# kb

id: feng-shui-20260505-1
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Feng_shui-1.md
category: reference
title: Feng shui
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Feng_shui
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:19:51.449274+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: feng-shui-20260505-0
summary:
From at least the Han dynasty, feng shui was formally integrated into Chinese imperial governance, with court officials conducting geomantic assessments for the siting of palaces, capital cities, and imperial tombs. The practice reached its institutional peak during the Ming (1368–1644) and Qing (1644–1912) dynasties, when the Qintianjian (欽天監, Imperial Astronomical Bureau) employed specialists in feng shui alongside astronomers and calendar-makers. Major imperial projects including the Forbidden City and the Ming tombs were designed in accordance with feng shui principles, with the Forbidden City's north–south axial alignment and the placement of the artificial hill of Jingshan to its north reflecting classical geomantic conventions. The imperial court's control over geomantic knowledge served both practical and political functions, as the proper siting of state structures was understood as a demonstration of the ruling dynasty's claim to the Mandate of Heaven. === Later history === After the Song dynasty, divination began to decline as a political institution and instead became an increasingly private affair. Many feng shui experts and diviners sold their services to the public market, allowing feng shui to quickly grow in popularity. During the Late Qing dynasty, feng shui became immensely popular. Widespread destitution and increasing government despotism led to


id: feng-shui-20260505-2
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Feng_shui-2.md
category: reference
title: Feng shui
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Feng_shui
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:19:51.449274+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: feng-shui-20260505-0
summary:
East: The Azure Dragon (Spring equinox)—Niao (Bird 鳥), α Scorpionis South: The Vermilion Bird (Summer solstice)—Huo (Fire 火), α Hydrae West: The White Tiger (Autumn equinox)—Mǎo (Hair 毛), η Tauri (the Pleiades) North: The Black Tortoise (Winter solstice)—Xū (Emptiness, Void 虛), α Aquarii, β Aquarii The diagrams are also linked with the sifang (four directions) method of divination used during the Shang dynasty. The sifang is much older, however. It was used at Niuheliang, and figured large in Hongshan culture's astronomy. And it is this area of China that is linked to Yellow Emperor (Huangdi) who allegedly invented the south-pointing spoon (see compass). == Traditional feng shui == Traditional feng shui is an ancient system based upon the observation of heavenly time and earthly space. Literature, as well as archaeological evidence, provide some idea of the origins and nature of feng shui techniques. Aside from books, there is also a strong oral history. In many cases, masters have passed on their techniques only to selected students or relatives. Modern practitioners of feng shui draw from several branches in their own practices. === Form branch === The Form Branch is the oldest branch of feng shui. Qing Wuzi in the Han


id: feng-shui-20260505-3
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Feng_shui-3.md
category: reference
title: Feng shui
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Feng_shui
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:19:51.449274+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: feng-shui-20260505-0
summary:
=== Conflict resolution === A core aspect of feng shui has been its understanding of polarity. As opposed to western dualism, in which concepts are completely oppositional and irreconcilable, Chinese polarity sees opposing concepts as constantly changing and inseparable. The result is an emphasis on continual compromise and balance in order to maintain harmony. Feng shui has been observed to play an important role in the mediation of rural conflict. Through its amoral explanation of differential fortunes, feng shui provides a universal set of cosmic rules communities seek to abide by. This can promote community unity while also creating numerous points of polarization. Through the hiring of feng shui experts, disputes between villagers can be peaceably resolved without losing face. In addition, these impersonal cosmic rules help regulate local jealousies over wealth and prestige. === Community mobilization and political protest === As early as the Tang dynasty, the Chinese state recognized the disruptive power popular expressions of feng shui had over government authority. At the community level, feng shui could play an important role in community mobilization and political protest. By elevating a cosmological explanations of events, feng shui allowed for the expression of otherwise impermissible political opinions. During the


id: feng-shui-20260505-4
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Feng_shui-4.md
category: reference
title: Feng shui
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Feng_shui
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:19:51.449274+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: feng-shui-20260505-0
summary:
After the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949, feng shui was officially considered a "feudalistic superstitious practice" and a "social evil" according to the state's ideology and was discouraged and even banned outright at times. Feng shui remained popular in Hong Kong, and also in the Republic of China (Taiwan), where traditional culture was not suppressed. During the Cultural Revolution (1966–1976) feng shui was classified as one of the so-called Four Olds that were to be wiped out. Feng shui practitioners were beaten and abused by Red Guards and their works burned. After the death of Mao Zedong and the end of the Cultural Revolution, the official attitude became more tolerant but restrictions on feng shui practice are still in place in today's China. It is illegal in the PRC today to register feng shui consultation as a business and similarly advertising feng shui practice is banned. There have been frequent crackdowns on feng shui practitioners on the grounds of "promoting feudalistic superstitions" such as one in Qingdao in early 2006 when the city's business and industrial administration office shut down an art gallery converted into a feng shui practice. Some officials who had consulted feng shui


id: feng-shui-20260505-5
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Feng_shui-5.md
category: reference
title: Feng shui
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Feng_shui
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:19:51.449274+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: feng-shui-20260505-0
summary:
...feng shui has become an aspect of interior decorating in the Western world and alleged masters of feng shui now hire themselves out for hefty sums to tell people such as Donald Trump which way his doors and other things should hang. Feng shui has also become another New Age "energy" scam with arrays of metaphysical products...offered for sale to help you improve your health, maximize your potential, and guarantee fulfillment of some fortune cookie philosophy. Skeptics charge that evidence for its effectiveness is based primarily upon anecdote and users are often offered conflicting advice from different practitioners, though feng shui practitioners use these differences as evidence of variations in practice or different branches of thought. A critical analyst concluded that "Feng shui has always been based upon mere guesswork." Another objection was to the compass, a traditional tool for choosing favorable locations for property or burials. Critics point out that the compass degrees are often inaccurate because solar winds disturb the electromagnetic field of the Earth. Magnetic North on the compass will be inaccurate because true magnetic north fluctuates. The psychologist Stuart Vyse has called feng shui "a very popular superstition." The American magicians Penn and Teller dedicated an


id: fight-the-new-drug-20260505-0
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fight_the_New_Drug-0.md
category: reference
title: Fight the New Drug
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fight_the_New_Drug
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:19:52.670615+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: fight-the-new-drug-20260505-0
summary:
Fight the New Drug (FTND) is an American nonprofit (describing itself as secular), and non-legislative anti-pornography organization that is based in Utah. The group has roots dating back to 2006, being incorporated in 2008 and receiving nonprofit status in March 2009. FTND describes pornography as analogous to a drug and argues that it is a public health crisis. It describes itself as asking people to "consider before consuming", rather than advocating anti-pornography legislation. == Activities == The group works with people aged 18 to 24 through presentations and video campaigns, and through student outreach activities in public school districts within Utah. In a 2015 campaign, FTND posted 100 billboards in the San Francisco Bay Area stating "Porn Kills Love". In March 2018, the Kansas City Royals held a FTND anti-pornography seminar for players during their spring training, and in November of that year, FTND released a three-part documentary film entitled Brain, Heart, World. In addition, the group promotes its campaign via a social media presence, branded merchandise, such as T-shirts, and marketing kits. == Support == A number of public figures have endorsed the group: these include Utah Attorney General Mark Shurtleff; sports personalities Terry Crews and Lamar Odom; actress


id: first-earth-battalion-20260505-0
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Earth_Battalion-0.md
category: reference
title: First Earth Battalion
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Earth_Battalion
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:19:53.872808+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: first-earth-battalion-20260505-0
summary:
The First Earth Battalion was the name proposed by Lieutenant Colonel Jim Channon, a U.S. soldier who had served in Vietnam, for his idea of a new military of supersoldiers to be organized along New Age lines. A book of the same name was published in 1982. == The Men Who Stare at Goats == According to the book The Men Who Stare at Goats by journalist Jon Ronson, Channon spent time in the 1970s with many of the people in California credited with starting the Human Potential Movement, and subsequently wrote an operations manual for a First Earth Battalion. The manual was a 125-page mixture of drawings, graphs, maps, polemical essays, and point-by-point redesigns of every aspect of military life. Channon imagined a new battlefield uniform that would include pouches for ginseng regulators, divining tools, foodstuffs to enhance night vision, and a loudspeaker that would automatically emit "indigenous music and words of peace." A movie based on the book—released in Autumn 2009—starring George Clooney, Ewan McGregor, Jeff Bridges and Kevin Spacey, fictionalized the First Earth Battalion as the New Earth Army. == Beliefs == Channon believed the Army could be the principal moral and ethical basis on which politics


id: five-second-rule-20260505-0
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Five-second_rule-0.md
category: reference
title: Five-second rule
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Five-second_rule
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:19:54.977721+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: five-second-rule-20260505-0
summary:
The five-second rule, or sometimes the three-second rule, is a food hygiene urban legend that states a defined time window after which it is not safe to eat food (or sometimes to use cutlery) after it has been dropped on the floor or on the ground and thus exposed to contamination. While the amount of microbes transferred to a dropped food does increase over time, and in some situations floors may be relatively clean of pathogens, the scientific consensus is opposed to such a general applied rule, and the origin of the idea is unclear. It is speculated to have originated from legends about Genghis Khan. It was first mentioned in print in 1995. == History == The origins of the five-second rule are unclear. Food scientist Pawl Dawson and microbiologist Brian Sheldon have traced the origins to legends surrounding Genghis Khan in the 15th century. He is rumored to have implemented the "Khan Rule" at his banquets. "If food fell on the floor, it could stay there as long as Khan allowed," and the idea was that "food prepared for Khan was so special that it would be good for anyone to eat no matter what." The first known


id: flat-earth-20260505-0
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flat_Earth-0.md
category: reference
title: Flat Earth
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flat_Earth
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:19:56.188495+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: flat-earth-20260505-0
summary:
Flat Earth is an archaic and scientifically disproven conception of the Earth's shape as a plane or disk. Many ancient societies subscribed to a flat-Earth cosmography. The model has undergone a recent resurgence as a conspiracy theory in the 21st century. The idea of a spherical Earth appeared in ancient Greek philosophy with Pythagoras (6th century BC). However, the early Greek cosmological view of a flat Earth persisted among most pre-Socratics (6th–5th century BC). In the early 4th century BC, Plato wrote about a spherical Earth. By about 330 BC, his former student Aristotle had provided strong empirical evidence for a spherical Earth. Knowledge of the Earth's global shape gradually began to spread beyond the Hellenistic world. By the early period of the Christian Church, the spherical view was widely held, with some notable exceptions. In contrast, ancient Chinese scholars consistently describe the Earth as flat, and this perception remained unchanged until their encounters with Jesuit missionaries in the 17th century. Muslim scholars in early Islam maintained that the Earth is flat. However, since the 9th century, Muslim scholars have tended to believe in a spherical Earth. It is a historical myth that medieval Europeans generally thought the Earth was


id: flat-earth-20260505-1
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flat_Earth-1.md
category: reference
title: Flat Earth
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flat_Earth
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:19:56.188495+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: flat-earth-20260505-0
summary:
If you take a lighted candle and set it in a room, you may expect it to light up the entire interior, unless something should hinder, though the room be quite large. But if you take an apple and hang it close to the flame, so near that it is heated, the apple will darken nearly half the room or even more. However, if you hang the apple near the wall, it will not get hot; the candle will light up the whole house; and the shadow on the wall where the apple hangs will be scarcely half as large as the apple itself. From this you may infer that the Earth-circle is round like a ball and not equally near the sun at every point. But where the curved surface lies nearest the sun's path, there will the greatest heat be; and some of the lands that lie continuously under the unbroken rays cannot be inhabited. ==== East Asia ==== In ancient China, the prevailing belief was that the Earth was flat and square, while the heavens were round, an assumption virtually unquestioned until the introduction of European astronomy in the 17th century. The English sinologist Cullen emphasizes the


id: flat-earth-20260505-2
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flat_Earth-2.md
category: reference
title: Flat Earth
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flat_Earth
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:19:56.188495+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: flat-earth-20260505-0
summary:
Pythagoras in the 6th century BC and Parmenides in the 5th century BC stated that the Earth is spherical, and this view spread rapidly in the Greek world. Around 330 BC, Aristotle maintained on the basis of physical theory and observational evidence that the Earth was spherical, and reported an estimate of its circumference. The Earth's circumference was first determined around 240 BC by Eratosthenes. By the 2nd century AD, Ptolemy had derived his maps from a globe and developed the system of latitude, longitude, and climes. His Almagest was written in Greek and only translated into Latin in the 11th century from Arabic translations. Lucretius (1st century BC) opposed the concept of a spherical Earth, because he considered that an infinite universe had no center towards which heavy bodies would tend. Thus, he thought the idea of animals walking around topsy-turvy under the Earth was absurd. By the 1st century AD, Pliny the Elder was in a position to say that everyone agreed on the spherical shape of Earth, though disputes continued regarding the nature of the antipodes, and how it is possible to keep the ocean in a curved shape. ==== South Asia ==== The Vedic texts depict


id: flat-earth-20260505-3
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flat_Earth-3.md
category: reference
title: Flat Earth
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flat_Earth
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:19:56.188495+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: flat-earth-20260505-0
summary:
Some historians do not view Augustine's scriptural commentaries as endorsing any particular cosmological model, endorsing instead the view that Augustine shared the common view of his contemporaries that the Earth is spherical, in line with his endorsement of science in De Genesi ad litteram. C. P. E. Nothaft, responding to writers like Leo Ferrari who described Augustine as endorsing a flat Earth, says that "...other recent writers on the subject treat Augustine's acceptance of the Earth's spherical shape as a well-established fact". While it always remained a minority view, from the mid-fourth to the seventh centuries AD, the flat-Earth view experienced a revival, around the time when Diodorus of Tarsus founded the exegetical school known as the School of Antioch, which sought to counter what he saw as the pagan cosmology of the Greeks with a return to the traditional cosmology. The writings of Diodorus did not survive, but are reconstructed from later criticism. This revival primarily took place in the East Syriac world (with little influence on the Latin West) where it gained proponents such as Ephrem the Syrian and in the popular hexaemeral homilies of Jacob of Serugh. Chrysostom, one of the four Great Church Fathers of the


id: flat-earth-20260505-4
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flat_Earth-4.md
category: reference
title: Flat Earth
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flat_Earth
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:19:56.188495+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: flat-earth-20260505-0
summary:
Some authorities have suggested that the sphericity of the Earth was among the aspects of Vergilius's teachings that Boniface and Zachary considered objectionable. Others have considered this unlikely, and take the wording of Zachary's response to indicate at most an objection to belief in the existence of humans living in the antipodes. In any case, there is no record of any further action having been taken against Vergilius. He was later appointed bishop of Salzburg and was canonised in the 13th century. A possible non-literary but graphic indication that people in the Middle Ages believed that the Earth (or perhaps the world) was a sphere is the use of the orb (globus cruciger) in the regalia of many kingdoms and of the Holy Roman Empire. It is attested from the time of the Christian late-Roman emperor Theodosius II (423) throughout the Middle Ages and in western Europe, the use of a physical orb is attested since at least the time of Emperor Henry II (d. 1024). A contemporary chronicler describes the imperial orb given to Henry II by Pope Benedict VIII as shaped like a golden apple surmounted by a cross and representing the earth with its rotundity. Such a


id: flat-earth-20260505-5
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flat_Earth-5.md
category: reference
title: Flat Earth
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flat_Earth
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:19:56.188495+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: flat-earth-20260505-0
summary:
In the 17th century, a historical myth was created that asserted that the predominant cosmological doctrine during the Middle Ages was that the Earth was flat. The myth gained currency in the 19th century. An early proponent of this myth was the American writer Washington Irving, who maintained that Christopher Columbus had to overcome the opposition of churchmen to gain sponsorship for his voyage of exploration. Later significant advocates of this view were John William Draper and Andrew Dickson White, who used it as a major element in their advocacy of the thesis that there was a long-lasting and essential conflict between science and religion. Some studies of the historical connections between science and religion have demonstrated that theories of their mutual antagonism ignore examples of their mutual support. Subsequent studies of medieval science have shown that most scholars in the Middle Ages, including those read by Christopher Columbus, maintained that the Earth was spherical. == Modern flat Earth beliefs == In the modern era, the pseudoscientific belief in a flat Earth originated with the English writer Samuel Rowbotham with the 1849 pamphlet Zetetic Astronomy. Lady Elizabeth Blount established the Universal Zetetic Society in 1893, which published journals. In 1956,


id: flood-geology-20260505-0
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flood_geology-0.md
category: reference
title: Flood geology
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flood_geology
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:19:57.530514+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: flood-geology-20260505-0
summary:
Flood geology (also creation geology or diluvial geology) is a pseudoscientific attempt to interpret and reconcile geological features of the Earth in accordance with a literal belief in the Genesis flood narrative, the flood myth in the Hebrew Bible. In the early 19th century, diluvial geologists hypothesized that specific surface features provided evidence of a worldwide flood which had followed earlier geological eras; after further investigation they agreed that these features resulted from local floods or from glaciers. In the 20th century, young-Earth creationists revived flood geology as an overarching concept in their opposition to evolution, assuming a recent six-day Creation and cataclysmic geological changes during the biblical flood, and incorporating creationist explanations of the sequences of rock strata. In the early stages of development of the science of geology, fossils were interpreted as evidence of past flooding. The "theories of the Earth" of the 17th century proposed mechanisms based on natural laws, within a timescale set by the Ussher chronology. As modern geology developed, geologists found evidence of an ancient Earth and evidence inconsistent with the notion that the Earth had developed in a series of cataclysms, like the Genesis flood. In early 19th-century Britain, "diluvialism" attributed landforms and


id: flood-geology-20260505-1
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flood_geology-1.md
category: reference
title: Flood geology
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flood_geology
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:19:57.530514+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: flood-geology-20260505-0
summary:
=== Theories of the Earth === In his influential Principles of Philosophy of 1644, René Descartes applied his mechanical physical laws to envisage swirling particles forming the Earth as a layered sphere. This natural philosophy was recast in biblical terms by the theologian Thomas Burnet, whose Sacred Theory of the Earth published in the 1680s proposed complex explanations based on natural laws, and explicitly rejected the simpler approach of invoking miracles as incompatible with the methodology of natural philosophy (the precursor to science). Burnet maintained that less than 6,000 years ago the Earth had emerged from chaos as a perfect sphere, with paradise on land over a watery abyss. This crust had dried out and cracked, and its collapse caused the biblical deluge, forming mountains as well as caverns where the water retreated. He made no mention of fossils but inspired other diluvial theories that did. In 1695, John Woodward's An Essay Toward a Natural History of the Earth viewed the Genesis flood as dissolving rocks and soil into a thick slurry that caught up all living things, which, when the waters settled, formed strata according to the relative density of these materials, including fossils of the organisms. When it


id: flood-geology-20260505-2
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flood_geology-2.md
category: reference
title: Flood geology
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flood_geology
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:19:57.530514+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: flood-geology-20260505-0
summary:
"Although the Mosaic account of the creation of the world is an inspired writing, and consequently rests on evidence wholly independent of human observation and experience, still it is interesting, and in many respects important, to know that it coincides with the various phenomena observable in the mineral kingdom." This sentence was removed after the second edition, and Jameson's position changed as shown by his notes in successive editions, but it influenced British views of Cuvier's concept. In 1819, George Bellas Greenough, first president of The Geological Society, issued A Critical Examination of the First Principles of Geology stating that unless erratic boulders deposited hundreds of miles from their original sources had been moved by seas, rivers, or collapsing lakes, "the only remaining cause, to which these effects can be ascribed, is a Debacle or Deluge." ==== Buckland and the English school of geologists ==== Conservative geologists in Britain welcomed Cuvier's theory to replace Werner's Neptunism, and the Church of England clergyman William Buckland became the foremost proponent of flood geology as he sought to get the new science of geology accepted on the curriculum of the University of Oxford. In 1818, he was visited by Cuvier, and in his


id: flood-geology-20260505-3
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flood_geology-3.md
category: reference
title: Flood geology
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flood_geology
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:19:57.530514+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: flood-geology-20260505-0
summary:
But if the supposed impetuous torrent excavated valleys, and transported masses of rocks to a distance from their original repositories, then must the soil have been swept from off the earth to the destruction of the vegetable tribes. Moses does not record such an occurrence. On the contrary, in his history of the dove and the olive-leaf plucked off, he furnishes a proof that the flood was not so violent in its motions as to disturb the soil, nor to overturn the trees which it supported. When Sedgwick visited Paris at the end of 1826 he found hostility to diluvialism: Alexander von Humboldt ridiculed it "beyond measure", and Louis-Constant Prévost "lectured against it". In the summer of 1827 Sedgwick and Roderick Murchison travelled to investigate the geology of the Scottish Highlands, where they found "so many indications of local diluvial operations" that Sedgwick began to change his mind about it being worldwide. When George Poulett Scrope published his investigations into the Auvergne in 1827, he did not use the term "diluvium". He was followed by Murchison and Charles Lyell whose account appeared in 1829. All three agreed that the valleys could well have been formed by rivers acting over a


id: flood-geology-20260505-4
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flood_geology-4.md
category: reference
title: Flood geology
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flood_geology
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:19:57.530514+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: flood-geology-20260505-0
summary:
=== Scriptural geologists, and later commentary === Scriptural geologists were a heterogeneous group of writers in the early 19th century who claimed "the primacy of literalistic biblical exegesis" and a short young Earth time scale. Their views were marginalised and ignored by the scientific community of their time. They generally lacked any background in geology and had little influence even in church circles. Many of them quoted obsolete geological writings. Among the most prominent, Granville Penn argued in 1822 that "mineral geology" rejected revelation, while true "Mosaical geology" showed that God had created primitive rock formations directly, in correspondence with the laws which God then made to produce subsequent effects. A first revolution on the third day of creation deepened the oceans so water rushed in, and in the deluge 1,656 years afterwards a second revolution sank land areas and raised the sea bed to cause a swirling flood which moved soil and fossil remains into stratified layers, after which God created new vegetation. As Genesis appeared to show that the rivers of Eden had survived this catastrophe, he argued that the verses concerned were an added "parenthesis" which should be disregarded. In 1837 George Fairholme expressed disappointment about disappearing


id: flood-geology-20260505-5
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flood_geology-5.md
category: reference
title: Flood geology
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flood_geology
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:19:57.530514+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: flood-geology-20260505-0
summary:
=== George McCready Price === White's visions prompted several books by one of her followers, George McCready Price, leading to the 20th-century revival of flood geology. After years selling White's books door-to-door, Price took a one-year teacher-training course and taught in several schools. When shown books on evolution and the fossil sequence which contradicted his beliefs, he found the answer in White's "revealing word pictures" which suggested how the fossils had been buried. He studied textbooks on geology and "almost tons of geological documents", finding "how the actual facts of the rocks and fossils, stripped of mere theories, splendidly refute this evolutionary theory of the invariable order of the fossils, which is the very backbone of the evolution doctrine". In 1902, he produced a manuscript proposing geology based on Genesis, in which the sequence of fossils resulted from the different responses of animals to the encroaching flood. He agreed with White on the origins of coal and oil and conjectured that mountain ranges (including the Alps and Himalayas) formed from layers deposited by the flood which had then been "folded and elevated to their present height by the great lateral pressure that accompanied its subsidence". He then found a report


id: flood-geology-20260505-6
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flood_geology-6.md
category: reference
title: Flood geology
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flood_geology
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:19:57.530514+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: flood-geology-20260505-0
summary:
saying that geology was the same as evolution assuming "that life has been on the earth only for a few thousand years, [and] therefore the flood must account for geological strata" misunderstanding "the physical and chemical conditions under which rocks are formed" ignoring recent discoveries such as radiometric dating that undermined their assumptions Kulp accused Price of ignorance and deception, concluding that "this unscientific theory of flood geology has done and will do considerable harm to the strong propagation of the gospel among educated people". Price said nothing during the presentation and discussion. When invited to speak, he "said something very brief which missed what everyone was waiting for". Further publications made the ASA's opposition to flood geology clear. === Morris and Whitcomb === In 1942, Irwin A. Moon's Sermons from Science persuaded engineer Henry M. Morris of the importance of harmonising science and the Bible, and introduced him to the concepts of a vapor canopy causing the flood and its geological effects. About a year later Morris found Price's New Geology a "life-changing experience", and joined the DGS. His book That You Might Believe (1946) for college students included Price's flood geology. Morris had joined the ASA in 1949,


id: flood-geology-20260505-7
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flood_geology-7.md
category: reference
title: Flood geology
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flood_geology
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:19:57.530514+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: flood-geology-20260505-0
summary:
==== The Genesis Flood (1961) ==== The Presbyterian and Reformed Publishing Company of Philadelphia published Whitcomb and Morris's The Genesis Flood in February 1961. The authors took as their premise biblical infallibility: "the basic argument of this volume is that the Scriptures are true". For Whitcomb, Genesis describes a worldwide flood which covered all the high mountains, Noah's Ark with a capacity equivalent to eight freight-trains, flood waters from a canopy and the deeps, and subsequent dispersal of animals from Mount Ararat to all the continents via land bridges. He disputed the views published by Ramm and Arthur Custance. Morris then confronted readers with the dilemma of whether to believe Scripture or to accept the interpretations of trained geologists, and instead of the latter proposed "a new scheme of historical geology"—true both to Scripture and to "God's work" revealed in nature. This was essentially Price's The New Geology of 1923 updated for the 1960s, though with few direct references to Price. Like Price before him, Morris argued that most fossil-bearing strata had formed during a global deluge, disputing uniformitarianism, multiple ice ages, and the geologic column. He explained the apparent fossil sequence as the outcome of marine organisms dying in


id: flood-geology-20260505-8
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flood_geology-8.md
category: reference
title: Flood geology
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flood_geology
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:19:57.530514+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: flood-geology-20260505-0
summary:
The teaching of evolution, reintroduced in 1963 by the Biological Sciences Curriculum Study textbooks, was prohibited by laws in some states. These bans were contested; the Epperson v. Arkansas case which began late in 1965 was decided in 1968 by the United States Supreme Court ruling that such laws violated the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment to the United States Constitution. Some creationists thought a legal decision requiring religious neutrality in schools should shield their children from teachings hostile to their religion; Nell J. Segraves and Jean E. Sumrall (a friend of Lammerts who was also associated with the CRS and the Bible-Science Association) petitioned the California State Board of Education to require that school biology texts designate evolution as a theory. In 1966 Max Rafferty as California State Superintendent of Public Instruction suggested that they demand equal time for creation, as the Civil Rights Act of 1964 allowed teachers to mention religion as long as they did not promote specific doctrines. Their first attempt failed, but in 1969 controversy arose over a proposed Science Framework for California Schools. Anticipating success, they and others in the Bible-Science Association formed Creation Science, Inc., to produce textbooks. A compromise acceptable to


id: flood-geology-20260505-9
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flood_geology-9.md
category: reference
title: Flood geology
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flood_geology
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:19:57.530514+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: flood-geology-20260505-0
summary:
== Creationist arguments for a global flood == === Fossils === The geologic column and the fossil record are used as major pieces of evidence in the modern scientific explanation of the development and evolution of life on Earth as well as a means to establish the age of Earth. Young Earth creationists such as Morris and Whitcomb in their 1961 book, The Genesis Flood, say that the age of the fossils depends on the amount of time credited to the geologic column, which they ascribe to be about one year. Some flood geologists dispute geology's assembled global geologic column since index fossils are used to link geographically isolated strata to other strata across the map. Fossils are often dated by their proximity to strata containing index fossils whose age has been determined by its location on the geologic column. Oard and others say that the identification of fossils as index fossils has been too error-prone for index fossils to be used reliably to make those correlations, or to date local strata using the assembled geologic scale. Other creationists accept the existence of the geological column and believe that it indicates a sequence of events that might have occurred during


id: flood-geology-20260505-10
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flood_geology-10.md
category: reference
title: Flood geology
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flood_geology
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:19:57.530514+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: flood-geology-20260505-0
summary:
=== Runaway subduction === In the 1960s and 1970s a simple creationist model proposed that, "The Flood split the land mass into the present continents." Steve Austin and other creationists proposed a preliminary model of catastrophic plate tectonics (CPT) in 1994. Their work built on earlier papers by John Baumgardner and Russell Humphreys in 1986. Baumgardner proposed a model of mantle convection that allows for runaway subduction, and Humphrey associated mantle convection with rapid magnetic reversals in Earth history. Baumgardner's proposal holds that the rapid plunge of former oceanic plates into the mantle (caused by an unknown trigger mechanism) increased local mantle pressures to the point that its viscosity dropped several magnitudes according to known properties of mantle silicates. Once initiated, sinking plates caused the spread of low viscosity throughout the mantle, resulting in runaway mantle convection and catastrophic tectonic motion which dragged continents across the surface of the Earth. Once the former ocean plates (which are thought to be denser than the mantle) reached the bottom of the mantle, an equilibrium resulted. Pressures dropped, viscosity increased, runaway mantle convection stopped, leaving the surface of the Earth rearranged. Proponents point to subducted slabs in the mantle which are still relatively


id: flood-geology-20260505-11
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flood_geology-11.md
category: reference
title: Flood geology
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flood_geology
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:19:57.530514+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: flood-geology-20260505-0
summary:
Modern geology, its sub-disciplines and other scientific disciplines use the scientific method to analyze the geology of the earth. The key tenets of flood geology are refuted by scientific analysis and do not have any standing in the scientific community. Modern geology relies on established principles, one of the most important of which is Charles Lyell's principle of uniformitarianism. In relation to geological forces it states that the shaping of the Earth has occurred by means of mostly slow-acting forces that can be seen in operation today. By applying these principles, geologists have determined that the Earth is approximately 4.54 billion years old. They study the lithosphere of the Earth to gain information on the history of the planet. Geologists divide Earth's history into eons, eras, periods, epochs, and faunal stages characterized by well-defined breaks in the fossil record (see Geologic time scale). In general, there is a lack of any evidence for any of the above effects proposed by flood geologists, and their claims of fossil layering are not taken seriously by scientists. === Geochronology === Geochronology is the science of determining the absolute age of rocks, fossils, and sediments by a variety of techniques. These methods indicate that


id: fogvid-24-20260505-0
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fogvid-24-0.md
category: reference
title: Fogvid-24
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fogvid-24
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:19:58.744842+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: fogvid-24-20260505-0
summary:
Fogvid-24 is a social-media conspiracy theory alleging that unusual winter fog in late 2024 and early 2025 was toxic or engineered—variously described as a chemical or biological weapon, "smart dust," or a cover for hidden activity—and that it caused clusters of flu-like symptoms. The term Fogvid-24 was popularised on platforms such as TikTok and X during a period of widespread fog in North America and the United Kingdom. Fact-checkers and meteorologists attributed the reports to ordinary foggy conditions, seasonal respiratory illness, and misinterpretation of visual effects under lights, noting there is no evidence that the fog was engineered or that it contained harmful agents. == Background == In late December 2024, dense fog and freezing fog were widely reported in parts of the United States and the United Kingdom, disrupting transport and prompting routine advisories. During the same period, posts and short videos circulated claiming the fog was unusually thick, smelled "chemical," or left people unwell shortly after exposure; commenters began referring to the phenomenon as Fogvid-24. == Claims == == Responses and expert commentary == Meteorologists and public-health communicators state there is no evidence that the fog was engineered or toxic, and that winter fog is expected under certain


id: forensic-dentistry-20260505-0
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forensic_dentistry-0.md
category: reference
title: Forensic dentistry
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forensic_dentistry
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:19:59.890392+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: forensic-dentistry-20260505-0
summary:
Forensic dentistry or forensic odontology involves the handling, examination, and evaluation of dental evidence in a criminal justice context. Forensic dentistry is used in both criminal and civil law. Forensic dentists assist investigative agencies in identifying human remains, particularly in cases when identifying information is otherwise scarce or nonexistent—for instance, identifying burn victims by consulting the victim's dental records. Forensic dentists may also be asked to assist in determining the age, race, sex, and previous dental history of unidentified human beings. The primary benefit of dental evidence is its perpetual preservation following death. The examination of antemortem and postmortem dental characteristics is made possible by each persons distinctive tooth patterns. Forensic dentists may make their determinations by using radiographs, ante- and post-mortem photographs, and DNA analysis. Another type of evidence that may be analyzed is bite marks, whether left on the victim (by the attacker), the perpetrator (from the victim of an attack), or on an object found at the crime scene. However, this latter application of forensic dentistry has proven highly controversial, as no scientific studies or evidence substantiate that bite marks can demonstrate sufficient detail for positive identification and numerous instances where experts diverge widely in their evaluations


id: forensic-dentistry-20260505-1
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forensic_dentistry-1.md
category: reference
title: Forensic dentistry
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forensic_dentistry
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:19:59.890392+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: forensic-dentistry-20260505-0
summary:
== High-profile criminal cases == Forensic odontology has played a key role in famous criminal cases: In 1692, during the Salem Witch Trials, Rev. George Burroughs was accused of witchcraft and conspiring with the Devil, with biting his victims supposedly being evidence of his crimes. His bite marks and the bite marks of other people were compared to the victim's marks. The judges readily accepted the bite marks as evidence and this was the first time in what would become the United States that bite marks were used as evidence to solve a crime. He was later convicted and hanged. About two decades later, he was exonerated by the State, and his children were compensated for the wrongful execution. One of the first published accounts involving a conviction based on bite marks as evidence was the “Gorringe case”, in 1948, in which pathologist Keith Simpson used bite marks on the breast of the victim to seal a murder conviction against Robert Gorringe for the murder of his wife Phyllis. Another early case was Doyle v. State, which occurred in Texas in 1954. The bite mark, in this case, was on a piece of cheese found at the crime scene of


id: forensic-dentistry-20260505-2
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forensic_dentistry-2.md
category: reference
title: Forensic dentistry
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forensic_dentistry
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:19:59.890392+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: forensic-dentistry-20260505-0
summary:
== Organizations == Several organizations are dedicated to the field of forensic odontology. These organizations include the Bureau of Legal Dentistry (BOLD), the American Board of Forensic Odontology (ABFO), American Society of Forensic Odontology (ASFO), the International Organization for Forensic Odonto-Stomatology (IOFOS) and the Association Forensic Odontology For Human Rights (AFOHR). Countries have their own forensic Odontological societies, including the British Association for Forensic Odontology (BAFO) and the Australian Society of Forensic Odontology (AuSFO). In 1996, BOLD was created at the University of British Columbia to develop new technology and techniques in forensic odontology. The University of British Columbia program is the only one in North America that provides graduate training in forensic odontology. In Canada, The Royal College of Dentists has not recognized forensic odontology therefore there is no organization for Canada, however, there are three well-developed and trained groups for forensic dentistry. These groups include British Columbia, Ontario, and Quebec. British Columbia has a team called BC Forensic Odontology Response Team (BC_FORT) which is led by six dentists. They focus on disaster-victim identification work. Ontario has a team of ten forensic dentists called the Province of Ontario Dental Identification Team (PODIT). Quebec has a team that is run


