American Council on Science and Health

By João Lucas — Jul 09, 2026 We would like to believe that every new father and every new mother wants the same thing: a way to protect their child’s future, including protection from disease, of course. But that desire also makes them vulnerable to medical marketing schemes. History is full of promises unfulfilled and prices paid.

Raising babies today means navigating a social media battlefield where every decision seems to carry moral weight. From advocates of baby-led weaning to champions of commercial purées, confident voices insist there's only one right way to feed our children. Fortunately, the latest evidence suggests that the internet's fiercest infant-feeding debate may have a surprisingly simple answer.

ACSH is thrilled to announce that Dr. Jess Steier, DRPH, PMP, of Unbiased Science, has joined our Board of Scientific Advisors. Dr. Steier is a public health scientist, science communicator, and entrepreneur whose work reaches 10–30 million people monthly. She leads Vital Statistics Consulting, a public health data science firm. Dr. Steier also founded Unbiased Science — a health literacy platform known for translating complex science with empathy and rigor.

Numbers seem very scientific. They give any argument a veneer of credibility, even a dishonest one that misleads the public. Let's examine some common methods used to take advantage of the public's innumeracy and promote health scares online.

In a jarring reversal for a product that had become steadily cheaper over the previous two decades, consecutive drought-stricken harvests in Spain and the spread of the olive tree disease Xylella fastidiosa in Italy sent prices soaring. Although farm-level supplies are finally beginning to recover, supermarket prices remain high, leaving many American shoppers wondering whether a daily drizzle of extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) is still worth the expense.

Science communication often fails not because people lack information, but because they enter the conversation already certain. A moment of Zen explains the problem and offers a possible solution. A famous Zen story captures one of the hardest problems in communicating science, especially in an age shaped by divisive social media commentary. A university professor once traveled to visit a respected Zen master to learn about Zen.

Mass tort litigation grows like weeds. Last week, the Supreme Court created the ultimate lawsuit-killer by rejecting state court claims that conflict with federal statutes. A Litigation Boom Over Roundup The Roundup litigation craze has fed roughly 100,000 plaintiffs and their lawyers over $11 billion in settlements and verdicts since claims surrounding the world’s most widely used and highly profitable weed-killer first surfaced.

By Mauro Proença — Jul 07, 2026 The 2026 World Cup is expected to be the largest betting event in history, with more than $50 billion likely to be wagered. But the real story is how smartphones, social media, and influencer marketing have transformed gambling from an occasional trip to the casino into a 24-hour companion that fits in every pocket. Geuvânio was ecstatic.

A quick online search for “resveratrol supplements” finds dozens produced by various companies. They contain anywhere from 50 to 500 mg resveratrol per capsule and sport labels that scream “source of antioxidants.” But there is no mention of any condition that resveratrol is expected to treat or prevent.

Stanford scientists just reported that they've been using AI technology to design the tastiest hamburger. But they did not invent the most expensive one. That title belongs to the $666 gold-leaf Douche Burger, the product of a New York food truck. And a Dreaded Chemistry Lesson From Hell, hold the pickles. Image: The $666 Douche Burger. You are what you eat. In today's "Are You Kidding Me?" feature, scientists at Stanford reported that they're using AI to create space-age burger recipes. Seriously?