Science Facts & Fallacies

Are young people more likely to display narcissistic and psychopathic traits? If so, why? A recent study has proposed intriguing answers to both questions. Geneticists may have finally explained why many smokers never get lung cancer. US Activist groups are targeting the EU with "studies" alleging that the continent's food supply has been tainted with dangerous pesticides. Is there any truth behind their campaign?

Join geneticist Kevin Folta and GLP contributor Cameron English on episode 173 of Science Facts and Fallacies as they break down these latest news stories:

* ‘Dark personalities’: When are destructive traits like narcissism and psychopathy most likely to appear?

Teenagers and young adults are most likely to display personality characteristics associated with narcissism, psychopathy, and Machiavellianism, three traits that make up the so-called "Dark Triad." That's according to a recent survey of 4,000 Dutch and Belgian people published in the Journal of Research in Personality. Psychologists need to perform additional studies with bigger, more diverse sample sizes to confirm these results, but assuming they're valid for the moment, what might cause younger people to display these anti-social traits? The answer may lie in our evolutionary history.

* What’s in our genes that explains why some lifelong smokers never get cancer?

It's a mystery that's confounded scientists for years: how can so many people smoke a pack of cigarettes (or more) a day for decades and never develop lung cancer? Thanks to recent advances in DNA sequencing technology, researchers have identified "repair genes" that may offer an explanation. This recently revealed evidence indicates that some heavy smokers may be able to repair tobacco-induced lung damage more efficiently than other people can.

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* Viewpoint: Toxic fruits and vegetables? Inspired by Environmental Working Group’s chemical scare fundraising gimmick in the US, Pesticide Action Network brings disinformation to E...

Consumers in the UK may soon have access to a gene-edited tomato that boosts their vitamin D levels. Monkeypox is here, but don't panic, experts say, because the threat is manageable. Has the environmental movement only recently developed an allergy to technology, or has it always harbored skepticism of scientific innovation?

Join geneticist Kevin Folta and GLP contributor Cameron English on episode 172 of Science Facts and Fallacies as they break down these latest news stories:

* CRISPR gene-edited tomatoes — with as much provitamin D as two eggs — could soon be sold in Britain

Millions of people around the globe don't get sufficient vitamin D. Fortunately, a CRISPR-edited tomato developed by scientists in the UK may soon start to put a dent in the world's vitamin D deficiency. A single genetic tweak directed the plant to produce more of an enzyme the human body converts to Vitamin D. Two important questions arise from the research: is the tomato safe, and when might consumers gain access to it?

* Should you be ‘crazy scared’ about monkeypox? Here’s why scientists say ‘no’

Still reeling from the COVID-19 pandemic, it's not surprising that many people have reacted with concern to the new threat posed by monkeypox. Although the virus is circulating and can be harmful, there's little reason to worry at this point. Not only do virologists have a much better understanding of monkeypox than they do SARS-CoV-2, we've had a safe, effective vaccine to blunt its transmission for many years. The shot even helps mitigate illness after someone's been exposed to the virus.

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* Viewpoint: From energy to agriculture, the mainstream environmentalism movement has become anti-technology

Environmental groups have long been opponents of important technological innovations—biotech crops, nuclear power and pesticides being the most common examples. What drives these activist organizations to so consistently oppose scientific progress? Is it a recent development in their ideology, or has it been there since the beginning of the modern environmental movement?

Kevin M. Folta is a professor, keynote speaker and podcast host. Follow Professor Folta on Twitter

Americans are getting heavier and experts aren't sure what to do about it. Cutting fat and carbs out of our diets doesn't help us slim down, neither do taxing soda or "nudging" consumers into making healthier choices at the restaurant or vending machine. Are we doomed to live with obesity, or is a possible solution still out there?

This week on episode 171 of Science Facts and Fallacies, Kevin Folta sits down with science Mark Schatzker to discuss his recent book, The End of Craving – Recovering the Lost Wisdom of Eating Well. 

