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UrduThe claim a Dutch researcher predicted the February earthquake in Turkey and Syria would happen three days before it occurred is misleading. Despite the accuracy of his prediction, scientists cannot predict when and where an earthquake will occur.
Category: Fact Check
Fact Check
The claim that forest trees “talk” through underground fungi is questionable
The claim that adult trees preferentially send resources or “warning signals” of insect damage to young trees through common mycorrhizal networks (CMNs), is not backed up by a single peer-reviewed, published field study.
Attributing the rising costs of groceries to “price gouging” is not accurate
Is putting the blame on grocery store managers for your rising costs of orange juice accurate? It’s not quite that simple.
Biden Administration Not Going to Seize Your Gas Stove, But Environmental Health Concerns May Lead to Regulations
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), a federal agency, is not currently considering a ban on gas stoves. Therefore the claim that the government is banning gas stoves or that they plan on seizing people’s stoves is false.
Masks still work to reduce the transmission of respiratory disease
As we dive deep into a new wave of COVID-19 infections this winter, the value of masking is back in public discourse.
Inoculation from the vaccine does not transfer over to blood transfusion patient
The claim that a blood transfusion could pass on the inoculation from a vaccine is entirely false.
Scientists did not release a zombie plague by reviving a dormant virus, but their warning of a potential public health crisis is legitimate
A team of researchers uncovered an ancient “pandoravirus” from underneath a frozen lake in Siberia. The virus was found along with others in the Siberian permafrost. Scientists say the viruses could help us prepare for pandemic-level issues as the permafrost thaws.
There’s no evidence that U.S. aid money sent to Ukraine was then used to invest in FTX as a money laundering scheme
The news that FTX, the cryptocurrency company, filed for bankruptcy protection amid news it was short billions of dollars has spawned many conspiracy theories being shared on social media.
There is no evidence that “immunity debt” is real, however, the end of COVID-19 mitigation efforts means a higher risk for viral infections
Some people believe that public health measures against COVID-19, including masking and social distancing, have resulted in children getting more sick now because of a weakened immune system. Experts disagree about whether “immunity debt” is a real phenomenon or convenient pseudoscience.
Neither Pfizer nor the government ever claimed to have conducted studies on the vaccine’s effect on transmission in its original clinical trials
Pfizer didn’t claim to have tested its COVID-19 vaccine’s ability to prevent transmission, and this information was clearly available in press releases published by the European Medicines Agency as well as the published study containing results from Pfizer’s clinical trials.
Recent news of recovery in the Great Barrier Reef brings hope, but climate change-induced ocean warming is still causing massive bleaching of coral
Good news in the report about the recovery of coral in Australia’s Great Barrier Reef. However, this news is not a reason for dismissing the severe effect that climate change-induced ocean warming is bringing to coral reefs in the GBR and throughout the world, says Prof.
Climate change does not cause hurricanes, but it is very likely climate change caused Hurricane Ian to be more destructive
While towns across Florida and the Carolinas are cleaning up in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian and the death toll climbs, several high profile climate change skeptics are questioning the connection between the hurricane and human-caused climate change.
Yes, coffee can help you live longer and protect you from cardiovascular disease, with a few caveats
The possible health benefits of coffee have been percolating in the news for years: Coffee can lower your risk for diabetes, coffee may protect against disease and even some cancers, etc. More recently, headlines claim that coffee can extend your life or reduce cardiovascular disease risk. Good news, coffee lovers. The claim is mostly true.
Is the COVID pandemic over? Not quite there, says scientists
With the rollout of boosters of life-saving vaccines, new treatments, and a large population already infected, the U.S. is in a less vulnerable place than it was in 2020. However, the death toll, while lower than before, is still at around 400 deaths per day from COVID-19 in the U.S.
Wind turbines recoup the energy required to build them within a year of normal operation
According to a report released by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Wind power is now the largest source of renewable energy in the U.S. Social media posts that have been widely shared have alleged that wind power is inefficient and unnecessarily expensive.
The UK did not ban the use of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine for pregnant women
Despite recent claims on social media, the UK government has not changed its position on pregnant or breastfeeding women getting the COVID booster. The NHS says the vaccine is both safe and strongly recommended for this group.
Images from the James Webb Telescope Do Not Disprove The Big Bang Theory
Recent observations by the James Webb Space Telescope have not disproven the widely regarded Big Bang Theory, despite certain articles claiming otherwise.