id: forensic-dentistry-20260505-3
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forensic_dentistry-3.md
category: reference
title: Forensic dentistry
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forensic_dentistry
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:19:59.890392+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: forensic-dentistry-20260505-0
summary:
=== Proposed theoretical basis === Bites can occur on both the victim and the suspect; teeth are used as a weapon by the aggressor and in self-defense by the victim. Although they are only a small portion of most forensic dentists' caseload, bite marks represent the most challenging aspect of the discipline. In addition to the location of the bite mark, the type of severity of the injury may give investigators clues as to the mental state of the offender. Bite marks may be found on the flesh of victims of a violent attack, particularly on the stomach or buttocks. Bite mark evidence may be the only form of physical evidence found on a body. Alternatively, they may be found on the suspect, left by the victim during self-defense. Bite marks can be altered through stretching, movement, or change in environment after the bite. Skin is not ideal for holding the shape of a bite mark as it can become distorted due to the viscoelasticity of the skin. There is also no set standard by which to analyze and compare bite marks. Factors that may affect the accuracy of bite mark identification include time-dependent changes of the bite mark on


id: forensic-dentistry-20260505-4
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forensic_dentistry-4.md
category: reference
title: Forensic dentistry
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forensic_dentistry
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:19:59.890392+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: forensic-dentistry-20260505-0
summary:
"Human anterior dental patterns have not been shown to be unique at the individual level" "Those patterns are not accurately transferred to human skin consistently" "It has not been shown that defining characteristics of those patterns can be accurately analyzed to exclude or not exclude individuals as the source of a [sic] bitemark" Recently, the scientific foundation of forensic odontology, and especially bite mark comparison, has been called into question. A 1999 study by a member of the American Board of Forensic Odontology found a 63% rate of false identifications. However, the study was based on an informal workshop during an ABFO meeting which many members did not consider a valid scientific setting. In February 2016, the Texas Forensic Science Commission recommended that bite mark evidence not be used in criminal prosecutions until it had a more firm scientific basis. That same year, the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology declared that bite mark analysis had no scientific validity. An investigative series by the Chicago Tribune entitled "Forensics under the Microscope" examined many forensic science disciplines to see if they truly deserve the air of infallibility that has come to surround them. The investigators concluded that bite mark


id: forensic-dentistry-20260505-5
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forensic_dentistry-5.md
category: reference
title: Forensic dentistry
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forensic_dentistry
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:19:59.890392+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: forensic-dentistry-20260505-0
summary:
== Sex estimation == The determination of sex is important in the identification of unknown individuals in both forensic and archaeological contexts. The preferred anatomical methods for sex determination are based on pelvic and cranio-facial morphology. Using these parts of the skeleton, males and females can be correctly classified with over 90% accuracy. However, these skeletal elements are sometimes recovered in a fragmentary state, rendering sex estimation difficult. Moreover, there is currently no reliable method of sex determination of juvenile or sub-adult remains from cranial or post-cranial skeletal elements since dimorphic traits only become apparent after puberty, and this represents a fundamental problem in forensic investigations. In such situations, teeth are potentially useful in sex determination. Due to their hardness, they are highly resistant to taphonomic processes and are much more likely to be recovered than other parts of the fact, the enamel present on teeth is the hardest biological substance in the human body; therefore making them extremely sustainable analytical evidence in a forensic context. Moreover, teeth may be particularly useful for sexing immature skeletal remains since both primary and permanent sets of teeth develop before puberty. For several decades research has been conducted into human dental sexual dimorphism,


id: forensic-dentistry-20260505-6
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forensic_dentistry-6.md
category: reference
title: Forensic dentistry
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forensic_dentistry
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:19:59.890392+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: forensic-dentistry-20260505-0
summary:
Direct comparison of the characteristics presents in the ante-mortem photograph with the observed characteristics in the deceased person. In this technique, the ante-mortem and post-mortem photographs must be paired, and the dental characteristics found should be compared, described, and noted. Computerized outlining of the incisal edges of the teeth in the ante-mortem and post-mortem photographs. In this technique, the expert analyzes the morphology of the smile line, delineating the incisal edges and comparing them. To achieve this, attention must be given to important details, such as: Both the ante-mortem and post-mortem photographs need to be as clear as possible, with good/excellent quality. The post-mortem photograph should be taken at the same angle of incidence as the ante-mortem photograph. The more visible teeth in the ante-mortem photograph, the better. Therefore, selecting the best photograph obtained is important. The use of software to annotate the characteristics present in the ante-mortem and post-mortem photographs, facilitating the visualization of comparative elements for everyone, including laypeople. It is important to emphasize that each person's smile is unique, just like fingerprints, palatal rugae, and DNA. Therefore, when properly applied with the necessary scientific rigor, identification through photographs of the smile becomes a reliable method to establish


id: frequency-specific-microcurrent-20260505-0
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frequency_specific_microcurrent-0.md
category: reference
title: Frequency specific microcurrent
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frequency_specific_microcurrent
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:20:01.074997+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: frequency-specific-microcurrent-20260505-0
summary:
Frequency Specific Microcurrent (FSM) or frequency Specific Microcurrent Therapy (FSMT) is the practice of introducing a mild electrical current into an area of damaged soft tissue. Practitioners claim that the introduced current enhances the healing process underway in that same tissue. Critics, such as David Gorski, call proponent's claims of the technique altering body tissue's vibrational amplitude pseudoscience. == About == Frequency Specific Microcurrent uses two channels of microcurrent, with each channel delivering a different frequency. One frequency is proposed to address the condition (such as inflammation or fibrosis), while the second frequency is proposed to target specific tissue (such as nerve or muscle). The frequencies are delivered using microampere-level current, approximately 1/1000 of the intensity of TENS units. == Usage == A 2012 systematic review of physical therapies for Achilles tendinopathy found limited evidence from a single randomized clinical trial suggests FSM as an effective therapy. A 2010 controlled study of 35 participants found that FSM therapy significantly reduced delayed onset muscle soreness compared to sham treatment at 24, 48, and 72 hours post-exercise. == Criticism == Skeptics note that FSM is another form of vibration medicine and that there is no good evidence that when a tissue is


id: fruit-machine-homosexuality-test-20260505-0
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fruit_machine_(homosexuality_test)-0.md
category: reference
title: Fruit machine (homosexuality test)
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fruit_machine_(homosexuality_test)
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:20:02.258816+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: fruit-machine-homosexuality-test-20260505-0
summary:
The "fruit machine" was a battery of psychological tests developed in Canada by Dr. Frank Robert Wake, a psychology professor with Carleton University in the 1960s. It was hoped that Dr. Wake's research program would be able to help the Government of Canada identify gay men working in the Public Service or to prevent gay people from obtaining government jobs. The subjects were made to view erotic imagery and "homosexual words", while the device measured the subject's pupil dilation (pupillary response test), and an early form of lie detector also measured their perspiration and pulse, in response to the erotic images and words. The crude apparatus was constructed by the RCMP's Identification Branch. The research program was employed in Canada approximately between 1960 and 1964 as part of a campaign to eliminate all gay men from the civil service, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), and the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF). Thousands of Canadians lost their jobs or resigned and some died by suicide. Although funding for the project was cut off in the late 1960s, the RCMP investigations continued, and the RCMP collected files on well over 9,000 people. The machine used a chair similar to that used by


id: functional-disconnection-20260505-0
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Functional_disconnection-0.md
category: reference
title: Functional disconnection
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Functional_disconnection
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:20:03.398089+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: functional-disconnection-20260505-0
summary:
Functional disconnection is the disintegrated function in the brain in the absence of anatomical damage, in distinction to physical disconnection of the cerebral hemispheres by surgical resection, trauma or lesion. Applications have included alexia without agraphia dyslexia, persistent vegetative state and minimally conscious state as well as autistic spectrum disorders. Functional disconnection itself is not a medically recognized condition. It is a theoretical concept used to facilitate research into the causes and symptoms within recognized conditions. == History == In 1977, Witleson reported that developmental dyslexia may be associated with (i) bi-hemisphere representation of spatial functions, in contrast to the unitary right hemisphere control of these functions observed in normal individuals. The bilateral neural involvement in spatial processing may interfere with the left hemisphere's processing of its own specialized functions and result in deficient linguistic, sequential cognitive processing and in overuse of the spatial, holistic cognitive mode, reflecting a functional disconnection syndrome in these individuals confirmed by Leisman in the 1980s and in the 2000s. The concept of functional disconnection developed further with Stachowiak and Poeck in 1976. who reported on a case in 1976 of a 67-yr-old male with hemianopia resulting from a cerebrovascular accident resulting in pure alexia


id: game-brain-20260505-0
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Game_brain-0.md
category: reference
title: Game brain
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Game_brain
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:20:06.779421+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: game-brain-20260505-0
summary:
Game brain (ゲーム脳, Gēmu nō) is a term coined by Akio Mori referring to human brains affected by the long-term effect of playing video games. Mori, a professor in the Humanities and Sciences division of Nihon University in Japan, originally coined the term and presented the concept in his 2002 book The Terror of Game Brain (ゲーム脳の恐怖, Gēmu Nō no Kyōfu). It has been criticized by neuroscientists as pseudoscientific. == Summary == Mori performed an experiment at Tokyo's Nihon University designed to measure the effect of video games on human brain activity by examining beta waves, which are produced during Beta states – the states associated with normal waking consciousness. Mori claims that his study has revealed that people who spend long periods playing video games exhibit less activity in the brain's prefrontal region, which governs emotion and creativity, compared to their peers. He claims that the experiment demonstrates the existence of an "adverse effect that video games have on the human brain". Specifically, Mori asserts that side effects can include loss of concentration, an inability to control temper and problems socializing or associating with others. Additionally, if the subject persists gaming over a long period of time, Mori concluded


id: ganzfeld-experiment-20260505-0
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ganzfeld_experiment-0.md
category: reference
title: Ganzfeld experiment
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ganzfeld_experiment
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:20:07.932209+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: ganzfeld-experiment-20260505-0
summary:
A ganzfeld experiment (from the German words for "entire" and "field") is an assessment used by parapsychologists that they contend can test for extrasensory perception (ESP) or telepathy. In these experiments, a "sender" attempts to mentally transmit an image to a "receiver" who is in a state of sensory deprivation. The receiver is normally asked to choose between a limited number of options for what the transmission was supposed to be and parapsychologists who propose that such telepathy is possible argue that rates of success above the expectation from randomness are evidence for ESP. Consistent, independent replication of ganzfeld experiments has not been achieved, and, in spite of strenuous arguments by parapsychologists to the contrary, there is no validated evidence accepted by the wider scientific community for the existence of any parapsychological phenomena. Ongoing parapsychology research using ganzfeld experiments has been criticized by independent reviewers as having the hallmarks of pseudoscience. == Historical context == The ganzfeld effect was originally introduced into experimental psychology due to the experiments of the German psychologist Wolfgang Metzger (1899–1979) who demonstrated that subjects who were presented with a homogeneous visual field would experience perceptual distortions that could rise to the level of hallucinations. In


id: ganzfeld-experiment-20260505-1
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ganzfeld_experiment-1.md
category: reference
title: Ganzfeld experiment
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ganzfeld_experiment
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:20:07.932209+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: ganzfeld-experiment-20260505-0
summary:
In 1982, Honorton had started a series of "autoganzfeld experiments", that is ganzfeld experiments controlled by a computer, at his Psychophysical Research Laboratories (PRL). The trials continued until September 1989 and in 1990 Honorton et al. published the results of 11 autoganzfeld experiments they claimed met the standards specified by Hyman and Honorton (1986). In these experiments, 240 participants contributed 329 sessions. Hyman analyzed these experiments and wrote they met most, but not all of the "stringent standards" of the joint communiqué. He expressed concerns with the randomization procedure, the reliability of which he was not able to confirm based on the data provided by Honorton's collaborator, Daryl Bem. Hyman further noted that although the overall hit rate of 32% (7% higher than the 25% expectation from randomness) was significant, the hit rate for static targets (pictures) was, in fact, consistent with random and therefore inconsistent with Honorton's previous claims of positive results from the ganzfeld experiments that were conducted prior to 1982. The significance of the results was due entirely to a new set of "dynamic targets" (videos) that participants were able to identify at a rate that was better than random. In the hit rates regarding these dynamic


id: ganzfeld-experiment-20260505-2
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ganzfeld_experiment-2.md
category: reference
title: Ganzfeld experiment
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ganzfeld_experiment
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:20:07.932209+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: ganzfeld-experiment-20260505-0
summary:
Isolation – Richard Wiseman and others argue that not all of the studies used soundproof rooms, so it is possible that when videos were playing, the experimenter could have heard it, and later given involuntary cues to the receiver during the selection process. It could even have been possible that the receivers themselves could hear the video. Randomization – When subjects are asked to choose from a variety of selections, there is an inherent bias to choose the first selection they are shown. If the order in which they are shown the selections is randomized each time, this bias will be averaged out. The randomization procedures used in the experiment have been criticized for not randomizing satisfactorily. The psi assumption – The assumption that any statistical deviation from chance is evidence for telepathy is highly controversial. Strictly speaking, a deviation from chance is only evidence that either this was a rare, statistically unlikely occurrence that happened by chance, or something was causing a deviation from chance. Flaws in the experimental design are a common cause of this, and so the assumption that it must be telepathy is fallacious. Writing in 1985, C. E. M. Hansel discovered weaknesses in the design


id: ganzfeld-experiment-20260505-3
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ganzfeld_experiment-3.md
category: reference
title: Ganzfeld experiment
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ganzfeld_experiment
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:20:07.932209+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: ganzfeld-experiment-20260505-0
summary:
It now appeared that in one session – number 9 – the following events had taken place. Sargent did the randomization when he should not have. A 'B' went missing from the drawer during the session, instead of afterwards. Sargent came into the judging and "pushed" the subject towards 'B'. An error of addition was made in favour of 'B' and 'B' was chosen. 'B' was the target and the session a direct hit. This article, along with further criticisms of Sargent's work from Adrian Parker and Nils Wiklund remained unpublished until 1987 but all were well known in parapsychological circles. Sargent wrote a rebuttal to these criticisms (also not published until 1987) in which he did not deny what Blackmore had observed, but argued that her conclusions based on those observations were wrong and prejudiced. His co-workers also responded, saying that any deviation from protocol was the result of "random errors" rather than any concerted attempt at fraud. Carl Sargent stopped working in parapsychology after this and did not respond "in a timely fashion" when the Council of the Parapsychological Association asked for his data, and so his membership of that organization was allowed to lapse. Writing for Skeptical


id: gasoline-pill-20260505-0
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gasoline_pill-0.md
category: reference
title: Gasoline pill
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gasoline_pill
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:20:09.141566+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: gasoline-pill-20260505-0
summary:
The gasoline pill or gasoline powder is claimed to turn water into gasoline, which can be used to run a combustion engine. The gasoline pill is one of several claims of suppressed inventions that circulate as urban legends. Usually these urban legends allege a conspiracy theory that the oil industry seeks to suppress the technology that turns water to gasoline. == Guido Franch == In the United States, the best known claim to have created a gasoline pill was the work of one Guido Franch, who was active from the 1950s through the 1970s. Franch called the resulting liquid Mota fuel. Guido Franch was a blue collar worker who lived in Livingston, Illinois. His invention was a green powder that was added to water, which he claimed had actually been invented by a fictitious German scientist named Dr. Alexander Kraft. Franch took money from a number of small investors who read about his claims in the National Tattler or a similar tabloid publication. In what became a frequent motif, he claimed that the water-into-gasoline powder formula could not be disclosed for fear that the oil industry would have it suppressed. Franch, when pressed into providing samples of his transmutation powder,


id: gasoline-pill-20260505-1
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gasoline_pill-1.md
category: reference
title: Gasoline pill
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gasoline_pill
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:20:09.141566+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: gasoline-pill-20260505-0
summary:
== Gasoline pills in fiction == The storyline of the 1943 Laurel and Hardy film, Jitterbugs, revolves around a con man (Bob Bailey) selling gas pills during the fuel rationing days of WWII. In the 1949 motion picture Free For All, Robert Cummings starred as a scientist who claimed to have invented a pill that turned water into gasoline. The 1940s television/radio show People Are Funny performed a stunt in which an unsuspecting crowd at Hollywood and Vine were sold "Atom Pills" at a quarter apiece. A "scientist" claimed that one pill could do the work of a hundred gallons of gasoline. When the stunt was revealed, few of the dozens who had fought to buy the pills came up to get their money back. In the television sitcom The Beverly Hillbillies, Jethro Bodine claimed to have devised a water to gasoline pill that ran the Clampetts' old truck on water. In an episode of the 1960s American sitcom The Munsters, "The Sleeping Cutie", Grandpa invents a gasoline pill. A season three episode of the 1950s American television show, Alcoa Presents: One Step Beyond, "Where Are They?", which originally aired 13 December 1960, presented a story about a man calling


id: gemmotherapy-20260505-0
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gemmotherapy-0.md
category: reference
title: Gemmotherapy
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gemmotherapy
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:20:10.307278+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: gemmotherapy-20260505-0
summary:
Gemmotherapy [from Lat. gemma, bud, and New Lat. therapīa, Grk. therapeia, medical treatment] is a pseudoscientific group of remedies from embryonic tissue of various trees and shrubs, buds, emerging shoots, seeds, catkins, rootlets and sap. This raw material is taken at the peak time of the tree or shrubs' germination. It is claimed that unknown plant hormones and enzymes are released during this process which can somehow improve health. == Development and spread of gemmotherapy == The therapeutic effects of embryonic material of plants were first investigated in the late 1950s by a Belgian homeopath, Pol Henry working with a group of French homeopaths . Henry initially called the new type of medicine, phytoembryotherapy which was later renamed, gemmotherapy. Gemmotherapy was included in herbal therapies in France in the Pharmacopée Francaise in 1965. == Lack of evidence of efficacy == There is no evidence of therapeutic efficacy for gemmotherapy. Although scientific knowledge about the healing effects of plants is still increasing, gemmotherapy has not yet been the subject of any "serious" scientific publication. It has not been the subject of any randomized double-blind study, the only method recognized as reliable, nor has it been published in a recognized professional journal.


id: genetic-sexual-attraction-20260505-0
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genetic_sexual_attraction-0.md
category: reference
title: Genetic sexual attraction
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genetic_sexual_attraction
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:20:11.451246+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: genetic-sexual-attraction-20260505-0
summary:
Genetic sexual attraction is a hypothesis that attraction may be a product of genetic similarities. While there is scientific evidence for the position, some commentators regard the hypothesis as pseudoscience. The term is also used for a phenomenon in which biologically related persons separated at a young age develop intense feelings—including sexual attraction—upon the restoration of contact. == Background == The term was popularized in the United States in the late 1980s by Barbara Gonyo, the founder of Truth Seekers in Adoption, a Chicago-based support group for adoptees and their new-found relatives. Gonyo first heard the term used during an American Adoption Congress conference in the early 1980s. She developed sexual feelings for her son when she met him after he was adopted away, but he did not want to be part of any such contact. Psychologists theorize that the reported phenomenon of attraction to biological relatives separated at a young age occurs because the separation forecloses the Westermarck effect, which normally desensitizes biologically related persons to later sexual attraction. Another suggested explanation for the phenomenon is possible narcissistic feelings. Reported frequently in the field of psychology, there are some studies showing that people are sexually attracted to those genetically


id: geobiology-pseudoscience-20260505-0
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geobiology_(pseudoscience)-0.md
category: reference
title: Geobiology (pseudoscience)
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geobiology_(pseudoscience)
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:20:12.575410+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: geobiology-pseudoscience-20260505-0
summary:
Geobiology is a field which studies the effects of the Earth's radiation, such as telluric currents and other electromagnetic fields, on biological life. The term is derived from Ancient Greek gē (ge) meaning 'earth' and βίος; (bios) meaning 'life'. Its findings have not been scientifically proven; thus, it is considered a form of pseudoscience. == Claims == Within geobiology, distinct patterns of Earth radiation, mainly Hartmann lines (named after Ernst Hartmann) and Curry lines (after Manfred Curry; also called Wittmann lines after Siegfried Wittmann) are posited on occasion to have a negative effect on health and even the viability of biological life. Other similar patterns, named after practitioners of geobiology, include Peyré lines (after Francois Peyré), Romani waves (after Lucien Romani), and the Benker cube (after Anton Benker). It is also claimed that groundwater may create radiation caused by the friction of water against mineral deposits, as well as geological faults, due to a claimed difference in the electric charge of the masses on each side of the fault generating radiation. These are claimed by practitioners to have harmful effects in a phenomenon collectively called geopathic stress. A practitioner of geobiology may also seek out radiation derived from human infrastructure,


id: geocentric-creationism-20260505-0
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geocentric_creationism-0.md
category: reference
title: Geocentric creationism
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geocentric_creationism
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:20:13.815441+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: geocentric-creationism-20260505-0
summary:
Geocentric creationism is a religious belief held by a small subgroup of radical Young Earth Creationists who, in addition to asserting that the Earth was created between 6,000 and 10,000 years ago, also endorse the outdated geocentric model, which claims that Earth is stationary at the center of the universe. Advocates of Geocentric creationism believe that God placed the Earth at the center of the Universe to symbolize the uniqueness and centrality of humanity. This view is in direct contradiction to established scientific consensus on the movement of the Earth, biology and the age of the Earth and is thus classified as pseudoscientific. It is primarily followed by small segments of Protestant and Catholic fundamentalists alongside a few Orthodox Jews and Salafi Muslims, but is fringe within even the Creationist movement itself, who often try to distance themselves from geocentrism. Geocentrism differs from modern flat Earth beliefs as they nevertheless affirm the scientific fact of the Earth's spherical shape, however despite being largely insignificant, the view has had a somewhat greater influence within the anti-evolutionist movement than those who believe in a flat Earth. However, like flat Earthers, geocentrists also reject much of modern physics, astronomy, and biology. Geocentrism is


id: geocentric-creationism-20260505-1
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geocentric_creationism-1.md
category: reference
title: Geocentric creationism
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geocentric_creationism
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:20:13.815441+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: geocentric-creationism-20260505-0
summary:
=== Modern geocentric creationist movement === Modern Christians generally reject the geocentric model, and the strict understanding of the verses used to defend it in the medieval age. However, despite scientific advances, even today few still try to cling unto the Geocentric model of the past. This has been influenced by the Dutch-Canadian named Walter van der Kamp founded the Tychonic Society around the 1970s, which promoted the geocentric view that Copernicus was mistaken and that the Earth remains stationary at the center of the universe. One of the most prominent geocentric creationists of the 20th century is the Protestant Gerardus Bouw, director of the Association for Biblical Astronomy and author of several books defending geocentrism. And although unlike other Geocentrist advocates, Bouw had a PhD in astronomy, his views are not taken seriously by the scientific community. The popular Islamic British Salafi-scholar Abu Iyaad is a staunch modern supporter of Geocentrism. He has published many articles speaking about and defending Geocentrism from a salafi-islamic perspective. He speaks about how the Quran and the hadiths explicitly imply a stationary, unmoving spherical earth. And that mainstream Astronomy is either wrong or completely lying about the existence of the solar system. He


id: geocentric-creationism-20260505-2
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geocentric_creationism-2.md
category: reference
title: Geocentric creationism
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geocentric_creationism
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:20:13.815441+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: geocentric-creationism-20260505-0
summary:
=== Theological presuppositions === Geocentric creationism is based on a rejection of the mainstream scientific method in favour of supernatural explanations of the Universe, arguing that God created everything that exists within 6 days around 6000 years ago and created the Universe with the Earth at its very center. People such as Gerardus Bouw have argued that observation must be interpreted in harmony with the text of scripture, which he believed to be teaching a Geocentric model and that it needs to be the starting point in scientific inquiry. However, contrary to the views of Kepler and Galileo who although being Christians, believed that the scripture never speak of the inner workings of the solar system. Bouw criticized modern Christians, including the majority of Christian fundamentalists who agree with the claim that Bible does not speak on cosmological models. Instead, he favoured supernatural explanations of the movement of the universe and the solar system that he believed to better reflect his geocentric understanding of scripture, including claims such as the existence of aether, which he identified as the "firmanent" of Genesis 1. Due to this, he ended up modifying the cosmology of Tycho Brahe's model further by adjusting the stars


id: geopathology-20260505-0
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geopathology-0.md
category: reference
title: Geopathology
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geopathology
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:20:15.007476+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: geopathology-20260505-0
summary:
Geopathology (also Geopathy) is a pseudoscientific theory that links the Earth's inherent radiation with the health of humans, animals and plants. The term is derived from Greek γεω- (geō-), combining form of γῆ (gê, “earth”) and πάθος (páthos, “suffering”) - ie pathology, widely used to describe infirmities. The term is more widely used in the adjectival form ie 'geopathic' (sometimes 'geopathological') and often linked to 'stress', creating the terms 'geopathic stress' and 'geostress'. Gustav Freiherr von Pohl has been described as the modern 'father' of geopathic stress. von Pohl conducted a study in the Bavarian town of Vilsbiburg in 1929 which purported to link focus points of 'earth-radiation' (ger. Erdstrahlen) with incidence of cancer. Ley lines (a supposition introduced by Alfred Watkins in 1925) have also been suggested to create geopathic stress. == Geopathic stress (GS) == It is suggested that the Earth has a natural vibration, but features like underground watercourses, drainage pipes, underground tunnels and even simple geological faults distort this vibration. Such distorted vibrations are held to rise upwards through the Earth's surface and create a pernicious effect on the health and/or behaviour of all biological life. The distortions are amplified during night hours and consequently the


id: germ-theory-denialism-20260505-0
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Germ_theory_denialism-0.md
category: reference
title: Germ theory denialism
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Germ_theory_denialism
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:20:16.154342+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: germ-theory-denialism-20260505-0
summary:
Germ theory denialism is the pseudoscientific belief that germs are not the main cause of infectious disease, and that the germ theory of disease does not take into account internal and external factors such as those described in traditional Chinese medicine. It usually involves arguing that Louis Pasteur's model of infectious disease is illogical, and that Antoine Béchamp's theory of disease has more logical merit. In fact, its origins are rooted in Béchamp's theory of pleomorphism. One main, yet discarded, variation is known as terrain theory which postulates that germs morphologically change in response to environmental factors, subsequently causing disease, rather than germs being the sole cause of it. == History == Germ theory denialism is as old as germ theory itself, beginning with the rivalry of Pasteur and Béchamp. Pasteur's work in preventing beverage contamination led him to discover that it was due to microorganisms and led him to become the first scientist to prove the validity of the theory and to popularize it in Europe. Before him, scientists such as Girolamo Fracastoro (who had the idea that fomites could harbor the seeds of contagion), Agostino Bassi (who discovered that the muscardine disease of silkworms was caused by a


id: ghost-hunting-20260505-0
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghost_hunting-0.md
category: reference
title: Ghost hunting
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghost_hunting
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:20:17.382938+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: ghost-hunting-20260505-0
summary:
Ghost hunting is the process of investigating locations that are purportedly haunted by ghosts. The practice has been heavily criticized for its dismissal of the scientific method. No scientific study has confirmed the existence of ghosts. Ghost hunting is considered a pseudoscience by the vast majority of educators, academics, science writers and skeptics. Science historian Brian Regal described ghost hunting as "an unorganized exercise in futility". Typically, a ghost-hunting team will attempt to collect "evidence" supporting the existence of paranormal activity. Ghost hunters also refer to themselves as paranormal investigators. Ghost hunters use a variety of electronic devices, including EMF meters, digital thermometers, both handheld and static digital video cameras, including thermographic and night vision cameras, night vision goggles, and digital audio recorders. Other more traditional techniques are also used, such as conducting interviews and researching the history of allegedly haunted sites. Dowsing and Ouija boards are other traditional techniques. == History == Paranormal research dates back to the nineteenth century, with organizations such as the Society for Psychical Research investigating spiritual matters. Psychic researcher Harry Price published his Confessions of a Ghost-Hunter in 1936. Ghost hunting was popularized in the 2000s by television series such as Most Haunted and


id: ghost-hunting-20260505-1
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghost_hunting-1.md
category: reference
title: Ghost hunting
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghost_hunting
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:20:17.382938+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: ghost-hunting-20260505-0
summary:
Price wrote that the photographs depicting the ectoplasm of the medium Eva Carrière taken with Schrenck-Notzing looked artificial and two-dimensional, made from cardboard and newspaper portraits and that there were no scientific controls as both her hands were free. In 1920 Carrière was investigated by psychical researchers in London. An analysis of her ectoplasm revealed it to be made of chewed paper. She was also investigated in 1922 and the result of the tests were negative. In 1925, Price investigated Maria Silbert and caught her using her feet and toes to move objects in the séance room. He also investigated the "direct voice" mediumship of George Valiantine in London. In the séance Valiantine claimed to have contacted the "spirit" of the composer Luigi Arditi, speaking in Italian. Price wrote down every word that was attributed to Arditi and they were found to be word-for-word matches in an Italian phrase-book. In 1926, Price formed the National Laboratory of Psychical Research as a rival to the SPR. Price made a formal offer to the University of London to equip and endow a Department of Psychical Research, and to loan the equipment of the National Laboratory and its library. In 1936, he transferred


id: ghost-hunting-20260505-2
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghost_hunting-2.md
category: reference
title: Ghost hunting
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghost_hunting
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:20:17.382938+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: ghost-hunting-20260505-0
summary:
Edward Warren Miney (1926–2006) and Lorraine Rita Warren (née Moran, 1927–2019) were American paranormal investigators and authors associated with prominent reports of haunting from the 1950s to the present. Edward was a World War II United States Navy veteran who became a self-taught and self-professed demonologist, author, and lecturer. Lorraine professed to be clairvoyant and a light trance medium who worked closely with her husband. In 1952, the Warrens founded the New England Society for Psychic Research, considered by some the oldest ghost hunting group in New England, and allegedly the United States. They authored numerous books about the paranormal and about their private investigations into various reports of paranormal activity. They claimed to have investigated over 1,000 cases during their career, and have been involved with various supernatural claims such as the Snedeker family haunting, the Enfield Poltergeist and the Smurl haunting, as well as claims of demonic possession in the Trial of Arne Cheyenne Johnson. The Warrens are best known for their involvement in the 1976 Amityville Horror case in which New York couple George and Kathy Lutz claimed that their house was haunted by a violent, demonic presence so intense that it eventually drove them out of


id: ghost-hunting-20260505-3
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghost_hunting-3.md
category: reference
title: Ghost hunting
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghost_hunting
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:20:17.382938+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: ghost-hunting-20260505-0
summary:
== Skepticism == Critics question ghost hunting's methodology, particularly its use of instrumentation, as there is no scientifically proven link between the existence of ghosts and cold spots or electromagnetic fields. According to skeptical investigator Joe Nickell, the typical ghost hunter is practicing pseudoscience. Nickell says that ghost hunters often arm themselves with EMF meters, thermometers that can identify cold spots, and wireless microphones that eliminate background noise, pointing out the equipment being used to try to detect ghosts is not designed for the job. "The least likely explanation for any given reading is it is a ghost," maintains Nickell. Orbs of light that show up on photos, he says, are often particles of dust or moisture. "Voices" picked up by tape recorders can be radio signals or noise from the recorder, EMF detectors can be set off by faulty wiring, microwave towers, iron, recording equipment, or cell phones, and heat sensors can pick up reflections off of mirrors or other metal surfaces. Nickell has also criticized the practice of searching only in the dark, saying that since some ghosts are described as "shadows or dark entities," he conducts searches in lighted rather than darkened conditions. According to investigator Benjamin


id: ghost-hunting-20260505-4
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghost_hunting-4.md
category: reference
title: Ghost hunting
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghost_hunting
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:20:17.382938+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: ghost-hunting-20260505-0
summary:
ARIGs often promote their paranormalist viewpoint as scientifically based, especially in community presentations or lectures at educational facilities. While scientifically minded observers can readily spot the anemic and shoddy scholarship of popular paranormal investigation, the public, unaware of the fundamental errors ARIGs make, can be persuaded by jargon and "sciencey" symbols. Hill sees the supernatural bias of such groups as an indication of how "far removed ARIG participants really are from the established scientific community". In Hill's 2017 book Scientifical Americans, reviewed by historian Brian Regal for Skeptical Inquirer magazine, Regal notes that the book is particularly timely, as it addresses an era when many people question the authority of science. Regal wonders why believers think that "untutored amateurs know more (and are more trustworthy) than professional scholars". He also asks why there is little discussion on "philosophical and theological aspects of their work". For instance, theoretical questions such as "What is a ghost?" and "Does one's religion in life determine if they can become a ghost in death?" are left underexplored. Additionally, Hill gives a historiography of the field of "modern paranormal interest: monsters, UFOs, and ghosts." Hill does not insult or ridicule the people she writes about, but


id: ghost-hunting-20260505-5
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghost_hunting-5.md
category: reference
title: Ghost hunting
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghost_hunting
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:20:17.382938+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: ghost-hunting-20260505-0
summary:
Still photography and video These may use digital, night vision, infrared, and even disposable cameras. EMF meter Used to detect possibly unexplained fluctuations in electromagnetic fields. The Safe Range EMF brand of meter, designed for use with power lines and household appliances, became popular after the Ghost Hunters television series claimed it to be "specially calibrated for paranormal investigators". The Atlantic attributes its popularity among ghost hunters to its brightly colored LED display and propensity for false positive readings. Tablet PC Used to record data, audio, video and even environmental fluctuations such as electromagnetic fields. Ambient temperature measurement Using thermographic cameras, thermal imaging cameras, infrared thermometers, and other infrared temperature sensors. All of these methods only measure surface temperature and not ambient temperature. Digital and analog audio recording These are used to capture any unexplained noises and electronic voice phenomena (EVPs), which may be interpreted as disembodied voices. Cameras are used to photograph / obtain Paranormal Photographic Capture (PPCs). Compass Some ghost hunters use a compass to determine the location of paranormal spots, similar to EMFs. Geiger counter Used to measure fluctuations in radiation. Infrared and/or ultrasonic motion sensors Used to detect possible anomalous movement within a given area, or


id: ghost-hunting-20260505-6
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghost_hunting-6.md
category: reference
title: Ghost hunting
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghost_hunting
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:20:17.382938+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: ghost-hunting-20260505-0
summary:
==== Poltergeist ==== Poltergeist is the original film in the Poltergeist trilogy, directed by Tobe Hooper, co-written by Steven Spielberg and released on 4 June 1982. The story focuses on the Freeling family, which consists of Steven (Craig T. Nelson), Diane (JoBeth Williams), Dana (Dominique Dunne), Robbie (Oliver Robins), and Carol Anne (Heather O'Rourke), who live in a California housing development called Cuesta Verde, which comes to be haunted by ghosts. The film depicts a group of paranormal investigators, parapsychologists, and a spiritual medium named Tangina Barrons (Zelda Rubinstein) in their efforts to assist the family. A reboot of the series, Poltergeist, was directed by Gil Kenan and released on 22 May 2015, that features the host of a paranormal-themed TV show who comes to the aid of the family. ==== Ghostbusters ==== Ghostbusters is a 1984 American fantasy comedy film produced and directed by Ivan Reitman and written by Dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis. It stars Bill Murray, Aykroyd and Ramis as Peter Venkman, Ray Stantz and Egon Spengler, eccentric parapsychologists who start a ghost-catching business in New York City. Ghostbusters was released in the United States on 8 June 1984, and grossed US$242 million in the United States


id: gill-plate-trade-20260505-0
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gill_plate_trade-0.md
category: reference
title: Gill plate trade
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gill_plate_trade
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:20:18.571334+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: gill-plate-trade-20260505-0
summary:
The gill plate trade is the buying and selling of stingray gill plates for their use in traditional Chinese medicine. The gill plates are harvested from stingrays that are caught intentionally, or caught as bycatch. The plates are sold whole or in a powder form. A single kilogram of the gill plate can be sold for up to US$350, though the price varies by ray species. == Process == Stingrays are caught by fishing lines or nets. Private fishermen tend to target these ray species due to the high payout from their gill plates. Large fishing operations tend to catch rays as bycatch when fishing for more desirable food fish such as tuna, where they are brought back to shore and sold regardless of the intention to catch these fish. The gill plates are split in two and dried after they are taken from the dead rays. Once dried the plates are sold whole or ground into a powder. == Uses in traditional Chinese medicine == Tonics made from stingray gill plates are used in traditional Chinese medicine, but there is no evidence of its effectiveness in any medical treatment. == Impacts == === On stingray populations === A few


