ACSH Science Dispatch

Ketogenic diets can help some obese people lose a significant amount of weight when their health is at risk. But in recent months, social media influencers have also credited these very low-carb diets with a far more remarkable effect: treating, or even curing, schizophrenia.

Is there any truth to this claim, or is it just another social media fad racing ahead of the evidence?

Dr. Jess Steier, founder of Unbiased Science, joins Ana and Cam on this episode to break down her most effective misinfo-fighting techniques. In a digital ecosystem where experts are often drowned out by health gurus pushing supplements and e-books, Dr. Steier has built a massive audience of curious consumers seeking science-based answers—attracting more than 350,000 followers on Instagram alone.

How do you communicate a nuanced scientific perspective on hot-button issues like COVID or nicotine vaping? And how do scientists balance the willingness to change their minds (a core part of the job) with confidently defending vaccines, GMOs, and other proven innovations?

Join us on this episode of the show to find out.

Nuclear power: it's safe, sustainable and affordable. Yet the public knows very little about the technology—save for a flawed memory of a few misunderstood power plant accidents. This ignorance has been used by critics to stifle the technology, limiting the world's access to reliable, low-carbon power.

On this episode of Science Dispatch, we're joined by physicist Edward Friedman, who helps us break down some of the most popular myths and misconceptions about nuclear energy.

Science has improved our lives in countless ways. Our food is safer than ever, once-deadly diseases are preventable, and we have sustainable energy like nuclear power. Yet few people appreciate this progress—because our social media feeds are flooded with endless pseudoscience. Here's how one scientist is fighting back.

RFK, Jr.'s Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement hinges on the assumption that our country was once far healthier than it is today. The problem? It never was. By almost every metric, Americans lead longer, healthier lives now than their ancestors ever did. Let's take a closer look at the evidence.

Why do some people get goosebumps from a song while others hear the exact same notes…and feel nothing? New research reveals “musical anhedonia” — a real brain disconnect where music hits your ears but never reaches the reward center. It’s not picky taste, but a fascinating finding from neurology. Let's take a closer look.

On this episode of Science Dispatch, we take a look at the radiation oncology experience from the perspective of a patient (and radiation expert) who endured 28 mornings of this common but misunderstood therapy. What does the science say about efficacy and side effects? Perhaps more importantly, what can other patients expect from this experience?

Recent research suggests that regular omega-3 intake from supplements is linked to a modest reduction in cardiovascular events—but the benefits are smaller than many headlines suggest, and not everyone experiences them. Who actually gains protection? Let's take a look.

On this episode of Science Dispatch, we dive into the latest Kīlauea eruption and the alarming chemistry behind the air people are breathing. The volcano is releasing massive amounts of sulfur dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, hydrochloric acid, and other nasty gases—creating vog (volcanic smog) that irritates lungs, eyes, and skin, especially for sensitive groups. Here's what you need to know.

Non-sugar sweeteners are neither miracle cures for obesity nor hidden health threats. Recent evidence shows they can modestly support weight loss, help reduce sugar intake and fit safely into a balanced diet.

The "uncomfortable truth" is clear: these sweeteners are context-dependent tools, not standalone solutions. Over-relying on them or ignoring overall eating patterns won't deliver big results. Let's take a closer look.