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How Suntanning Both Increases And Reduces Your Chance Of Dying From Melanoma — A Mystery Solved
Quick quiz question: two people are diagnosed with melanoma – Sarah Sunburn, an adamant sun-worshipper, and Paula Pale-All-The-Time, a fanatical sun-avoider. Who is more likely to die of the disease? The answer is pale-faced Paula. Surprised? Let me unpack this mystery and explain why sun exposure simultaneously kills people, while making the cancers they are…
I Miss Ike
Here is Eisenhower drawing out the connection between science and liberty: “Love of liberty means the guarding of every resource that makes freedom possible—from the sanctity of our families and the wealth of our soil to the genius of our scientists.” I would love to see a presidential candidate pick up this theme.
Self-Delusion at the Neighborhood Bar
According to a Gallup Poll, 1 in 4 people who are dependent on alcohol (they scored 20 or more on the World Health Organization’s Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test — AUDIT) think their drinking is average or less average. It seems that beer goggles don’t just make OTHER people look better! (Click here to view…
Would Better Risk Communication Reduce Fear of Flying?
With so much recent news about airplane disasters, it’s easy to become frightened about flying. I wonder if a risk graphic like the following will do much to help? As reported on recently in The Economist, the risk graphic comes from a new iPhone app called Am I Going Down? I’m skeptical this will work….
Is It Fair to Reward Medicaid Patients for Receiving Flu Shots?
My son was underperforming at school, and I was gently encouraging him to try harder (if gesticulating like an over caffeinated Italian qualifies as gentle encouragement). He could not understand why I was upset: “Dad, most of my friends are doing drugs and engaging in unprotected sex. You should be rewarding me for being such…
Too Many Opinions?
Based on today’s Duke Opinion Page, I’m beginning to wonder if I have too many opinions. Something my wife has been telling me for years! (Click here to view comments)