The book investigates several compelling hypotheses that may help explain why diets fail. The biggest problem, Schatzker argues, is that misconceptions about food and nutrition are rampant in North America. Compare the standard American diet to that of northern Italy; both are rich in calories, carbohydrates and fats, yet Italians do not experience the deleterious effects of obesity at nearly the same rates that Americans do.

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What’s the difference? A surprisingly large body of evidence suggests that it could be the vitamins added to the US food supply meant to ensure sufficient nutrition. Folta and Schatzker also examine the data surrounding artificial sweeteners, metabolic setpoints and other important factors at the nexus of food, nutrition, physiology, and psychology.

Mark Schatzker is a writer in residence at the Modern Diet and Physiology Research Center. Follow him on Twitter @MarkSchatzker and visit his website.

Kevin M. Folta is a professor, keynote speaker and podcast host. Follow Professor Folta on Twitter @kevinfolta

A drug given once monthly as an injection could drastically reduce opioid use in the US. Why is it so difficult for doctors to access? It might be possible to turn our wasted food into a sustainable source of energy. Are diets a thing of the past? Newly developed medicines appear to be as effective as bariatric surgery in treating obesity.

Join geneticist Kevin Folta and GLP contributor Cameron English on episode 167 of Science Facts and Fallacies as they break down these latest news stories:

* Once-a-month injection to control opioid addiction? Buprenorphine has shown enormous promise

Buprenorphine has helped many people overcome opioid addiction. Ideally given monthly as an injection, the drug binds opioid receptors, reducing cravings and withdrawal symptoms, as well as the risk of overdose if someone takes a high dose of an illicit substance like fentanyl. Unfortunately, patients often struggle to access Buprenorphine because burdensome federal regulations restrict which pharmacies can dispense it and which doctors can prescribe it. Could changing these policies save lives?

* The world wastes billions of tons of food each year. Here’s how we can transform it into clean energy

Climate change is a serious problem, and so are the billions of tons of food waste we produce annually. Emerging research suggests that we may be able to address both of these challenges simultaneously—by turning food waste into carbon-neutral energy. How viable is this proposal, and what hurdles prevent it from coming to fruition?

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* Tirzepatide: Drug that can help you shed 50 pounds or more is as effective as bariatric surgery and in trials

It's no secret that losing weight and keeping it off permanently poses a significant challenge to millions of people, jeopardizing public health and driving up health care costs. A new drug making its way through clinical trials on the way to FDA approval may prove to be a vital tool in the fight against obesity. Recent research shows that tirzepatide improves glycemic control in adult type-2 diabetics, helping severely overweight patients lose up to 22 percent of their body weight—50 pounds in some cases. Can the drug live up to the hype surrounding these promising results?

Kevin M. Folta is a professor, keynote speaker and podcast host. Follow Professor Folta on Twitter

There's a "toxic 10" group of chemicals lurking in every single food you consume. Listen in to find out what you should know about these ubiquitous substances. Could gene editing reverse some cases of heart disease? Finally, can you predict a dog's behavior based on which breed it belongs to? A new study says no.

Join geneticist Kevin Folta and GLP contributor Cameron English on episode 167 of Science Facts and Fallacies as they break down these latest news stories:

* Scared to death: These ‘Toxic Ten’ chemicals have been widely detected in many commonly-consumed fruits and vegetables

These 10 substances can literally kill you if you consume them in large enough quantities. They're found in every single food you eat, organic and conventional, and there's no product label that could help you avoid them in the grocery store. Each has a challenging chemical name, but all of them can be classified as—vitamins. Eaten in the reasonable amounts found in plants and animals, vitamins are of course perfectly safe and necessary for good health. Nonetheless, the toxic 10 illustrates just how misleading claims about "harmful chemicals in food" can be.