id: gishiri-cutting-20260505-0
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gishiri_cutting-0.md
category: reference
title: Gishiri cutting
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gishiri_cutting
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:20:19.741830+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: gishiri-cutting-20260505-0
summary:
Gishiri or gishiri cutting is a form of female genital mutilation performed commonly by the Hausa-Fulani people of northern Nigeria and southern Niger. The procedure is believed by traditional practitioners to treat a variety of gynecologic ailments, although there is no scientific basis for this procedure, and it is considered pseudoscience. == Etymology == The word "gishiri" is Hausa for "salt". It refers to the practice of Arab traders who still caravan across the Sahara to cities in northern parts of West Africa, such as Kano, Nigeria. When a customer buys a quantity of salt, the trader produces a long knife and cuts a piece off a large block; this knife is similar to the kind used to produce gishiri cuts. == Procedure and risks == A whole range of gynecological complaints, including difficulty in labor, infertility, dyspareunia (pain during sex), pelvic organ prolapse and urinary retention, are believed to be caused by a vagina that is too narrow in these areas. The traditional treatment is to incise the vagina. A long knife is inserted into the vagina and backward cuts from the back of the vagina down into the perineum are made. Serious injuries can result, such as fistulae:


id: gold-effect-20260505-0
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gold_effect-0.md
category: reference
title: Gold effect
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gold_effect
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:20:22.143901+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: gold-effect-20260505-0
summary:
The Gold effect is the phenomenon in which a scientific idea, particularly in medicine, is developed to the status of an accepted position within a professional body or association by the social process itself of scientific conferences, committees, and consensus building, despite not being supported by conclusive evidence. The Gold effect is used to analyze errors in public health policy and practice, such as the widespread use of cholesterol screening in the prevention of cardiovascular disease. The effect was described by Thomas Gold in 1979. The effect was reviewed by Petr Skrabanek and James McCormick in their book Follies and Fallacies in Medicine. In their book, Skrabanek and McCormick describe the Gold effect as: "At the beginning a few people arrive at a state of near belief in some idea. A meeting is held to discuss the pros and cons of the idea. More people favouring the idea than those disinterested will be present. A representative committee will be nominated to prepare a collective volume to propagate and foster interest in the idea. The totality of resulting articles based on the idea will appear to show an increasing consensus. A specialized journal will be launched. Only orthodox or near orthodox


id: goop-company-20260505-0
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goop_(company)-0.md
category: reference
title: Goop (company)
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goop_(company)
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:20:23.354349+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: goop-company-20260505-0
summary:
Goop is a wellness and lifestyle brand and company founded by American actress Gwyneth Paltrow. It was launched in September 2008 as a weekly e-mail newsletter providing New Age advice, such as "police your thoughts" and "eliminate white foods", and the slogan "Nourish the Inner Aspect". Goop later expanded into e-commerce, collaborating with fashion brands, hosting pop-up shops, holding a "wellness summit", and launching a print magazine, podcast, and docuseries on Netflix. Goop has faced criticism for marketing products and treatments that are harmful, described as "snake oil", based on pseudoscience, and lack efficacy. California officials from the Consumer Protection Office have sued Goop for false advertising, asserting that Goop has made unfounded health claims about a variety of products. Goop settled the lawsuit out of court. Class-action lawsuits have been brought against Goop for unsafe products. == History == Goop was founded in Paltrow's home in London, beginning as a newsletter in 2008, with an editor's note in each email from Paltrow offering insight into her daily life. Goop was incorporated in 2011. According to Paltrow, the company's name came from Peter Arnell telling her that successful internet companies have double Os in their name, and she "wanted it


id: goop-company-20260505-1
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goop_(company)-1.md
category: reference
title: Goop (company)
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goop_(company)
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:20:23.354349+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: goop-company-20260505-0
summary:
== Products and distribution == Goop launched an online shop in 2012, and it earned $1.5 million for Goop during its first year of operation. By 2014, the Goop newsletter had an estimated 700,000 subscribers. In 2015, Goop launched a publishing imprint, Goop Press, with Grand Central Publishing, and planned to release one title per year. In 2016, additional funds also led to an increase in staffing for Goop, as well as the launch of new products, including a fashion label with a focus on practical, tailored clothing. In 2017, Goop entered the vitamin and supplements market. Paltrow first had the idea to market supplements after receiving a Myers' cocktail from Alejandro Junger in 2007. The supplement products sold over $100,000 worth of product on the launch day. In April, Goop announced that they had entered into an agreement with Condé Nast to launch a new print magazine under the name Goop. The quarterly magazine was launched in September, but only ran for two issues, with Nast replacing pieces that failed their fact-checking process by travel articles, and a disagreement over the use of the magazine to promote Goop products. In December 2017, Goop announced the launch of a digital


id: goop-company-20260505-2
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goop_(company)-2.md
category: reference
title: Goop (company)
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goop_(company)
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:20:23.354349+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: goop-company-20260505-0
summary:
Goop by Juice Beauty, a makeup and skincare line launched in partnership with Juice Beauty in 2016, influenced by the popularity of a Goop article the year before about beauty products without formaldehyde and endocrine disruptors. The brand's products are made from USDA certified organic ingredients and are considered to be vegan. Goop Label, a fashion line launched in September 2016. The collection is based on Paltrow's personal favorites and styles, and has been described as "high-street staples". Goop Fragrance, an all-natural fragrance line including perfume and scented candles. The first fragrance, Edition 01 Winter, was created by the perfumer Douglas Little and released in November 2016. Goop Wellness, which sells GMO and gluten-free vitamins and other supplements. The line was launched in 2017, and was influenced by the popularity of a Goop article that year about "postnatal depletion". G. Sport Sessions, a range of fitness programs offered in partnership with Westin Hotels and Resorts launched in 2018, with classes led by Tracy Anderson, Paltrow's personal trainer. CB2 x goop, a furniture and home décor line in collaboration with Crate & Barrel, launched in August 2018. GoopGenes All-In-One Nourishing Face Cream and Eye Cream was launched in early August 2020


id: goop-company-20260505-3
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goop_(company)-3.md
category: reference
title: Goop (company)
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goop_(company)
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:20:23.354349+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: goop-company-20260505-0
summary:
Goop has been criticized for showcasing expensive products and making "out of touch" recommendations that many readers cannot afford, which Paltrow has responded to by stating that such products and recommendations are "aspirational," furthermore arguing that the items available cannot be made for a lower price, and that the content of Goop is free. Dana Logan argues that Goop is an example of asceticism as part of consumer culture. Goop has also drawn criticism for selling cosmetics containing the same ostensibly harmful chemicals which the site tells people to avoid. In April 2015, Paltrow and the Goop staff participated in a food stamp challenge in an attempt to raise awareness for the Food Bank for New York City. Paltrow gave up on the challenge after four days, writing that she had expected she would not be able to abide by the budget for the full week. Critics suggested that Paltrow's groceries did not accurately reflect what SNAP recipients usually buy, though Aubrey Gordon notes that the point of the challenge was to show that SNAP benefits are not sufficient, even for privileged people such as celebrities. A number of products sold by Goop, as well as ideas promoted in its


id: goop-company-20260505-4
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goop_(company)-4.md
category: reference
title: Goop (company)
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goop_(company)
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:20:23.354349+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: goop-company-20260505-0
summary:
It is shocking to see the sheer volume of unproven claims made by Gwyneth Paltrow’s Goop about their products, especially given that some of their health advice is potentially dangerous. [...] Gwyneth Paltrow may well have good intentions, but she and her company sell products with claims that could clearly mislead customers. [...] if Gwyneth Paltrow cannot provide satisfactory evidence behind the claims she makes for her products, she should not be making those claims. On January 20, 2020, speaking at the Sheldonian Theatre in Oxford, the head of the UK's National Health Service, Simon Stevens spoke about misinformation which harms patients, exemplified by Goop's claim that "chemical sunscreen is a bad idea," and Goop's promotion of colonic irrigation, which Stevens said are "carrying considerable risk to health." === Legal settlements === Goop has faced criticism for marketing products and treatments that are based on pseudoscience, lack efficacy, and are recognized by the medical community as harmful. In 2017, Truth in Advertising filed a complaint with California regulators regarding over 50 health claims made by Goop, which resulted in a $125,000 settlement and a five-year injunction prohibiting the company from making unsubstantiated claims about the characteristics or health benefits of


id: goop-company-20260505-5
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goop_(company)-5.md
category: reference
title: Goop (company)
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goop_(company)
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:20:23.354349+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: goop-company-20260505-0
summary:
In December 2016, a book parodying Goop called Glop: Nontoxic Ideas That Will Make You Look Ridiculous and Feel Pretentious was published and included advice such as: "Our modern lifestyles are absolutely full of toxins—nearly everything we come into daily contact with, from Egyptian cotton sheets to 8-carat diamonds to yacht paint, is dangerously noxious." By June 2017, the New York Times reported that parodying Goop had "become a national pastime". In September 2015, The Late Show host Stephen Colbert began a recurring sketch about his spoof lifestyle brand Covetton House, which promotes everyday products with fancy names and jacked-up prices. Paltrow appeared on an episode in January 2018 announcing a collaboration between Goop and Covetton House, featuring a sponge which cost $900. In April 2018, Colbert and Paltrow collaborated on a line of goods to raise money for education in the United States. In March 2018, Botnik Studios created a newsletter called "goob" parodying Goop, which generated text using predictive text; headlines included "Listen to Your Body: Your Migraines are Podcasts Trying to be Produced." In October 2018, Heidi Gardner appeared on the Weekend Update segment of Saturday Night Live as "Baskin Johns," a Goop employee, parodying the company


id: the-goop-lab-20260505-0
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Goop_Lab-0.md
category: reference
title: The Goop Lab
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Goop_Lab
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:20:24.609115+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: the-goop-lab-20260505-0
summary:
The Goop Lab (also known as The Goop Lab with Gwyneth Paltrow) is an American documentary series about the lifestyle and wellness company Goop, founded by American actress Gwyneth Paltrow, who acts as host and executive producer of the series. The series premiered on January 24, 2020, on Netflix. The Goop Lab was nominated for two 2020 Critics Choice Real TV Awards. The partnership with Netflix led to criticism of the streaming company for giving Gwyneth Paltrow a platform to promote her company, which has been criticized for making unsubstantiated health claims. The series presented anecdotes and experiences in place of scientifically validated facts. Some headlines called the series a "win for pseudoscience," while others praised the series for a positive look at women's issues and its exploration of alternative medical interventions. == Premise == In The Goop Lab, Gwyneth Paltrow and employees at her wellness and lifestyle company Goop "explore ideas that may seem out-there," namely, psychedelic drugs, Wim Hof's cold therapy, female sexuality, anti-aging diets, "energy" healing, and communication with the dead. Topics and the series' presentation have been criticized as pseudoscientific. Prior to each episode, there is a disclaimer: "The following series is designed to entertain and


id: the-goop-lab-20260505-1
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Goop_Lab-1.md
category: reference
title: The Goop Lab
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Goop_Lab
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:20:24.609115+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: the-goop-lab-20260505-0
summary:
Psychedelics psychotherapy: "The use of psychedelics for therapeutic purposes has increased in recent years, with continuing studies in the US and the UK exploring their short-term and long-term impact on mental health disorders. They have so far been linked to having potentially positive effects related to the treatment of addiction, anxiety related to terminal illness, chronic PTSD, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and social anxiety... While it found little to no evidence of participants experiencing increased life satisfaction, researchers indicated there were lower levels of stress and depression reported." Regarding microdosing, they reported "The use of such powerful psychedelics outside of a controlled environment and without the proper medical expertise is not recommended by medical professionals." Cold exposure therapy: "There is some science behind Mr Hof's claims... However, cold-water swimming can be very dangerous - and there is a significant risk of hypothermia when not done in a controlled setting. There is also a risk from the body's acute cold shock response, which may affect the arm muscles while swimming and can lead to incapacitation and potential drowning within minutes if unsupervised." Energy healing: "Currently, there is no scientific evidence proving such energy exists." Regarding John Amaral's statements regarding quantum physics' proving


id: the-goop-lab-20260505-2
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Goop_Lab-2.md
category: reference
title: The Goop Lab
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Goop_Lab
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:20:24.609115+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: the-goop-lab-20260505-0
summary:
I’d wager that anyone making time for “The Goop Lab” is coming to it from a similar place: A love-hate desire to know what she's actually like when she doles out the advice that usually appears, disembodied, on her website. And the answer is: Thoughtful. Open. Searching. Curiosity is hard to fake, and Gwyneth has it, whether she's asking a doctor to explain his psychedelic research or querying one of her assistants/guinea pigs about the effects of an experiment." Daley Quinn similarly appraised Paltrow: "Despite the fact that many of these episodes made me thoroughly uncomfortable, I couldn't help but become absolutely entranced by Paltrow, with her orphic aqua eyes, pastel outfits and aggressively California-cool-girl vibe. As I binged my way though [sic] the episodes, I found her to be unfailingly funny and entertaining, and I came to understand why so many flock to her site daily in the hopes of Goop-ifying their lives." In The New York Times, Elisa Albert and Jennifer Block gave a feminist critique of the criticism targeting The Goop Lab and Goop: "what underlies all the overwhelming, predictable, repetitive critiques? What exactly is so awful about a bunch of consenting adults seeking self-knowledge, vitality and


id: grand-supercycle-20260505-0
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_supercycle-0.md
category: reference
title: Grand supercycle
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_supercycle
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:20:25.781590+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: grand-supercycle-20260505-0
summary:
The Grand Supercycle is the longest period, or wave, in the growth of a financial market as described by the Elliott wave principle, originally conceived and formulated by Ralph Nelson Elliott. Elliott speculated that a Grand Supercycle advance had started in the United States stock market in 1857 and ran to the year 1928, but acknowledged another interpretation that it may have been the third or even the fifth Grand Supercycle wave. However, these assignments have been reevaluated and clarified using larger historical financial data sets in the works of A. J. Frost and R.R. Prechter, and the start is now considered to be 1789, when stock market data began to be recorded. Like all Elliott waves, Grand Supercycle waves are subdivided into smaller generations of waves. The next smaller generation of waves are those of Supercycle degree. Modern applications of the Wave Principle also describe waves of larger degree spanning millennial periods of time. Modern application of Elliott wave theory posits that a Grand Supercycle wave five is completing in the 21st century and should be followed by a corrective price pattern of decline that will represent the largest economic recession since the 1700s. == Possible Elliott wave position


id: johann-grander-20260505-0
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johann_Grander-0.md
category: reference
title: Johann Grander
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johann_Grander
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:20:26.936232+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: johann-grander-20260505-0
summary:
Johann Grander (24 April 1930 – 24 September 2012) was the Austrian inventor of a water revitalization technology, which has scientifically been proven as ineffective. == Life == Grander was born in Jochberg, Austria, the second of five children. At the age of 13 the Nazi district leadership deprived him of further schooling and sent him to work as an agricultural tractor driver. == Revitalized water == Grander stated that Jesus had appeared to him and gave him the plan for water revitalization because of his connection with God. Grander invented a scientifically unproven process for treating water, producing what he called "revitalized water" (German: "Belebtes Wasser"). According to Grander, this improves the water structure and produces a healthy environment for useful microorganisms. In 1978, Grander founded the Grander family business (Grander GmbH) and focused on research on his technology for original Grander technology. Grander's family continues in activities for the treatment, production and marketing of revitalized water and water treatment equipment. It is scientific consensus that the claims as to how the process changes water are not supported by physics or chemistry and may be called "esoteric nonsense", in the sense of freedom of speech, regarding a verdict of


id: grape-therapy-20260505-0
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grape_therapy-0.md
category: reference
title: Grape therapy
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grape_therapy
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:20:44.259990+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: grape-therapy-20260505-0
summary:
Grape therapy or grape diet, also known as ampelotherapy, is a diet that involves heavy consumption of grapes, sometimes with their seeds, leaves and parts of the vine, as a form of alternative medicine. It emerged in German spas such as Bad Duerkheim and Merano in the 19th century. The concept has no scientific basis and is regarded as quackery by scientific institutions including the American Cancer Society. == Background == An assumption of some of grape therapy is that consuming grape constituents would provide unusual therapeutic or nutritional benefits. However, consuming grapes has unknown effects against cardiovascular diseases and other diseases, such as metabolic syndrome. Alternative medicine practitioners have recommended grapes and parts of the vine for treating various diseases, but there is no clinical evidence for any such effects. Grape pomace contains various micronutrients, but the resulting flour from pomace has variable nutrient contents due to processing, drying, and storage conditions. In a reference amount of 100 g (3.5 oz), raw grapes provide little nutritional benefit, except for moderate amounts of carbohydrates and vitamin K (see grape nutrition). Proanthocyanidins, anthocyanins and resveratrol extracted from grape seeds and grape skins are under basic research for their possible biological effects.


id: grapefruit-diet-20260505-0
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grapefruit_diet-0.md
category: reference
title: Grapefruit diet
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grapefruit_diet
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:20:45.428826+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: grapefruit-diet-20260505-0
summary:
The Grapefruit diet (also known as the Hollywood diet and the 18-Day diet) is a short-term fad diet that has existed in the United States since at least the 1930s. There are variations on the diet, although it generally consists of eating one half of a grapefruit at each meal, along with meat, eggs, other foods that are rich in fat and protein, and certain vegetables. Sugar, fruits (other than grapefruit), sweet vegetables, grains and starchy vegetables are to be avoided. The grapefruit diet is thus a low-carbohydrate diet. A typical breakfast menu usually includes bacon and eggs. The diet is based on the claim that grapefruit has a fat-burning enzyme or similar property. The grapefruit diet does not require exercise. The grapefruit diet lasts for 10 to 12 days followed by 2 days off. == History == The grapefruit diet originated in the 1930s. initially, it was referred to as the "eighteen-day diet" in 1929 , consisting of grapefruit, orange, toast, vegetable and egg combinations for 18 days, totaling approximately 500 kilocalories (2,100 kJ). The originator of the diet is not known. One rumour traces the diet to actress Ethel Barrymore, who is alleged to have paid William James


id: graphology-20260505-0
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graphology-0.md
category: reference
title: Graphology
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graphology
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:20:46.593471+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: graphology-20260505-0
summary:
Graphology is the analysis of handwriting in an attempt to determine the writer's personality traits. Its methods and conclusions are not supported by scientific evidence, and as such it is considered to be a pseudoscience. Graphology has been controversial for more than a century. Although proponents point to positive testimonials as anecdotal evidence of its utility for personality evaluation, these claims have not been supported by scientific studies. It has been rated as among the most discredited methods of psychological analysis by a survey of mental health professionals. == Etymology == The word "graphology" derives from the Greek γραφή (grapho-; 'writing'), and λόγος (logos; 'theory'). == History == In 1991, Jean-Charles Gille-Maisani stated that Juan Huarte de San Juan's 1575 Examen de ingenios para las ciencias was the first book on handwriting analysis. In American graphology, Camillo Baldi's Trattato come da una lettera missiva si conoscano la natura e qualità dello scrittore from 1622 is considered to be the first book. Around 1830, Jean-Hippolyte Michon became interested in handwriting analysis. He published his findings shortly after founding Société Graphologique in 1871. The most prominent of his disciples was Jules Crépieux-Jamin, who rapidly published a series of books that were soon


id: graphology-20260505-1
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graphology-1.md
category: reference
title: Graphology
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graphology
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:20:46.593471+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: graphology-20260505-0
summary:
=== Additional specific objections === The Barnum effect (the tendency to interpret vague statements as specifically meaningful) and the Dr. Fox effect (the tendency for supposed experts to be validated based on likeability rather than actual skill) make it difficult to validate methods of personality testing. These phenomena describe the observation that individuals will give high accuracy ratings to descriptions of their personality that supposedly are tailored specifically for them, but are in fact vague and general enough to apply to a wide range of people. See, for example, Tallent (1958). Non-individualized graphological reports give credence to this criticism. Effect Size: Dean's (1992) primary argument against the use of graphology is that the effect size is too small. Regardless of the validity of handwriting analysis, the research results imply that it is not applicable for any specific individual, but may be applicable to a group. Vagueness: Some important principles of graphology are vague enough to allow significant room for a graphologist to skew interpretations to suit a subject or preconceived conclusion. For example, one of the main concepts in the theory of Ludwig Klages is form-niveau (or form-level): the overall level of originality, beauty, harmony, style, etc. of a person's


id: graphology-20260505-2
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graphology-2.md
category: reference
title: Graphology
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graphology
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:20:46.593471+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: graphology-20260505-0
summary:
=== Marital compatibility === In its simplest form only sexual expression and sexual response are examined. At its most complex, every aspect of an individual is examined for how it affects the other individual(s) within the relationship. The theory is that after knowing and understanding how each individual in the relationship differs from every other individual in the relationship, the resulting marriage will be more enduring. With a comparative analysis receiving and non-receiving parts responses are measured. === Medical diagnosis === Medical graphology is probably the most controversial branch of handwriting analysis. Strictly speaking, such research is not graphology as described throughout this article but an examination of factors pertaining to motor control. Research studies have been conducted in which a detailed examination of handwriting factors, particularly timing, fluidity, and consistency of size, form, speed, and pressure are considered in the process of evaluating patients and their response to pharmacological therapeutic agents. The study of these phenomena is a by-product of researchers investigating motor control processes and the interaction of nervous, anatomical, and biomechanical systems of the body. The Vanguard Code of Ethical Practice, amongst others, prohibits medical diagnosis by those not licensed to do diagnosis in the state in


id: gravitational-shielding-20260505-0
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gravitational_shielding-0.md
category: reference
title: Gravitational shielding
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gravitational_shielding
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:20:47.795998+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: gravitational-shielding-20260505-0
summary:
Gravitational shielding is a hypothetical process of shielding an object from the influence of a gravitational field. Such processes, if they existed, would have the effect of reducing the weight of an object. The shape of the shielded region would be similar to a shadow from the gravitational shield. For example, the shape of the shielded region above a disk would be conical. The height of the cone's apex above the disk would vary directly with the height of the shielding disk above the Earth. Experimental evidence to date indicates that no such effect exists. Gravitational shielding is considered to be a violation of the equivalence principle and therefore inconsistent with both Newtonian theory and general relativity. The concept of gravity shielding is a common concept in science fiction literature, especially for space travel. One of the first and best known examples is the fictional gravity shielding substance cavorite that appears in H. G. Wells' classic 1901 novel The First Men in the Moon. Wells was promptly criticized for using it by Jules Verne. == Tests of the equivalence principle == As of 2008, no experiment was successful in detecting positive shielding results. To quantify the amount of shielding, at


id: greek-cancer-cure-20260505-0
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_cancer_cure-0.md
category: reference
title: Greek cancer cure
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_cancer_cure
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:20:48.964062+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: greek-cancer-cure-20260505-0
summary:
The Greek cancer cure was a putative cancer cure invented and promoted by microbiologist Hariton-Tzannis Alivizatos (died 1991). It consisted of intravenous injections of a fluid for which Alivizatos would not reveal the formula. == Medical claims and criticism == In 1983, Alivizatos announced that he had developed a serum that had a 60-percent success rate in arresting most types of cancers, with the exception of extremely advanced cases. He claimed that the serum could attack a protein-like substance that surrounds cancer cells and weaken the body's ability to keep the disease from spreading. Greek health officials ridiculed Alivizatos's assertions, while the American Cancer Society warned his current patients that there was no evidence that the diagnostic procedures and treatment for cancer proposed had resulted in any benefits for the treatment of cancer in human beings. They concluded that, "there is no evidence that any aspect of the diagnostic test nor the treatment... are effective in the treatment of cancer." In addition they state "Nor is there any evidence that.. the intravenous injections are safe." == See also == List of unproven and disproven cancer treatments == References ==


id: grokipedia-20260505-0
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grokipedia-0.md
category: reference
title: Grokipedia
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grokipedia
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:20:50.100026+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: grokipedia-20260505-0
summary:
Grokipedia is an AI-generated online encyclopedia operated by the American company xAI. The site was launched on October 27, 2025. Some entries are generated by Grok, a large language model owned by the same company, while others were forked from Wikipedia, with some altered and some used nearly verbatim. Articles cannot be directly edited, though logged-in visitors to the encyclopedia can suggest new articles or corrections via a pop-up form, which are reviewed by Grok. The xAI founder Elon Musk suggested Grokipedia could be an alternative to Wikipedia that would "purge out the propaganda" he believes is promoted by the latter, describing Wikipedia as "woke" and an "extension of legacy media propaganda". External analysis of Grokipedia's content has focused on its accuracy and biases due to hallucinations and potential algorithmic bias, which reviewers have described as promoting right-wing perspectives and Musk's views. The majority of coverage has described the website as validating, promoting, and legitimizing a variety of debunked conspiracy theories and ideas against scientific consensus on topics such as HIV/AIDS denialism, vaccines and autism, climate change, and race and intelligence. The site has been accused of whitewashing far-right extremism, such as by falsely claiming a white genocide is actively


id: grokipedia-20260505-1
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grokipedia-1.md
category: reference
title: Grokipedia
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grokipedia
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:20:50.100026+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: grokipedia-20260505-0
summary:
==== Future ==== In November 2025, Musk announced that he eventually plans to change the name of the site to Encyclopedia Galactica when Grokipedia is "good enough", saying that it had a "long way to go". This name is taken from the publication of that title in the works of Isaac Asimov and Douglas Adams. Musk said that he hoped to send copies of the encyclopedia to "the Moon and Mars and out to deep space". == Content == The Grok large language model generates and fact-checks articles on Grokipedia. Users cannot directly edit Grokipedia articles, but logged-in users can suggest edits and report errors, with such submissions being reviewed and implemented by the Grok AI. Some articles are nearly identical to their Wikipedia entries, but the format of Grokipedia citations is different, and some Grokipedia articles were republished almost verbatim, accompanied by a disclaimer noting that the content was "adapted from Wikipedia" under a Creative Commons license. Others were completely rewritten from scratch using Musk's AI chatbot, Grok. Forbes identified the articles AMD, Lamborghini, and PlayStation 5 as examples of copied Wikipedia articles. Articles attributed to Wikipedia carry a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike license, while the license of other articles


id: grokipedia-20260505-2
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grokipedia-2.md
category: reference
title: Grokipedia
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grokipedia
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:20:50.100026+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: grokipedia-20260505-0
summary:
=== Accusations of bias === Several pages on Grokipedia broadly criticize academia and the news media as left-wing and accuse them of suppressing opposing views. The Guardian highlighted Grokipedia's description of Holocaust denier David Irving in positive terms as a symbol of "resistance to institutional suppression of unorthodox historical inquiry" in the face of "coordinated efforts to silence dissent rather than scholarly refutation"; Grokipedia's entry adds: "Despite mainstream dismissals from sources with evident anti-revisionist biases, such as advocacy groups, Irving's archival rigor continues to be praised within these circles." The Intercept highlighted Grokipedia's page on Germany's far-right political party Alternative for Germany (AfD), describing its 'Media Portrayals and Alleged Bias' section as echoing AfD claims of media bias against the party. The page had a section entitled "Media Portrayals and Alleged Bias" which The Intercept described as serving "to parrot AfD's long-held claims that the media is biased and undermining them". The Intercept also reported that Grokipedia: accuses the United Nations and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) like Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch of focusing on "Israeli actions while minimizing Hamas's violations"; includes Israeli government accusations that the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East


id: grokipedia-20260505-3
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grokipedia-3.md
category: reference
title: Grokipedia
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grokipedia
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:20:50.100026+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: grokipedia-20260505-0
summary:
==== Towards right-wing views ==== Grokipedia has been described as having a right-wing bias, with The Business Standard noting reviewers finding it framed "contested social and political issues through a right-leaning perspective, echoing Musk's personal views", with some pages accused of whitewashing extremism. Matteo Wong noted in The Atlantic how in the Grokipedia article on Adolf Hitler, his "rapid economic achievements" are prioritized over events like the Holocaust. NBC News stated that while Wikipedia mentions the Holocaust in the first paragraph of the Hitler article, Grokipedia mentions it only after 13,000 words. Wong also states that Grokipedia repeatedly cites Kremlin.ru for its article on the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine. Meduza compared Grokipedia's coverage to that of the Kremlin-aligned Ruwiki, finding that Grokipedia's treatment of the Russo-Ukrainian war was less overtly propagandistic than Ruwiki's, though it did give more favorable treatment to "Russian propaganda talking points" than Wikipedia did. On Vladimir Putin, Grokipedia's coverage was "less fawning" than Ruwiki's, though still omitting noteworthy negative information about him. Meduza noted that Grokipedia also omits mention of scandals surrounding Donald Trump, such as his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein. Texas-based news site Chron observed that Grokipedia articles often cited "Texas Republican bloggers and


id: gua-sha-20260505-0
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gua_sha-0.md
category: reference
title: Gua sha
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gua_sha
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:20:51.343975+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: gua-sha-20260505-0
summary:
Gua sha or scraping therapy is a pseudoscientific practice in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in which an object is used to scrape the skin, for purported wide-ranging therapeutic benefits. Gua sha has been used for centuries across East and Southeast Asia. The practice is known by various names in English, such as "spooning," "coining," and in French as tribo-effleurage (friction-stroking). While it is widely practiced for pain relief, relaxation, and treating symptoms like colds or fatigue, gua sha can cause adverse effects, ranging from mild skin irritation to rare but severe complications. == Etymology == The term gua sha derives from Chinese: gua (刮) meaning "to scrape" and sha (痧), referring to the petechiae or "bruise-like" marks that appear on the skin post-treatment. In TCM, sha is associated with stagnation or blockages in the body’s energy (qi) and blood, which practitioners aim to release. The practice is originally from China and spread from there to neighbouring regions from East asia into worldwidely practice. A concept linked to the Shanghan Lun, a foundational Chinese medical text from circa 220 CE that discusses cold-induced illnesses. == History == Gua sha traces its origins to ancient China, with evidence of similar scraping techniques


id: hail-cannon-20260505-0
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hail_cannon-0.md
category: reference
title: Hail cannon
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hail_cannon
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:20:52.515022+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: hail-cannon-20260505-0
summary:
A hail cannon is a shock wave generator claimed to disrupt the formation of hailstones in the atmosphere. These devices frequently engender conflict between farmers and neighbors when used, because they are loudly and repeatedly fired every 1 to 10 seconds while a storm is approaching and until it has passed through the area, yet there is no scientific evidence for their effectiveness. == Historical use == In the French wine-growing regions, church-bells were traditionally rung in the face of oncoming storms and later replaced by firing rockets or cannons. == Modern systems == A mixture of acetylene and oxygen is ignited in the lower chamber of the machine. As the resulting blast passes through the neck and into the cone, it develops into a shock wave. This shock wave then travels through the cloud formations above, a disturbance which manufacturers claim disrupts the growth phase of hailstones. Manufacturers claim that what would otherwise have fallen as hailstones then falls as slush or rain. It is said to be critical that the machine is running during the approach of the storm in order to affect the developing hailstones. One manufacturer claims that the radius of the effective area of their


id: charles-hatfield-20260505-0
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Hatfield-0.md
category: reference
title: Charles Hatfield
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Hatfield
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:20:53.727256+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: charles-hatfield-20260505-0
summary:
Charles Mallory Hatfield (July 15, 1875 – January 12, 1958) was an American "rainmaker". == Early life == Hatfield was born in Fort Scott, Kansas, on July 15, 1875. His father, Stephen, a property speculator, moved the family to Southern California in 1886, settling first in San Diego, where Hatfield Sr built three houses. He later built a home on a forty-acre ranch and olive grove at Gopher Canyon near Bonsall, forty miles north of the city. As an adult, Charles became a salesman for the New Home Sewing Machine Company. In 1904, he moved to Glendale, California. == Career == As a young man growing up in Bonsall, Hatfield studied pluviculture and began to develop his own methods for producing rain, inspired by the way a boiling kettle attracted the water vapour rising from an adjacent, steaming pan on his mother's stove. By 1902 he had created a secret mixture of 23 chemicals in large galvanized evaporating tanks that, he claimed, attracted rain. Hatfield called himself a "moisture accelerator". In 1904, promoter Fred Binney began a public relations campaign for Hatfield. A number of Los Angeles ranchers saw his ads in newspapers and promised Hatfield $50 to produce rain.


