Briefly

• The Herald (from the Daily Mail) recommends drinking beetroot juice, based on a study of brain waves: “This finding could help people who are at-risk of brain deterioration to remain functionally independent, such as those with a family history of dementia“.  The NHS Choices blog commented on a similar study by the same research group in 2010; their comments still apply.

• Testimonials and motivational speakers tell you “I did this and look how it turned out”.  As XKCD illustrates, results may not be typical 

• “Data made available for reanalysis, a journal that promptly responded to the outcomes of that reanalysis, and a finding that could save lives.” (from Stat). Another moral to the story: don’t edit data by copy-and-paste.

• “The company says it has studies that back up its claims, but refused to release them on the grounds that they are commercial-in-confidence.” It appears that Johnson & Johnson would rather pull their ad than let people look at the evidence. (from The Age)

• “it’s not acceptable if you’ve got the information readily available to leave it to the last minute for release, that’s not what the Act says you can do”  The Chief Ombudsman interviewed by Newsroom  about the Official Information Act.

And finally

I ended a recent #SciComm talk with this slide of questions scientists should answer even if they’re not asked: pic.twitter.com/N88LuuSBoM

— Rachel Feltman (@RachelFeltman) April 11, 2017