week... Toon of the Week... Photo of the Week... SkS Spotlights... Coming Soon on SkS... Climate Feedback Reviews... SkS Week in Review... Poster of the Week...

Story of the Week...

Biodiversity crisis is about to put humanity at risk, UN scientists to warn

‘We are in trouble if we don’t act,’ say experts, with up to 1m species at risk of annihilation

Students protest in Adelaide. UN experts warned people alive today are at risk unless urgent action is taken. Photograph: Kelly Barnes/EPA

The world’s leading scientists will warn the planet’s life-support systems are approaching a danger zone for humanity when they release the results of the most comprehensive study of life on Earth ever undertaken.

Up to 1m species are at risk of annihilation, many within decades, according to a leaked draft of the global assessment report, which has been compiled over three years by the UN’s leading research body on nature.

The 1,800-page study will show people living today, as well as wildlife and future generations, are at risk unless urgent action is taken to reverse the loss of plants, insects and other creatures on which humanity depends for food, pollination, clean water and a stable climate.

The final wording of the summary for policymakers is being finalised in Paris by a gathering of experts and government representatives before the launch on Monday, but the overall message is already clear, according to Robert Watson, the chair of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES). 

Biodiversity crisis is about to put humanity at risk, UN scientists to warn by Jonathan Watts, Environment, Guardian, May 3, 2019

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Interview of the Week...

Why Bill McKibben Sees Rays of Hope in a Grim Climate Picture

The world has done little to tackle global warming since Bill McKibben’s landmark book on the subject was published in 1989. In an e360 interview, McKibben talks about the critical time lost and what can be done now to avoid the worst impacts of climate change.

Bill McKibben CREDIT: NANCIE BATTAGLIA

Three decades ago, Bill McKibben published The End of Nature, the first book on climate change aimed at a general audience. McKibben went on to found the international environmental group 350.org, help launch the fossil fuel divestment movement, and write a dozen more non-fiction books, as well as a novel. In 2014, McKibben received the Right Livelihood Award, sometimes referred to as the “alternative Nobel,” for mobilizing popular support for “strong action to counter the threat of global climate change.”

McKibben’s latest book, Falter: Has the Human Game Begun to Play Itself Out?, was published this month and debuted last week on the New York Times bestseller list. In an interview with Yale Environment 360 , McKibben talks about why the critical time for action on climate was missed, where he still finds hope, and what the world will look like three decades from now.

“Thirty or 50 years out, the world’s going to run on sun and wind, because they’re free,” McKibben says. “The question is… what kind of world will it be?”

Why Bill McKibben Sees Rays of Hope in a Grim Climate Picture, Interview by Elizabeth Kolbert, Yale Environment 360, Apr 30, 2019 

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Toon of the Week...

 

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Photo of the Week...

Source: FB Page of the Australian Religious Response to Climate Change (ARRCC)

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SkS Spotlights...

 

What is the rationale behind Climate Change Knowledge Portal (CCKP)?

In an effort to serve as the hub for climate-related information, data, and tools, the World Bank (WB) created the Climate Change Knowledge Portal (CCKP). The Portal provides an online platform for access to comprehensive global, regional, and country data related to climate change and development. The successful integration of scientific information in decision making often depends on the use of flexible frameworks, data, and tools that can provide comprehensive information to a wide range of users, allowing them to evaluate how to apply the scientific information to the design of a project or policy.

What does the CCKP entail? 

The CCKP provides a web-based platform to assist in capacity building and knowledge development. The portal aims to provide development practitioners with a resource to explore, evaluate, synthesize, and learn about climate-related vulnerabilities and risks at multiple levels of details. Using climate science research results to inform the decision making process concerning policies or specific measures needed to tackle climate impacts, or even to understand low carbon development processes, is often a difficult, yet crucial, undertaking.

The CCKP contains environmental, disaster risk, and socio-economic datasets, as well as synthesis products, such as the Climate Adaptation Country Profiles and Climate Smart Agriculture Profiles, which are built and packaged for specific user-focused functions in a particular country or sector. The portal also provides intelligent links to other resources and tools.

The CCKP consists of spatially and temporally referenced data. Users are able to evaluate climate-related vulnerabilities, risks, and actions for a particular location on the globe by interpreting climate and climate-related data at different levels of details.

What can users achieve using CCKP? 