id: healy-device-20260505-0
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Healy_device-0.md
category: reference
title: Healy device
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Healy_device
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:20:54.884174+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: healy-device-20260505-0
summary:
The Healy is a pseudoscientific device designed by Marcus Schmieke and Nuno Nina, that claims to function via bioresonance to enhance overall health. The device has been promoted via influencer marketing and multi-level marketing, while sellers make extreme healing claims without any proven benefits. == Description == Energy medicine devices are a class of pseudoscientific devices that originated with the work of Royal Rife, claiming to work via transferring energy to a person's energy field. The Healy claims to work using electricity to find a user's "personalized frequencies", an idea that has no scientific backing or mechanism. == Criticism == === Lack of scientific evidence === Critics of the Healy device, such as David H. Gorski, have highlighted the lack of scientific rigor behind the machine. Gorski argues that there is no good evidence to support the claim that injured tissue takes on a “different vibrational characteristic.” He strongly criticizes the belief in a mystical “life energy” that does no work and is undetectable by scientific instruments. === Disclaimers and misleading claims === Stephen Barrett has noted that many of Healy's marketing materials carry disclaimers stating that “Healy and its applications are not acknowledged by orthodox medicine due to a


id: b-m-hegde-20260505-0
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B._M._Hegde-0.md
category: reference
title: B. M. Hegde
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B._M._Hegde
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:20:56.036245+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: b-m-hegde-20260505-0
summary:
Belle Monappa Hegde (born 18 August 1938) is an Indian cardiologist, professor of medicine, and author. He was the vice chancellor of Manipal Academy of Higher Education from 1999 to 2003. He was awarded Padma Bhushan in 2010 and Padma Vibhushan in 2021. He has supported homeopathy a pseudoscientific system of alternative medicine and quantum healing. == Early life == Hegde was born on 18 August 1938 in Pangala near Udupi, Karnataka, India He obtained MBBS from Stanley Medical College, Madras in 1960 and later M.D. from King George’s Medical College, University of Lucknow == Career == Over a long career at Kasturba Medical College, Mangalore, Hegde served in various positions such as professor, principal and dean. He was appointed the vice chancellor of Manipal Academy of Higher Education in 1999 and served till 2003. He was an independent director of Zydus Wellness. He also served as chairman of an expert committee of Bihar State Health Society He was the chairman of Mangaluru branch of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan. He started a medical journal, Journal of the Science of Healing Outcomes and serves as its editor-in-chief. Hegde was a fellow of the National Academy of Medical Sciences till 2016. B.M. Hegde


id: helical-engine-20260505-0
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helical_engine-0.md
category: reference
title: Helical engine
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helical_engine
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:20:57.247684+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: helical-engine-20260505-0
summary:
The Helical engine is a proposed spacecraft propulsion drive that, like other reactionless drives, would violate the laws of physics. The concept was proposed by David M. Burns, formerly a NASA engineer at the Marshall Space Flight Center in Alabama, in a non-peer-reviewed report published on a NASA server in 2019 describing it as "A new concept for in-space propulsion is proposed in which propellant is not ejected from the engine, but instead is captured to create a nearly infinite specific impulse". The Helical engine accelerates ions that are confined in a locked loop. Once they are accelerated, the system changes the velocity of the ions in order to change their momentum. Afterward, Burns hypothesized that the engine, by moving the ions along its axis, could produce thrust. The proposed engine is mainly intended to be used to maintain the orbit of satellite stations during long periods of time without the need of refueling. == See also == EmDrive == References ==


id: hexagonal-water-20260505-0
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hexagonal_water-0.md
category: reference
title: Hexagonal water
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hexagonal_water
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:20:58.460410+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: hexagonal-water-20260505-0
summary:
Hexagonal water, also known as gel water, structured water, cluster water, H3O2 or H3O2 is a term used in a marketing scam that claims the ability to create a certain configuration of water that is better for the body. The term "hexagonal water" refers to a cluster of water molecules forming a hexagonal shape that supposedly enhances nutrient absorption, removes metabolic wastes, and enhances cellular communication, among other things. The scam takes advantage of the consumer's limited knowledge of chemistry, physics, and physiology. Gel water is referenced in the version of the hoax in which animal fascia or plants are said to create or contain a "fourth phase" of water with an extra hydrogen and an extra oxygen, despite the reality that this compound is neither water, nor stable. == Incompatibilities with science == The concept of hexagonal water clashes with several established scientific ideas. Although water clusters have been observed experimentally, they have a very short lifetime: the hydrogen bonds are continually breaking and reforming at timescales shorter than 200 femtoseconds. This contradicts the hexagonal water model's claim that the particular structure of water consumed is the same structure used by the body. Similarly, the hexagonal water model claims


id: the-hidden-messages-in-water-20260505-0
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Hidden_Messages_in_Water-0.md
category: reference
title: The Hidden Messages in Water
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Hidden_Messages_in_Water
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:20:59.664698+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: the-hidden-messages-in-water-20260505-0
summary:
The Hidden Messages in Water is a 2004 New York Times Bestseller book, written by Masaru Emoto advancing the pseudoscientific idea that the molecular structure of water is changed by the presence of human consciousness nearby, backed by "exhaustive and wildly unscientific research" claiming to back this conjecture. == Criticism == William Reville, professor of biochemistry at University College Cork writing in the Irish Times, described The Hidden Messages in Water as a work of pseudoscience, and characterized the book as "an amalgam of science and mumbo-jumbo" with "no credible hypothesis as to causation, no development of the idea, no fruitfulness in the concept, and, above all, no clear scientific demonstration". He concluded by stating that "It is very unlikely that there is any reality behind Emoto's claims. A triple blind study of these claims failed to show any effect. Also, the phenomenon he describes has never been published in a peer reviewed science journal, which almost certainly means that the effect cannot be demonstrated under controlled conditions." Physicist Kenneth Libbrecht, an expert on snow, also saw the book as displaying confirmation bias, joking that "it's good to have an open mind, but not so open that your brains fall


id: hieronymus-machine-20260505-0
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hieronymus_machine-0.md
category: reference
title: Hieronymus machine
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hieronymus_machine
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:21:00.814632+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: hieronymus-machine-20260505-0
summary:
A Hieronymus machine is any of the patented radionics devices invented by electrical engineer Thomas Galen Hieronymus (21 November 1895 – 21 February 1988). Hieronymus received a U.S. patent for his invention in 1949, which was described in the patent application title as a device for "detection of emanations from materials and measurement of the volumes thereof". Skeptics and scientists consider the devices to be an example of pseudoscience and quackery. == History == === Design and function === The original "Radiation Analyzer" consisted of a chamber to hold a sample of material, a glass prism to refract the "eloptic" emanations coming from it, and a copper wire probe on a rotating armature to adjust the angle formed by the prism and the probe. Supposedly, "eloptic" emanations are refracted by the prism at different angles depending on the material. The detected "eloptic" signals were fed to a three-stage vacuum tube RF amplifier and conducted to a flat touch plate surrounded by a copper wire bifilar coil. By stroking the touch plate an operator could supposedly feel a sensation of "tingling" or "stickiness" when the "eloptic" energy was detected. As such, a human nervous system is considered to be necessary to


id: himalayan-salt-20260505-0
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Himalayan_salt-0.md
category: reference
title: Himalayan salt
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Himalayan_salt
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:21:01.965315+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: himalayan-salt-20260505-0
summary:
Himalayan salt is rock salt (halite) mined from the Punjab region of Pakistan. The salt, which often has a pinkish tint due to trace minerals, is primarily used as a food additive to replace refined table salt but is also used for cooking and food presentation, decorative lamps, and spa treatments. The product is often promoted with unsupported claims that it has health benefits. == Geology == Himalayan salt is mined from the Salt Range mountains, the southern edge of a fold-and-thrust belt that underlies the Pothohar Plateau south of the Himalayas in Pakistan. Himalayan salt comes from a thick layer of Ediacaran to early Cambrian evaporites of the Salt Range Formation. This geological formation consists of crystalline halite intercalated with potash salts, overlain by gypsiferous marl and interlayered with beds of gypsum and dolomite with infrequent seams of oil shale that accumulated between 600 and 540 million years ago. These strata and the overlying Cambrian to Eocene sedimentary rocks were thrust southward over younger sedimentary rocks, and eroded to create the Salt Range. == History == Local legend traces the discovery of the Himalayan salt deposits to the army of Alexander the Great. However, the first records of mining


id: hindu-astrology-20260505-0
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hindu_astrology-0.md
category: reference
title: Hindu astrology
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hindu_astrology
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:21:03.134743+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: hindu-astrology-20260505-0
summary:
Hindu astrology, also called Indian astrology, jyotisha (Sanskrit: ज्योतिष, romanized: jyotiṣa; from jyót 'light, heavenly body') and, more recently, Vedic astrology, is the traditional Hindu system of astrology. It is one of the six auxiliary disciplines in Hinduism that is connected with the study of the Vedas. The Vedanga Jyotisha is one of the earliest texts about astronomy within the Vedas. Some scholars believe that the horoscopic astrology practiced in the Indian subcontinent came from Hellenistic influences. However, this is a point of intense debate, and other scholars believe that Jyotisha developed independently, although it may have interacted with Greek astrology. The scientific consensus is that astrology is a pseudoscience. == Etymology == Jyotisha, states Monier-Williams, is rooted in the word Jyotish, which means light, such as that of the sun or the moon or a heavenly body. The term Jyotisha includes the study of astronomy, astrology, and the science of timekeeping using the movements of astronomical bodies. It aimed to keep time, maintain calendars, and predict auspicious times for Vedic rituals. == History and core principles == Jyotiṣa is one of the Vedāṅga, the six auxiliary disciplines used to support Vedic rituals. Early jyotiṣa is concerned with the preparation


id: hindu-astrology-20260505-1
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hindu_astrology-1.md
category: reference
title: Hindu astrology
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hindu_astrology
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:21:03.134743+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: hindu-astrology-20260505-0
summary:
The scientific community has rejected astrology as having no explanatory power for describing the universe. Scientific testing of astrology has been conducted, and no evidence has been found to support any of the premises or purported effects outlined in astrological traditions. There is no mechanism proposed by astrologers through which the positions and motions of stars and planets could affect people and events on Earth. In spite of its status as a pseudoscience, in certain religious, political, and legal contexts, astrology retains a position among the sciences in modern India. India's University Grants Commission and Ministry of Human Resource Development decided to introduce "Jyotir Vigyan" (i.e. jyotir vijñāna) or "Vedic astrology" as a discipline of study in Indian universities, stating that "vedic astrology is not only one of the main subjects of our traditional and classical knowledge but this is the discipline, which lets us know the events happening in human life and in universe on time scale" in spite of the complete lack of evidence that astrology actually does allow for such accurate predictions. The decision was backed by a 2001 judgment of the Andhra Pradesh High Court, and some Indian universities offer advanced degrees in astrology. This was


id: hindu-astrology-20260505-2
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hindu_astrology-2.md
category: reference
title: Hindu astrology
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hindu_astrology
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:21:03.134743+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: hindu-astrology-20260505-0
summary:
== Evolution of Vedic timekeeping == The field of Jyotisha deals with ascertaining time, particularly forecasting auspicious days and times for Vedic rituals. The field of Vedanga structured time into Yuga, which was a 5-year interval, divided into multiple lunisolar intervals such as 60 solar months, 61 savana months, 62 synodic months and 67 sidereal months. A Vedic Yuga had 1,860 tithis (तिथि, dates), and it defined a savana-day (civil day) from one sunrise to another. The Rigvedic version of Jyotisha may be a later insertion into the Veda, states David Pingree, possibly between 513 and 326 BCE, when the Indus Valley was occupied by the Achaemenid from Mesopotamia. The mathematics and devices for timekeeping mentioned in these ancient Sanskrit texts, proposes Pingree, such as the water clock, may also have arrived in India from Mesopotamia. However, Yukio Ohashi considers this proposal as incorrect, suggesting instead that the Vedic timekeeping efforts, for forecasting appropriate time for rituals, must have begun much earlier and the influence may have flowed from India to Mesopotamia. Ohashi states that it is incorrect to assume that the number of civil days in a year equals 365 in both the Hindu and Egyptian–Persian years. Further, adds


id: hindu-astrology-20260505-3
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hindu_astrology-3.md
category: reference
title: Hindu astrology
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hindu_astrology
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:21:03.134743+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: hindu-astrology-20260505-0
summary:
Surya (Sun) Chandra (Moon) Budha (Mercury) Shukra (Venus) Mangala (Mars) Bṛhaspati or Guru (Jupiter) Shani (Saturn) Rahu (North node of the Moon) Ketu (South node of the Moon) The navagraha are said to be forces that capture or eclipse the mind and the decision making of human beings. When the grahas are active in their daśās, or periodicities they are said to be particularly empowered to direct the affairs of people and events. Planets are held to signify major details, such as profession, marriage and longevity. Of these indicators, known as Karakas, Parashara considers Atmakaraka most important, signifying broad contours of a person's life. Rahu and Ketu correspond to the points where the moon crosses the ecliptic plane (known as the ascending and descending nodes of the moon). Classically known in Indian and Western astrology as the "head and tail of the dragon", these planets are represented as a serpent-bodied demon beheaded by the Sudarshan Chakra of Vishnu after attempting to swallow the sun. They are primarily used to calculate the dates of eclipses. They are described as "shadow planets" because they are not visible in the night sky. Rahu and Ketu have an orbital cycle of 18 years and


id: hindu-astrology-20260505-4
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hindu_astrology-4.md
category: reference
title: Hindu astrology
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hindu_astrology
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:21:03.134743+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: hindu-astrology-20260505-0
summary:
=== Dṛiṣṭis === Drishti (Sanskrit: Dṛṣṭi, 'sight') is an aspect to an entire house. Grahas cast only forward aspects, with the furthest aspect being considered the strongest. For example, Jupiter aspects the 5th, 7th and 9th house from its position, Mars aspects the 4th, 7th, and 8th houses from its position, and its 8th house. The principle of Drishti (aspect) was devised on the basis of the aspect of an army of planets as deity and demon in a war field. Thus the Sun, a deity king with only one full aspect, is more powerful than the demon king Saturn, which has three full aspects. Aspects can be cast both by the planets (Graha Dṛṣṭi) and by the signs (Rāśi Dṛṣṭi). Planetary aspects are a function of desire, while sign aspects are a function of awareness and cognizance. There are some higher aspects of Graha Dṛṣṭi (planetary aspects) that are not limited to the Viśeṣa Dṛṣṭi or the special aspects. Rāśi Dṛṣṭi works based on the following formulaic structure: all movable signs aspect fixed signs except the one adjacent, and all dual and mutable signs aspect each other without exception. === Planetary Aspects (Graha Dṛṣṭi) === Each planet has a


id: history-of-pseudoscience-20260505-0
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_pseudoscience-0.md
category: reference
title: History of pseudoscience
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_pseudoscience
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:21:04.461719+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: history-of-pseudoscience-20260505-0
summary:
The history of pseudoscience is the study of pseudoscientific theories over time. A pseudoscience is a set of ideas that presents itself as science, while it does not meet the criteria to properly be called such. Distinguishing between proper science and pseudoscience is sometimes difficult. One popular proposal for demarcation between the two is the falsification criterion, most notably contributed to by the philosopher Karl Popper. In the history of pseudoscience it can be especially hard to separate the two, because some sciences developed from pseudosciences. An example of this is the science chemistry, which traces its origins from the protoscience of alchemy. The vast diversity in pseudosciences further complicates the history of pseudoscience. Some pseudosciences originated in the pre-scientific era, such as astrology and acupuncture. Others developed as part of an ideology, such as Lysenkoism, or as a response to perceived threats to an ideology. An example of this is creationism, which was developed as a response to the scientific theory of evolution. Despite failing to meet proper scientific standards, many pseudosciences survive. This is usually due to a persistent core of devotees who refuse to accept scientific criticism of their beliefs, or due to popular misconceptions. Sheer popularity


id: history-of-pseudoscience-20260505-1
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_pseudoscience-1.md
category: reference
title: History of pseudoscience
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_pseudoscience
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:21:04.461719+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: history-of-pseudoscience-20260505-0
summary:
== 20th century == Among the most notable developments to pseudoscience in the 20th century are the rise of Creationism, the demise of Spiritualism, and the first formulation of ancient astronaut theories. Reflexology, the idea that an undetectable life force connects various parts of the body to the feet and sometimes the hands and ears, was introduced in the US in 1913 as 'zone therapy'. Creationism arose during the 20th century as a result of various other historical developments. When the modern evolutionary synthesis overcame the eclipse of Darwinism in the first half of the 20th century, American fundamentalist Christians began opposing the teaching of the theory of evolution in public schools. They introduced numerous laws to this effect, one of which was notoriously upheld by the Scopes Trial. In the second half of the century the Space Race caused a renewed interest in science and worry that the USA was falling behind on the Soviet Union. Stricter science standards were adopted and led to the re-introduction of the theory of evolution in the curriculum. The laws against teaching evolution were now ruled unconstitutional, because they violated the separation of church and state. Attempting to evade this ruling, the Christian


id: hiv-aids-denialism-20260505-0
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HIV/AIDS_denialism-0.md
category: reference
title: HIV/AIDS denialism
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HIV/AIDS_denialism
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:21:05.729092+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: hiv-aids-denialism-20260505-0
summary:
HIV/AIDS denialism is the belief, despite evidence to the contrary, that the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) does not cause acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). Some of its proponents reject the existence of HIV, while others accept that HIV exists but argue that it is a harmless passenger virus and not the cause of AIDS. Insofar as they acknowledge AIDS as a real disease, they attribute it to some combination of sexual behavior, recreational drugs, malnutrition, poor sanitation, haemophilia, or the effects of the medications used to treat HIV infection (antiretrovirals). The scientific consensus is that the evidence showing HIV to be the cause of AIDS is conclusive and that HIV/AIDS denialist claims are pseudoscience based on conspiracy theories, faulty reasoning, cherry picking, and misrepresentation of mainly outdated scientific data. As evidence mounted against denialism, combined with those with HIV/AIDS living much longer, these claims stopped being believed. With the rejection of these arguments by the scientific community, HIV/AIDS denialist material is now targeted at less scientifically sophisticated audiences and spread mainly through the Internet, increased substantially since the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite its lack of scientific acceptance, HIV/AIDS denialism has had a significant political impact, especially in South Africa under the


id: hiv-aids-denialism-20260505-1
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HIV/AIDS_denialism-1.md
category: reference
title: HIV/AIDS denialism
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HIV/AIDS_denialism
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:21:05.729092+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: hiv-aids-denialism-20260505-0
summary:
== History == A constellation of symptoms named "gay-related immune deficiency" was noted in 1982. In 1983, a group of scientists and doctors at the Pasteur Institute in France, led by Luc Montagnier, discovered a new virus in a patient with signs and symptoms that often preceded AIDS. They named the virus lymphadenopathy-associated virus, or LAV, and sent samples to Robert Gallo's team in the United States. Their findings were peer reviewed and slated for publication in Science. At a 23 April 1984 press conference in Washington, D.C., Margaret Heckler, Secretary of Health and Human Services, announced that Gallo and his co-workers had discovered a virus that was the "probable" cause of AIDS. This virus was initially named HTLV-III. In the same year, Casper Schmidt responded to Gallo's papers with "The Group-Fantasy Origins of AIDS", published in the Journal of Psychohistory. Schmidt posited that AIDS was not an actual disease, but rather an example of "epidemic hysteria", in which groups of people subconsciously act out social conflicts. Schmidt compared AIDS to documented cases of epidemic hysteria in the past which were mistakenly thought to be infectious. (Schmidt himself later died of AIDS in 1994.) In 1986, the viruses discovered by


id: hiv-aids-denialism-20260505-2
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HIV/AIDS_denialism-2.md
category: reference
title: HIV/AIDS denialism
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HIV/AIDS_denialism
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:21:05.729092+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: hiv-aids-denialism-20260505-0
summary:
=== US courts === In 1998, HIV/AIDS denialism and parental rights clashed with the medical establishment in court when Maine resident Valerie Emerson fought for the right to refuse to give AZT to her four-year-old son, Nikolas Emerson, after she witnessed the death of her daughter Tia, who died at the age of three in 1996. Her right to stop treatment was upheld by the court in light of "her unique experience". Nikolas Emerson died eight years later. The family refused to reveal whether the death was AIDS related. === South Africa === In 2000, South Africa's President Thabo Mbeki invited several HIV/AIDS denialists to join his Presidential AIDS Advisory Panel. A response named the Durban Declaration was issued affirming the scientific consensus that HIV causes AIDS:The declaration has been signed by over 5,000 people, including Nobel Prize winners, directors of leading research institutions, scientific academies and medical societies, notably the US National Academy of Sciences, the US Institute of Medicine, Max Planck institutes, the European Molecular Biology Organization, the Pasteur Institute in Paris, the Royal Society of London, the AIDS Society of India and the National Institute of Virology in South Africa. In addition, thousands of individual scientists and


id: hiv-aids-denialism-20260505-3
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HIV/AIDS_denialism-3.md
category: reference
title: HIV/AIDS denialism
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HIV/AIDS_denialism
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:21:05.729092+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: hiv-aids-denialism-20260505-0
summary:
The term "HIV/AIDS denialism" denotes the rejection of the mainstream scientific view that AIDS is a medical condition that is brought about by HIV infection. The use of the term encompasses the denial of the existence of the virus (HIV denialism), the denial of the causation of AIDS by HIV (that is, the proposed link between the virus and the syndrome), and the denial of the effects on the human body that are ascribed to HIV (that is, the description and characterization of the virus). In a framework incorporating the second denial and/or the third, criticism of the current scientific view has variously been rested on the claim that HIV has not been adequately isolated, that HIV does not fulfill Koch's postulates, HIV testing is inaccurate, and/or that antibodies to HIV neutralize the virus and render it harmless. Suggested alternative causes of AIDS variously include recreational drugs, malnutrition, and the very antiretroviral drugs used to treat the syndrome. Such claims have been examined extensively in the peer-reviewed medical and scientific literature; a scientific consensus has arisen that denialist claims have been convincingly disproved, and that HIV does indeed cause AIDS. In the cases cited by Duesberg where HIV "cannot be


id: hiv-aids-denialism-20260505-4
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HIV/AIDS_denialism-4.md
category: reference
title: HIV/AIDS denialism
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HIV/AIDS_denialism
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:21:05.729092+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: hiv-aids-denialism-20260505-0
summary:
AIDS denialists [prefer] to characterize themselves as brave "dissidents" attempting to engage a hostile medical/industrial establishment in genuine scientific "debate". They complain that their attempts to raise questions and pose alternative hypotheses have been unjustly rejected or ignored at the cost of scientific progress itself...Given their resistance to all evidence to the contrary, today's AIDS dissidents are more aptly referred to as AIDS denialists. Several scientists have been associated with HIV/AIDS denialism, although they have not themselves studied AIDS or HIV. One of the most famous and influential is Duesberg, professor of molecular and cell biology at the University of California, Berkeley, who since 1987 has disputed that the scientific evidence shows that HIV causes AIDS. Other scientists associated with HIV/AIDS denialism include biochemists David Rasnick and Harvey Bialy. Biologist Lynn Margulis argued that "there's no evidence that HIV is an infectious virus" and that AIDS symptoms "overlap...completely" with those of syphilis. Pathologist Étienne de Harven expressed sympathy for HIV/AIDS denial. AIDS researcher Seth Kalichman lists biochemist and Nobelist Kary Mullis "among the who's who of AIDS pseudoscientists". Mullis, who did not do any HIV research, expressed skepticism about the relationship between HIV and AIDS in his 1998 autobiography. Additional


id: hiv-aids-denialism-20260505-5
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HIV/AIDS_denialism-5.md
category: reference
title: HIV/AIDS denialism
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HIV/AIDS_denialism
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:21:05.729092+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: hiv-aids-denialism-20260505-0
summary:
Some individuals who believe that HIV plays no role at all in AIDS have implied that I support their misguided views on AIDS causation by including inappropriate references to me in their literature and on their web sites. Before HIV was discovered and its association with AIDS established, I held the entirely appropriate view that the cause of AIDS was then unknown. I have successfully treated hundreds of AIDS patients with antiretroviral medications, and have no doubt that HIV plays a necessary role in this disease. A former denialist wrote in the Journal of Medical Ethics in 2004: The group [of denialists] regularly points to a substantial number of scientists supportive of its agenda to re-evaluate the HIV/AIDS hypothesis. Some of those members still listed are people who have been dead for a number of years. While it is correct that these people supported the objective of a scientific re-evaluation of the HIV/AIDS link when they were alive, it is clearly difficult to ascertain what these people would have made of the scientific developments and the accumulation of evidence for HIV as the crucial causative agent in AIDS, which has occurred in the years after their deaths. === Death of


id: hiv-aids-denialism-20260505-6
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HIV/AIDS_denialism-6.md
category: reference
title: HIV/AIDS denialism
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HIV/AIDS_denialism
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:21:05.729092+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: hiv-aids-denialism-20260505-0
summary:
==== Scientific literature ==== The publication of Duesberg's first AIDS paper in 1987 provided visibility for denialist claims. Shortly afterwards, the journal Science reported that Duesberg's remarks had won him "a large amount of media attention, particularly in the gay press where he is something of a hero." However, Duesberg's support in the gay community diminished as he made a series of statements perceived as homophobic; in an interview with The Village Voice in 1988, Duesberg stated his belief that the AIDS epidemic was "caused by a lifestyle that was criminal twenty years ago." In the following few years, others became skeptical of the HIV theory as researchers initially failed to produce an effective treatment or vaccine for AIDS. Journalists such as Neville Hodgkinson and Celia Farber regularly promoted denialist ideas in the American and British media; several television documentaries were also produced to increase awareness of the alternative viewpoint. In 1992–1993, The Sunday Times, where Hodgkinson served as scientific editor, ran a series of articles arguing that the AIDS epidemic in Africa was a myth. These articles stressed Duesberg's claims and argued that antiviral therapy was ineffective, HIV testing unreliable, and that AIDS was not a threat to heterosexuals.


id: hiv-aids-denialism-20260505-7
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HIV/AIDS_denialism-7.md
category: reference
title: HIV/AIDS denialism
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HIV/AIDS_denialism
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:21:05.729092+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: hiv-aids-denialism-20260505-0
summary:
==== Lay opinion and AIDS-related behaviors ==== AIDS activists have expressed concern that denialist arguments about HIV's harmlessness may be responsible for an upsurge in HIV infections. Denialist claims continue to exert a significant influence in some communities; a survey conducted at minority gay pride events in four American cities in 2005 found that 33% of attendees doubted that HIV caused AIDS. Similarly, a 2010 survey of 343 people living with HIV/AIDS found that one in five of them thought that there was no proof that HIV caused AIDS, and that HIV treatments did more harm than good. According to Stephen Thomas, director of the Center for Minority Health at University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health, "people are focusing on the wrong thing. They're focusing on conspiracies rather than protecting themselves, rather than getting tested and seeking out appropriate care and treatment." African Americans are exceptionally likely to believe that HIV does not cause AIDS, partly because they sometimes perceive evidence of the role of HIV in the disease as part of a racist agenda. A 2012 survey of young adults in Cape Town, South Africa, found that belief in AIDS denialism was strongly related to an increased


id: hiv-aids-denialism-20260505-8
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HIV/AIDS_denialism-8.md
category: reference
title: HIV/AIDS denialism
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HIV/AIDS_denialism
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:21:05.729092+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: hiv-aids-denialism-20260505-0
summary:
It [South Africa] is the only country in Africa … whose government is still obtuse, dilatory and negligent about rolling out treatment… It is the only country in Africa whose government continues to promote theories more worthy of a lunatic fringe than of a concerned and compassionate state. In 2002, Mbeki requested that HIV/AIDS denialists no longer use his name in their literature and stop signing documents with "Member of President Mbeki's AIDS Advisory Panel". This coincided with the South African government's statement accompanying its 2002 AIDS campaign, that "...in conducting this campaign, government's starting point is based on the premise that HIV causes AIDS". Mbeki continued to promote and defend AIDS-denialist claims. His loyalists attacked former President Nelson Mandela in 2002 when Mandela questioned the government's AIDS policy, and Mbeki attacked Malegapuru William Makgoba, one of South Africa's leading scientists, as a racist defender of "Western science" for opposing HIV/AIDS denialism. In early 2005, former South African President Nelson Mandela announced that his son had died of complications of AIDS. Mandela's public announcement was seen as both an effort to combat the stigma associated with AIDS, and as a "political statement designed to… force the President [Mbeki] out of


id: hologram-bracelet-20260505-0
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hologram_bracelet-0.md
category: reference
title: Hologram bracelet
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hologram_bracelet
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:21:08.212174+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: hologram-bracelet-20260505-0
summary:
A hologram bracelet or energy bracelet is a small rubber wristband supposedly fitted with a hologram. Manufacturers have said that the holograms supposedly "optimise the natural flow of energy around the body," and, "improve an athlete's strength, balance and flexibility". Only anecdotal evidence supports these claims and tests performed by the Australian Skeptics, the University of Wales Institute, Cardiff, and the RMIT's School of Health Sciences have been unable to identify any effect on performance. == Products == Hologram bracelets include a small hologram which manufacturers say is "programmed" through an undisclosed process. Power Balance, who have manufactured the bracelets since 2007, say that the programming "mimics Eastern philosophies". The holograms are most usually installed in bracelets and wristbands but are also sold as pendants or necklaces, anklets, shoe inserts, pet tags, or separately for users to apply to the back of a watch, for example. Manufacturers including Power Balance and EFX Performance make no claims on their websites for their products, but carry testimonials from users who say that they improve athletic performance. Until 2010, Power Balance said that their bracelets helped improve an athlete's strength, balance and flexibility because the holograms are embedded with an "electrical frequency" that


id: homeopathy-20260505-0
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homeopathy-0.md
category: reference
title: Homeopathy
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homeopathy
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:21:09.663132+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: homeopathy-20260505-0
summary:
Homeopathy or homoeopathy is a pseudoscientific system of alternative medicine. It was conceived in 1796 by the German physician Samuel Hahnemann. Its practitioners, called homeopaths or homeopathic physicians, believe that a substance that causes symptoms of a disease in healthy people can cure similar symptoms in sick people; this doctrine is called similia similibus curentur, or "like cures like". Homeopathic preparations are termed remedies and are made using homeopathic dilution. In this process, the selected substance is repeatedly diluted until the final product is indistinguishable from the diluent. Often not even a single molecule of the original substance can be expected to remain in the product. Between each dilution homeopaths may hit and/or shake the product, claiming this makes the diluent "remember" the original substance after its removal. Practitioners claim that such preparations, upon oral intake, can treat or cure disease. All relevant scientific knowledge about physics, chemistry, biochemistry and biology contradicts homeopathy. Homeopathic remedies are typically biochemically inert, and have no effect on any known disease. Homeopathy's theory of disease, centered around principles Hahnemann termed miasms, is inconsistent with subsequent identification of viruses and bacteria as causes of disease. Clinical trials have been conducted and generally demonstrated no objective


id: homeopathy-20260505-1
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homeopathy-1.md
category: reference
title: Homeopathy
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homeopathy
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:21:09.663132+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: homeopathy-20260505-0
summary:
==== Miasms and disease ==== In the Organon, Hahnemann introduced the concept of "miasms" as the "infectious principles" underlying chronic disease and as "peculiar morbid derangement[s] of vital force". Hahnemann associated each miasm with specific diseases, and thought that initial exposure to miasms causes local symptoms, such as skin or venereal diseases. His assertion was that if these symptoms were suppressed by medication, the cause went deeper and began to manifest itself as diseases of the internal organs. Homeopathy maintains that treating diseases by directly alleviating their symptoms, as is sometimes done in conventional medicine, is ineffective because all "disease can generally be traced to some latent, deep-seated, underlying chronic, or inherited tendency". The underlying imputed miasm still remains, and deep-seated ailments can be corrected only by removing the deeper disturbance of the vital force. Hahnemann's hypotheses for miasms originally presented only three local symptoms: psora (the itch), syphilis (venereal disease) or sycosis (fig-wart disease). Of these the most important was psora, described as being related to any itching diseases of the skin and was claimed to be the foundation of many further disease conditions. Hahnemann believed it to be the cause of such diseases as epilepsy, cancer, jaundice, deafness,


id: homeopathy-20260505-2
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homeopathy-2.md
category: reference
title: Homeopathy
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homeopathy
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:21:09.663132+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: homeopathy-20260505-0
summary:
=== 21st century: renewed criticism === Since the beginning of the 21st century, a series of meta-analyses have further shown that the therapeutic claims of homeopathy lack scientific justification. This had led to a decrease or suspension of funding by many governments. In a 2010 report, the Science and Technology Committee of the United Kingdom House of Commons recommended that homeopathy should no longer receive National Health Service (NHS) funding due its lack of scientific credibility; NHS funding for homeopathy ceased in 2017. They also asked the Department of Health in the UK to add homeopathic remedies to the list of forbidden prescription items. In 2015, the National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia found that "there are no health conditions for which there is reliable evidence that homeopathy is effective". The federal government only ended up accepting three of the 45 recommendations made by the 2018 review of Pharmacy Remuneration and Regulation. The same year the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) held a hearing requesting public comment on the regulation of homeopathic drugs. In 2017, the FDA announced it would strengthen regulation of homeopathic products. The American non-profit Center for Inquiry (CFI) filed a lawsuit in 2018


id: homeopathy-20260505-3
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homeopathy-3.md
category: reference
title: Homeopathy
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homeopathy
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:21:09.663132+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: homeopathy-20260505-0
summary:
=== Preparation === Homeopathy uses animal, plant, mineral, and synthetic substances in its preparations, generally referring to them using Latin names. Examples include arsenicum album (arsenic oxide), natrum muriaticum (sodium chloride or table salt), Lachesis muta (the venom of the bushmaster snake), opium, and thyroidinum (thyroid hormone). Homeopaths say this is to ensure accuracy. In the USA the common name must be displayed, although the Latin one can also be present. Homeopathic pills are made from an inert substance (often sugars, typically lactose), upon which a drop of liquid homeopathic preparation is placed and allowed to evaporate. Isopathy is a therapy derived from homeopathy in which the preparations come from diseased or pathological products such as fecal, urinary and respiratory discharges, blood, and tissue. They are called nosodes (from the Greek nosos, disease) with preparations made from "healthy" specimens being termed "sarcodes". Many so-called "homeopathic vaccines" are a form of isopathy. Tautopathy is a form of isopathy where the preparations are composed of drugs or vaccines that a person has consumed in the past, in the belief that this can reverse the supposed lingering damage caused by the initial use. There is no convincing scientific evidence for isopathy as an


id: homeopathy-20260505-4
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homeopathy-4.md
category: reference
title: Homeopathy
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homeopathy
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:21:09.663132+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: homeopathy-20260505-0
summary:
=== Provings === Homeopaths claim that they can determine the properties of their preparations by following a method which they call "proving". As performed by Hahnemann, provings involved administering various preparations to healthy volunteers. The volunteers were then observed, often for months at a time. They were made to keep extensive journals detailing all of their symptoms at specific times throughout the day. They were forbidden from consuming coffee, tea, spices, or wine for the duration of the experiment; playing chess was also prohibited because Hahnemann considered it to be "too exciting", though they were allowed to drink beer and encouraged to exercise in moderation. At first Hahnemann used undiluted doses for provings, but he later advocated provings with preparations at a 30C dilution, and most modern provings are carried out using ultra-dilute preparations. Provings are claimed to have been important in the development of the clinical trial, due to their early use of simple control groups, systematic and quantitative procedures, and some of the first application of statistics in medicine. The lengthy records of self-experimentation by homeopaths have occasionally proven useful in the development of modern drugs: For example, evidence that nitroglycerin might be useful as a treatment for


id: homeopathy-20260505-5
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homeopathy-5.md
category: reference
title: Homeopathy
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homeopathy
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:21:09.663132+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: homeopathy-20260505-0
summary:
The exceedingly low concentration of homeopathic preparations, which often lack even a single molecule of the diluted substance, has been the basis of questions about the effects of the preparations since the 19th century. The laws of chemistry give this dilution limit, which is related to the Avogadro number, as being roughly equal to 12C homeopathic dilutions (1 part in 1024). James Randi and the 10:23 campaign groups have highlighted the lack of active ingredients by taking large 'overdoses'. None of the hundreds of demonstrators in the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the US were injured and "no one was cured of anything, either". Modern advocates of homeopathy have proposed a concept of "water memory", according to which water "remembers" the substances mixed in it, and transmits the effect of those substances when consumed. This concept is inconsistent with the current understanding of matter, and water memory has never been demonstrated to have any detectable effect, biological or otherwise. Existence of a pharmacological effect in the absence of any true active ingredient is inconsistent with the law of mass action and the observed dose-response relationships characteristic of therapeutic drugs. Homeopaths contend that their methods produce a therapeutically active preparation,


id: homeopathy-20260505-6
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homeopathy-6.md
category: reference
title: Homeopathy
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homeopathy
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:21:09.663132+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: homeopathy-20260505-0
summary:
=== Purported effects in other biological systems === While some articles have suggested that homeopathic solutions of high dilution can have statistically significant effects on organic processes including the growth of grain and enzyme reactions, such evidence is disputed since attempts to replicate them have failed. In 2001 and 2004, Madeleine Ennis published a number of studies that reported that homeopathic dilutions of histamine exerted an effect on the activity of basophils. In response to the first of these studies, Horizon aired a programme in which British scientists attempted to replicate Ennis' results; they were unable to do so. A 2007 systematic review of high-dilution experiments found that none of the experiments with positive results could be reproduced by all investigators. In 1988, French immunologist Jacques Benveniste published a paper in the journal Nature while working at INSERM. The paper purported to have discovered that basophils released histamine when exposed to a homeopathic dilution of anti-immunoglobulin E antibody. Skeptical of the findings, Nature assembled an independent investigative team to determine the accuracy of the research. After investigation the team found that the experiments were "statistically ill-controlled", "interpretation has been clouded by the exclusion of measurements in conflict with the claim",