* Understanding genetic basis for heart disease opens up opportunity for gene editing solution

People who carry certain mutations in the PCSK9 gene are predisposed to develop very high (and potentially harmful) levels of LDL cholesterol, which can lead to heart disease. Thanks to advances in gene-editing, these patients in the coming years may have access to a one-time treatment that corrects the troublesome mutation responsible for their abnormally elevated cholesterol levels. Are we moving closer to an outright cure for heart disease?

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GMO grapes exist, so why can't we buy them? Farmers in the Philippines have access to disease-fighting Golden Rice after more than two decades of delay. Why does the FDA continue to regulate gene-edited animals as if they're drugs? There isn't a bit of data to justify the agency's position.

Join geneticist Kevin Folta and GLP contributor Cameron English on episode 167 of Science Facts and Fallacies as they break down these latest news stories:

* Viewpoint: GMO grapes could be engineered to cut pesticide use and reduce pest damage. Why are they not yet commercialized?

Researchers have been developing genetically engineered, disease-resistant grapes for several decades. A deep commitment to tradition in the wine industry and lingering anti-GMO fears among consumers have delayed progress. But with winegrowers facing growing pest threats, this technology may finally get a chance to prove its efficacy on the vineyard. Is there a GMO-derived wine in our future?

* Vitamin-A enhanced Golden Rice distributed for planting for the first time in the Philippines

Golden Rice is poised to make a serious dent in rates of vitamin A deficiency in southeast Asia, potentially saving many young children from blindness, disease and early death. Decades of dishonest activism and excessive regulatory scrutiny have kept the enhanced crop out of the developing countries that desperately need it. But, finally, farmers in the Philippines have gained access to the enhanced rice, which means it's a major step closer to helping the people who stand to benefit most from consuming it.

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Plant-based and cell-based meats have been sold as sustainable alternatives to animal products, but are they really as good as their proponents claim? A growing body of research indicates that intermittent fasting (IF) can help some people lose weight and improve their metabolic health. Just how good is IF? Do genetically engineered crops promote monocultures? Let's debunk this popular myth for good.

Join geneticist Kevin Folta and GLP contributor Cameron English on episode 167 of Science Facts and Fallacies as they break down these latest news stories:

* Viewpoint: Is cell-based meat oversold as a sustainability solution?

Is "alt-protein," meat made from plants, fungi and animal cells, a viable tool in our fight against climate change? The evidence isn't as clear as proponents of Impossible burgers and similar products say. When we consider all the data, what can we say with confidence about the benefits of alternative proteins?

* Most humans eat three meals a day. Is that what’s best for our health?

Many of us take for granted that eating three meals a day is optimal. As it turns out, three squares a day is more a cultural artifact than a science-based conclusion. Some people do indeed thrive when they eat frequently throughout the day, but others may do just fine on one or two meals a day. The fact of the matter seems to be this: the "right" eating habits likely differ based our genetic makeup and individual preferences.

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* Does crop genetic engineering promote monoculture, as anti-GMO activists claim?

Does growing the same crop year over year jeopardize our food system? There is some validity to this concern hypothetically; however,

Treating vaccine-hesitant individuals like they are hardcore vaccine "deniers" could backfire as a science-outreach strategy. Can the food you eat actually change your DNA? Biotechnology gave us effective COVID-19 vaccines, and it may prove even more useful when the next global health crisis arrives.

Join geneticist Kevin Folta and GLP contributor Cameron English on episode 166 of Science Facts and Fallacies as they break down these latest news stories:

* Misinformation or disinformation? Deniers or skeptics? How the GMO and vaccine controversies are undermining science communication

Are all science "deniers" created equal? According to risk expert Dr. David Zaruk, the answer is no. Many people may have doubts about the safety or efficacy of a new drug, though their uncertainty isn't motivated by the intense ideological commitments that usually drive genuine vaccine denialism. By blurring the distinctions between these two groups, science advocates risk alienating the merely vaccine hesitant and driving them into the arms of more radical anti-vaccine activists. How do we combat the ideologues while simultaneously winning the trust of open-minded consumers who have legitimate questions about vaccination?

* Nutrigenomics: Can what you eat reprogram your genes?

