Reddit science
1Study of 2.5 million children finds no link between MMR vaccine and autism.
- A study of over 2.5 million U.S. children found that receiving the MMR vaccine before age two, regardless of timing, was not linked to a higher risk of autism. Results held across multiple analyses, though the study lacked data on family history of autism.
Anti-vaxxers are immune to evidence
Users doubt the study will change minds, blaming anti-intellectualism, "do your own research" culture and distrust of experts. Some say new evidence only entrenches believers, and that RFK Jr. will misrepresent it. A few hope hesitant parents may still be swayed.Frustration over repeating settled research
Many lament money spent re-proving a debunked claim stemming from Andrew Wakefield's fraud and object to the reversed burden of proof. Others argue debunking misinformation is constructive and necessary because the myth still harms children.Autism stigma and diagnosis rates
Commenters, including an autistic user, condemn the implied preference for a dead child over an autistic one. Others note that rising autism rates reflect better diagnosis, not vaccines, and that MMR predates the increase.
2Researchers have discovered that urolithin A, a gut metabolite produced after eating pomegranates, can improve heart function by up to 80 percent in mice with heart failure by helping the heart muscle relax properly.
- King's College London researchers found urolithin A, a gut metabolite from pomegranates, activates the protein PKGIα, improving heart function up to 80% in mice with stiff hearts (HFpEF) and helping lab-grown human heart tissue relax. Human trials are still needed.
Juice vs. supplements
Users debated whether pomegranate juice provides urolithin A. Only 30-40% of people have gut bacteria to convert ellagitannins, and matching supplement levels may take a liter of juice daily, so many favored supplements. Others defended fresh juice and argued over its sugar content.Funding and credibility concerns
One user asked whether the Resnicks (POM Wonderful), previously in FTC trouble over health claims, were behind the study. Others cited disclosures showing funding from the British Heart Foundation, Medical Research Council and China Scholarship Council, and called the insinuation misleading.Skepticism about mouse studies
Many joked about "uplifting news for mice" and mouse medicine being centuries ahead of human medicine. One user sarcastically questioned rodent research, and another replied that historical atrocities make unethical human experimentation off-limits.
3Republican-aligned actors issued nearly three-quarters of fact-checked 2024 election hoaxes. During the 2024 United States presidential election, political actors and anonymous online users regularly spread false information as an open campaign strategy.
- A study of 374 fact-checked hoaxes from the 2024 US election found most spreaders were openly identifiable; anonymous users led, followed by candidates and influencers. Republican-aligned actors issued 73% of hoaxes, mostly attacking Democrats, with some false claims boosting their own side.
Bot networks and election disinformation
Users say bots and bot sites ramp up before elections, citing Texas, off-topic racist comments and LLM use. Some urge ignoring accounts that discourage voting. Others ask who issued the other 25%, suggesting Russia, independents or unidentified sources.Deliberate lying and attacks on fact checkers
Commenters say Republicans lie deliberately, then call fact checkers biased, citing JD Vance's debate remark. Many link this to "big lie" and "firehose of falsehood" tactics and quote Chernobyl on lies eroding truth. Some joke about Heritage Foundation fact checks.Limits on free speech for blatant lies
One user proposes escalating fines for blatant lies in ads. Replies joke this would kill advertising. Others argue citizens should punish lies at the polls, while critics counter that many people can't detect misinformation. Some call for treason charges.
4A new study links sexually objectifying messages from family during upbringing to higher self-objectification in young women, which in turn is associated with greater difficulty refusing unwanted sex, communicating sexual desires, and achieving orgasm.
- Women who received sexually objectifying messages from family growing up tend to self-objectify more as young adults, which is linked to greater difficulty refusing unwanted sex, communicating sexual desires, and reaching orgasm, a study of 700 college women found.
Examples of objectifying family messages
Users asked what such messages look like. Others shared painful examples: weight shaming, warnings about male attention and remarks about their breasts. Some debated whether compliments like "pretty girl" or "lucky man's wife" truly count as sexual objectification.Family vs. societal influence and study limits
Some argued that pervasive media objectification across generations muddies family-specific effects. Others said parents can still build worth beyond looks. Critics noted the study relies on recall and a narrow sample of young, White university women.How to praise children
Calling a child "smart" instead of "cute" sparked debate. Many cited growth mindset ideas favoring praise for effort. Some said they missed hearing they were beautiful, and others argued that judging looks is simply human nature.
5Problematic pornography use is linked to craving, shame, depression, and loneliness, meta-analysis finds
- A meta-analysis of 111 samples found problematic pornography use is most linked to craving and sexual shame, and also to depression, emotion dysregulation, moral disapproval, and loneliness. Effects varied widely across studies, partly by measurement type, and causality can't be inferred.
