Can you find love in your genetic code? Is there such a thing as DNA-crossed lovers? Some direct-to-consumer companies, like "Instant Chemistry", want to test the compatibility of your relationship by looking at your genes... but is there clear science on this issue or is this repackaged astrology? My latest video for the McGill Office for Science and Society!  

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  Chris' goodwill to help out a young couple on Valentine's Day backfires, which leads him and Jonathan to talk about contraception. What is the most effective form of birth control, and how come there's no pill... for men? One thing's for certain: McGill students are going to have a lot of unplanned babies if the vox pop is any indication! Also: can science really tell you how compatible you and your lover are?; Britt…

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  He was the king of food psychology, even influencing how American schools offer lunches to their students. So why has Dr. Brian Wansink fallen from grace? And what lessons can we learn about how scientific research should be conducted? And exactly who are "the data detectives"? My latest video for the McGill Office for Science and Society!  

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  Publicly fighting pseudoscience requires perseverance and, at times, what some may call bravery and others foolishness. The consequences of opposing institutionalized quackery can be more than just hate mail: I know of a few outspoken skeptics who got into hot water with their professional orders for voicing concerns on public platforms. And sometimes, the quacks simply sue you. This is what's happening to Britt Marie Hermes. If you're not familiar with her story, Britt…

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  Can you tell if someone is lying to you simply by looking at their face? Hollywood would have you believe, that if you're some sort of genius who knows the science, you can tell if someone is lying every time!  However, the application of "nonverbal communication" to detecting a lie is nowhere near as easy as the TV show Lie to Me made it look... and beware of consultants basing their expertise on pseudoscience. My latest…

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  Dr. Yoni Freedhoff guest stars to discuss our changing food environment. He talks dieting, The Biggest Loser, food frequency questionnaires, and the Cornell Food Lab fiasco. He also valiantly defends his children against the Don Drapers of the world. Also on the show: California issues guidelines for people worried about cell phones and how these guidelines were released is a really wacky story involving "FREEEEDOM!"; electricity to fight cancer; and Chris' The More You…

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Patients frequently ask me whether they will ever be able to stop their medications. Be it for their blood pressure, cholesterol or Type 2 diabetes, they always want to know whether, if they change their diet and start exercising, taking medications will no longer be necessary. In truth, I’ve seen very few people manage to come off their medications, although there have been a few notable patients who drastically changed their lives and managed to…

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  With great science comes great responsibility, a proposition that Bill Nye and his writing team continue to ignore in the season 2 premiere of Bill Nye Saves the World which focuses on marijuana. The word (and sometimes the substance) cannabis is seemingly on everyone's tongue these days, which makes accurate reporting about it imperative. Within a few minutes of the episode starting, the following came out of Bill Nye's mouth: "[CBD, one of the…

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(This article was originally posted on the website of the McGill Office for Science and Society. It is reposted here as a bit of cross-promotion. Jonathan Jarry contributes content to both the OSS and The Body of Evidence. Head over to the OSS website to see what you're missing out on)   How does a woodpecker avoid massive concussions? The answer to this question has apparently been adapted by a team of doctors into a…

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  Our second end-of-year special is chock full of bloopers. Plus, the worst bits of medical news this year; favourite jingles; and science communication heroes. Happy holidays! Additional music by Kevin MacLeod (www.incompetech.com) Original music by Seth Donnelly To contribute to The Body of Evidence, go to our Patreon page at: http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/.  

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