The increase in funding for the IRS is not going create an army of agents that will come after you
The Inflation Reduction Act includes $79 billion for the IRS. Many political figures are reacting incredulously to this long-sought budget increase. The Fox News host Brian Kilmeade has warned his viewers that “Joe Biden’s new army” of armed IRS agents could “hunt down and kill middle-class taxpayers that don’t pay enough”.
Newly updated CDC guidelines do not invalidate the protection that COVID-19 vaccines offer
The claim that the new CDC guidelines prove that the authorized vaccines for COVID-19 do not provide any protection is false.
Don’t throw away your antidepressants just yet
While the review has made headlines for “debunking” the serotonin imbalance theory, it is important not to jump to conclusions on the efficacy of antidepressants, particularly selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).
Herschel Walker’s claim on how China’s “bad air” would move over to America is grossly inaccurate
In speaking about the Green New Deal, Herschel Walker, the former professional football player vying for a Senate seat in Georgia, incorrectly suggested that U.S. climate efforts were pointless because “China’s bad air” would simply move over into American “air space.”
Relief from high gas prices is not likely to come from more drilling, as many politicians are demanding
U.S oil and gas production is just one of many elements that drive the global oil and gas market.
The assassination of Shinzo Abe in Japan is not proof that gun laws are not working to prevent gun violence
The assassination of Shinzo Abe in Japan where guns are strictly regulated, is not proof that gun laws are not working to prevent gun violence
Abortion, defined as the termination of pregnancy, can be necessary to save a woman’s life
Contrary to claims made online, certain medical conditions may require the termination of a pregnancy to avoid fatal complications for the mother.
It is very unlikely Justin Bieber’s Ramsay Hunt syndrome and Hailey Bieber’s blood clot were caused by COVID-19 vaccines
Skeptics of the COVID-19 vaccines are claiming that Justin Bieber’s facial paralysis and Haley Beiber’s blood clot were caused by the vaccine. There is no evidence of this. It is more likely Beiber’s facial paralysis is caused by the virus itself than the vaccine.
Rising temperatures may cause a rise in carbon dioxide, but this does not refute human-caused climate change
The rise in temperature before a rise in carbon dioxide has led some to conclude that carbon dioxide simply cannot be responsible for current global warming. We find this claim to be misleading because it fails to tell the whole story. Increasing CO2 levels can be the cause AND effect of further warming.
Monkeypox is not shingles and there is no evidence that the Monkeypox outbreak has anything to do with the COVID-19 vaccines
The claim that the available COVID-19 vaccines are behind the monkeypox outbreak, and that monkeypox is basically shingles, which they claim is a side effect of the vaccines, is entirely false.
Video does not accurately portray the risk of secondhand exposure to fentanyl
A video posted on the CDC’s National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) does not accurately portray the risk of secondhand exposure to fentanyl, according to emergency medicine physician.
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has jeopardized food supplies, despite Russian Foreign Minister’s claim
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is disrupting food supply chains and causing food shortages worldwide, particularly in the Middle East.
Bill Gates-backed artificial breast milk company is not responsible for the baby formula shortage
There’s no evidence that an investment in BIOMILQ – a startup that makes artificial breast milk has anything to do with the baby formula shortage. The shortage is caused by supply chain problems and a recall of formula owned by Abbott Nutrition.
The newly released Pfizer documents do not show that their COVID-19 vaccine is unsafe
Pfizer has NOT declared their COVID vaccines unsafe for pregnancy and breastfeeding women, despite misleading claims on social media, nor have they said that the real efficacy rate for their vaccine (COMIRNATY) is 12 percent.
Elon Musk’s Political Spectrum Meme Is Not Quite Accurate
Musk’s meme suggests conservatives haven’t really changed. However, according to research, Republicans have moved further to the right than Democrats have to the left.
Gov. Ivey’s ‘stolen election’ claim in a campaign ad is still unfounded
In a reelection campaign ad, Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey, claimed without proof, that the 2020 election was stolen from Donald Trump. There is still no evidence of election fraud.
Yes, microplastics have been found in human blood
An article says that microplastics have been found in human blood for the first time. We rate this claim as true, although more studies are needed to determine if these substances in humans are associated with a public health risk.
Critical Race Theory (CRT) is not being taught in K-12 schools, but that didn’t stop Virginia Governor-Elect Glenn Youngkin from vowing to ban it
“There is a significant effort to frame CRT as a Red Herring in the political race leading up to the 2022 election season. In order to protect the public interest of schooling and the credibility of the teaching profession, it’s really important for people to actually research the issues and learn from multiple, trust-worthy, and verified sources (not just social media or their immediate friend groups),” says Prof Rebecca Jacobsen of Michigan State University.