Correlation vs. causation
Many argued loneliness and depression likely drive porn use rather than result from it. One user said addictions are bidirectionally linked to malaise, but another noted the studies can't separate causation from predisposition, unlike research on smoking or alcohol.Shame from taboo vs. inherent harm
Some suggested sexual taboos and moral norms, not porn itself, cause shame and depression. One user noted the meta-analysis relies on self-reports, so people who morally disapprove may simply label their use problematic. Others disagreed, citing depression despite feeling no shame.Whether porn addiction is real
Users debated whether porn addiction exists. One skeptic dismissed it, and another linked NoFap to right-wing agendas. Others compared it to dopamine-driven habits like social media and said the DSM isn't definitive. Anecdotes ranged from early exposure causing harm to lifelong use without issues.
6In a successful gene therapy study on dogs with a rare genetic vision condition, scientists discovered that damaged nerve connections in adult retinas can physically repair and rebuild themselves.
- A single-dose gene therapy delivering a working CaBP4 gene to whippets with inherited vision loss improved sight, especially in dim light, and physically repaired retinal nerve connections, with benefits lasting up to three years, suggesting adult retinal neurons can be rewired.
Potential application to LHON
A user asked if the retinal repair could help LHON. A reply noted LHON gene therapy is in clinical trials and can halt progression, though repair is unproven. Since the study used only retinal gene therapy, benefit is plausible but not yet shown.Rest and reduced eye strain as a factor
A user, writing in Russian with an English translation, asked whether reducing visual strain and taking periodic defocused rest breaks could slow such syndromes. No one answered.Volunteering for human trials
A user asked how to find and volunteer for human trials of the therapy. No responses were given.
7A global review of 53 studies found Indigenous children are already experiencing climate-related health impacts, including malnutrition, infectious diseases, perinatal problems and poorer mental health, with particularly consistent effects on cultural and psychosocial well-being.
- A review of 53 studies finds climate change, especially heat and hydroclimatic variability, harms Indigenous children's health through psychosocial and cultural wellbeing, malnutrition, infectious disease, perinatal health, and mortality, urging culturally grounded responses and more research.
Holistic climate-health responses
One commenter argued that climate-health responses should track cultural and psychosocial well-being alongside nutrition and disease. Otherwise, support may treat symptoms while ignoring what Indigenous children and communities say they actually need.Questioning the focus on Indigenous people
Some users questioned singling out Indigenous groups. One sarcastically asked whether living next door to Indigenous people counts, and another pointed out that everyone is affected by climate change.
8Researchers traced decades long wobbles in day length to gravity pulling between the spinning inner core and the mantle above it, not magnetism as long assumed.
- Multidecadal changes in Earth's day length from 1964 to 2019 are best explained by a gravitational torque from the inner core's oscillating rotation. Electromagnetic and topographic core–mantle torques appear mainly to resist, rather than drive, these changes.
Subreddit moderation and posting guidelines
An automated moderator comment says personal anecdotes are allowed only as replies to it. It invites credentialed users to apply for expertise flair and links the Nature study on decades-long wobbles in day length posted by u/calliope_kekule.
9One small 2006 trial of just 40 kids in Iran may have tipped the scales in favour of prescribing Prozac for childhood depression. When researchers removed its suspicious data from major medical reviews, Prozac's huge advantage over placebo vanished, and the team say guidelines now need a fresh look.
- Researchers say a flawed 2006 Iranian trial of 40 children skewed meta-analyses supporting Prozac for paediatric depression. Excluding it erased Prozac's apparent benefit, so they urge guideline committees to review recommendations, though not to stop prescribing.
Skepticism of Iranian psychiatry research
Users note Iran produces many small, single-center RCTs with consistently positive, unreplicated results. Some blame regime incentives that reward publication volume and punish dissent, and urge critiquing the system rather than Iranian researchers or people.Differences between SSRIs
Some argue Lexapro or sertraline should be first-line over Prozac. Others cite escitalopram suicidality risks in kids, stress that side effects matter given SSRIs' modest efficacy, and highlight Prozac's unusually long half-life.Zombie trials and evidence quality
A flawed 2006 trial of 40 children reportedly skewed meta-analyses toward pediatric Prozac use. Commenters expect such studies to often fail replication, and one argues children shouldn't get psych meds at all.
10A 40-year study of Swiss protective forests found declining stands increased across elevation zones, with drought-related losses now reaching forests up to 2,200 meters as warming erodes the historical protection from drought provided by higher elevations.
- Over four decades, Swiss protective forests lost productivity mainly through stem density loss, and declining stands faced more drought stress. The altitude buffer on canopy resilience vanished. Adaptive management promoting structural diversity and drought-tolerant trees is urged.
Lack of proposed solutions
A commenter criticizes the study of Swiss protective forests for identifying a problem without offering a remedy. They ask what the solution should be and whether replanting trees would be the answer.