Behind the Headlines

Your guide to the science that makes the news

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Health benefits of holidays 'exaggerated'

Wednesday Jan 30 2013

Holidays are healthy says holiday company

'Going on holiday really is good for your health... and the benefits last for months,' declares Mail Online. Despite being listed in the "health" section of the website, the news is based on a report carried out by Nuffield Health...

Early lunchers lose more weight, study finds

Wednesday Jan 30 2013

'It's not what you eat, it's when you eat' – (part 2)

'Scientists who studied the timing of meals have discovered that people who ate late in the day lost less weight than those who ate earlier' The Independent reveals after a Spanish study found that 'early-eaters' lost more weight than 'later-eaters'…

Cancer death rates are a third higher in men

Tuesday Jan 29 2013

The fact that men are more likely than women to both develop and die from cancer has been covered by most of the media today. The news is based on…

Claims whistling can potty train babies 'far-fetched'

Tuesday Jan 29 2013

Babies 'taught potty training' by whistling

'Potty training? Try whistling!' is the headline in the Daily Mail, as 'Vietnamese families credit it with getting their babies out of nappies by nine months.' The news is based on research...

Global consensus on safe drinking limits 'required'

Monday Jan 28 2013

The Guardian reports that there is “little agreement … between countries on what is considered safe or sensible alcohol consumption”. This story is based on a survey of international alcohol consumption guidelines, which found...

Does getting more sleep reduce memory loss?

Monday Jan 28 2013

"Boosting sleep 'may slow memory rot'," says the BBC, in a headline that could provide us with a plausible excuse to give our bosses when we fall asleep at our desks. The news is based on a...

'Baseless claims' its harder for women to lose weight

Friday Jan 25 2013

Women have to 'work harder' than men to lose weight

'Women have to do about 20% more exercise to get the same benefits' (as men) the Daily Mail has claimed as they report on a study looking at the benefits of exercise in both men and women who were obese…

Lightning may cause 'thunderous headaches'

Friday Jan 25 2013

Lightening may give migraines sufferers 'thunderous headaches'

'Lightning could cause headaches and migraines, according to researchers' The Daily Telegraph reveals. This is after a new study finds that cases of migraine rose by around 25% in people who were in close proximity to a lightening strike…

Women's smoking death risk 'highest ever'

Thursday Jan 24 2013

Smoking death rates in women at record highs

“Women smokers are five times more likely to be killed by their habit today than in the 1960s,” The Sun has reported, while...

Sex using condoms is 'just as good'

Thursday Jan 24 2013

"Men and women enjoy sex just as much with condoms as they do without," the Daily Mail was delighted to report, covering a US study that appears to contradict one of the classic male excuses...

News: 'Half of all health news is spun'

Read about the September 2012 study that found over-optimism about scientific results from researchers, press offices and journalists alike

Miracle cure or scam?

Will an online miracle cure provide the answer to your health problem?

Stem cell research in the news

Stem cells are often portrayed in the media as a miracle cure for many serious conditions and disabilities. We analyse the facts behind theses stories

Miracle Foods: myths and the media

Each day there's a new crop of possibly life-changing headlines about how food affects our health. Read our report on the health properties of food

Video: the placebo effect

Watch Ben Goldacre explain what the placebo effect is and describes its role in medical research and in the pharmaceutical industry

Alcohol, myths and the media

Can lager help you live longer? Can wine help you lose weight? We take a sober look at the media’s claims about alcohol, and what the science actually says