id: homeopathy-20260505-7
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homeopathy-7.md
category: reference
title: Homeopathy
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homeopathy
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:21:09.663132+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: homeopathy-20260505-0
summary:
Homeopathy is fairly common in some countries while being uncommon in others; is highly regulated in some countries and mostly unregulated in others. It is practiced worldwide and professional qualifications and licences are needed in most countries. A 2019 WHO report found that 100 out of 133 member states surveyed in 2012 acknowledged that their population used homeopathy, with 22 saying the practice was regulated and 13 providing health insurance coverage. In some countries, there are no specific legal regulations concerning the use of homeopathy, while in others licences or degrees in conventional medicine from accredited universities are required. In 2001 homeopathy had been integrated into the national health care systems of many countries, including India, Mexico, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and the United Kingdom. === Regulation === Some homeopathic treatment is covered by the public health service of several European countries, including Scotland, and Luxembourg. It was covered in France until 2021. In other countries, such as Belgium, homeopathy is not covered. In Austria, the public health service requires scientific proof of effectiveness in order to reimburse medical treatments; homeopathy is listed as not reimbursable, but exceptions can be made, and private health insurance policies sometimes include homeopathic treatments. In


id: homeopathy-20260505-8
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homeopathy-8.md
category: reference
title: Homeopathy
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homeopathy
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:21:09.663132+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: homeopathy-20260505-0
summary:
Member states of the European Union are required to ensure that homeopathic products are registered, although this process does not require any proof of efficacy. In Spain, the Association for the protection of patients from pseudo-scientific therapies is lobbying to get rid of the easy registration procedure for homeopathic remedies. In Bulgaria, Hungary, Latvia, Romania and Slovenia homeopathy, by law, can only be practiced by medical practitioners. However, in Slovenia if doctors practice homeopathy their medical license will be revoked. In Germany, to become a homeopathic physician, one must attend a three-year training program, while France, Austria and Denmark mandate licences to diagnose any illness or dispense of any product whose purpose is to treat any illness. Homeopaths in the UK are under no legal regulations, meaning anyone can call themselves homeopaths and administer homeopathic remedies. The Indian government recognizes homeopathy as one of its national systems of medicine; homeopathic remedies can be sold with medical claims. It has established the Department of Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy (AYUSH) under the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare. The south Indian state of Kerala also has a cabinet-level AYUSH department. The Central Council of Homoeopathy was established in


id: homeopathy-20260505-9
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homeopathy-9.md
category: reference
title: Homeopathy
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homeopathy
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:21:09.663132+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: homeopathy-20260505-0
summary:
Using homeopathy as a treatment for animals is termed "veterinary homeopathy" and dates back to the inception of homeopathy; Hahnemann himself wrote and spoke of the use of homeopathy in animals other than humans. The use of homeopathy in the organic farming industry is heavily promoted. In humans there may be benefits following homeopathic treatment due to the placebo effect and the counseling aspects of the consultation; animals are not susceptible to these effects, eliminating these possible benefits. Studies have found that giving animals placebos can play active roles in influencing pet owners to believe in the effectiveness of a treatment which actually has no effect, so that animals given homeopathic remedies continue to suffer, prompting animal welfare concerns. Little existing research on the subject is of a high enough scientific standard to provide reliable data on efficacy. A 2016 review of peer-reviewed articles from 1981 to 2014 by scientists from the University of Kassel, Germany, concluded that there is not enough evidence to support homeopathy as an effective treatment of infectious diseases in livestock. The UK's Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has adopted a robust position against use of "alternative" pet preparations including homeopathy. The British


id: homeopathy-in-new-zealand-20260505-0
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homeopathy_in_New_Zealand-0.md
category: reference
title: Homeopathy in New Zealand
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homeopathy_in_New_Zealand
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:21:10.878191+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: homeopathy-in-new-zealand-20260505-0
summary:
Homeopathy practice is unregulated in New Zealand and homeopathic remedies are available at pharmacies, although there are calls to have them removed from sale. A small-scale survey of homeopathic practitioners of New Zealand in 2008 showed that they all claimed to be able to treat asthma and ear infections, and statements such as "hundreds of remedies for ear infections and asthma" and "homeopaths have a success rate nearing 80%" were made. Though large scale studies conducted across the world show that homeopathy is a pseudoscience and its remedies have been found to be no more effective than placebo. The New Zealand Medical Association does not oppose the use of alternative medical practices such as homeopathy if it can be shown that the patient can make an informed choice; however, this stance has been called unethical and may be in contravention of medical regulations. == Belief and scepticism == The New Zealand Skeptics organisation took part in the international 1023 campaign in 2011. Protests were held in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. A 2012 survey showed that 51% of the New Zealand population had some degree of belief that homeopathic remedies were scientifically proven. == Organisations == The Auckland Homeopathic Hospital, with


id: homosexual-seduction-20260505-0
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homosexual_seduction-0.md
category: reference
title: Homosexual seduction
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homosexual_seduction
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:21:12.102288+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: homosexual-seduction-20260505-0
summary:
Homosexual seduction is the pseudoscientific conspiracy theory which suggests homosexuality is spread through intergenerational sex, and that older homosexuals aim to change the sexual orientation of previously heterosexual youth by seducing them. It is related to the LGBT grooming conspiracy theory, the discredited acquired homosexuality theory, the gay agenda conspiracy theory, and the drag panic phenomenon. The idea of homosexual seduction, or that sexuality can be changed, has been debunked multiple times in psychological academic discourse. Although scientific research shows that LGBT people do not molest children at higher rates than heterosexuals, anti-LGBT groups have pushed the purported link in popular culture over multiple decades going back to the times before World War II. The allegation that having an LGBT identity is caused by, causes, or otherwise contributes to pedophilia has continued as a matter of ideological faith into the 21st century. In 2010, 13 US organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), signed an open letter which opposed attempts by anti-LGBT groups to promote this conspiracy theory, in order to "protect the safety and emotional well-being of students", including those who are LGBT. According to Sarah Kate Ellis, head of the LGBTQ advocacy group GLAAD, this conspiracy theory


id: homosexual-seduction-20260505-1
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homosexual_seduction-1.md
category: reference
title: Homosexual seduction
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homosexual_seduction
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:21:12.102288+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: homosexual-seduction-20260505-0
summary:
== History == The theory originated in the early 20th century's work of German psychologists such as Albert Moll and Emil Kraepelin on adolescent sexuality, and was used in the early work attempting to explain the phenomenon of male prostitution. It played an important role in population regeneration efforts after the First World War in Germany and informed homophobic policies in Nazi Germany. In the 19th century, German psychologists Magnus Hirschfeld and Karl Heinrich Ulrichs had argued for the inborn nature of homosexuality. Challenging the idea of inborn and fixed sexuality, Sigmund Freud theorised that humans were inherently bisexual, and then became either heterosexual or homosexual as a result of childhood experiences. Freud argued that same-sex attraction and experimentation were essential parts of development, with heterosexuality being the preferable outcome. Although he argued that homosexuality should not be thought of as an illness, his focus on how the social environment may shift sexual identity inspired theories behind homosexual seduction. Opposing the inborn nature of sexuality put forward by Hirschfeld and Ulrichs, other psychologists including Max Dessoir, Albert Moll and Emil Kraepelin built on Freud's conception of teenage sexuality as indeterminate and susceptible to social influence. They recognised that same-sex activities


id: homosexual-seduction-20260505-2
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homosexual_seduction-2.md
category: reference
title: Homosexual seduction
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homosexual_seduction
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:21:12.102288+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: homosexual-seduction-20260505-0
summary:
The homosexual seduction theory, like the acquired homosexuality and LGBT grooming conspiracy theories, has subsequently been used in homophobic propaganda and by anti-LGBT rights groups to delay the progress of LGBT rights, by portraying homosexual men as "old perverts who prey on children". The theoretical link between homosexual men and predation or child abuse has permeated discussions about levelling the age of consent, anti-discrimination efforts, adoption and fostering rights, marriage equality, LGBT pride events, pediatric healthcare, and inclusion in sports and public spaces. It has created harmful stereotypes around gay and bisexual men, which have led to increasing and disproportionate numbers of anti-LGBT hate crimes, including violence and even mass murder. In some countries, it has also led to anti-LGBT legislation which criminalizes homosexuality; in Uganda, this may even result in a death sentence. According to Bryn Nelson in Scientific American, conspiracy theories based on pedophilia use disgust as a form of "stochastic terrorism", that incites audiences already primed for violence to target the subjects of those conspiracy theories. A 2020 paper by James A. Piazza found that there is a correlation between politicians sharing prejudicial views and rising domestic terrorism. Another study in Warsaw supported this view. The idea


id: homosexual-seduction-20260505-3
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homosexual_seduction-3.md
category: reference
title: Homosexual seduction
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homosexual_seduction
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:21:12.102288+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: homosexual-seduction-20260505-0
summary:
Utah state Senator Daniel Thatcher has said of the homosexual seduction trope, "This idea of grooming, I'll tell ya, to me — as a survivor of childhood sexual assault — I'll just tell ya, I find it personally deeply offensive." == See also == LGBT grooming conspiracy theory Acquired homosexuality Gay agenda Anti-LGBT rhetoric Environment and sexual orientation Conversion therapy Growing Up Straight Pederasty == References ==


id: horoscope-20260505-0
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horoscope-0.md
category: reference
title: Horoscope
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horoscope
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:21:13.253289+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: horoscope-20260505-0
summary:
A horoscope (or other commonly used names for the horoscope in English include natal chart, astrological chart, astro-chart, celestial map, sky-map, star-chart, cosmogram, vitasphere, radical chart, radix, chart wheel or simply chart) is an astrological chart or diagram representing the positions of the Sun, Moon, planets, astrological aspects and angles at the time of an event, such as the moment of a person's birth. The word horoscope is derived from the Greek words ōra and scopos meaning "time" and "observer" (horoskopos, pl. horoskopoi, or "marker(s) of the hour"). It is claimed by proponents of astrology that a horoscope can be used as a method of divination regarding events relating to the point in time it represents, and it forms the basis of the horoscopic traditions of astrology, although practices surrounding astrology have been recognized as pseudoscientific since the 18th century. Horoscope columns are often featured in print and online newspapers. In common usage, horoscope often refers to an astrologer's interpretation, usually based on a system of solar Sun sign astrology, based strictly on the position of the Sun at the time of birth or on the calendar significance of an event, as in Chinese astrology. In particular, many newspapers and


id: horoscope-20260505-1
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horoscope-1.md
category: reference
title: Horoscope
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horoscope
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:21:13.253289+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: horoscope-20260505-0
summary:
First House (Ascendant, East Angle, rising sign, or ASC/AC) Tenth House (Midheaven, Medi Coeli (midheaven), North Angle, MC) Seventh House (Descendant, West Angle, setting sign, DSC/DC) Fourth House (Imum Coeli – South Angle, lower-heaven, IC) The ascendant is the easternmost (or sunrise point) where the ecliptic and horizon intersect; the ascendant and the midheaven are considered the most important angles in the horoscope by the vast majority of astrologers. In most systems of house division, the ASC is the cusp of the 1st house and the MC is the cusp of the 10th house. Generally, on an astrological chart, each of these four angles are roughly 90° from the next, forming a cross shape (two oppositions, 180° each, forming a 360° sphere). This cross formation is made up of the points of east-west, north-south, or 1st house-7th house, 10th house-4th house (give or take, based on speed of orbit and degree). A simplistic comparison would be a clock face, with the 1st house and 7th house being placed at 9 and 3 o'clock, and the 10th and 4th houses placed at 12 and 6 o'clock, respectively. The placement of the planetary ruler of the ascendant, called the Chart Ruler, is


id: horoscope-20260505-2
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horoscope-2.md
category: reference
title: Horoscope
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horoscope
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:21:13.253289+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: horoscope-20260505-0
summary:
== Construction of a horoscope in Western astrology == To create a horoscope, an astrologer first has to ascertain the exact time and place of the subject's birth, or the initiation of an event. The local standard time (adjusting for any daylight saving time or war time) is then converted into Greenwich Mean Time or Universal Time at that same instant. The astrologer then has to convert this into the local sidereal time at birth in order to be able to calculate the ascendant and midheaven. The astrologer will next consult a set of tables called an ephemeris, which lists the location of the Sun, Moon and planets for a particular year, date and sidereal time, with respect to the northern hemisphere vernal equinox or the fixed stars (depending on which astrological system is being used). The astrologer then adds or subtracts the difference between the longitude of Greenwich and the longitude of the place in question to determine the true local mean time (LMT) at the place of birth to show where planets would be visible above the horizon at the precise time and place in question. Planets hidden from view beneath the Earth are also shown in the


id: horoscope-20260505-3
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horoscope-3.md
category: reference
title: Horoscope
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horoscope
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:21:13.253289+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: horoscope-20260505-0
summary:
=== Psychological criticism === Natal birth charts, or zodiac signs, are often used to predict a person's personality traits. However, the use of natal birth charts to predict personality is not valid or reliable. In a double-blind study that tested the zodiac's reliability to predict personality, an astrologer had to match a person's zodiac sign to their CPI (California Psychological Inventory) result. The CPI is a reliable method to determine an individual's personality. It was found that the astrologers were not able to correctly match the zodiac sign to the CPI result beyond random assignment. This means that astrology is no more than a test of chance and it is not a reliable way to predict personality. Similarly, the zodiac sign can be used to create horoscopes that predict the events that will happen in an individual's life. However, like using the zodiac sign for personality traits, using it for horoscopes is also unreliable. One astrologer's prediction for a horoscope is typically completely unrelated to the prediction of another astrologer. However, many people still believe their horoscope perfectly aligns with the events in their lives. There are some possible explanations for this. Horoscopes have vague wording and are based on


id: house-of-numbers-anatomy-of-an-epidemic-20260505-0
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/House_of_Numbers:_Anatomy_of_an_Epidemic-0.md
category: reference
title: House of Numbers: Anatomy of an Epidemic
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/House_of_Numbers:_Anatomy_of_an_Epidemic
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:21:14.430789+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: house-of-numbers-anatomy-of-an-epidemic-20260505-0
summary:
House of Numbers: Anatomy of an Epidemic is a 2009 film directed, produced, and hosted by Brent Leung and described by him as an objective examination of the idea that HIV causes AIDS. The film argues that human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is harmless and does not cause acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), a position known as AIDS denialism. The film's claims of impartiality have been widely rejected by scientists, and the film's claims about HIV and AIDS have been dismissed as pseudoscience and conspiracy theory masquerading as even-handed examination. A group of scientists interviewed for the film later complained that their comments had been misrepresented and taken out of context, and that the film promotes pseudoscience. The film also interviews Christine Maggiore, a prominent AIDS denialist who later died following AIDS-related conditions. == Production and content == Leung has declined to discuss funding for the film except to state that funders came from "all over the world". In the film, Leung interviews a range of scientists and AIDS denialists, most notably Christine Maggiore. At the time of filming, Maggiore was HIV-positive and appeared healthy, despite her refusal to take anti-retroviral medication, which mainstream medicine uses to slow down the rate


id: hoxsey-therapy-20260505-0
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hoxsey_Therapy-0.md
category: reference
title: Hoxsey Therapy
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hoxsey_Therapy
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:21:15.673984+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: hoxsey-therapy-20260505-0
summary:
Hoxsey Therapy or Hoxsey Method is an alternative medical treatment promoted as a cure for cancer. The treatment consists of a caustic herbal paste for external cancers or a herbal mixture for "internal" cancers, combined with laxatives, douches, vitamin supplements, and dietary changes. Reviews by major medical bodies, including the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the National Cancer Institute, the American Cancer Society, M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, and Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, have found no evidence that Hoxsey Therapy is an effective treatment for cancer. The sale or marketing of the Hoxsey Method was banned in the United States by the FDA on September 21, 1960 as a "worthless and discredited" remedy and a form of quackery. Currently, the Hoxsey Method is primarily marketed by the Bio-Medical Center in Tijuana, Mexico. Hoxsey Therapy is also marketed over the Internet; in June 2008, the FDA National Health Fraud Coordinator noted that "There is no scientific evidence that it has any value to treat cancer, yet consumers can go online right now and find all sorts of false claims that Hoxsey treatment is effective against the disease." == History == Hoxsey Therapy, a mixture of herbs, was first marketed as


id: hoxsey-therapy-20260505-1
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hoxsey_Therapy-1.md
category: reference
title: Hoxsey Therapy
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hoxsey_Therapy
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:21:15.673984+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: hoxsey-therapy-20260505-0
summary:
== Treatment == Hoxsey herbal treatments include a topical paste of antimony, zinc and bloodroot, arsenic, sulfur, and talc for external treatments, and a liquid tonic of licorice, red clover, burdock root, Stillingia root, barberry, Cascara, prickly ash bark, buckthorn bark, and potassium iodide for internal consumption. In addition to the herbs, the Hoxsey treatment now also includes antiseptic douches and washes, laxative tablets, and nutritional supplements. A mixture of procaine hydrochloride and vitamins, along with liver and cactus, is prescribed. During treatment, patients are asked to avoid consumption of tomatoes, vinegar, pork, alcohol, salt, sugar, and white flour products. In 2005, the cost of initial evaluation and treatment with Hoxsey Therapy at the Bio-Medical Center in Tijuana, Mexico was reported to be between $3,900 and $5,100, though this price did not include the recommended purchase of an unspecified number of dietary supplements and 3 years of return visits. == Side-effects == The topical paste is highly caustic, and can burn or scar the skin. The oral treatment can cause: nausea vomiting diarrhea anxiety trembling abdominal cramps heart block Pokeweed has caused deaths in children. Red clover may increase the risk of bleeding for people who take anticoagulants. It also


id: human-design-20260505-0
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_Design-0.md
category: reference
title: Human Design
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_Design
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:21:16.905171+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: human-design-20260505-0
summary:
Human Design is a theory and practice described as a holistic self-knowledge system. It combines astrology, the Chinese I Ching, Judaic Kabbalah, Vedic philosophy, and modern physics. == Origins and purpose == Human Design was originated by Alan Robert Krakower, who published a book called The Human Design System under the pseudonym Ra Uru Hu in 1992. Krakower was previously an advertising executive and magazine publisher. Krakower developed the Human Design system following an alleged mystical experience in 1987. It purports to be a self-knowledge method which does not have any specific religious dogma or affiliation. However, it has been described by theologian J. R. Hustwit as a "transreligious project" that is "breathtaking in scope" and synthesizes seven or more traditions. It has also been described as a psychological counseling instrument and "a comprehensive and personalized map of your unique energy and life blueprint, guiding you towards self-awareness, personal growth, and empowerment." It claims to facilitate "deep access to bodily, generational and inter-dimensional intelligence." == Elements of Human Design == Human Design maps nine energy centers in the body, represented in a chart called a bodygraph. An individual's bodygraph shows which centers are "defined," meaning consistent and reliable in their


id: human-dinosaur-coexistence-20260505-0
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human–dinosaur_coexistence-0.md
category: reference
title: Human–dinosaur coexistence
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human–dinosaur_coexistence
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:21:18.101473+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: human-dinosaur-coexistence-20260505-0
summary:
The historical and ongoing coexistence of humans and avian dinosaurs (birds) is well established and documented. The coexistence of humans and non-avian dinosaurs, however, exists only as a recurring motif in speculative fiction, owing to the fact that humans and non-avian dinosaurs have never coexisted at any point in the history of Earth. The notion that non-avian dinosaurs and humans actually coexisted at some time in the past or still coexist in the present is a belief rooted in pseudoscience and pseudohistory, and is common among Young Earth creationists, cryptozoologists, and some other groups. This belief often contradicts the scientific understanding of the fossil record and known geological events. Supposed evidence presented for the idea that non-avian dinosaurs persisted to modern times has often been determined to have been a hoax. Some proponents have tried to identify depictions of dinosaurs among ancient artwork or descriptions of cryptids, though such identifications are often based on outdated or incorrect ideas about dinosaur biology and life appearance and often ignore the cultural/artistic context. Scientists consider the idea that non-avian dinosaurs survived to the present day to be untenable, with known cases of so-called "living fossils" (such as coelacanths) being far from analogous to


id: human-dinosaur-coexistence-20260505-1
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human–dinosaur_coexistence-1.md
category: reference
title: Human–dinosaur coexistence
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human–dinosaur_coexistence
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:21:18.101473+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: human-dinosaur-coexistence-20260505-0
summary:
An often cited example of a supposed non-avian dinosaur depicted in historical art is a hand-sized carving at Ta Prohm, allegedly of a stegosaur. The series of "plates" along the animal's back are however more likely to be stylized lotus leaves or petals, which are shown around numerous other animal and human figures in medieval Cambodian art, including in other carvings at the same temple. The creature is furthermore depicted with large ear flaps or horns, structures that are not known in stegosaurs.Another example is a creature referred to as a krokodilopardalis ("crocodile leopard") in the 1st century BCE Nile mosaic of Palestrina. Some creationists have identified this creature as a theropod dinosaur, though the krokodilopardalis looks virtually nothing like one; it has a quadrupedal stance and clearly mammalian paws. Some proponents of human and non-avian dinosaur coexistence have equated the Mesopotamian mušḫuššu, a legendary chimeric creature, with dinosaurs. Robert Koldewey, the discoverer of the Ishtar Gate in Babylon (which contains depictions of this creature), apparently had such ideas and found it to be similar to how Iguanodon was conceptualized at the time. Even some cryptozoologists reject this idea however, given that the mušḫuššu clearly combines various features of different


id: hyland-s-20260505-0
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyland's-0.md
category: reference
title: Hyland's
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyland's
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:21:19.251336+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: hyland-s-20260505-0
summary:
Hyland's is a brand of homeopathic products sold in the United States and Canada. Hyland's operates in the United States as Hyland's Inc and in Canada as Hyland's Homeopathic Canada Inc and is a division of Standard Homeopathic Co.. == History == The company was founded in 1903 in Los Angeles as Standard Homeopathic Pharmacy. It was purchased by George H. Hyland in 1910 and the name was changed to Standard Homeopathic Company. Hyland's began selling products in Canada in 1990. In 2013, the FDA conducted a review of Hyland's labeling and marketing information which revealed numerous products misbranded in violation of sections 503 and 301 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act) [21 U.S.C. §§ 353 and 331]. This review included the products for "Infant Earache Drops," "Restful Legs," "Teething Tablets," and other products. The products are marketed as over-the-counter for diagnoses and treatments that require a physician's consultation. == Safety concerns == In 2004, Hyland's Teething Tablets were the second most popular teething product. The FDA warned consumers about Hyland's teething products in 2010, citing concern over the toxicity of its belladonna ingredient and lack of child proof caps. Hyland's voluntarily recalled its Hyland's Teething


id: hypnotherapy-20260505-0
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypnotherapy-0.md
category: reference
title: Hypnotherapy
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypnotherapy
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:21:21.542072+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: hypnotherapy-20260505-0
summary:
Hypnotherapy, also known as hypnotic medicine, is the use of hypnosis in psychotherapy. Hypnosis is a state of deep focus and openness to suggestion that usually begins with relaxation and guided instructions. Some people respond more strongly than others, and researchers explain that hypnosis is not a magical trance but a form of concentrated attention and expectation (Heap & Naish, 2012). Hypnotherapy is generally not considered to be based on scientific evidence, and is rarely recommended in clinical practice guidelines. == Definition == The United States Department of Labor's Dictionary of Occupational Titles (DOT) describes the job of the hypnotherapist:"Induces hypnotic state in client to increase motivation or alter behavior patterns: Consults with client to determine nature of problem. Prepares client to enter hypnotic state by explaining how hypnosis works and what client will experience. Tests subject to determine degree of physical and emotional suggestibility. Induces hypnotic state in client, using individualized methods and techniques of hypnosis based on interpretation of test results and analysis of client's problem. May train client in self-hypnosis conditioning." === Traditional === The form of hypnotherapy practiced by most Victorian hypnotists, including James Braid and Hippolyte Bernheim, mainly employed direct suggestion of symptom removal, with


id: hypnotherapy-20260505-1
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypnotherapy-1.md
category: reference
title: Hypnotherapy
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypnotherapy
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:21:21.542072+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: hypnotherapy-20260505-0
summary:
=== Irritable bowel syndrome === The use of hypnotherapy in treating the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome is supported by research, including randomized controlled trials. Gut-directed hypnotherapy is recommended in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome by the American College of Gastroenterology clinical guideline for the management of IBS. === Childbirth === Hypnotherapy is often applied in the birthing process and the post-natal period, but there is insufficient evidence to determine if it alleviates pain during childbirth and no evidence that it is effective against post-natal depression. === Bulimia nervosa === Literature shows that a wide variety of hypnotic interventions have been investigated for the treatment of bulimia nervosa, with inconclusive effects. Similar studies have shown that groups suffering from bulimia nervosa, undergoing hypnotherapy, were more exceptional to no treatment, placebos, or other alternative treatments. === Anxiety === Hypnotherapy is shown to be comparable in effectiveness to other forms of therapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, that utilize relaxation techniques and imagery. It has also shown to be successful when used to reduce anxiety in those with dental anxiety and phobias. === PTSD === Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and its symptoms have been shown to improve due to the implementation


id: hypnotherapy-20260505-2
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypnotherapy-2.md
category: reference
title: Hypnotherapy
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypnotherapy
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:21:21.542072+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: hypnotherapy-20260505-0
summary:
=== Australia === The Australian government does not regulate professional hypnotherapy and the use of the occupational titles hypnotherapist or clinical hypnotherapist. In 1996, as a result of a three-year research project led by Lindsay B. Yeates, the Australian Hypnotherapists Association (founded in 1949), the oldest hypnotism-oriented professional organization in Australia, instituted a peer-group accreditation system for full-time Australian professional hypnotherapists, the first of its kind in the world, which "accredit[ed] specific individuals on the basis of their actual demonstrated knowledge and clinical performance; instead of approving particular 'courses' or approving particular 'teaching institutions'" (Yeates, 1996, p.iv; 1999, p.xiv). The system was further revised in 1999. Australian hypnotism/hypnotherapy organizations (including the Australian Hypnotherapists Association) are seeking government regulation similar to other mental health professions. However, currently, hypnotherapy is not subject to government regulation through the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). == See also == Abreaction – Psychoanalytical term Astral projection – Interpretation of out-of-body experiences Atavistic regression – Reversion to a more primitive mental state under hypnosis Autogenic training – Relaxation technique Automatic writing – Claimed psychic ability Autosuggestion – Psychological technique related to the placebo effect Confabulation – Recall of fabricated, misinterpreted or distorted memories Doctor of Clinical


id: id2020-20260505-0
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ID2020-0.md
category: reference
title: ID2020
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ID2020
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:21:22.844050+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: id2020-20260505-0
summary:
ID2020 is an American 501(c)(3) nongovernmental organization which advocates for digital ID for the billion undocumented people worldwide and under-served groups like refugees. Clive Smith succeeded founder Dakota Gruener as executive director in 2022. The NGO was relatively unknown before being publicized because of misinformation related to the COVID-19 pandemic by conspiracy theorists. == History == ID2020 was founded by John Edge on June 27, 2014, after being inspired by a screening of Meena. On August 10, 2015, Dr. Alicia Carmona published a blog post on LinkedIn seeking input from her colleagues with examples where "identification/identity is at the core of a community problem." She noted that a new non-profit organization called Identification 2020 was soon to be formally launched. On May 20, 2016, at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, the inaugural ID2020 summit brought together over 400 people to discuss how to provide digital identity to all, a defined Sustainable Development Goal including to 1.5 billion people living without any form of recognized identification. Experts in blockchain and other cryptographic technology joined with representatives of technical standards bodies to identify how technology and other private sector expertise could achieve the goal. The 2018 summit was held in


id: indigenous-aryanism-20260505-0
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indigenous_Aryanism-0.md
category: reference
title: Indigenous Aryanism
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indigenous_Aryanism
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:21:24.064555+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: indigenous-aryanism-20260505-0
summary:
Indigenous Aryanism, also known as the Indigenous Aryans theory (IAT) and the Out of India theory (OIT), is the conviction that the Aryans are indigenous to the Indian subcontinent, and that the Indo-European languages radiated out from a homeland in India into their present locations. It is a "religio-nationalistic" view of Indian history, and propagated as an alternative to the established migration model, which considers the Pontic–Caspian steppe to be the area of origin of the Indo-European languages. Reflecting traditional Indian views based on the Puranic chronology, indigenists propose an older date than is generally accepted for the Vedic period, and argue that the Indus Valley civilisation was a Vedic civilisation. In this view, "the Indian civilization must be viewed as an unbroken tradition that goes back to the earliest period of the Sindhu-Sarasvati (or Indus) tradition (7000 or 8000 BCE)." Support for the IAT mostly exists among a subset of Indian scholars of Hindu religion and the history and archaeology of India, and plays a significant role in Hindutva politics. It has no relevance or support in mainstream scholarship. == Background == The standard view on the origins of the Indo-Aryans is that of the Indo-Aryan migrations, which states


id: indigenous-aryanism-20260505-1
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indigenous_Aryanism-1.md
category: reference
title: Indigenous Aryanism
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indigenous_Aryanism
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:21:24.064555+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: indigenous-aryanism-20260505-0
summary:
==== Cultural continuity and adaptation ==== The migration into northern India was not necessarily of a large population, but may have consisted of small groups, who introduced their language and social system into the new territory when looking for pasture for their herds. These were then emulated by larger groups, who adopted the new language and culture. Witzel also notes that "small-scale semi-annual transhumance movements between the Indus plains and the Afghan and Baluchi highlands continue to this day." == Indigenous Aryanism == According to Bryant, Indigenists ... share a conviction that the theory of an external origin of the Indo-Aryan speaking people on the Indian subcontinent has been constructed on flimsy or false assumptions and conjectures. As far as such scholars are concerned, no compelling evidence has yet been produced to posit an external origin of the Indo-Aryans [...] they have taken it upon themselves to oppose the theory of Aryan invasions and migrations—hence the label Indigenous Aryanism. The "Indigenist position" started to take shape after the discovery of the Harappan civilisation, which predates the Vedas. According to this alternative view, the Aryans are indigenous to India, the Indus Civilisation is the Vedic Civilisation, the Vedas are older than


id: indigenous-aryanism-20260505-2
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indigenous_Aryanism-2.md
category: reference
title: Indigenous Aryanism
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indigenous_Aryanism
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:21:24.064555+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: indigenous-aryanism-20260505-0
summary:
OIT-proponents have questioned the findings of genetic research, and some older DNA-research had questioned the Indo-Aryan migrations. Since 2015 however, genetic research has "revolutionarily" improved, and further confirmed the migration of Steppe pastoralists into Western Europe and South Asia, and "many scientists who were either sceptical or neutral about significant Bronze Age migrations into India have changed their opinions." ==== Cultural change ==== Indigenists contest the possibility that small groups can change culture and languages in a major way. Mainstream scholarship explains this by elite dominance and language shift. Small groups can change a larger cultural area, when an elite male group integrates in small indigenous groups which takes over the elite language, in this case leading to a language shift in northern India. Indo-Aryan languages were further disseminated with the spread of the Vedic-Brahmanical culture in the process of Sanskritisation. In this process, local traditions ("little traditions") became integrated into the "great tradition" of Brahmanical religion, disseminating Sanskrit texts and Brahmanical ideas throughout India, and abroad. This facilitated the development of the Hindu synthesis, in which the Brahmanical tradition absorbed "local popular traditions of ritual and ideology." === Redating Indian history === ==== Redating the Rig Veda and the


id: indigenous-aryanism-20260505-3
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indigenous_Aryanism-3.md
category: reference
title: Indigenous Aryanism
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indigenous_Aryanism
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:21:24.064555+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: indigenous-aryanism-20260505-0
summary:
The idea of "Indigenous Aryanism" fits into traditional Hindu ideas of religious history, namely that Hinduism has timeless origins, with the Vedic Aryans inhabiting India since ancient times. The ideas Indigenist ideas are rooted in the chronology of the Puranas, the Mahabharata and the Ramayana, which contain lists of kings and genealogies used to construct the traditional chronology of ancient India. "Indigenists" follow a "Puranic agenda", emphasising that these lists go back to the fourth millennium BCE. Megasthenes, the Greek ambassador to the Maurya court at Patna at c. 300 BCE, reported to have heard of a traditional list of 153 kings that covered 6042 years, beyond the traditional beginning of the Kali Yuga in 3102 BCE. The royal lists are based on Sūta bardic traditions, and are derived from lists which were orally transmitted and constantly reshaped. These lists are supplemented with astronomical interpretations, which are also used to reach an earlier dating for the Rigveda. Along with this comes a redating of historical personages and events, in which the Buddha is dated to 1100 BCE or even 1700 BCE, and Chandragupta Maurya (c. 300 BCE) is replaced by Chandragupta, the Gupta king. The Bharata War is dated at


id: indigenous-aryanism-20260505-4
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indigenous_Aryanism-4.md
category: reference
title: Indigenous Aryanism
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indigenous_Aryanism
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:21:24.064555+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: indigenous-aryanism-20260505-0
summary:
==== "The emerging alternative" ==== Koenraad Elst summarises "the emerging alternative to the Aryan Invasion Theory" as follows. During the 6th millennium BCE, Proto-Indo-Europeans lived in the Punjab region of northern India. As the result of demographic expansion, they spread into Bactria as the Kambojas. The Paradas moved further and inhabited the Caspian coast and much of central Asia while the Cinas moved northwards and inhabited the Tarim Basin in northwestern China, forming the Tocharian group of I-E speakers. These groups were Proto-Anatolian and inhabited that region by 2000 BCE. These people took the oldest form of the Proto-Indo-European (PIE) language with them and, while interacting with people of the Anatolian and Balkan region, transformed it into a separate dialect. While inhabiting central Asia they discovered the uses of the horse, which they later sent back to the Urheimat. Later on during their history, they went on to occupy western Europe and thus spread the Indo-European languages to that region. During the 4th millennium BCE, civilisation in India started evolving into what became the urban Indus Valley civilisation. During this time, the PIE languages evolved to Proto-Indo-Iranian. Some time during this period, the Indo-Iranians began to separate as the result


id: indigenous-aryanism-20260505-5
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indigenous_Aryanism-5.md
category: reference
title: Indigenous Aryanism
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indigenous_Aryanism
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:21:24.064555+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: indigenous-aryanism-20260505-0
summary:
=== Hindu revivalism and nationalism === In contrast to the mainstream views, the Hindu revivalist movements denied an external origin to Aryans. Dayananda Saraswati, the founder of the Arya Samaj (Society of Aryans), held that Vedas were the source of all knowledge and were revealed to the Aryans. The first man (an Aryan) was created in Tibet and, after living there for some time, the Aryans came down and inhabited India, which was previously empty. The Theosophical Society held that the Aryans were indigenous to India, but that they were also the progenitors of the European civilisation. The Society saw a dichotomy between the spiritualism of India and the materialism of Europe. According to Romila Thapar, the Hindu nationalists, eager to construct a Hindu identity for the nation, held that the original Hindus were the Aryans and that they were indigenous to India. There was no Aryan invasion and no conflict among the people of India. The Aryans spoke Sanskrit and spread the Aryan civilisation from India to the west. However, Hindutva creator V. D. Savarkar believed that Aryans migrated to South Asia. Witzel traces the "indigenous Aryan" idea to the writings of M. S. Golwalkar. Golwalkar (1939) denied any