"You are what you eat," the old saying goes. But to what extent does your diet actually modify the expression of your genes? Some preliminary animal studies have offered helpful clues. We also know, for example, that exposure to toxin-producing molds in food can cause cancer, though definitive answers about how specific nutrients affect human DNA remain elusive. So when it comes to "nutrigenomics," how much of the field is good science and how much is speculation?

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* Why biotechnology will be critical in preparing for the next health crisis

Biotechnology proved its value during the COVID pandemic by allowing scientists to rapidly engineer and mass produce effective vaccines. When the next global health crisis hits, and it will inevitably hit, biotech experts anticipate that AI-powered modeling will help us anticipate how a dangerous pathogen may spread,

Is there a science-based case for organic farming? One professor says yes, but how compelling are his arguments? Environmental Working Group (EWG) is back with its annual 'Dirty Dozen' list, and experts are again criticizing EWG for unnecessarily scaring consumers away from safe fruits and vegetables. Ten years after receiving a novel gene therapy, children diagnosed with a rare immune disorder are symptom free. Have they been cured?

Join geneticist Kevin Folta and GLP contributor Cameron English on episode 164 of Science Facts and Fallacies as they break down these latest news stories:

* Viewpoint: A science-backed case in support of organic farming

Critics of organic farming are quick to point out its deficiencies. Growers generally have to cultivate more land to produce the same amount of food that conventional farmers do, meaning that organic agriculture has a higher environmental footprint. Moreover, there is little evidence that organic crops are more nutritious than their conventional counterparts, though they tend to cost significantly more.

Nonetheless, advocates maintain that there is sound science behind organic farming and insist it has an important role to play in global food production. Do they have a convincing case?

* Viewpoint: Why scientists and health experts believe you can ignore the Environmental Working Groups’s Dirty Dozen list

Each year, the Environmental Working Group publishes its “Dirty Dozen,” a list of fruits and vegetables that contain the highest levels of pesticide. Mainstream news outlets like CNN uncritically report EWG's results to the public. What they don't mention is that health experts see little value in using the Dirty Dozen to guide your grocery shopping. The reality is that essentially every product on the shelves of your local supermarket is perfectly safe; exceptions to this rule are few and far between.

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A major university recently halted a science outreach event because the invited speakers were white men. Has so-called "cancel culture" finally come for science communication? Genetic engineering may help stop the spread of avian flu and alleviate cat allergy symptoms, but will these powerful tools ever receive FDA approval?

Join geneticist Kevin Folta and GLP contributor Cameron English on episode 164 of Science Facts and Fallacies as they break down these latest news stories:

* Silencing Science: NC State Cancels Panel Discussion to Appease Woke Activists

NC State recently cancelled an event designed to teach science-outreach techniques to graduate students. The reason? The three-member expert panel consisted of white men, which a handful of social-justice activists on Twitter found unbearable. Instead of allowing the student-invited speakers to present, the school caved to political pressure. What does this development tell us about the state of America's universities? And could the situation hinder efforts to promote science literacy among the general public?

* Viewpoint: There is a solution to the devastating poultry pandemic – but anti-technology activist groups and outdated regulations are blocking it

A new strain of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) has devastated America's poultry industry in recent years. Over 50 million domestic chickens and turkeys were killed by the virus just in 2015, an estimated loss of $3.3 billion. Scientists have engineered birds that cannot catch or spread HPAI, though the technology is unlikely to be commercialized in the near future. The FDA maintains tight restrictions on genetically engineered animals—in large part to avoid legal battles with anti-GMO activists groups.

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* ‘Here, CRISPR critter’: How to gene edit a hypo-allergenic cat

Allergic to cats? There may be a genetic engineering solution for that, too. Using CRISPR gene editing, scientists can delete two genes that encode a protein called Fel d 1, which is secreted by glands in the animal’s skin, mouth, eyes, and anus and thought to cause the horrific symptoms that afflict people with cat allergies.