Anyone for science?

[Chrisb]

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/s...-alzheimers-might-be-infectious-10514671.html

I thought this article might be of interest as providing further evidence as to the ways in which many of our old friends operate. For all I know,there may well be problems with the research or the reporting. It is the operating procedure of government department, Sense about Science and the Lancet which seems familiar.

 

[ukxmrv]

"Dr Horton then wrote to the Science Media Centre in London, which was coordinating expert reaction to the study with the help of University College London and the Medical Research Council, which funded the work by Professor John Collinge, a world authority on transmissible brain diseases."

 

[barbc56]

problems with the research or the reporting

I don't know about the study but the reporting looks pretty shoddy and uses inferences that may or may not be accurate. An example below.

Although The Lancet’s source is not identified, The Independentunderstands that it was Dame Sally, who knows Dr Horton personally and has shared several conference platforms with The Lancet’s outspoken editor

.

It seems a hugh leap in logic to go from finding something in the brains Alzheimers patients to it being contagious.

It looks like the Independent has been accused of sometimes being somewhat sensationalistic.However, I am not familiar with the different newspapers in England, so maybe someone can weigh in on this.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tabloid_(newspaper_format)

It just occurred to me that it might be a good idea to look at other sources as far as the study and it's implications as I am basically commenting on the reporting.

I do remember reading that the editor of the Lancelot is really beyond wacky.

Barb

 

[barbc56]

Don't have time to expand on what these sources say but I was thinking of a different meaning for infectious. for example like a cold.

http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v525/n7568/full/525193a.html

http://www.nature.com/news/one-in-2-000-uk-people-might-carry-vcjd-proteins-1.13962

This is quite intriguing.

Barb

@Chrisb If I may make a suggestion, I think a more specific title might help others click on this thread. Thans for starting it!