Senator Tim Scott’s claim that the IRS will monitor private bank accounts is not accurate
Based on the last version of the Biden plan, Tim Scott’s comments were not entirely accurate. The only accounts that would be subject to the reporting requirement would be where the total deposits exceed $10,000 after taking out of the equation W-2 wages and government benefits, e.g., social security payments.
The EcoHealth Alliance experiments have nothing to do with the COVID-19 pandemic
There is no evidence that Fauci knowingly gave false information when asked about the NIH funding of ” gain-of-function research” when it comes to the coronavirus. In fact, the letter itself notes that the viruses used in the experiments are “decades removed from SARS-CoV-2 evolutionarily” and that they “could not have been the source of SARS-CoV-2.”
It isn’t accurate to talk about the supply chain problems we are facing in terms of “this administration” or “that administration”
It isn’t accurate to talk about the supply chain problems we are facing in terms of “this administration” or “that administration,” because the problem has been here for a long time.
Bolsonaro claims about his environmental protection record at the U.N. General Assembly meeting stretch the truth
President Bolsonaro of Brazil was the first head of state to address this year’s UN General Assembly in New York. At one point of his speech, Bolsonaro spoke about the progress Brazil is making in terms of environmental conservation, particularly the Amazon rain forest. In his comments on the environment, we find his claim to be misleading.
Bolsonaro claims about his environmental protection record at the U.N. General Assembly meeting stretches the truth
President Bolsonaro of Brazil was the first head of state to address this year’s UN General Assembly in New York. At one point of his speech, Bolsonaro spoke about the progress Brazil is making in terms of environmental conservation, particularly the Amazon rain forest. In his comments on the environment, we find his claim to be misleading.
Fact Check on claim about COVID-19 vaccines
While it is true that the vaccines are effective at prevention of serious illness, many studies show that they are also effective at preventing asymptomatic infection. That is, vaccines are effective at preventing you from catching COVID-19, and therefore reduce the risk that you transmit to others.
COVID vaccines do not impact male fertility, nor do they cause swollen testicles, as suggested by Niki Minaj
World-renown rap star Nicki Minaj tweeted about Covid-19 vaccination during the 2021 Met Gala (she did not attend since she is not vaccinated). She suggested that getting a COVID-19 vaccine will cause male impotence and swollen testicles.
Florida Governor Makes Misleading Claim About COVID-19 Vaccine and Immunity
“These mandates, this is not about science,” the Republican governor said during a press conference in Alachua County. “Because if it was about science, you would recognize the infection conferred immunity.”
The jury is still out on the effectiveness of ivermectin in treating COVID-19, despite claims that it works or that it’s useless
Ivermectin is used to fight worms and other parasites in animals and humans. But some people are taking it to treat COVID-19, despite warnings from experts and poisonings tied to the drug.
Contrary to Online Video’s Claim, masks are effective at reducing the spread of COVID-19
Dr. Julie Swann, A. Doug Allison Distinguished Professor and Department Head at NC State University debunks the claim that face masks can’t block viruses such as COVID-19.
Claim that the first COVID-19 vaccine that was approved by the FDA is somehow different than than the “Pfizer vaccine” currently available is misleading
In the podcast and video show “War Room” hosted by Steve Bannon, Dr. Robert Malone claimed that the “mainstream media is lying” and suggested that the vaccine that was approved by the FDA is somehow different than the “Pfizer vaccine” currently available under emergency use authorization.
CDC withdrawing its request for emergency use authorization for its COVID-19 PCR diagnostic test does not mean the test failed
Social media is now rife with claims about why the CDC is withdrawing its request for emergency use authorization for its COVID-19 PCR diagnostic test after December 2021.
Study does not determine COVID vaccines kill 2 for every 3 they save
Study does not determine COVID vaccines kill 2 for every 3 they save.
The coronavirus vaccines are not magnetic
All three coronavirus vaccines approved for emergency use in the United States are free from metals.
Debunking the claim that vaccines cause new COVID-19 variants
In an interview in the French documentary “Hold-Up,” Luc Montagnier, a French virologist and recipient of the 2008 Nobel Prize in Medicine for his discovery of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), claimed that Covid-19 vaccines are creating new variants in various parts of the world. He believes that the ongoing vaccinations across the world is an ”enormous mistake.” ”The history books will show that because it is the vaccination that is creating the variants.” Multiple French social media posts that have been shared by thousands have also claimed that COVID-19 vaccines are causing variants of the virus to emerge. We find these claims to be false. There is no evidence the vaccines are creating more variants.