• Learn about climate and climate related datasets at the global, regional, and country level.
• Enhance knowledge on climate change related topics, including exposure, vulnerability, sectoral impacts, and adaptation options.
• Assess, visualize, and download resourceful climate data and information. 

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Coming Soon on SkS...

• Former climate 'denier' regrets 'how wrongheaded but certain I was' (Karen Kirk)
• Inspiring, not depressing, film fest messages (Daisy Simmons)
• State of the climate: Heat across Earth’s surface and oceans mark early 2019 (Zeke Hausfather)
• Why my fears about climate change made me cross the line that separates academia from activism (James Dyke)
• New research this week (Ari)
• 2019 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #19 (John Hartz)
• 2019 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming Digest #19 (John Hartz) 

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Climate Feedback Reviews...

[To be added.] 

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Poster of the Week...

 

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SkS Week in Review... 

• 2019 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #18 by John Hartz
• New research, April 22-28, 2019 by Ari Jokimäki
• What's Earth's ideal temperature?, YouTube Video by Climate Adam
• Climate change could cost the U.S. economy hundreds of billions a year by 2090 by Dana Nuccitelli (Yale Climate Connections)
• Rebellious Times by John Mason
• 2019 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming Digest #17 by John Hartz

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Homeopaths should carry public health warnings!

A series of article in The Times yesterday (to which I had made several minor contributions) focussed on the dangers of homeoprophylaxis/homeopathic vaccinations. Sadly, the paper is behind a paywall. I therefore will try to summarise some of the relevant points. A courageous Times-reporter went under cover to extract some of the anti-vaccination views from […]

Read the rest here: Homeopaths should carry public health warnings!

American Loon #2184: Ray Rooney, jr.

The digital media editor for the American Family Association, Ray Rooney, Jr., is the kind of person who goes out of his way to warn us that “we’re surrounded by venomous LGBT activists, antagonistic atheists, vitriolic academics, Christian bashers, God haters, Muslim sympathizers,...

Read the full lunacy: #2184: Ray Rooney, jr. Encyclopedia of American Loons

‘Biofield tuning’: a new and fantastic SCAM

Biofield tuning? What on earth is this new SCAM? Do I really have a ‘biofield’? How can I tune it? And what effect does it have? Here is an article that explains all this in some detail; enjoy: While western science has yet to describe and measure this energy, other cultures, especially ancient Indian or Vedic […]

Read the rest here: ‘Biofield tuning’: a new and fantastic SCAM

‘Medical kidnapping’, right or wrong?

The three-year old Noah was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, a blood cancer with a very good prognosis when treated (~85% of all children affected can be completely cured and expect to live a normal life). The child was admitted to hospital and, initially, chemotherapy was started. But the treatment was not finished, because the […]

Read the rest here: ‘Medical kidnapping’, right or wrong?

American Loon #2183: Aviva Romm

Aviva Romm is an integrative physician (she actually does, in fact, have a real medical degree), midwife, and herbalist, defender of Goop and its practices, and contributor to the astonishingly insane misinformation on the Goop website. Her association with Goop should give you a...

Read the full lunacy: #2183: Aviva Romm Encyclopedia of American Loons

A truly pitiful statement by the ‘Canadian Chiropractic Association’ about the safety of chiropractic

The Canadian Chiropractic Association (CCA)… published a report to support clearer understanding of the chiropractic profession… Here are a few crucial quotes (in bold print) from this document (my are comments in normal print). Put simply, chiropractors are spine, muscle and nervous system experts specifically trained to diagnose the underlying cause and recommend treatment options […]

Read the rest here: A truly pitiful statement by the ‘Canadian Chiropractic Association’ about the safety of chiropractic

Diaphragm palsy induced by spinal manipulation – a new case-report

Spinal manipulation has regularly been associated with serious complications, most commonly strokes due to arterial dissections. But there are several other possibilities as well. A new and unusual case report a serious complication after spinal manipulation has just been published: A 54-year-old Indian gentleman, presented to hospital with exertional dyspnoea and chest heaviness for the […]

Read the rest here: Diaphragm palsy induced by spinal manipulation – a new case-report

American Loon #2182: Stan Romanek

A veritable legend in New Age ufology circles, Stanley Tiger Romanek is a self-proclaimed alien abductee and starseed, who has built a substantial collection of “evidence” supposedly “proving” the existence of aliens. His evidence base contains plenty of photos and videos of...

Read the full lunacy: #2182: Stan Romanek (?) Encyclopedia of American Loons