id: indigenous-aryanism-20260505-6
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indigenous_Aryanism-6.md
category: reference
title: Indigenous Aryanism
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indigenous_Aryanism
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:21:24.064555+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: indigenous-aryanism-20260505-0
summary:
The "revisionist project" certainly is not guided by the principles of critical theory but takes, time and again, recourse to pre-enlightenment beliefs in the authority of traditional religious texts such as the Purāṇas. In the end, it belongs, as has been pointed out earlier, to a different 'discourse' than that of historical and critical scholarship. In other words, it continues the writing of religious literature, under a contemporary, outwardly 'scientific' guise ... The revisionist and autochthonous project, then, should not be regarded as scholarly in the usual post-enlightenment sense of the word, but as an apologetic, ultimately religious undertaking aiming at proving the "truth" of traditional texts and beliefs. Worse, it is, in many cases, not even scholastic scholarship at all but a political undertaking aiming at "rewriting" history out of national pride or for the purpose of "nation building". In her review of Bryant's The Indo-Aryan Controversy, which includes chapters by Elst and other "indigenists", Stephanie Jamison comments: ... the parallels between the Intelligent Design issue and the Indo-Aryan "controversy" are distressingly close. The Indo-Aryan controversy is a manufactured one with a non-scholarly agenda, and the tactics of its manufacturers are very close to those of the ID proponents


id: indigenous-aryanism-20260505-7
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indigenous_Aryanism-7.md
category: reference
title: Indigenous Aryanism
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indigenous_Aryanism
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:21:24.064555+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: indigenous-aryanism-20260505-0
summary:
Trautmann, Thomas (2005). The Aryan Debate. Oxford University Press. Trautmann, Thomas (2006). Aryans and British India. Yoda Press. ISBN 9788190227216. Literature by "indigenous Aryans" proponents Elst, Koenraad (1999). Update on the Aryan Invasion Debate. New Delhi: Aditya Prakashan. ISBN 81-86471-77-4. Archived from the original on 2013-08-07. Retrieved 2006-12-21. Kazanas, Nicholas (2002). "Indigenous Indo-Aryans and the Rigveda". Journal of Indo-European Studies. 30: 275–334. Georg Feuerstein, Subhash Kak, David Frawley, In Search of the Cradle of Civilization: New Light on Ancient India Quest Books (IL) (October, 1995) ISBN 0-8356-0720-8 Lal, B. B. (2002), The Sarasvati flows on: The continuity of Indian culture, Aryan Books International, ISBN 81-7305-202-6. Lal, B. B. (2015), The Rigvedic People: Invaders? Immigrants? or Indigenous?. See also Koenraad Elst, "Book Review: The Rig Vedic People Were Indigenous to India, Not Invaders" Mukhyananda (1997). Vedanta: In the Context of Modern Science – A Comparative Study. Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan. ASIN: B0000CPAAF. N. S. Rajaram, The Politics of History: Aryan Invasion Theory and the Subversion of Scholarship (New Delhi: Voice of India, 1995) ISBN 81-85990-28-X. Talageri, S. G., The Rigveda: A Historical Analysis, New Delhi: Aditya Prakashan, 2000 ISBN 81-7742-010-0 [1] Archived 2006-06-16 at the Wayback Machine Danino, Michel (April–June 2009). "A


id: indigo-children-20260505-0
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indigo_children-0.md
category: reference
title: Indigo children
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indigo_children
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:21:25.325201+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: indigo-children-20260505-0
summary:
Indigo children, according to a pseudoscientific New Age concept, are children who are believed to possess special, unusual, and sometimes supernatural traits or abilities. The idea is based on concepts developed in the 1970s by Nancy Ann Tappe, who wrote that she had been noticing indigo children beginning in the late 1960s. Her ideas were further developed by Lee Carroll and Jan Tober. The concept of indigo children gained popular interest with the publication of a series of books in the late 1990s and the release of several films in the following decade. A variety of books, conferences, and related materials have been created surrounding belief in the idea of indigo children and their nature and abilities. The interpretations of these beliefs range from their being the next stage in human evolution to the belief that they are more empathetic and creative than their peers. No scientific studies give credibility to the existence of indigo children or their traits. Some parents choose to label their children who have been diagnosed with learning disabilities as an indigo child to alternatively diagnose them. Critics view this as a way for parents to avoid considering pediatric treatment or a psychiatric diagnosis. Some lists


id: indigo-children-20260505-1
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indigo_children-1.md
category: reference
title: Indigo children
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indigo_children
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:21:25.325201+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: indigo-children-20260505-0
summary:
=== Relationship to attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder === Many children labeled indigo by their parents are diagnosed with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and Tober and Carroll's book The Indigo Children linked the concept with diagnosis of ADHD. David Cohen points out that labeling a child an indigo is an alternative to a diagnosis that implies mental illness, which may appeal to many parents. Cohen has stated, "The view in medicine is that ADHD is a defect. It's a disorder. If you're a parent, the idea of 'gifted' is much more appealing than the idea of a disorder." Linking the concept of indigo children with the distaste for the use of Ritalin to control ADHD, Robert Todd Carroll states "The hype and near-hysteria surrounding the use of Ritalin has contributed to an atmosphere that makes it possible for a book like Indigo Children to be taken seriously. Given the choice, who wouldn't rather believe their children are special and chosen for some high mission rather than that they have a brain disorder?" Stephen Hinshaw, a professor of psychology at the University of California, Berkeley, states that concerns regarding the overmedicalization of children are legitimate but even gifted children with ADHD learn better


id: infrared-sauna-20260505-0
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Infrared_sauna-0.md
category: reference
title: Infrared sauna
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Infrared_sauna
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:21:26.582369+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: infrared-sauna-20260505-0
summary:
An infrared sauna uses infrared heaters to emit infrared light experienced as radiant heat that is absorbed by the surface of the skin. Infrared saunas are popular in alternative therapies, where they are claimed to help with a number of medical issues including autism, cancer, and COVID-19, but these claims are not supported by credible scientific evidence. Traditional saunas differ from infrared saunas in that they heat the body primarily by conduction and convection from the heated air and by radiation of the heated surfaces in the sauna room whereas infrared saunas primarily use radiation. Infrared saunas are also used in Infrared Therapy and Waon Therapy; while there is a small amount of preliminary evidence that these therapies correlate with a number of benefits, including reduced blood pressure and increased left ventricular function, there are several problems with linking this evidence to alleged health benefits. == History == John Harvey Kellogg invented the use of radiant heat saunas with his incandescent electric light bath in 1891. He claimed that it stimulated healing in the body and in 1893 displayed his invention at the Chicago World's Fair. In 1896 the Radiant Heat Bath was patented by Kellogg and described in the


id: institute-for-creation-research-20260505-0
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Institute_for_Creation_Research-0.md
category: reference
title: Institute for Creation Research
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Institute_for_Creation_Research
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:21:27.765353+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: institute-for-creation-research-20260505-0
summary:
The Institute for Creation Research (ICR) is a creationist apologetics institute in Dallas, Texas, that specializes in media promotion of pseudoscientific creation science and interpretation of the Genesis creation narrative as a historical event. The ICR adopts the Bible as an inerrant and literal documentary of scientific and historical fact as well as religious and moral truths, and espouses a Young Earth creationist worldview. It rejects evolutionary biology, which it views as a corrupting moral and social influence and threat to religious belief. The ICR was formed by Henry M. Morris in 1972 following an organizational split with the Creation Science Research Center (CSRC). Its work in the field of creation science has been rejected by science, but has been significant in shaping creationist thought in the United States by introducing creation science through fundamentalist churches and religious schools, and by engaging in public debates against supporters of evolution. The ICR also offers unaccredited graduate level programs in Biblical Apologetics, including a minor in Creation Research. The ICR also operates the ICR Discovery Center for Science & Earth History museum in Dallas, Texas. == History == The origins of the ICR can be traced to the Creation Science Research Center


id: institute-for-creation-research-20260505-1
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Institute_for_Creation_Research-1.md
category: reference
title: Institute for Creation Research
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Institute_for_Creation_Research
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:21:27.765353+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: institute-for-creation-research-20260505-0
summary:
== Master Books == Master Books is a division within Creation-Life Publishers, another enterprise Morris helped to found. It serves as the publishing arm of the Institute for Creation Research, and specializes in theology and creation science works. Master Books' anti-evolution books are in wide distribution, promoted by most of the large creationist organizations as well as the ICR. == School and accreditation == In June 1981, the ICR received formal state approval in California to offer degree programs in science. In 1988, the ICR sought re-approval. A five-person committee from the California Department of Education sent to evaluate ICR's degree program found its graduate school consisted of only five full-time faculty and some courses were videotaped rather than professor-led instruction. The committee failed to grant re-approval by 3–2 vote, a move the ICR attributed to "religious intolerance" rather than criticisms of the quality of education it provided. This resulted in California's State Superintendent of Public Instruction barring the institute from granting master's degrees in science, which encompassed their existing graduate degree programs in the teaching of biology, geology, astrogeophysics and science. ICR filed a lawsuit against California's State Superintendent, Bill Honig, and was awarded a settlement of $225,000 permission


id: institute-for-creation-research-20260505-2
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Institute_for_Creation_Research-2.md
category: reference
title: Institute for Creation Research
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Institute_for_Creation_Research
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:21:27.765353+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: institute-for-creation-research-20260505-0
summary:
=== Scientific criticism === Young-earth creationism is rejected by nearly all scientists, including most scientists who hold to the Christian faith, with more than 45 science organizations having criticized creationism as not science. Professor Massimo Pigliucci, a professor of ecology and evolution at the State University of New York at Stony Brook, has criticized ICR for professing to present the same science as that taught in secular universities while at the same time requiring students and faculty to sign a statement of faith to ICR's fundamentalist religious mission, most notably in affirming conformity in all its work to Biblical doctrine. Pigliucci notes that any research conducted within the ICR's policy framework is prescribed at the outset by Biblical literalism, and thus antithetical to the methods and framework used by scientists. As examples, Pigliucci cites ICR scientist Harold Slusher resorting to non-Euclidean and non-Einsteinian explanations of light travel to reconcile the vast distances light travels in space with the brief timescale given in young earth creationism, and the association adopted by the ICR between the second principle of thermodynamics and the Bible's account of the fall of Adam. Pigliucci further claimed that "some of the historical claims found in the ICR


id: institute-of-noetic-sciences-20260505-0
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Institute_of_Noetic_Sciences-0.md
category: reference
title: Institute of Noetic Sciences
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Institute_of_Noetic_Sciences
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:21:28.991676+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: institute-of-noetic-sciences-20260505-0
summary:
The Institute of Noetic Sciences (IONS) is an American non-profit parapsychological research institute. It was co-founded in 1973 by former astronaut Edgar Mitchell, the sixth man to walk on the Moon, along with investor Paul N. Temple and others interested in psychic phenomena, in order to encourage and conduct research on noetics and human potentials. The Institute conducts research on topics such as psychic abilities, channeling, mind matter interaction, energy healing, intention, consciousness, and spontaneous remission. They have a long history of studying meditation, alternative healing practices, consciousness-based healthcare, spirituality, human potential, psychokinesis and survival of consciousness after bodily death. The Institute maintains a free database, available on the Internet, with citations to more than 6,500 articles about whether physical and mental health benefits might be connected to meditation and yoga. IONS is now headquartered in Novato, California, after previously being situated on a 200-acre (81 ha) campus in Petaluma that included offices, a research laboratory and a retreat center. Researchers associated with it include Dean Radin, Helané Wahbeh and Rupert Sheldrake. == History == Edgar Mitchell has reported that on his return to Earth, after the 1971 Apollo 14 Moon landing, he had an experience comparable to savikalpa samādhi.


id: insulin-potentiation-therapy-20260505-0
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Insulin_potentiation_therapy-0.md
category: reference
title: Insulin potentiation therapy
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Insulin_potentiation_therapy
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:21:30.202029+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: insulin-potentiation-therapy-20260505-0
summary:
Insulin potentiation therapy (IPT) is an unproven alternative cancer treatment using insulin as an adjunct to low-dose chemotherapy. It was promoted by a paper in the controversial and non-peer reviewed journal Medical Hypotheses. It is not an evidence-based cancer treatment, and the costs of IPT are not covered by health insurance. According to Quackwatch, "Insulin Potentiation Therapy (IPT) is one of several unproven, dangerous treatments that is promoted by a small group of practitioners without trustworthy evidence that it works." == History == It was developed by Donato Perez Garcia, MD in 1930. Originally, Garcia targeted syphilis, and later tried the treatment for chronic degenerative diseases and some types of cancer. == Method == Generally, a dose of insulin is injected into a vein, followed by a much lower dose of a chemotherapy drug. Then sugar water is injected to stop the hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) caused by the insulin injection. == Efficacy == IPT has not been proven to work. Lab research indicates that there is not even a theoretical possibility of it being an effective treatment for most cancers. Research over the decades has proved that most cancers grow when exposed to more insulin. One study of men


id: intelligent-design-movement-20260505-0
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intelligent_design_movement-0.md
category: reference
title: Intelligent design movement
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intelligent_design_movement
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:21:31.408161+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: intelligent-design-movement-20260505-0
summary:
The intelligent design movement is a neo-creationist religious campaign for broad social, academic and political change to promote and support the pseudoscientific idea of intelligent design (ID), which asserts that "certain features of the universe and of living things are best explained by an intelligent cause, not an undirected process such as natural selection." Its chief activities are a campaign to promote public awareness of this concept, the lobbying of policymakers to include its teaching in high school science classes, and legal action, either to defend such teaching or to remove barriers otherwise preventing it. The movement arose out of the creation science movement in the United States, and is driven by a small group of proponents. The Encyclopædia Britannica explains that ID cannot be empirically tested and that it fails to solve the problem of evil; thus, it is neither sound science nor sound theology. == Purpose == The overall goal of the intelligent design movement is to overthrow materialism and atheism. Its proponents believe that society has suffered "devastating" cultural consequences from adopting materialism and that science is the cause of the decay into materialism because it seeks only natural explanations, and is therefore atheistic. They believe that


id: intelligent-design-movement-20260505-1
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intelligent_design_movement-1.md
category: reference
title: Intelligent design movement
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intelligent_design_movement
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:21:31.408161+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: intelligent-design-movement-20260505-0
summary:
To talk of a purposeful or guided evolution is not to talk about evolution at all. That is "slow creation." When you understand it that way, you realize that the Darwinian theory of evolution contradicts not just the book of Genesis, but every word in the Bible from beginning to end. It contradicts the idea that we are here because a Creator brought about our existence for a purpose. That is the first thing I realized, and it carries tremendous meaning. I have built an intellectual movement in the universities and churches that we call "The Wedge," which is devoted to scholarship and writing that furthers this program of questioning the materialistic basis of science. One very famous book that's come out of The Wedge is biochemist Michael Behe's book Darwin's Black Box, which has had an enormous impact on the scientific world. Now, the way that I see the logic of our movement going is like this. The first thing you understand is that the Darwinian theory isn't true. It's falsified by all of the evidence, and the logic is terrible. When you realize that, the next question that occurs to you is, "Well, where might you get truth?"


id: intelligent-design-movement-20260505-2
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intelligent_design_movement-2.md
category: reference
title: Intelligent design movement
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intelligent_design_movement
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:21:31.408161+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: intelligent-design-movement-20260505-0
summary:
On December 6, 1993, an article by Meyer was published in The Wall Street Journal, drawing national attention to the controversy over Dean H. Kenyon's teaching of creationism. This article also gained the attention of Discovery Institute co-founder Bruce Chapman. On discovering that Meyer was developing the idea of starting a scientific research center in conversations with conservative political scientist John G. West, Chapman invited them to create a unit within the Discovery Institute called the Center for the Renewal of Science and Culture (later renamed the Center for Science and Culture). This center was dedicated to overthrowing "scientific materialism" and "fomenting nothing less than a scientific and cultural revolution." A 1995 conference, "The Death of Materialism and the Renewal of Culture," served as a blueprint for the center. By 1996 they had nearly a million dollars in grants, the largest being from Howard Ahmanson, Jr., with smaller but still large contributions coming from the Stewardship Foundation established by C. Davis Weyerhaeuser and the Maclellan Foundation, and appointed their first class of research fellows. === The wedge strategy === The wedge strategy was formulated by Phillip E. Johnson to combat the "evil" of methodological naturalism. It first came to the


id: intelligent-design-movement-20260505-3
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intelligent_design_movement-3.md
category: reference
title: Intelligent design movement
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intelligent_design_movement
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:21:31.408161+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: intelligent-design-movement-20260505-0
summary:
In the movement's sole major case, Kitzmiller v. Dover Area School District, it was represented by the Thomas More Law Center, which had been seeking a test-case on the issue for at least five years. However conflicting agendas resulted in the withdrawal of a number of Discovery Institute Fellows as expert witnesses, at the request of DI director Bruce Chapman, and mutual recriminations with the DI after the case was lost. The Alliance Defense Fund briefly represented the Foundation for Thought and Ethics in its unsuccessful motion to intervene in this case, and prepared amicus curiae briefs on behalf of the DI and FTE in it. It has also made amicus curiae submissions and offered to pay for litigation, in other (actual and potential) creationism-related cases. On a far smaller scale, Larry Caldwell and his wife operate under the name Quality Science Education for All, and have made a number of lawsuits in furtherance of the movement's anti-evolution agenda. In 2005 they brought at least three separate lawsuits to further the intelligent design movement's agenda. One was later abandoned, two were dismissed. == Reception by the public == An August 2005 poll from The Pew Forum on Religion & Public


id: intelligent-design-movement-20260505-4
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intelligent_design_movement-4.md
category: reference
title: Intelligent design movement
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intelligent_design_movement
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:21:31.408161+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: intelligent-design-movement-20260505-0
summary:
=== The "big tent" strategy === The movement's strategy as set forth by Phillip E. Johnson states the replacement of "materialist science" with "theistic science" as its primary goal; and, more generally, for intelligent design to become "the dominant perspective in science" and to "permeate our religious, cultural, moral and political life." This agenda is now being actively pursued by the Center for Science and Culture, which plays the leading role in the promotion of intelligent design. Its fellows include most of the leading intelligent design advocates: William A. Dembski, Michael Behe, Jonathan Wells and Stephen C. Meyer. Intelligent design has been described by its proponents as a 'big tent' belief, one in which all theists united by having some kind of creationist belief (but of differing opinions as regards details) can support. If successfully promoted, it would reinstate creationism in the teaching of science, after which debates regarding details could resume. In his 2002 article in Christian Research Journal, Discovery Institute fellow Paul A. Nelson credits Johnson for the 'big tent' approach and for reviving creationist debate since the Edwards v. Aguillard decision. According to Nelson, "The promise of the big tent of ID is to provide a setting


id: intelligent-design-movement-20260505-5
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intelligent_design_movement-5.md
category: reference
title: Intelligent design movement
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intelligent_design_movement
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:21:31.408161+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: intelligent-design-movement-20260505-0
summary:
The Center for Science and Culture, formerly known as the Center for the Renewal of Science and Culture, is a division of the Discovery Institute. The Center consists of a tightly knit core of people who have worked together for almost a decade to advance intelligent design as both a concept and a movement as necessary adjuncts of its wedge strategy policy. This cadre includes Phillip E. Johnson, Michael Behe, William A. Dembski and Stephen C. Meyer. They are united by a religious vision which, although it varies among the members in its particulars and is seldom acknowledged outside of the Christian press, is predicated on the shared conviction that America is in need of "renewal" which can be accomplished only by unseating "Godless" materialism and instituting religion as its cultural foundation. In his keynote address at the "Research and Progress in intelligent design" (RAPID) conference held in 2002 at Biola University, William A. Dembski described intelligent design's "dual role as a constructive scientific project and as a means for cultural renaissance." In a similar vein, the movement's hub, the Discovery Institute's Center for Science and Culture had until 2002 been the "Center for the Renewal of Science and Culture."


id: intelligent-design-movement-20260505-6
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intelligent_design_movement-6.md
category: reference
title: Intelligent design movement
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intelligent_design_movement
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:21:31.408161+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: intelligent-design-movement-20260505-0
summary:
== Activism == The intelligent design movement primarily campaigns on two fronts: a public relations campaign meant to influence the popular media and sway public opinion; and an aggressive lobbying campaign to cultivate support for the teaching of intelligent design amongst policymakers and the wider educational community. Both these activities are largely funded and directed by the Discovery Institute, from national to grassroots levels. The movement's first goal is to establish an acceptance of intelligent design at the expense of evolution in public school science; its long-term goal is no less than the "renewal" of American culture through the shaping of public policy to reflect conservative Christian values. As the Discovery Institute states, intelligent design is central to this agenda: "Design theory promises to reverse the stifling dominance of the materialist worldview, and to replace it with a science consonant with Christian and theistic convictions." The Discovery Institute has also relied on several polls to indicate the acceptance of intelligent design. A 2005 Harris poll identified ten percent of adults in the United States as taking what they called the intelligent design position, that "human beings are so complex that they required a powerful force or intelligent being to help


id: intelligent-design-movement-20260505-7
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intelligent_design_movement-7.md
category: reference
title: Intelligent design movement
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intelligent_design_movement
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:21:31.408161+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: intelligent-design-movement-20260505-0
summary:
The main battlefield for this culture war has been US regional and state school boards. Courts have also become involved as those campaigns to include intelligent design or weaken the teaching of evolution in public school science curricula are challenged on First Amendment grounds. In Kitzmiller v. Dover Area School District, the plaintiffs successfully argued that intelligent design is a form of creationism, and that the school board policy thus violated the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment. Intelligent design is an integral part of a political campaign by cultural conservatives, largely from evangelical religious convictions, that seek to redefine science to suit their own ideological agenda. Though numerically a minority of Americans, the politics of intelligent design is based less on numbers than on intensive mobilization of ideologically committed followers and savvy public relations campaigns. Political repercussions from the culturally conservative sponsorship of the issue has been divisive and costly to the effected communities, polarizing and dividing not only those directly charged with educating young people but entire local communities. With a doctrine that calls itself science among non-scientists but is rejected by the vast majority of the real practitioners, an amicable coexistence and collaboration between intelligent design advocates


id: intelligent-design-movement-20260505-8
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intelligent_design_movement-8.md
category: reference
title: Intelligent design movement
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intelligent_design_movement
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:21:31.408161+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: intelligent-design-movement-20260505-0
summary:
== Criticisms of the movement == One of the most common criticisms of the movement and its leadership is that of intellectual dishonesty, in the form of misleading impressions created by the use of rhetoric, intentional ambiguity, and misrepresented evidence. It is alleged that its goal is to lead an unwary public to reach certain conclusions, and that many have been deceived as a result. Critics of the movement, such as Eugenie Scott, Robert T. Pennock and Barbara Forrest, claim that leaders of the intelligent design movement, and the Discovery Institute in particular, knowingly misquote scientists and other experts, deceptively omit contextual text through ellipsis, and make unsupported amplifications of relationships and credentials. Theologian and molecular biophysicist Alister McGrath has a number of criticisms of the Intelligent design movement, stating that "those who adopt this approach make Christianity deeply... vulnerable to scientific progress" and defining it as just another "god-of-the-gaps" theory. He went on to criticize the movement on theological grounds as well, stating "It is not an approach I accept, either on scientific or theological grounds." Such statements commonly note the institutional affiliations of signatories for purposes of identification. But this statement strategically listed either the institution that granted


id: intelligent-design-movement-20260505-9
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intelligent_design_movement-9.md
category: reference
title: Intelligent design movement
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intelligent_design_movement
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:21:31.408161+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: intelligent-design-movement-20260505-0
summary:
== Legacy == In 2017, theoretical physicist Mano Singham wrote that since the ruling of Kitzmiller v. Dover Area School District, "little" has been "heard from" the intelligent design movement, adding "Whereas before one heard of ID all over the place, now one has to seek them out by visiting the Discovery Institute which has become kind of a refuge for the last holdouts." == See also == Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed Intelligent Design and Evolution Awareness Center Intelligent design in politics Intelligent design network Kitzmiller v. Dover Area School District Wedge strategy == Notes == == References == == External links == Center for Science and Culture Discovery Institute "Intelligent Design vs. Evolution" (Flash Video). TVW. Olympia, WA. April 26, 2006. Retrieved 2014-06-06. — Debate between paleontologist Peter Ward and Stephen C. Meyer co-founder of the Discovery Institute Understanding Evolution — A collaborative project of the University of California Museum of Paleontology and the National Center for Science Education Annas, George J. (May 25, 2006). "Intelligent Judging — Evolution in the Classroom and the Courtroom". The New England Journal of Medicine. 354 (21). Waltham, MA: Massachusetts Medical Society: 2277–2281. doi:10.1056/NEJMlim055660. ISSN 0028-4793. PMID 16723620. Dennett, Daniel C. (August 28,


id: interdimensional-ufo-hypothesis-20260505-0
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interdimensional_UFO_hypothesis-0.md
category: reference
title: Interdimensional UFO hypothesis
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interdimensional_UFO_hypothesis
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:21:32.609595+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: interdimensional-ufo-hypothesis-20260505-0
summary:
The interdimensional UFO hypothesis (IUH) is the proposal that unidentified flying object (UFO) sightings are the result of experiencing other "dimensions" or "portals" that coexist separately alongside our own. The hypothesis has been advanced by ufologists such as Meade Layne, John Keel, J. Allen Hynek, and Jacques Vallée. Proponents of the interdimensional hypothesis argue that UFOs are a modern manifestation of a phenomenon that has occurred throughout recorded human history, which in prior ages was ascribed to mythological or supernatural creatures. Jeffrey J. Kripal, Chair in Philosophy and Religious Thought at Rice University, writes: "this interdimensional reading, long a staple of Spiritualism through the famous 'fourth dimension', would have a very long life within ufology and is still very much with us today". == History == === Pre-modern history === Concepts similar to ”other dimensions” exist amongst various religious and mystical traditions, such as Islamic mysticism known as Sufism. In this tradition, the concept al-ghayb refers to the hidden, unseen, and invisible, and encompasses a range of important phenomena in Islam and in the everyday lives of Muslims. Within this mystical tradition, there is a concept of a hidden multilayered reality or world known as 'ālam al-mithāl, or “the world


id: intuitive-eating-20260505-0
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intuitive_eating-0.md
category: reference
title: Intuitive eating
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intuitive_eating
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:21:33.879930+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: intuitive-eating-20260505-0
summary:
Intuitive eating is an approach to eating that focuses on the body's response to cues of hunger and satisfaction. It aims to foster a positive relationship with food as opposed to pursuing "weight control". Additionally, intuitive eating aims to change users' views about dieting, health, and wellness, instilling a more holistic approach. It also helps to create a positive attitude and relationship towards food, physical activity, and the body. The term "intuitive eating", coined by registered dietitians Evelyn Tribole and Elyse Resch, first appeared in a 1990s peer-reviewed journal article. In 2012, Tribole's and Resch's book Intuitive Eating: A Revolutionary Program that Works was published, identifying ten components of intuitive eating and reviewing the scientific research that has been conducted on it. == Characteristics == Unlike most diets, intuitive eating does not try to ban or restrict certain foods, with its mindset being that food should not be looked at as "good or bad". Practitioners are instead encouraged to listen to their body and eat what feels right for them. Intuitive eating follows 10 guidelines: Reject the diet mentality Honor your hunger Make peace with food Challenge the food police Feel your fullness Discover the satisfaction factor Cope with your


id: ionized-jewelry-20260505-0
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ionized_jewelry-0.md
category: reference
title: Ionized jewelry
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ionized_jewelry
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:21:35.075699+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: ionized-jewelry-20260505-0
summary:
An Ionized bracelet, or ionic bracelet, is a type of metal bracelet jewelry purported to affect the chi of the wearer. No claims of effectiveness made by manufacturers have ever been substantiated by independent sources, and the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has found the bracelets are "part of a scheme devised to defraud". Q-Ray, Balance, Bio-Ray, iRenew, Rayma, and Rico's Bio-Energy brand bracelets are considered to be of the "ionized" family. Other alternative health bracelets, such as magnetic or copper therapy bracelets, are considered a different type of product. == History == In October 1973, corporate websites claim, Manuel L. Polo began investigating the effects of different metals on humans, believing that some metals offered a benefit when worn. This led directly to his creation of the Bio-Ray (Biomagnetic Regulator), the first ionized bracelet. In 1994, Andrew Park bought a Bio-Ray bracelet while visiting Barcelona, Spain. Believing that it had reduced his lower back pain, he was inspired to found QT Inc., which began manufacturing and selling Q-Ray bracelets in the United States by 1996. === Marketing claims === Western interest in the Q-Ray Ionized Bracelet rose as a result of an infomercial campaign by QT Inc., which ran


id: irano-afghan-race-20260505-0
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irano-Afghan_race-0.md
category: reference
title: Irano-Afghan race
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irano-Afghan_race
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:21:36.208774+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: irano-afghan-race-20260505-0
summary:
The Irano-Afghan race or Iranid race is an obsolete racial classification of human beings based on a now-disproven theory of biological race. Some anthropologists of the 20th century classified the populations native to the Iranian plateau as belonging to this race, which was usually seen as a subrace of the Caucasian race or the Mediterranean racial subtype of that race, depending on the authority consulted. == Physiognomy == American anthropologist Carleton S. Coon described the Irano-Afghan race as a branch of the Mediterranean race, describing them as being long-faced, high-headed and leptorrhine (having long and narrow noses). By contrast, Swedish anthropologist Bertil Lundman postulates an "Iranid" subtype of his "Eastern Mediterranean" race. American anthropologist Earnest Hooton in 1946 describes the "Iranian Plateau type" as distinct from the Atlanto-Mediterranean one: particularly in its long, high-bridged, and boldly jutting nasal promontory. It has the same huge dolichocephalic head and massive, usually long face. The great nose may be either straight or convex, more often the latter. According to Italian anthropologist Renato Biasutti the type was defined by: Brunet-white color, very dark hair and eyes, abundant pilosity; medium stature (165), slim body; very long (74) and high head with prominent occiput; long face;


id: iridology-20260505-0
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iridology-0.md
category: reference
title: Iridology
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iridology
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:21:50.546586+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: iridology-20260505-0
summary:
Iridology (also known as iridodiagnosis or iridiagnosis) is an alternative medicine technique whose proponents claim that patterns, colors, and other characteristics of the iris can be examined to determine information about a patient's systemic health. Practitioners match their observations to iris charts, which divide the iris into zones that correspond to specific parts of the human body. Iridologists see the eyes as "windows" into the body's state of health. Iridologists claim they can use the charts to distinguish between healthy systems and organs in the body and those that are overactive, inflamed, or distressed. Iridologists claim this information demonstrates a patient's susceptibility towards certain illnesses, reflects past medical problems, or predicts later health problems. As opposed to evidence-based medicine, iridology is not supported by quality research studies and is considered pseudoscience. The features of the iris are one of the most stable features on the human body throughout life. The stability of iris structures is the foundation of the biometric technology which uses iris recognition for identification purposes. == History == Medical practitioners have been searching the eyes for signs of illness since at least 3,000 BCE. The first explicit description of iridological principles, such as homolaterality (without using the


id: iridology-20260505-1
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iridology-1.md
category: reference
title: Iridology
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iridology
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:21:50.546586+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: iridology-20260505-0
summary:
== Scientific research into iridology == Well-controlled scientific evaluation of iridology has shown negative results, with all rigorous double blind trials failing to find any statistical significance to its claims. In 2015, the Australian Government's Department of Health published the results of a review of alternative therapies that sought to determine if any were suitable for being covered by health insurance. Iridology was one of 17 therapies evaluated for which no clear evidence of effectiveness was found. A German study from 1957, which took more than 4,000 iris photographs of more than 1,000 people, concluded that iridology was useless as a diagnostic tool. In 1979, Bernard Jensen, a leading American iridologist, and two other iridology proponents failed to establish the basis of their practice when they examined photographs of the eyes of 143 patients in an attempt to determine which ones had kidney impairments. Of the patients, 48 had been diagnosed with kidney disease, and the rest had normal kidney function. Based on their analysis of the patients' irises, the three iridologists could not detect which patients had kidney disease and which did not. One iridologist, for example, decided that 88% of the normal patients had kidney disease, while another


id: irlen-syndrome-20260505-0
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irlen_syndrome-0.md
category: reference
title: Irlen syndrome
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irlen_syndrome
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:21:51.734310+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: irlen-syndrome-20260505-0
summary:
Irlen syndrome (or scotopic sensitivity syndrome) is a purported medical condition defined by disordered visual processing. It is proposed that it can be treated by wearing colored lenses. The ideas of Irlen syndrome are not supported by scientific evidence, and psychologists and medical professionals have described its treatment as a health fraud. == History == The condition was proposed in the 1980s, by Helen Irlen, an educational psychologist. Irlen found that certain children and adults who had reading difficulties improved upon overlaying coloured acetate sheets on top of the text that was being read. Irlen defines the Syndrome as a light-based visual processing problem. She theorizes that the brain is unable to process light and visual stimuli efficiently, leading to visual stress and poor reading comprehension. The symptoms of Irlen Syndrome can include behavioural difficulties, reading difficulties, headaches, fatigue, and light sensitivity. The diagnostic test for Irlen Syndrome was developed by Irlen, and consists of a questionnaire of 32 questions, a series of visual tasks, and an assessment where coloured lenses are presented to the patient to see if there is any reading improvement when using them. Irlen has not provided any data related to the diagnostic test or released


id: isochronic-tones-20260505-0
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isochronic_tones-0.md
category: reference
title: Isochronic tones
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isochronic_tones
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:21:52.921365+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: isochronic-tones-20260505-0
summary:
Isochronic tones are regular beats of a single tone that are used alongside monaural beats and binaural beats in the process called brainwave entrainment (synchronization of brainwaves). At its simplest level, an isochronic tone is a tone that is being turned on and off rapidly. The sounds are played in both ears. They create sharp, distinctive pulses of sound. Isochronic tones are tones of any frequency that recur at regular intervals, usually rapid. Isochronic tones can quantitatively be distinguished by both the frequency or pitch of the tone itself, and by the interval or frequency of repetition of the tone. While listening to isochronic tones is a technique often employed in the theoretical practice of brainwave entrainment, there has been very little research related to any claims of health benefits by listening to isochronic tones. A form of auditory beats stimulation that uses alternating tones may be considered a derivative of isochronic tones; alternatively, isochronic tones can be considered, along with monaural beats and binaural beats, to be a subtype of auditory beats stimulation. == See also == Audio–visual entrainment Hemi-Sync Trance == References == ‌


id: ivermectin-during-the-covid-19-pandemic-20260505-0
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ivermectin_during_the_COVID-19_pandemic-0.md
category: reference
title: Ivermectin during the COVID-19 pandemic
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ivermectin_during_the_COVID-19_pandemic
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:21:54.136732+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: ivermectin-during-the-covid-19-pandemic-20260505-0
summary:
Ivermectin is an antiparasitic drug that is well established for use in animals and people. The World Health Organization (WHO), the European Medicines Agency (EMA), the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) all do not advise using ivermectin in an attempt to treat or prevent COVID-19. Early in the COVID-19 pandemic, laboratory research suggested ivermectin might have a role in preventing or treating COVID-19. Online misinformation campaigns and advocacy boosted the drug's profile among the public. While scientists and physicians largely remained skeptical, some nations adopted ivermectin as part of their pandemic-control efforts. Some people, desperate to use ivermectin without a prescription, took veterinary preparations, which led to shortages of supplies of ivermectin for animal treatment. The FDA responded to this situation by saying "You are not a horse. You are not a cow. Seriously, y'all. Stop it", in a tweet to draw attention to the issue, for which they were later sued by three ivermectin-prescribing doctors. Subsequent research failed to confirm the utility of ivermectin for COVID-19, and in 2021 it emerged that many of the studies demonstrating benefit were faulty, misleading, or fraudulent. Nevertheless, misinformation about ivermectin continued to


