REALL News - Vol 08 No 12

Magazine Overview

Title: The REALL News
Issue: Volume 8, Number 12
Date: December 2000
Publisher: The Rational Examination Association of Lincoln Land (REALL)
Theme: Skepticism, scientific inquiry, and critical examination of claims.

Fighting Ignorance with The Straight Dope: The Nocebo Effect & Healing Prayer

This article, by David Bloomberg, addresses two key questions: the existence of an anti-placebo effect and whether prayer is an effective healing method. Bloomberg, who writes for 'The Straight Dope' column, explains that the nocebo effect is the negative counterpart to the placebo effect, where negative expectations can lead to harmful outcomes. He cites examples like 'voodoo deaths' and how misinformation about medication can reduce its effectiveness.

Regarding zinc lozenges, the author expresses skepticism about their effectiveness, noting that while some experiments suggest a benefit, others do not, and the FTC has stepped in to stop unsubstantiated claims. He suggests that any perceived benefit might be due to the placebo effect or the nocebo effect being countered. The article emphasizes the need for rigorous, double-blind studies to validate such claims.

The second part of the article tackles the effectiveness of prayer for healing. Bloomberg states that despite media hype, there is no solid scientific evidence to support the claim that prayer has value for helping sick people. He critiques studies that have suggested positive effects, pointing out methodological flaws such as a lack of proper blinding and the issue of multiple comparisons, which can lead to results appearing significant by chance alone.

The author highlights that improvements observed in individuals who know they are being prayed for can often be attributed to the placebo effect. He argues that a true test of prayer's efficacy would require a properly conducted double-blind study, which is challenging if divine intervention is involved, as God would know who is being prayed for. The article concludes that current research does not support the idea that prayer is a reliable healing method, and advises against telling patients facing serious conditions to start praying.

From the Chairman

David Bloomberg, Chairman of REALL, notes the cancellation of the December meeting and looks forward to the January meeting. He reports on the previous meeting's roundtable discussion, which touched upon the recent election and its uncertain outcome. Bloomberg announces his new role as an Illinois liaison for the National Center for Science Education, an organization promoting evolution education and combating creationism. This role will allow him to speak with greater authority on science education standards. He also mentions that CSICOP has appointed a liaison, Bela Scheiber, to help local groups like REALL interact with the organization.

The chairman also pays tribute to the recently deceased entertainer Steve Allen, recognizing his significant contributions to the skeptics movement, including receiving the 'Distinguished Skeptic Award' and his role in CSICOP's Council for Media Integrity.

Well-Known Skeptic Steve Allen dies at age 78

This section briefly commemorates the life and achievements of Steve Allen, highlighting his career in entertainment and his commitment to skepticism. It notes his receipt of the 'Distinguished Skeptic Award' and his involvement with CSICOP, emphasizing his critical thinking and humanitarian efforts.

The Twelve Alien Days of Christmas

This is a satirical poem by L. George Daniels, parodying the traditional Christmas carol. It replaces the usual gifts with increasingly bizarre and alien-themed items, such as crashed flying saucers, men in black, implants, motherships, missing hours, cattle corpses, books by Whitley (likely referring to Whitley Strieber), funny rashes, hoaxers, grays, and hybrids mating. The poem humorously incorporates elements often found in UFO and alien lore.

REALLity Check

This section, also by David Bloomberg, reviews several news items and articles, applying a skeptical lens:

It's a Very Dangerous Thing, Part 4

Bloomberg discusses South Africa's President Thabo Mbeki's approach to the AIDS debate, specifically his engagement with AIDS deniers like Peter Duesberg. He notes that Mbeki is withdrawing from the debate, leaving it to his deputy, due to concerns about the controversy creating a negative mood and dividing the country. Despite this, the health minister has announced the provision of anti-HIV drugs to pregnant women to prevent mother-to-child transmission.

Politicians Create What Scientists Cannot

This segment critiques the political assertion of 'Gulf War syndrome' despite a lack of conclusive scientific evidence. Bloomberg contrasts the politicians' claims with the research findings, citing a Department of Veterans Affairs head of research who stated that research suggests the syndrome does not exist. He criticizes Congress for pressuring scientists to 'invent findings' and highlights the tendency for politicians to declare issues settled based on 'common-sense evidence' rather than scientific consensus.

Promoting the Abnormal in Normal

This piece discusses a Bloomington Pantagraph article about an 'energy healer.' Bloomberg criticizes the article, written by the paper's health editor, for presenting the claims of energy healers without adequate investigation or mention of the lack of scientific evidence. He argues that such reporting can mislead readers into believing unsubstantiated claims.

Dateline Not Quite Up to Par

Bloomberg reviews a Dateline NBC segment on medium John Edward. While acknowledging that Dateline has previously debunked psychics effectively, he finds this segment lacking. He notes that while CSICOP's Joe Nickell presented the skeptical viewpoint, the segment's structure may have still led viewers to believe in psychic abilities due to the presentation of 'hits' without sufficient explanation of cold reading techniques. He suggests that a demonstration by a skeptic who is also a cold reader would have been more effective.

Cancer Calling?

This section addresses the persistent claims that cell phones cause cancer. Citing U.S. News & World Report, the article suggests that users should not be overly concerned, as numerous studies have shown little to no risk. It points out that studies suggesting a link have often been difficult to replicate or their findings are not applicable to actual cell phone users. A 1999 letter to the Journal of the American Medical Association is cited, noting that the only identified risk associated with cell phone use was an increased risk of motor vehicle collision.

Not So Healthy, the Continuing Saga

This part of the 'REALLity Check' covers several health-related news items:

• Herbal Remedies: An article from the Seattle Times discusses cases of emergency room visits linked to supposedly safe herbal remedies. Examples include pennyroyal tea causing kidney failure and ginkgo biloba leading to internal bleeding. The common issues cited are overuse, improper labeling, and interactions with other medications.
• Ephedra Dangers: HealthCentral reported on the risks associated with ephedra (ma huang) in weight loss supplements, including heart attack, high blood pressure, and sudden death. Supplement supporters are reportedly resisting FDA regulations.
• Echinacea and Allergies: The article points out that echinacea, often taken for colds, is related to ragweed and can worsen allergies for some individuals. It highlights that people seeking 'natural' alternatives may inadvertently encounter substances that trigger or worsen allergic reactions, sometimes due to contamination or lack of regulation.

Our Next Meeting

The December meeting has been cancelled. The notice humorously attributes this to a lack of gullibility in the world and a decline in the ratings of pro-paranormal television shows and the business of psychics. The actual reason is that there is no speaker scheduled for December, following a recent roundtable discussion. The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, January 2, 2001, at 7:00 PM at the Lincoln Library in Springfield, Illinois.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The REALL News consistently promotes critical thinking, the scientific method, and skepticism towards unsubstantiated claims, particularly in the realms of the paranormal, alternative medicine, and fringe science. The publication actively debunks pseudoscience and misinformation, advocating for evidence-based reasoning. The editorial stance is clearly in favor of scientific rigor and against the uncritical acceptance of anecdotal evidence or politically motivated assertions. The magazine aims to educate its readers on how to evaluate claims rationally and to distinguish between scientifically supported findings and popular beliefs or media sensationalism.