Search Results for "mice studies"
Of mice and men: problems with animal studies highlighted in a new light
John Ioannidis of Stanford and colleagues published an important paper in PLoS Biology, “Evaluation of Excess Significance Bias in Animal Studies of Neurological Diseases.” Summary: “Studies have shown that the results of animal biomedical experiments fail to translate into human clinical trials; this could be attributed either to real differences in the underlying biology between […]
University offers muddled summary of dementia study in mice using ‘healing’ sound waves
This news release focuses on a mouse study of an experimental ultrasound therapy for dementia-like condition in mice. It’s also an example of hype over a therapy with no known benefit in humans.
Treating dementia with the healing waves of sound
Of news releases and mice
Sometimes I wish I were a mouse. If only because they seem to do so well with so many treatments and interventions in medical studies. But I’m not a mouse, so these studies — although they can make important contributions to basic science — usually don’t apply to me (or interested patients) in the here […]
No, an asthma drug tested in mice does not bring ‘new hope’ for Alzheimer’s patients, at least not yet
Use of use of words like “breakthrough” and a phrase suggesting the drug offers “new hope” for patients detract from the cautious aspects of this release.
Temple researchers reverse cognitive impairments in mice with dementia
A breast cancer study in mice gets big headlines, setting up potential for patient ‘disaster,’ experts say
“I spoke to several cancer specialists in New York City last night who said ‘caution, this is not ready for primetime.’” — ABC News chief medical correspondent Dr. Jennifer Ashton. That’s the key quote from a recent Good Morning America “Cover Story” segment about a mouse study exploring why breast cancer sometimes spreads in the immediate months […]
5-Star Friday: Drugs, mice, and money
I doubt a week goes by at HealthNewsReview.org that we don’t write about one of the following … … drugs, mice, or money. You could rightly accuse me of being predictable when I say that following the money has gotten trickier in health care journalism; that pharma as a lobbyist makes the auto industry of […]
Making sense of news based on animal studies: An update to our toolkit
A chemical compound can “reverse aging” in mice, many news outlets recently reported, including ABC News, TIME, STAT, and The Boston Globe. “Reports have suggested that this might someday lead to a new drug for human use,” ABC News speculated. The Boston Globe told us the lead scientist thinks the compound “could not only restore energy and vitality in […]
Small study in mice wrongly claimed to advance human alcoholism treatment
Only human clinical trials can show if animal results will be ever be replicated in people.
Drug shown to reverse brain deficits caused by alcohol
Animal studies, reported well, include careful framing and clear caveats
Here at HealthNewsReview.org, we’ve been known to be critical of news articles making health care claims that are based on research in animals. For recent examples, see these news story reviews: Invasive weed kills superbugs? All we know is it might work in mice WaPo story generalizes findings of small study on mice to pregnant […]
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Of mice and “man flu”
Spreading like a virus on steroids, a BMJ feature article about the “man flu” shows there is now “science” behind the claim that men seem to have worse symptoms–and may be justified in complaining about them more vocally and persistently than women–when suffering from colds or the flu. Generating stories in Newsweek, CNN, LA Times, […]
With a growing number of trials exploring intermittent fasting in people it’s not clear what this mice study brings to the table
How many mice and how much did they lose compared to controls? These key questions aren’t addressed. Not is there a caution that mice studies are rarely replicated in human trials.
On-and-off fasting helps fight obesity
Red sage as an osteoporosis ‘treatment?’ Benefits shown in six mice, not people
This is very preliminary research and the limitations of animal research and small samples should have been mentioned in the release.
New osteoporosis treatment uses traditional Chinese herb to prevent bone loss
Big Raspberry’s mish-mash of animal, lab dish and human studies reveals little about health benefits of raspberries
The industry-sponsored studies were too small and preliminary to draw any conclusions.
Studies explore the potential benefits of red raspberries
Invasive weed kills superbugs? All we know is it might work in mice
Preliminary rodent research rarely (if ever) rises to the occasion of big health news. We generally recommend putting these studies away and waiting until more conclusive human research comes along.
Common weed could help fight deadly superbug, study finds
Dana-Farber touts potential leukemia ‘cure’ based on study involving only mice
This teaser on a potential treatment for chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) needed to say upfront that the benefits from this potential drug were only seen in animal studies.