id: ivermectin-during-the-covid-19-pandemic-20260505-1
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ivermectin_during_the_COVID-19_pandemic-1.md
category: reference
title: Ivermectin during the COVID-19 pandemic
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ivermectin_during_the_COVID-19_pandemic
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:21:54.136732+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: ivermectin-during-the-covid-19-pandemic-20260505-0
summary:
=== COVID-19 and strongyloidiasis === There is one very specific circumstance in which ivermectin may be useful in the management of COVID-19. People infected with the Strongyloides stercoralis parasite are at risk for strongyloides hyperinfection syndrome (SHS) — a condition with a mortality rate as high as 90% — if given corticosteroids to treat COVID-19. Strongyloidiasis affects as many as 370 million people worldwide, and it is usually subclinical or even asymptomatic. However, it can become fatal in the setting of SHS, which can be triggered by the immunosuppression that results from the administration of corticosteroids. In fact, multiple cases of SHS have been reported after the use of corticosteroids in the management of COVID-19 pneumonia. For this reason, the World Health Organization (WHO), the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) and the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) all recommend presumptive treatment for strongyloidiasis with ivermectin in people at high or moderate risk of SHS before or in conjunction with corticosteroids in the management of COVID-19. People who were born, resided, or had long-term travel in Southeast Asia, Oceania, sub-Saharan Africa, South America, or the Caribbean are


id: ivermectin-during-the-covid-19-pandemic-20260505-2
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ivermectin_during_the_COVID-19_pandemic-2.md
category: reference
title: Ivermectin during the COVID-19 pandemic
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ivermectin_during_the_COVID-19_pandemic
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:21:54.136732+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: ivermectin-during-the-covid-19-pandemic-20260505-0
summary:
== Intellectual property and economics == As the patent on ivermectin has expired, generic drug manufacturers have been able to enjoy significantly increased revenue prompted by the spike in demand. One Brazilian company, Vitamedic Industria Farmaceutica, saw its annual revenue from ivermectin sales increase to $85 million in 2020, a more than fivefold increase. In Australia in 2020 Thomas Borody, a professor and gastroenterologist, announced that he had discovered a "cure" for COVID-19: a combination of ivermectin, doxycycline and zinc. In a media interview Borody stated "The biggest thing about this is no one will make money from this". It later emerged that Topelia Australia, Borody's company, had filed a patent for the drug combination. Borody was accused of not adequately disclosing his conflict of interest. In October 2021 a large network of companies selling hydroxychloroquine and ivermectin was disclosed in the US, targeting primarily right-wing and vaccine-hesitant groups through social media and conspiracy videos by anti-vaccine activists such as Simone Gold. The network had 72,000 customers who collectively paid $15 million for consultations and medications. == Misinformation and advocacy == Ivermectin became a cause célèbre for right-wing figures promoting it as a supposed COVID treatment. Misinformation about ivermectin's efficacy


id: ivermectin-during-the-covid-19-pandemic-20260505-3
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ivermectin_during_the_COVID-19_pandemic-3.md
category: reference
title: Ivermectin during the COVID-19 pandemic
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ivermectin_during_the_COVID-19_pandemic
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:21:54.136732+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: ivermectin-during-the-covid-19-pandemic-20260505-0
summary:
=== Front Line COVID-19 Critical Care Alliance === In December 2020, the chair of the US Senate Homeland Security Committee, Ron Johnson, used a Senate hearing to promote fringe theories about, and unproven treatments for, COVID-19, including ivermectin. Among the witnesses was Pierre Kory, a pulmonary and critical care doctor, who erroneously described ivermectin as "miraculous" and a "wonder drug" to be used against COVID-19. Video footage of his statements went viral on social media, receiving over one million views as of 11 December 2020. In the United States, the use of ivermectin for COVID-19 is championed by an organization led by Kory called Front Line COVID-19 Critical Care Alliance (FLCCC), which promotes "the global movement to move #Ivermectin into the mainstream". The effort went viral on social media, where it was adopted by COVID deniers, anti-vaccination proponents, and conspiracy theorists. A review article by FLCCC members on the efficacy of ivermectin, which had been provisionally accepted by a Frontiers in Pharmacology, was subsequently rejected on account of what the publisher called "a series of strong, unsupported claims based on studies with insufficient statistical significance" meaning that the article did "not offer an objective [or] balanced scientific contribution to the


id: john-major-jenkins-20260505-0
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Major_Jenkins-0.md
category: reference
title: John Major Jenkins
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Major_Jenkins
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:21:56.584518+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: john-major-jenkins-20260505-0
summary:
John Major Jenkins (4 March 1964 – 2 July 2017) was an American author and pseudoscientific researcher. He is best known for his works that theorize certain astronomical and esoteric connections of the calendar systems used by the Maya civilization of pre-Columbian Mesoamerica. His writings are particularly associated with 2012 millenarianism and the development of Mayanism in contemporary and popular culture, as an outgrowth from the New Age milieu. He is one of the principal figures who have promoted the idea that the ancient Maya calendar ends on 21 December 2012 and that this portended major changes for the Earth. He has self-published a number of books through his Four Ahau Press. He died on 2 July 2017 from cancer of the kidney at the age of 53. == Alternative view of cosmology == Jenkins considered scientific approaches to cosmology a byproduct of limited thinking. In Tzolkin: Visionary Perspectives and Calendar Studies, he writes, "I primarily wish to promote a visionary approach to these matters, as there is much more to the Sacred Calendar than can be seen with the rational intellect," and that these visionary perspectives "can more closely touch the spirit of the calendar" than does the anthropological


id: jewish-astrology-20260505-0
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jewish_astrology-0.md
category: reference
title: Jewish astrology
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jewish_astrology
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:21:57.914324+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: jewish-astrology-20260505-0
summary:
Astrology in Jewish antiquity (Hebrew: מזלות, romanized: mazzalot) is the belief that celestial bodies can influence the affairs of individuals and of entire nations upon the earth. This involves the study of the celestial bodies' respective energies based on recurring patterns that change by the hour, by the week, month, year or by several years (time categories). In each of these time categories one of the seven planetary spheres, or what are known as the seven classical planets: the Sun, Venus, Mercury, the Moon, Saturn, Jupiter, or Mars, along with the month's current Zodiac constellation, come into play and influence the sublunary world. At times, it involves a complex combination of several of these factors working together. In Judaism this belief is expressed by the biblical affirmation: "Do you know the laws of heaven / Or impose its authority on earth?" (Job 38:33), from which statement the Sages of Israel have inferred, "There is no single herb below without its corresponding star above, that beats upon it and commands it to grow." Complementary to the records of past civilisations, the corpus of Jewish literature has preserved many of the details instructive of the determining factors involved in rendering any astrological


id: jewish-astrology-20260505-1
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jewish_astrology-1.md
category: reference
title: Jewish astrology
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jewish_astrology
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:21:57.914324+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: jewish-astrology-20260505-0
summary:
== Proscription against idolatry == The rabbis have distinguished between gaining an occult knowledge of the stars' influences on human beings (which is permitted) and the actual worshipping of the stars (which is prohibited), a view that is also met with the Scripture; cf. [the stars and all the host of heaven] "which the Lord thy God hath divided unto all nations" (Deut. 4:19), that is to say, the stars, which God appointed to be the means of governing His creatures, and not the objects of man's worship. The Midrash HaGadol (on Deuteronomy 4:19) clarifies what is meant by, "[And beware] lest you raise your eyes to heaven, etc." It is hereby inferred that you are not to say, 'since these stars and constellations govern the world, and they provide light unto the entire universe, and they serve before their Creator on High, it is fitting that we serve them and bow down unto them, just as the king would want [all] human beings to behave with respect towards his servants and ministers.' For this reason it says, lest you raise your eyes to heaven, beware that you do not err in this manner, on account of what [is written],


id: jewish-astrology-20260505-2
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jewish_astrology-2.md
category: reference
title: Jewish astrology
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jewish_astrology
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:21:57.914324+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: jewish-astrology-20260505-0
summary:
The observance and reckoning of the movements of the 12 constellations are believed by some scholars to have been learnt from Hellenistic culture, after first being divested of influences that were deemed idolatrous. Accordingly, it was believed that God determined that each of the seven planets be subordinate to the twelve constellations of the Zodiac, and work in conjunction with them. For example, the Sun is directly subservient to the influences emanating from the constellation known as Leo, while the Moon is subservient to the influences emanating from the constellation known as Cancer. Mars is subservient to the influences emanating from two constellations, namely, Aries and Scorpio. The planet Venus is also subservient to the influences emanating from two constellations, namely, Taurus and Libra. The planet Mercury is, likewise, subservient to two constellations, drawing its influences from them, namely, that of Gemini and Virgo. The planet Saturn is subservient to two constellations, those being Capricorn and Aquarius, whence it draws its influences. Finally, the planet Jupiter is directly subordinate to the influences emanating from Sagittarius and Pisces. Weekly nocturnal duties: Each of the seven planets takes turn governing one day of the week, with the active involvement of all the


id: jewish-astrology-20260505-3
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jewish_astrology-3.md
category: reference
title: Jewish astrology
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jewish_astrology
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:21:57.914324+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: jewish-astrology-20260505-0
summary:
Since the Moon begins its turn of duty in the first hour of every Monday morning, and Jupiter begins its turn of duty in the first hour of every Thursday morning, and since both these planets are considered planets possessing good influences, it follows that Mondays and Thursdays are considered auspicious days in the Jewish calendar.


id: jewish-astrology-20260505-4
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jewish_astrology-4.md
category: reference
title: Jewish astrology
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jewish_astrology
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:21:57.914324+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: jewish-astrology-20260505-0
summary:
=== Energies emanating from the seven classical planets === By saying, "on the night of such-and-such a weekday," the sense here is to the idea in Jewish tradition, where nightfall ushers-in a new day, as is written (Gen. 1:5): "And the evening and the morning were the first day." Therefore, the "night of Sunday" is to be understood as beginning on Saturday night, when the first three stars appear in the night sky; the "night of Saturday" is, likewise, to be understood as beginning on Friday night, when the first three stars appear in the night sky, and so forth, and so on. === Other factors taken into consideration === To accurately determine the time in which each of the classical planets are in their respective line of duty, per hour, one must either have access to a printed lunar calendar showing the Jewish months, and know the precise starting point for each day and night, or else be familiar with the ever-changing aspects of the Jewish months, as the planetary influences will change with the conjunction of the moon with the sun, also known as the New Moon (occurring every 29 days, 12 hours and 793 parts of an


id: jewish-astrology-20260505-5
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jewish_astrology-5.md
category: reference
title: Jewish astrology
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jewish_astrology
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:21:57.914324+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: jewish-astrology-20260505-0
summary:
== Kabbalah == The Kabbalist and rabbi Hayyim ben Joseph Vital explained the seven classical planets in a more conceptual and esoteric sense. While ranking ten spheres (realms) (Hebrew: גלגלים) from the highest to the lowest, he describes the Ninth Sphere as having nothing in it, and which rejects the presence of any star. As for the Eighth Sphere (Hebrew: גלגל השמיני), he states that all the stars of the universe, with the 12 constellations of the Zodiac, are contained therein, being below the Ninth Sphere, while each of the Seven classical planets occupies a space or realm below them: In the Seventh Sphere there is only one planet, Saturn (shabtai); in the Sixth Sphere there is only one planet, Jupiter (tzedek); in the Fifth Sphere there is only one planet, Mars (ma'adim); in the Fourth Sphere there is only one star, the Sun (ḥamah); in the Third Sphere there is only one planet, Venus (nogah); in the Second Sphere there is only one planet, Mercury; and in the First Sphere there is only the Moon (levanah). Hayyim Vital does not speak about their physical distance in relation to the earth, seeing that, besides the Moon (a satellite), the planet


id: jewish-astrology-20260505-6
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jewish_astrology-6.md
category: reference
title: Jewish astrology
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jewish_astrology
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:21:57.914324+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: jewish-astrology-20260505-0
summary:
== Further reading == Bar-Ilan, Meir [in Hebrew] (2010). Astrology and Other Sciences among the Jews in Land of Israel During the Hellenistic-Roman and Byzantine Periods (in Hebrew). Jerusalem: Bialik Institute. Charlesworth, J.H. (1977). "Jewish Astrology in the Talmud, Pseudepigrapha, the Dead Sea Scrolls, and Early Palestinian Synagogues". The Harvard Theological Review. 70 (3/4). Cambridge University Press on behalf of the Harvard Divinity School: 183–200. doi:10.1017/S0017816000019908. JSTOR 1509628. S2CID 163300042. Rubenstein, Jeffrey L. (2007). "Talmudic Astrology: Bavli Šabbat 156a–b". Hebrew Union College Annual. 78. Hebrew Union College Press: 109–148. JSTOR 23508945. Schwartz, Dov (1993), "Astrology and Astral Magic in the Writings of Solomon Alconstantin", Jerusalem Studies in Jewish Folklore (in Hebrew), vol. 15, Mandel Institute for Jewish Studies, JSTOR 23356290, OCLC 5542562900 [Solomon Alconstantin (or Alcostantin) is the author of the book Megalleh ʿAmuqot, which exists in manuscript only and consists of two parts. The first and shorter part, written in 1352 in Burgos, defends the legitimacy of astrology; its text appears at the end of this paper]. == External links == Jewish Encyclopedia (1906) – Astrology David Clive Rubin, Astrology in the Torah: A Comparative Study of Astrological Themes in the Hebrew Bible and Babylonian Talmud, Dissertation submitted in


id: journal-of-traditional-chinese-medicine-20260505-0
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Journal_of_Traditional_Chinese_Medicine-0.md
category: reference
title: Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Journal_of_Traditional_Chinese_Medicine
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:21:59.109961+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: journal-of-traditional-chinese-medicine-20260505-0
summary:
The Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine was the first English-language journal on the subject of traditional Chinese medicine, including acupuncture, herbal medicine, homeopathy, massotherapy, mind-body therapies, palliative care and other topics in complementary and alternative medicine. The journal was original established in Chinese as Chung i tsa chih ying wen pan in 1955. The English edition of the Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine was first published in 1981. It is jointly sponsored and published by the China Association of Chinese Medicine and the China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences. Its headquarters are in Beijing. The journal is also published in German, Italian, Spanish, French and Portuguese editions. == Abstracting and indexing == The journal is abstracted and indexed in the following bibliographic databases: EMBASE MEDLINE Science Citation Index Expanded Scopus == References == == External links == Website of the Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine Archived 2018-06-26 at the Wayback Machine Website of JTCM on Elsevier Archived 2018-06-26 at the Wayback Machine Website of the Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine http://journaltcm.cn


id: juan-baigorri-velar-20260505-0
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Juan_Baigorri_Velar-0.md
category: reference
title: Juan Baigorri Velar
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Juan_Baigorri_Velar
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:22:00.268321+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: juan-baigorri-velar-20260505-0
summary:
Juan Pedro Baigorri Velar (1891 in Concepción del Uruguay – 24 March 1972 in Buenos Aires) was an Argentine engineer; known for his claims that he had invented a rain-making machine. == Career == His father was a military officer. Raised in Buenos Aires, he studied at the Colegio Nacional. Later, he travelled to Italy, where he attended the University of Milan and received a degree in engineering, with a specialty in geophysics. He worked for several fuel companies, which involved trips to numerous countries, investigating soil composition and exploring for oil. During the course of these trips he made his own instruments, for detecting minerals and electromagnetism. In 1929, he was invited by Enrique Mosconi to join the newly created YPF, a state-owned Argentine energy company. He had been working primarily from the United States but, at that time, he returned to Argentina and settled there permanently. == The Rain-Making Machine == According to the newspaper Crítica, its invention came about accidentally, when he was in Bolivia using his mineral detecting device. When it was connected, a light rain suddenly began to fall. He apparently concluded that was due to the "electromagnetic congestion" it produced. After that, he spent


id: junk-science-20260505-0
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Junk_science-0.md
category: reference
title: Junk science
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Junk_science
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:22:01.480829+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: junk-science-20260505-0
summary:
Junk science is spurious or fraudulent scientific data, research, or analysis. The concept is often invoked in political and legal contexts where facts and scientific results have a great amount of weight in making a determination. It usually conveys a pejorative connotation that the research has been untowardly driven by political, ideological, financial, or otherwise unscientific motives. The concept was popularized in the 1990s in relation to expert testimony in civil litigation. More recently, invoking the concept has been a tactic to criticize research on the harmful environmental or public health effects of corporate activities, and occasionally in response to such criticism. In some contexts, junk science is counterposed to the "sound science" or "solid science" that favors one's own point of view. Junk science has been criticized for undermining public trust in real science. Junk science is not the same as pseudoscience. == Definition == Junk science has been defined as: "science done to establish a preconceived notion—not to test the notion, which is what proper science tries to do, but to establish it regardless of whether or not it would hold up to real testing." "opinion posing as empirical evidence, or through evidence of questionable warrant, based on


id: junk-science-20260505-1
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Junk_science-1.md
category: reference
title: Junk science
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Junk_science
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:22:01.480829+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: junk-science-20260505-0
summary:
Since no such proof is possible [that genetically modified food is harmless], the article in The New York Times was what is called a "bad rap" against the U.S. Department of Agriculture—a bad rap based on a junk-science belief that it's possible to prove a null hypothesis. Agin asks the reader to step back from the rhetoric, as "how things are labeled does not make a science junk science." In its place, he offers that junk science is ultimately motivated by the desire to hide undesirable truths from the public. The rise of open-access (free to read) journals has resulted in economic pressure on academic publishers to publish junk science. Even when the journal is peer-reviewed, the authors, rather than the readers, become the customer and the source of funding for the journal, so the publisher is incentivized to publish as many papers as possible, including those that are methodologically unsound. == Misuse in public relations == John Stauber and Sheldon Rampton of PR Watch say the concept of junk science has come to be invoked in attempts to dismiss scientific findings that stand in the way of short-term corporate profits. In their book Trust Us, We're Experts (2001), they


id: kambo-drug-20260505-0
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kambo_(drug)-0.md
category: reference
title: Kambo (drug)
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kambo_(drug)
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:22:02.677436+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: kambo-drug-20260505-0
summary:
Kambo, also known as sapo (from Portuguese: sapo, lit. 'toad') or vacina-do-sapo, is substance derived from the natural secretions of an amphibian belonging to the Phyllomedusa family. Commonly the dried skin secretions of the giant leaf frog, known as the kambô in Portuguese, a species of frog, are used for ritualistic purposes with a strong religious and spiritual components. Less commonly it is used as a transdermal medicine, however, evidence for its effectiveness is limited. Kambo is usually used in a group setting, called a kambo circle or kambo ceremony. The effects on humans usually include tachycardia, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. A meta-review of 50 studies in which 11 cases of acute intoxication were examined found that extreme cases have included psychosis (occasionally severe), SIADH, kidney damage (including acute renal failure), pancreas damage, liver damage including toxic hepatitis, dermatomyositis, esophageal rupture, and seizures, in some cases leading to death, although such incidents are limited in number and some evidence suggests precipitation by medical contraindications. Kambo, which originated as a folk medicine practice among some indigenous peoples in the Amazon basin, is also administered as a complementary medicine and alternative medicine treatment in the West, often as a pseudoscientific cleanse or


id: kambo-drug-20260505-1
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kambo_(drug)-1.md
category: reference
title: Kambo (drug)
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kambo_(drug)
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:22:02.677436+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: kambo-drug-20260505-0
summary:
=== Medical claims === Non-indigenous users and practitioners of kambo claim that the alternative medicine helps with a wide variety of issues and conditions. These claims include treating addiction, depression, and chronic pain, reducing fevers, increasing fertility, boosting energy and physical strength, and improving mental clarity. It is also claimed that kambo removes negative energy. There is currently no scientific evidence to support positive health effect claims.. There is no solid medical evidence on how the frog toxins work, whether they are useful for treating anything, and whether they can be used safely: no clinical trials have tested them on humans, as of November 2019. Reports of adverse effects are numerous, including for use with experienced guidance. Kym Jenkins of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists, in a Sydney Morning Herald article, said "people with mental illness are a more vulnerable group anyway for a variety of reasons. If you're feeling very anxious or very depressed, you're automatically more vulnerable, and you could be more susceptible to people advertising or marketing a quick fix. I do have concerns that people can be preyed upon when they are more vulnerable." The Australian Medical Association (AMA) supports the TGA's


id: kambo-drug-20260505-2
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kambo_(drug)-2.md
category: reference
title: Kambo (drug)
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kambo_(drug)
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:22:02.677436+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: kambo-drug-20260505-0
summary:
The frog secretes a range of small chemical compounds of a type called peptides, which have several different effects. Peptides found in the frog secretions include the opioid peptides dermorphin and deltorphin, the vasodilator sauvagine, and dermaseptin, which exhibits antimicrobial properties in vitro. Various other substances such as phyllomedusin, phyllokinin, caerulein, and adrenoregulin are also present. There is active medical research into the peptides found in the skin secretions of Phyllomedusa bicolor, focusing on discovering their biological effects. There have been some preclinical trials in mice and rats, but no phase-1 tests or clinical trials of safety in humans, as of November 2019. Most of the kambo-related bioactive peptides so far characterized have displayed potential applications in medicine, such as phyllocaeruleins with hypotensive properties, tachykinins and phyllokinins as vasodilators, dermorphins and deltorphins with opiate-like properties, and adenoregulins with antibiotic properties. In a clinical trial of a randomized, placebo-controlled study in postoperative pain, dermorphin administered via the intrathecal route was "impressively superior" over the placebo and the reference compound morphine." Due to the numerous biological activities of these substances and the similarities with the amino acid sequences related to mammalian neuropeptides and hormones, many have aroused the interest from a medical


id: keraunography-20260505-0
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keraunography-0.md
category: reference
title: Keraunography
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keraunography
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:22:03.951919+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: keraunography-20260505-0
summary:
Keraunography or keranography is the belief that lightning, when striking an object (generally a human body), can leave markings which constitute a photographic image of surrounding objects. It is generally considered a myth: lightning can leave markings, called Lichtenberg figures, but they are not photographic. == Origins == Like most folklore, it is impossible to trace the origins of keraunography. However, it seems to have attracted scientific and media attention in England in the early 19th century, and by Victorian times the term "keraunography" had been coined to describe numerous unconnected events. With increasing scientific understanding of electricity and the popularity of photography, the time was right in the 19th century for keraunography, which seems to combine both concepts, to enter the public consciousness. However, it is likely that anecdotal accounts of keraunography had existed long before there was a word for it. == Modern perception == Although to some degree science has still not fully explained all the behaviours of lightning, very few people currently accept keraunography as truth. It is evident that lightning strikes do indeed produce burn marks, and like any basically random shape (clouds, birthmarks, inkblots, etc.) it is human nature to see shapes in them.


id: kimodameshi-20260505-0
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kimodameshi-0.md
category: reference
title: Kimodameshi
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kimodameshi
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:22:05.115456+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: kimodameshi-20260505-0
summary:
Kimodameshi (肝試し or きもだめし, pronounced [kʲimodaꜜmeɕi]; lit. "testing one's liver"), known in English as a test of courage, is a Japanese activity in which people explore frightening and potentially dangerous places to build up courage. At night, usually during the summer, a group of people visits an ominous place such as a cemetery, haunted house, or secluded forest path to carry out specific missions there. The exercise teaches the group that, working together, they can overcome their fear. == History == In Ōkagami, a Japanese historical tale from the early 12th century, it is written that Emperor Kazan sent three of Fujiwara no Kaneie's sons to a house purportedly haunted by oni at 3 o'clock in the morning; only Fujiwara no Michinaga succeeded in visiting the house, returning with a sword-damaged wooden post as evidence. This suggests that the idea of a "test of courage" had existed near the end of Japan's Heian period. == Modern day == Kimodameshi may be overseen and carried out by school clubs or summer camps. In such instances, some preparation may be involved, and others may assume the role of scaring the participants. === Law === Without proper consideration, kimodameshi can result in crimes


id: kirlian-photography-20260505-0
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kirlian_photography-0.md
category: reference
title: Kirlian photography
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kirlian_photography
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:22:06.287636+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: kirlian-photography-20260505-0
summary:
Kirlian photography is a collection of photographic techniques used to capture the phenomenon of electrical coronal discharges. It is named after Soviet inventor and researcher of Armenian descent Semyon Kirlian, who, in 1939, accidentally discovered that if an object on a photographic plate is connected to a high-voltage source, an image is produced on the photographic plate. The technique has been variously known as electrography, electrophotography, corona(l) discharge photography (CDP), bioelectrography, gas discharge visualization (GDV), electrophotonic imaging (EPI), and, in Russian literature, Kirlianography. Kirlian photography has been the subject of scientific research, parapsychology research, and art. Paranormal claims have been made about Kirlian photography, but these claims are rejected by the scientific community. To a large extent, it has been used in alternative medicine research. == History == In 1889, Czech Bartoloměj Navrátil coined the word "electrography". Seven years later in 1896, a French experimenter, Hippolyte Baraduc, created electrographs of hands and leaves. In 1898, Polish-Belarusian engineer Jakub Jodko-Narkiewicz demonstrated electrography at the fifth exhibition of the Russian Technical Society. In 1939, two Czechs, S. Pratt and J. Schlemmer, published photographs showing a glow around leaves. The same year, Soviet electrical engineer Semyon Kirlian and his wife Valentina developed Kirlian


id: kirlian-photography-20260505-1
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kirlian_photography-1.md
category: reference
title: Kirlian photography
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kirlian_photography
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:22:06.287636+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: kirlian-photography-20260505-0
summary:
=== Parapsychology research === In 1968, Thelma Moss, a psychology professor, headed University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)'s Neuropsychiatric Institute (NPI), which was later renamed the Semel Institute. The NPI had a laboratory dedicated to parapsychology research and staffed mostly with volunteers. The lab was unfunded, unsanctioned and eventually shut down by the university. Toward the end of her tenure at UCLA, Moss became interested in Kirlian photography, a technique that supposedly measured the "auras" of a living being. According to Kerry Gaynor, one of her former research assistants, "many felt Kirlian photography's effects were just a natural occurrence." Paranormal claims of Kirlian photography have not been observed or replicated in experiments by the scientific community. The physiologist Gordon Stein has written that Kirlian photography is a hoax that has "nothing to do with health, vitality, or mood of a subject photographed." === Claims === Kirlian believed that images created by Kirlian photography might depict a conjectural energy field, or aura, thought, by some, to surround living things. Kirlian and his wife were convinced that their images showed a life force or energy field that reflected the physical and emotional states of their living subjects. They thought that these images


id: kundali-astrology-20260505-0
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kundali_(astrology)-0.md
category: reference
title: Kundali (astrology)
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kundali_(astrology)
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:22:07.479275+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: kundali-astrology-20260505-0
summary:
Kuṇḍali (also called janmapatra) is the Indian term for the astrological chart or diagram representing the positions of the navagraha-s of Indian astrology at a particular moment like the moment of the birth of a child. The navagraha-s are the Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn, and the two nodes of the Moon. The nodes of the Moon are the points on the celestial sphere where the orbit of the Moon intersects the orbit of the Sun. At a particular moment the navagraha-s will be at different points in the sky and they will be located in one of the 12 zodiacal signs (rāśi-s in Indian astrology), namely: 1. Meṣa (Aries), 2. Vṛṣabha (Taurus), 3.Mithuna (Gemini), 4. Karka (Cancer), 5. Siṃha (Leo), 6. Kanyā (Virgo), 7. Tulā (Libra), 8. Vṛścika (Scorpio), 9. Dhanuṣa (Sagittarius), 10. Makara (Capricornus), 11. Kumbha (Aquarius), 12. Mīna (Pisces) A kuṇḍali will show diagrammatically which one of the navagraha-s are located in which one of the rāśi-s at a particular moment. A kuṇḍali has twelve cells to represent the 12 zodiacal signs. Practitioners of astrology in different parts of India follow different conventions regarding the exact form in which the kuṇḍali is constructed. Essentially


id: vishen-lakhiani-20260505-0
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vishen_Lakhiani-0.md
category: reference
title: Vishen Lakhiani
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vishen_Lakhiani
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:22:08.648006+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: vishen-lakhiani-20260505-0
summary:
Vishen Lakhiani (born 14 January 1976) is a Malaysian entrepreneur, author, and motivational speaker of Indian descent. He is the founder and CEO of Mindvalley and author of two books: The Code of the Extraordinary Mind and The Buddha and the Badass. == Career == Born and raised in Kuala Lumpur, Lakhiani attended a Malaysian state school. After graduating from high school, he moved to the United States and attended the University of Michigan, where he received a bachelor's degree in computer engineering. During his university years, he was an active member of AIESEC. After graduating in 2001, he moved to Silicon Valley. === Mindvalley === Mindvalley is an educational technology company co-founded by Lakhiani and Michael Reining that publishes products focused on personal spiritual development and lifelong learning, such as the meditation app Omvana. Founded in New York City in December 2002, Reining and Lakhiani were forced to relocate Mindvalley to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, in 2004 when the United States declined to renew Lakhiani's work visa. In late 2020, Mindvalley added a course, hosted by Lakhiani, on the Silva Method for accessing altered states of mind and intuition. === Dealmates === Dealmates was a Malaysia-based e-commerce site that Lakhiani


id: language-secessionism-20260505-0
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Language_secessionism-0.md
category: reference
title: Language secessionism
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Language_secessionism
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:22:09.851113+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: language-secessionism-20260505-0
summary:
Language secessionism (also known as linguistic secessionism or linguistic separatism) is an attitude supporting the separation of a language variety from the language to which it has hitherto been considered to belong, in order for this variety to be considered a distinct language. This attitude was first analyzed in Catalan sociolinguistics but it is attested in other parts of the world. == In Arabic == === Sociolinguistic background === The Arab world is characterized by diglossia: local dialects dominate the sphere of daily communication, while Standard Arabic carries high prestige and is used in formal writing and speaking. This situation has important political and social implications. Modern Standard Arabic is the official language of all Arab countries, and enjoys the status of a global language. Standard Arabic is also the lingua sacra of Islam, which further increases its importance. However, a claim could be made that it is no one's first language, since Arab children acquire their local dialect in the natural process of generational language transmission, and learn Standard Arabic later, when they begin formal education. Proficiency in Standard Arabic provides insight into a vast literary tradition spanning over 1,500 years. However, proponents of recognizing local Arabic dialects as


id: language-secessionism-20260505-1
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Language_secessionism-1.md
category: reference
title: Language secessionism
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Language_secessionism
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:22:09.851113+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: language-secessionism-20260505-0
summary:
In the Auvernhat dialect, language secessionism has been supported since the 1970s by Pierre Bonnaud, who founded the Bonnaudian norm, the group Cercle Terre d'Auvergne and the review Bïzà Neirà. It has negligible impact in the population, where knowledge of the language is in any case at best residual. Auvernhat cultural circles are divided between the unitary vision of Occitan (associated with the Occitan classical norm) and secessionism (associated with Bonnaudian norm). In the Provençal dialect, language secessionism appeared during the 1970s with Louis Bayle and has been reactivated since the 1990s by Philippe Blanchet and groups like "Union Provençale" and "Collectif Provence". This secessionism supports the Mistralian norm (but it does not represent all Mistralian norm users, since some of them claim traditionally the unity of Occitan). It has little impact in the population, whose knowledge of the language is anyway residual. Provençal cultural circles are divided between the unitary vision (supported by users of both Mistralian norm and classical norm) and the secessionist vision (supported by some users of the Mistralian norm). The Regional Council of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur voted a resolution on 5 December 2003 that approved the principle of the unity of "Occitan or Langue d'Oc" and


id: language-secessionism-20260505-2
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Language_secessionism-2.md
category: reference
title: Language secessionism
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Language_secessionism
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:22:09.851113+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: language-secessionism-20260505-0
summary:
Kloss contrasts Ausbau languages not only with Abstand languages but also with polycentric standard languages, i.e. two variants of the same standard, such as Serbo-Croatian, Moldavian and Rumanian, and Portuguese in Brazil and Portugal. In contrast, pairs such as Czech and Slovak, Bulgarian and Macedonian, and Danish and Swedish, are instances of literary standards based on different dialects which, at a pre-literate stage, would have been regarded by linguists as dialects of the same language. On the contrary, the Serbo-Croatian kind of language secessionism is now a strongly consensual and institutional majority phenomenon. Still, this does not make it legitimate to say that such secessionism has led to "Ausbau languages" in the cases of Croatian, Bosnian, Montenegrin and Serbian, because such diversion has not taken place: The intercomprehension between these standards exceeds that between the standard variants of English, French, German, or Spanish. The four varieties - Bosnian, Croatian, Montenegrin, and Serbian - are all totally mutually comprehensible [...] What there is, is a common, polycentric standard language - just like, say, French, which has Belgian, Swiss, French, and Canadian variants but is definitely not four different languages. [...] Linguistic scientists are agreed that BCSM is essentially a single language


id: language-secessionism-20260505-3
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Language_secessionism-3.md
category: reference
title: Language secessionism
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Language_secessionism
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:22:09.851113+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: language-secessionism-20260505-0
summary:
Portugal, a former southern county split from the Kingdom of Galicia and fief of the Kingdom of León, was created by Afonso I of Portugal in 1126 and expanded towards the Islamic south, like its neighbouring kingdoms. That part of Galicia, named Portugal, became independent while the northern part of the country remained under the Kingdom of León during the 12th century and early 13th century. Northern Galicia would later be ruled by the Kingdom of Castile, which would become the core and ethnic base for the future Spain; but the culture was the same on both sides of the political border. Galician-Portuguese culture attained great prestige during the Low Middle Ages. In the late 15th century, Castilian domination became more severe, banishing their language in all official uses, including the church. Galician-Portuguese survived diglossically for the following centuries among the peasant population, but it experienced a strong Spanish influence and had a different evolution. Meanwhile, the same language (by the reintegrationist view) remained fully official in Portugal and was carried across the world by Portuguese explorers, soldiers and colonists. During the 19th century a revival movement arose. This movement defended the Galician language, and created a provisional norm, with


id: language-secessionism-20260505-4
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Language_secessionism-4.md
category: reference
title: Language secessionism
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Language_secessionism
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:22:09.851113+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: language-secessionism-20260505-0
summary:
== In Tagalog == Republic Act No. 7104, approved on August 14, 1991, created the Commission on the Filipino Language, reporting directly to the President and tasked to undertake, coordinate and promote researches for the development, propagation and preservation of Filipino and other Philippine languages. On May 13, 1992, the commission issued Resolution 92-1, specifying that Filipino is the...indigenous written and spoken language of Metro Manila and other urban centers in the Philippines used as the language of communication of ethnic groups. Though the Commission on the Filipino Language recognizes that a lot of the vocabulary of Filipino is based on Tagalog, the latest definition given to the national language tries to evade the use of the term Tagalog. According to some Filipinologists (people who specialize in the study of Filipino as a language), the main reason that Filipino is distinct from Tagalog is that in Filipino, there is a presence of vocabulary coming from other Philippine languages, such as Cebuano (such as bana – husband), Hiligaynon (such as buang – insane) and Ilocano (such as ading – little brother). They also maintain that the term Tagalog is the language of the Tagalog region and puristic in a sense. It


