Research
An article in this morning’s The Times has reported how errors can affect the findings in scientific studies. Attention to detail is vital, or results are skewed.
Sholto David is a British scientist and blogger with a PhD in cellular and molecular biology. He has achieved recognition for discovering flaws in more than 2,000 studies. Errors have appeared in published papers from universities including Oxford, Cambridge, and Stanford.
Separately, Dr David pointed out anomalies in thirty papers published by the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (DFCI). DFCI is a cancer treatment and research centre in Boston, Massachusetts, reputed to be the sixth best cancer hospital in the US.
Sholto David received more than $2.5 million, or 17.5% of the $15 million the institute paid against allegations of violating the False Claims Act (fraud) between 2014 and 2024.
We are told to trust the science but science seems to be an imperfect science in the hands of humans. People such Dr David are very important.
ReplyDeleteSome morning news is always interesting, whether we believe it is a question. Have a nice day!
ReplyDeleteIn other words, read everything with your brain in gear and check the sources?
ReplyDeleteGood on Sholto David for investigating the truth behind statistics that are not always as solid and reliable as they are purported to be. Did you know that 99% of Berkshire housewives prefer men who wear string vests and white Y-fronts? Trump is often spewing out statistics that have no basis in reality.
ReplyDeleteCases like this are a reminder that scientific progress depends not only on groundbreaking discoveries but also on rigorous scrutiny, transparency, and the willingness to challenge findings when the evidence does not stand up to careful examination.
ReplyDeleteAnd this is exactly why I'm always a bit skeptical of everything I hear or read.
ReplyDeleteSome people have minds for details. I am not one of those so blessed.
ReplyDeleteWe need more Dr. Davids. Badly. Soon we will need a whole army of people to check AI.
ReplyDeleteEverything needs to be checked and rechecked these days.
ReplyDeleteI think you changed your display? Sorry, I can't read white on dark, the dazzle makes it too hard.
ReplyDeleteI hope Dr David has good security, at home but especially at work.
ReplyDelete