id: laundry-ball-20260505-0
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laundry_ball-0.md
category: reference
title: Laundry ball
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laundry_ball
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:22:11.012124+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: laundry-ball-20260505-0
summary:
A laundry ball or washing ball is a product made of solid, insoluble material promoted as a substitute for laundry detergent. Producers of laundry balls often make pseudoscientific claims about their mechanisms of action and exaggerate the extent of their benefits. Washing with laundry balls is as effective or less effective than washing without detergent. Their observed cleaning effects can largely be attributed to the mechanical interactions with the laundry or to using hot water instead of cold. For mechanical agitation, no evidence exists that using a specialized laundry ball is superior to using a different, cheaper solid object, such as a golf ball. The Federal Trade Commission has taken action against manufacturers for making misleading claims, while customer protection organizations have recommended against buying this type of product. == Types == Laundry balls come in several shapes: disks, spheres and toruses (doughnut shapes). Some contain ceramic pieces, magnetic material, or coloured liquid claimed to be "activated water", none of which have been demonstrated to improve effectiveness. Some balls can be refilled with pellets of detergent or other ingredients. In the United States, laundry balls have been sold on home shopping channels or by participants in multilevel marketing. They can


id: laundry-ball-20260505-1
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laundry_ball-1.md
category: reference
title: Laundry ball
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laundry_ball
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:22:11.012124+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: laundry-ball-20260505-0
summary:
== Customer protection == In 1997, Amway offered a ceramic washing disk on its catalog but removed it after concluding that it had "no measurable impact on overall cleaning." In 1997, Trade-Net sold a laundry ball product (the Blue Laundry Ball) in various states. Trade-Net claimed that the blue liquid inside their balls was structured water "that emits a negative charge through the walls of the container into your laundry water." "This causes the water molecule cluster to disassociate, allowing much smaller individual water molecules to penetrate the innermost part of the fabric." Dennis Barnum, a professor of inorganic chemistry at Portland State University, said that the liquid was just water with a blue dye and could not possibly have the effect claimed by the manufacturer. Barnum also said that the claims were "gibberish" and used scientific terms in ways that sounded educated to the layman but did not make any real sense. The Oregonian tested the balls and found they washed marginally better than hot water with no detergent and worse than using detergent. After complaints, Trade-Net's claims were investigated by customer protection departments in Utah, Oregon, and Florida, among others, and the company was prohibited from making certain


id: leaky-gut-syndrome-20260505-0
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leaky_gut_syndrome-0.md
category: reference
title: Leaky gut syndrome
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leaky_gut_syndrome
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:22:12.197286+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: leaky-gut-syndrome-20260505-0
summary:
Leaky gut syndrome is a hypothetical and medically unrecognized condition that is distinct from the scientific phenomenon of increased intestinal permeability commonly known as "leaky gut". Claims for the existence of "leaky gut syndrome" as a distinct medical condition come mostly from nutritionists and practitioners of alternative medicine. Proponents claim that a "leaky gut" causes chronic inflammation throughout the body that results in a wide range of conditions, including myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, migraines, multiple sclerosis, and autism. There is little evidence to support this hypothesis. Stephen Barrett has described "leaky gut syndrome" as a fad diagnosis and says that its proponents use the alleged condition as an opportunity to sell a number of alternative-health remedies – including diets, herbal preparations, and dietary supplements. Promoters of pseudoscience have claimed that the passage of proteins through a "leaky" gut is the cause of autism. Evidence for claims that a leaky gut causes autism is weak and conflicting. Advocates tout various treatments for "leaky gut syndrome", such as dietary supplements, probiotics, herbal remedies, gluten-free foods, and low-FODMAP, low-sugar, and/or antifungal diets, but there is little evidence that the treatments offered are of benefit. None have been adequately tested to


id: learning-pyramid-20260505-0
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Learning_pyramid-0.md
category: reference
title: Learning pyramid
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Learning_pyramid
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:22:13.417113+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: learning-pyramid-20260505-0
summary:
The learning pyramid (also known as “the cone of learning”, “the learning cone”, “the cone of retention”, “the pyramid of learning”, or “the pyramid of retention”) is a pseudoscientific group of ineffective learning models and representations relating different degrees of retention induced from various types of learning. == Description == The earliest such representation is believed to originate in a 1954 book called Audio-Visual Methods in Teaching. A pyramid model was supposedly developed by the National Training Laboratories Institute in the early 1960s, on its main campus in Bethel, Maine, for which the original, internal research is said to have been lost. Despite this, NTL's learning pyramid model became a central representation of this concept with a large number of models drawing from it. NTL's model generally used the following divisions: == Criticisms == Criticism emerged on early versions of the model such as Edgar Dale's Cone of Experience. Critics reported inconsistencies between the pyramid of learning and research. The NTL learning pyramid study being lost, the field largely stands on an unknown methodology of unknown quality, with unknown mitigation of influential parameters such as time, population tested, etc., making the original study's results untrustworthy. == See also == Educational


id: lectin-free-diet-20260505-0
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lectin-free_diet-0.md
category: reference
title: Lectin-free diet
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lectin-free_diet
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:22:14.566275+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: lectin-free-diet-20260505-0
summary:
The Lectin-free diet (also known as the Plant Paradox diet) is a fad diet promoted with the false claim that avoiding all foods that contain high amounts of lectins will prevent and cure disease. There is no clinical evidence the lectin-free diet is effective to treat any disease and its claims have been criticized as pseudoscientific. == Overview == The lectin-free diet forbids all foods that are high in lectins including legumes (beans, chickpeas, lentils, peas), grains, fruit, nightshade vegetables (tomatoes and potatoes), nuts, seeds and many others. The first writer to advocate a lectin-free diet was Peter J. D'Adamo, a naturopathic physician best known for promoting the blood type diet. D'Adamo has argued that lectins may damage people's blood type by interfering with digestion, food metabolism, hormones and insulin production so should be avoided. The lectin-free diet has been popularized by cardiologist and former professor of surgery and pediatrics Steven Gundry, who wrote the book called The Plant Paradox. Gundry claims he has discovered that lectins cause most human diseases, and erroneously claims that his diet will prevent and cure them. His book argues that eating tomatoes incites "a kind of chemical warfare in our bodies, causing inflammatory reactions


id: let-s-trim-our-hair-in-accordance-with-the-socialist-lifestyle-20260505-0
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Let's_trim_our_hair_in_accordance_with_the_socialist_lifestyle-0.md
category: reference
title: Let's trim our hair in accordance with the socialist lifestyle
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Let's_trim_our_hair_in_accordance_with_the_socialist_lifestyle
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:22:15.751081+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: let-s-trim-our-hair-in-accordance-with-the-socialist-lifestyle-20260505-0
summary:
Let's trim our hair in accordance with the socialist lifestyle (Korean: 사회주의적생활양식에 맞게 머리단장을 하자; alternatively translated as Let us trim our hair in accordance with Socialist lifestyle) was a television program broadcast on state-run Korean Central Television in North Korea between 2004 and 2005 as part of a longstanding government propaganda against haircuts and fashions deemed at odds with "socialist values". The program claimed that long hair could adversely affect human intelligence. == North Korea's fashion restrictions == Such dress and hair standards have long been a fixture of North Korean society. Kim Jong Il was known for his "Speed Battle Cut" crew cut when he first came to prominence in the early 1980s, though he later reverted to the short sided bouffant favored by his father. After Kim Jong Il succeeded his father, some of the state's restrictions on Western fashion were relaxed. Women were allowed permanent waves, men could grow slightly longer hair, and public dancing was allowed. Despite such slight concessions during the early years of Kim Jong Il's rule, obvious emblems of Western fashion such as jeans are occasionally banned, and long hair on men could lead to arrest and forced haircuts. According to the


id: letter-of-three-hundred-20260505-0
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Letter_of_Three_Hundred-0.md
category: reference
title: Letter of Three Hundred
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Letter_of_Three_Hundred
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:22:16.967037+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: letter-of-three-hundred-20260505-0
summary:
The Letter of Three Hundred (Russian: Письмо трёхсот) was a series of letters sent by Soviet scientists to the Presidium of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union in 1955, calling for an end to the dominance of Trofim Lysenko's doctrine in Soviet biology. The first and most important of these letters was a 21-page memorandum signed by a large group of Soviet scientists and sent on 11 October 1955. The memorandum assessed the state of biology in the Soviet Union in the mid-1950s and sharply criticized the scientific views and practical activities of Lysenko, who at the time was one of the country’s most influential figures in biological science. It ultimately contributed to Lysenko’s resignation as president of VASKhNIL and to the removal of some of his supporters from other leading posts in the Soviet scientific establishment. The text of the letter, with some cuts, was first openly published in Pravda on 13 January 1989. == Background == In the late 1940s and early 1950s, with the support of the leadership of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union and the Soviet state, Lysenko expanded and promoted his theories through ideological and pseudoscientific rhetoric, advanced


id: leuchter-report-20260505-0
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leuchter_report-0.md
category: reference
title: Leuchter report
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leuchter_report
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:22:18.136628+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: leuchter-report-20260505-0
summary:
The Leuchter report is a pseudoscientific document authored by American execution technician Fred A. Leuchter, who was commissioned by Ernst Zündel to defend him at his trial in Canada for distributing Holocaust denial material. Leuchter compiled the report in 1988 with the intention of investigating the feasibility of mass homicidal gassings at Nazi extermination camps, specifically at Auschwitz. He traveled to the camp, collected multiple pieces of brick from the remains of the crematoria and gas chambers (without the camp's permission), brought them back to the United States, and submitted them for chemical analysis. At the trial, Leuchter was called upon to defend the report in the capacity of an expert witness; however, during the trial, the court ruled that he had neither the qualifications nor experience to act as such. Leuchter cited the absence of Prussian blue in the homicidal gas chambers to support his view that they could not have been used to gas people. However, residual iron-based cyanide compounds are not a categorical consequence of cyanide exposure. In addition, the walls and ceilings of the gas chambers were covered with plaster. The Prussian blue would have remained on the surface of the plaster and would not have


id: leuchter-report-20260505-1
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leuchter_report-1.md
category: reference
title: Leuchter report
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leuchter_report
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:22:18.136628+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: leuchter-report-20260505-0
summary:
THE COURT: Who determines that? You? Leuchter admitted under oath that he only had a Bachelor of Arts degree and implicitly suggested that an engineering degree was unavailable to him by saying that his college did not offer an engineering degree during his studies. Boston University actually offered three different kinds of such qualification when he was a student there. When asked by the court if the B.A. he obtained was in a field that entitled him to operate as an engineer, he confirmed that this was so, even though his degree was in history. Similarly, Leuchter claimed that he obtained most of his research material on the camps (including original crematoria blueprints) from the Auschwitz and Majdanek camps' archives, and testified that these documents had a far more important role in shaping his conclusions than the physical samples he collected, yet after the trial the director of the Auschwitz museum denied that Leuchter had received any plans or blueprints from them. Judge Ronald Thomas began to label Leuchter's methodology as "ridiculous" and "preposterous", dismissing many of the report's conclusions on the basis that they were based on "second-hand information", and refused to allow him to testify on the effect


id: leuchter-report-20260505-2
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leuchter_report-2.md
category: reference
title: Leuchter report
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leuchter_report
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:22:18.136628+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: leuchter-report-20260505-0
summary:
The problem with Prussian blue is that it is by no means a categorical sign of cyanide exposure. One factor necessary in its formation is a very high concentration of cyanide. In terms of the difference between amounts measured in the delousing chambers and homicidal gas chambers, critics explain that the exact opposite of what deniers claim is true. Insects have a far higher resistance to cyanide than humans, with concentration levels up to 16,000 ppm (parts per million) and an exposure time of more than 20 hours (sometimes as long as 72 hours) being necessary for them to succumb. In contrast, a cyanide concentration of only 300 ppm is fatal to humans in a matter of minutes. This difference is one of the reasons behind the concentration disparity. Another exceedingly sensitive factor by which very small deviances could determine whether Prussian blue may form is pH. pH could be affected by the presence of human beings. Also, while the delousing chambers were left intact, the ruins of the crematoria at Birkenau had been exposed to the elements for over forty years by the time Leuchter collected his samples. This would have severely affected his results, because unlike Prussian blue


id: leuchter-report-20260505-3
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leuchter_report-3.md
category: reference
title: Leuchter report
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leuchter_report
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:22:18.136628+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: leuchter-report-20260505-0
summary:
Leuchter incorrectly assumed that the gas chambers were not ventilated. The basement gas chambers of Crematoria II and III were mechanically ventilated via motors in the roof space of the main crematorium structure capable of extracting the remaining gas and renewing the air every three to four minutes. When ventilation was not used such as in Crematoria IV and V (although a ventilation system was later installed in Crematorium V in May 1944), Sonderkommando prisoners wore gas masks when removing the bodies. When presented in court with a document by the chief Auschwitz architect SS-Sturmbannführer Karl Bischoff, Leuchter misconstrued aeration (Belüftung) and ventilation (Entlüftung) as part of the furnace blower systems, when they were actually in reference to the ventilation channels in the walls that straddle the gas chambers. These are visible on blueprints, and can still partly be seen in the ruined east wall of the Crematorium III gas chamber. ==== Body disposal ==== Leuchter was also prepared to act as expert witness regarding crematoria ovens despite admitting during cross examination that he had no expert knowledge. Leuchter presented his own estimate of 156 corpses as the total daily incineration capacity of the installations at Auschwitz. During cross-examination, he


id: levashovism-20260505-0
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Levashovism-0.md
category: reference
title: Levashovism
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Levashovism
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:22:19.278735+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: levashovism-20260505-0
summary:
Levashovism is a doctrine and healing system of Rodnovery (Slavic neopaganism) that emerged in Russia, formulated by the physics theorist, occultist and psychic healer Nikolay Viktorovich Levashov (1961–2012), one of the most prominent leaders of Slavic Neopaganism after the collapse of the Soviet Union. The movement was incorporated in 2007 as the Russian Public Movement of Renaissance–Golden Age (Russian: Русское Общественное Движение "Возрождение. Золотой Век"; acronym: РОД ВЗВ, ROD VZV). Levashovite doctrine is based on a mathematical cosmology, a melting of science and spirituality which has been compared to a "Pythagorean" worldview, and is pronouncedly eschatological. Levashovism is influenced by Ynglism, especially sharing the latter's historiosophical narrative about the Slavic Aryan past of the Russians, and like Ynglism it has been formally rejected by mainstream Russian Rodnover organisations. The movement is present in many regions of Russia, as well as in Ukraine, Belarus, Romania, Moldova and Finland. == Overview == Nikolay V. Levashov was educated in advanced physics and quantum mechanics. He began to practise psychic healing in Russia in the 1980s, and in 1990–1991 he held seminars on the subject. In 1991 he moved to California, in the United States, where he lived until 2006 and where he wrote


id: levashovism-20260505-1
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Levashovism-1.md
category: reference
title: Levashovism
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Levashovism
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:22:19.278735+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: levashovism-20260505-0
summary:
==== Seven primary matters ==== Based on the presumed ancient Vedic knowledge of the Slavic Aryans, Levashov theorised that matter itself is differentiated into seven types, or "building blocks" of creation, which he called the "seven primary matters" or "seven primordial matters" (семь первичных материй, sem' pervichnykh materiy), conventionally identified by the letters A, B, C, D, E, F and G, and by the seven colours, respectively red, violet, blue, azure, green, yellow and orange. The seven primary matters are nonphysical, or subtle matter, that is to say not perceivable to the ordinary human state of consciousness. Primordially, they move chaotically in space, "ignoring" each other, but each of them has its own distinctive properties or qualities and a specific energetic potential that allow them to respond to the ever-changing patterns of space. Red matter A is the most important, functioning as a structural and energetic foundation for all the other matters when they coalesce to form entities. Local areas of anisotropy are created by fluctuations in the architectural patterns of space—likened to a stone tossed into water creating ripple effects—and these fluctuations influence the relationship between space itself and the seven primary matters. When the latter find themselves in


id: levashovism-20260505-2
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Levashovism-2.md
category: reference
title: Levashovism
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Levashovism
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:22:19.278735+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: levashovism-20260505-0
summary:
Levashovite doctrine tells that reality is orchestrated by gods, cosmic forces which can be either creative and life-giving "Bright Forces" (Светлые Силы, Svetlye Sily) or destructive and life-sucking "Dark Forces" (Темные Силы, Temnye Sily). The influence of either Bright Forces or Dark Forces and the behaviour of people, and the manifestation in them of certain qualities and emotions, depend on which one of the seven primary matters prevails in a given configuration of space–matter. Wherever and whenever—in a given region of space and in the cycle of time—primary matter E dominates, there is a "Day of Svarog" (День Сварога, Den' Svaroga), characterised by the complete development of the third and fourth subtle bodies (the astral and the mental body) of the human being, with the development of consciousness and of high spiritual and moral qualities. Conversely, wherever and whenever primary matter G dominates there is a "Night of Svarog" (Ночь Сварога, Noch' Svaroga), characterised by the hypertrophied development of the second and incomplete third subtle bodies (the ethereal and the lower astral body) of the human being, with a regression of consciousness and the expression of low destructive qualities in human beings (such as aggressiveness, cruelty, greed and envy). During


id: levashovism-20260505-3
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Levashovism-3.md
category: reference
title: Levashovism
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Levashovism
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:22:19.278735+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: levashovism-20260505-0
summary:
=== Healing treatment === Any mental or strictly physical illness is due to a disruption of the harmony between the seven bodies, and the latter may be due to genetic defects, infections, karma and environmental factors. To support their healing purpose, the Levashovite healer has to mobilise the appropriate quantity of energetic potential and the correct quality of primary matter, and influence the architectural patterns of the treated subject's microcosm. The healing work should take place first on the six subtle bodies, in order to influence and transform the denser physical body, since the primary matters from the subtle bodies flow down to the physical level and the structures of the subtle bodies are the architectural templates for the physical body. Healing conducted merely on the physical body may afford palliation but not a complete relief, as pathological organisations remain in place on the subtle levels and eventually reassert themselves on the physical level. The healing procedure comprises a phase of scanning and detoxification, in which the healer inspects the treated subject, finds the causes of the problem and cleanses the subject's body from the symptoms of the problem. This is followed by a phase of disintegration and regeneration, in


id: levashovism-20260505-4
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Levashovism-4.md
category: reference
title: Levashovism
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Levashovism
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:22:19.278735+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: levashovism-20260505-0
summary:
== Levashovite texts == 1. The Final Appeal to Mankind (Последнее Обращение к Человечеству), 1994 2. The Anisotropic Universe (Неоднородная Вселенная), 2002 3. Spirit and Mind. Volume 1 (Сущность и Разум. Том 1), 1999 4. Spirit and Mind. Volume 2 (Сущность и Разум. Том 2), 2003 5. Abilities of Mind (Возможности Разума), 2006 6. Russian History Viewed through Distorted Mirrors (Россия в Кривых Зеркалах), 2007 7. The Mirror of my Soul. Volume 1 (Зеркало моей Души. Том 1), 2006 8. The Mirror of my Soul. Volume 2 (Зеркало моей Души. Том 2), 2008 9. The Tale of the Bright Falcon (Сказ о Ясном Соколе), 2011 10. Revelation (Откровение), 2010, by Levashov's wife Svetlana Levashova == See also == Rodnovery Anastasianism Ivanovism Russian Authentism Ynglism Germanic Heathenry Shamanism == References == === Citations === === Sources === ==== Secondary sources ==== Golikov, I. A. (2019). "О реконструкции летосчисления российского славянского неоязычества" [About the reconstruction of chronology in Russian Slavic Neopaganism] (PDF). Pivovarov Readings (in Russian). Yekaterinburg: Ural Federal University. pp. 181–182. ISBN 9785886872514. Archived from the original (PDF) on 30 March 2021. Kondrakov, Igor Mikhaylovich (2015). Учимся познавать мир (20 уроков познания) [Learning to know the world (20 lessons of knowledge)]


id: ley-line-20260505-0
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ley_line-0.md
category: reference
title: Ley line
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ley_line
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:22:20.506063+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: ley-line-20260505-0
summary:
Ley lines ( or ) are straight alignments drawn between various historic structures, prehistoric sites, and prominent landmarks. The idea was developed in early 20th-century Europe, with ley line believers arguing that these alignments were recognised by ancient societies that deliberately erected structures along them. Since the 1960s, members of the Earth Mysteries movement and other esoteric traditions have commonly believed that such ley lines demarcate "earth energies" and serve as guides for alien spacecraft. Archaeologists and scientists regard ley lines as an example of pseudoarchaeology and pseudoscience. The idea of "leys" as straight tracks across the landscape was put forward by the English antiquarian Alfred Watkins in the 1920s, particularly in his book The Old Straight Track. He argued that straight lines could be drawn between various historic structures and that these represented trade routes created by ancient British societies. Although he gained a small following, Watkins' ideas were never accepted by the British archaeological establishment, a fact that frustrated him. His critics noted that his ideas relied on drawing lines between sites established at different periods of the past. They also argued that in prehistory, as in the present, it was impractical to travel in a straight line


id: ley-line-20260505-1
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ley_line-1.md
category: reference
title: Ley line
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ley_line
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:22:20.506063+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: ley-line-20260505-0
summary:
His ideas were rejected by most experts on British prehistory at the time, including both the small number of recognised archaeological scholars and local enthusiasts. His critics noted that the straight lines he proposed would have been highly impractical means of crossing hilly or mountainous terrain, and that many of the sites he selected as evidence for the leys were of disparate historical origins. Some of Watkins' other ideas, such as his belief that widespread forest clearance took place in prehistory rather than later, would nevertheless later be recognised by archaeologists. Part of archaeologists' objections was their belief that prehistoric Britons would not have been sophisticated enough to produce such accurate measurements across the landscape. British archaeologists were then overwhelmingly committed to ideas of cultural diffusionism, and thus unwelcoming to ideas about ley lines being an independent British development. In 1926, advocates of Watkins' beliefs established the Straight Track Club. To assist this growing body of enthusiasts who were looking for their own ley lines in the landscape, in 1927, Watkins published The Ley Hunter's Manual. Proponents of Watkins' ideas sent in letters to the archaeologist O. G. S. Crawford, then editor of the Antiquity journal. Crawford filed these letters


id: ley-line-20260505-2
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ley_line-2.md
category: reference
title: Ley line
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ley_line
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:22:20.506063+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: ley-line-20260505-0
summary:
==== The ley hunting community ==== In 1962, a group of ufologists established the Ley Hunter's Club. Michell's publication was followed by an upsurge in ley hunting as enthusiasts travelled around the British landscape seeking to identify what they believed to be ley lines connecting various historic structures. Parish churches were particularly favoured by the ley hunters, who often worked on the assumption that such churches had almost always been built atop pre-Christian sacred sites. The 1970s and 1980s also saw the increase in publications on the topic of ley lines. One ley lines enthusiast, Philip Heselton, established the Ley Hunter magazine, which was launched in 1965. It was later edited by Paul Screeton, who also wrote the book Quicksilver Heritage, in which he argued that the Neolithic period had seen an idyllic society devoted to spirituality but that this was brought to an end through the introduction of metal technologies in the Bronze Age. He argued that this golden age could nevertheless be restored. Another key book produced among the ley hunting community was Mysterious Britain, written by Janet and Colin Bord. Part of the popularity of ley hunting was that individuals without any form of professional training in


id: ley-line-20260505-3
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ley_line-3.md
category: reference
title: Ley line
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ley_line
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:22:20.506063+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: ley-line-20260505-0
summary:
Williamson and Bellamy's book brought two different responses from the ley hunter community. Some maintained that even if the presence of earth energies running through ley lines could not be demonstrated with empirical evidence and rational argumentation, this did not matter; for them, a belief in ley lines was an act of faith, and in their view archaeologists were too narrow-minded to comprehend this reality. The other approach was to further engage archaeologists by seeking out new data and arguments to bolster their beliefs in ley lines. Hutton noted that this pulled along "a potential fissure between rationalism and mysticism which had always been inherent in the movement". In 1989, a book that Devereux had co-written with Nigel Pennick, Lines on the Landscape, was published. It laid aside ideas of leys representing channels for earth energy, noting that this was beyond the realm of scientific verification, and instead focused on trying to build a case for ley lines that archaeologists could engage with. In particular, it drew attention to ethnographically recorded beliefs in the importance of lines running through the landscape in various communities around the world, proposing these as ethnographic comparisons for what might have occurred in prehistoric Britain.


id: ley-line-20260505-4
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ley_line-4.md
category: reference
title: Ley line
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ley_line
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:22:20.506063+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: ley-line-20260505-0
summary:
Ley lines have been characterised as a form of pseudoscience. On The Skeptic's Dictionary, the American philosopher and skeptic Robert Todd Carroll noted that none of the statements about magnetic forces underpinning putative ley lines has been scientifically verified. Williamson and Bellamy characterised ley lines as "one of the biggest red herrings in the history of popular thought". One criticism of Watkins' ley line theory states that given the high density of historic and prehistoric sites in Britain and other parts of Europe, finding straight lines that "connect" sites is trivial and ascribable to coincidence. Johnson stated that "ley lines do not exist". He cited Williamson and Bellamy's work in demonstrating this, noting that their research showed how "the density of archaeological sites in the British landscape is so great that a line drawn through virtually anywhere will 'clip' a number of sites". Other statistical significance tests have shown that supposed ley-line alignments are no more significant than random occurrences and/or have been generated by selection effects. The paper by statistician Simon Broadbent is one such example and the discussion after the article involving a large number of other statisticians demonstrates the high level of agreement that alignments have no


id: lgbtq-chemicals-conspiracy-theory-20260505-0
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LGBTQ_chemicals_conspiracy_theory-0.md
category: reference
title: LGBTQ chemicals conspiracy theory
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LGBTQ_chemicals_conspiracy_theory
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:22:21.699910+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: lgbtq-chemicals-conspiracy-theory-20260505-0
summary:
Conspiracy theories emerged in the 2010s alleging that governments were introducing endocrine disrupting chemicals into the water supply to increase the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or queer (LGBTQ) population. The claim was popularized by conspiracy theorist Alex Jones, who cited studies on the herbicide atrazine, known to induce spontaneous sex reversal or hermaphroditism in certain frog species, to assert that the U.S. government was 'putting chemicals in the water that turn the "friggin’ frogs gay" as part of a "chemical warfare operation"'. Spontaneous sex change is a naturally occurring phenomenon in some frog species even in unpolluted environments. In animal studies, exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals during gestation can interfere with prenatal hormones and consequently sex differentiation of the brain. This has led some scientists to speculate about the impact of endocrine disruptor exposure during human pregnancy on later sexual orientation or gender identity, though evidence is currently lacking. == History == Animal testing in the 2000s suggested that the herbicide atrazine, an endocrine disruptor, may have a feminizing effect on male frogs causing them to become hermaphrodites. Other research failed to reproduce these results in frogs, though reports of reproductive impact has been reported for other animals, and a meta-analysis


id: limbic-imprint-20260505-0
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Limbic_imprint-0.md
category: reference
title: Limbic imprint
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Limbic_imprint
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:22:22.836153+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: limbic-imprint-20260505-0
summary:
In psychology, limbic imprint refers to the process by which prenatal, perinatal and post-natal experiences imprint upon the limbic system, causing lifelong effects. The term is used to explain how early care of a fetus and newborn is important to lifelong psychological development and has been used as an argument for alternative birthing methods, and against circumcision. Some also refer to the concept as the human emotional map, deep-seated beliefs, and values that are stored in the brain's limbic system. When a fetus or newborn experiences trauma, the brain will register trauma as normal affecting the newborn into adulthood. However, when a fetus or newborn does not experience trauma, the brain will develop healthy coping mechanisms that work effectively into adulthood. This phenomenon, since experienced during prenatal, perinatal and postnatal stages, generally affects children. Different types of perinatal and childhood experiences shape the future experiences of adults. This means that if a child is born under traumatic circumstances, then, as an adult, trauma will register as normal in the brain. Trauma will become expected and because of this early imprinting, adults may be more susceptible to dangerous or abusive situations. This also depends on the circumstance in which they were


id: limbic-imprint-20260505-1
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Limbic_imprint-1.md
category: reference
title: Limbic imprint
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Limbic_imprint
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:22:22.836153+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: limbic-imprint-20260505-0
summary:
== Treatment == There are therapists who recognize that body and emotions - facilitated by experiences - leave imprints in deep neuronal circuits of the limbic brain and use such position to devise psychological interventions such as the therapy within a group setting. Some therapists suggest a course of "limbic repatterning" to consciously rewrite bad limbic imprints and thus improve the patient's overall psychological health. Another suggested therapy is called "Limbic System Therapy". In this therapy, the patients participate in physical experiences that contradict the limbic imprint. For example, an individual that has low self-esteem may be given an activity to deliberately make them feel good about themselves like positive affirmation exercises. The more the patient participates in this "re-wiring" the better they will feel about themselves and thus correcting a negative imprint. According to psychologists, there are many more ways to help with re-coding a negative imprint. These strategies include things such as journaling, talking and sharing feelings, and participating in body therapies like a body massage. Other strategies psychologists suggest are spending time with loved ones, positive thinking, breathing awareness, body awareness, relaxation, meditation, and/or prayer. Regular exercise and warm baths are also suggested by professionals. == Criticisms


id: liquid-oxygen-supplement-20260505-0
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liquid_oxygen_supplement-0.md
category: reference
title: Liquid oxygen supplement
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liquid_oxygen_supplement
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:22:24.005085+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: liquid-oxygen-supplement-20260505-0
summary:
Liquid oxygen supplements are products that claim to add extra oxygen to the human body, most often through a chemical process in the digestive system, like the breakdown of hydrogen peroxide or magnesium peroxide. While the FDA describes these products as being inert, and has penalized some producers who made explicit medical claims, it has not prohibited their sale. == Liquid oxygen == Liquid oxygen is the name of a product that is a solution of hydrogen peroxide and other compounds including sodium chloride (common salt) that claims to help with "jet lag, fatigue, altitude sickness, headaches, hangovers, youthful skin, energy, and insomnia". Professor Ken Harvey, a member of the World Health Organization team that formulated criteria for the promotion of medicinal drugs and a member of Auspharm Consumer Health Watch, states that the product is "no more than salty water", and that most forms of water carry some dissolved oxygen. The Federal Trade Commission has prosecuted some makers of such products for making "blatantly false and unsubstantiated health claims", although it has not banned the sale of such products. The product claims to have an effect through increasing the amount of oxygen in the body but this is unnecessary


id: list-of-acupuncture-points-20260505-0
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_acupuncture_points-0.md
category: reference
title: List of acupuncture points
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_acupuncture_points
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:22:25.378000+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: list-of-acupuncture-points-20260505-0
summary:
This article provides a comprehensive list of acupuncture points, locations on the body used in acupuncture, acupressure, and other treatment systems based on Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). == Locations and basis == More than four hundred acupuncture points have been described, with the majority located on one of the twenty main cutaneous and subcutaneous meridians, pathways which run throughout the body and according to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) transport qi. Twelve of these major meridians, commonly referred to as "the primary meridians", are bilateral and practitioners associate them with internal organs. The remaining eight meridians are designated as "extraordinary", and are also bilateral except for three, one that encircles the body near the waist, and two that run along the midline of the body. Only those two extraordinary meridians that run along the midline contain their own points, the remaining six comprise points from the aforementioned twelve primary meridians. There are also points that are not located on the fourteen major meridians but do lie in the complete nexus referred to as Jīngluò (經絡). Such outliers are often referred to as "extra points". There is no anatomical and physiological basis for acupuncture points and meridians. In practice, acupuncture points are


id: live-blood-analysis-20260505-0
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Live_blood_analysis-0.md
category: reference
title: Live blood analysis
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Live_blood_analysis
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:22:26.561564+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: live-blood-analysis-20260505-0
summary:
Live blood analysis (LBA), live cell analysis, Hemaview or nutritional blood analysis is the use of high-resolution dark field microscopy to observe live blood cells. Live blood analysis is promoted by some alternative medicine practitioners, who assert that it can diagnose a range of diseases. It has its origins in the now-discarded theories of pleomorphism promoted by Günther Enderlein, notably in his 1925 book Bakterien-Cyklogenie. There is no scientific evidence that live blood analysis is reliable or effective, and it has been described as a fraudulent means of convincing people that they are ill and should purchase dietary supplements. It is not accepted in laboratory practice and its validity as a laboratory test has not been established. Its practice has been described as a pseudoscientific, bogus and fraudulent, and the medical profession has dismissed it as quackery. The field of live blood microscopy is unregulated; there is no training requirement or recognised qualification for practitioners and no recognised medical validity to the results. Proponents have made false claims about both medical blood pathology testing and their own services, which some have refused to amend when instructed by the Advertising Standards Authority. In January 2014, prominent live blood proponent and teacher


id: live-blood-analysis-20260505-1
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Live_blood_analysis-1.md
category: reference
title: Live blood analysis
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Live_blood_analysis
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:22:26.561564+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: live-blood-analysis-20260505-0
summary:
== Regulatory issues == In 1996, the Pennsylvania Department of Laboratories informed three Pennsylvania chiropractors that Infinity2's "Nutritional Blood Analysis" could not be used for diagnostic purposes unless they maintain a laboratory that has both state and federal certification for complex testing. In 2001, the Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General issued a report on regulation of "unestablished laboratory tests" that focused on live blood cell analysis and the difficulty of regulating unestablished tests and laboratories. In 2002, an Australian naturopath was convicted and fined for falsely claiming that he could diagnose illness using live blood analysis after the death of a patient. He was acquitted of manslaughter. He subsequently changed his name and was later banned from practice for life. In 2005, the Rhode Island Department of Health ordered a chiropractor to stop performing live blood analysis. An attorney for the State Board of Examiners in Chiropractic Medicine described the test as "useless" and a "money-making scheme... The point of it all is apparently to sell nutritional supplements." A state medical board official said that live blood analysis has no discernible value, and that the public "should be very suspicious of any practitioner who offers this


id: long-island-medium-20260505-0
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Long_Island_Medium-0.md
category: reference
title: Long Island Medium
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Long_Island_Medium
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:22:27.796196+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: long-island-medium-20260505-0
summary:
Long Island Medium is an American reality television series starring Theresa Caputo, a self-professed medium who claims she can communicate with the dead. Much of the program, which premiered on September 25, 2011, takes place in Hicksville, New York, though it often follows Caputo as she meets with clients in other areas. Scientific skeptics say mediumship performances are a con, and Caputo's specific claims have been deemed fictitious by critics, including magician James Randi, Inside Edition, and Jezebel. == Synopsis == Each episode focuses on Caputo as she conducts private and group readings with both believers and skeptics. Her husband Larry and two children, Victoria and Larry Jr., have learned to live with her mediumship. In a 2011 interview, Caputo claimed she could communicate with dead people: "Things are just there. When I was younger I used to actually see images and hear things. As I got older and shut down, it has changed. Because it was frightening to see people standing there who actually weren't there." == Reception == Scientific skeptics say mediumship performances are a con, and that Caputo's seemingly paranormal performances are simply the result of well-known exploits like the Forer effect, cold reading, selective editing of


id: long-range-locator-20260505-0
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Long-range_locator-0.md
category: reference
title: Long-range locator
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Long-range_locator
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:22:28.988177+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: long-range-locator-20260505-0
summary:
A long-range locator is a class of fraudulent devices purported to be a type of metal detector, supposedly able to detect a variety of substances, including gold, drugs and explosives; most are said to operate on a principle of resonance with the material being detected. == Theory of operation == Skeptics have examined the internals of many such devices and found those that have been examined to be incapable of operating as advertised, and have dismissed them as overpriced dowsing rods or similarly useless devices. Virtually all such devices claim to operate on a resonant frequency principle where the device is said to emit an electromagnetic signal, either through an antenna or a probe, that will respond to a specific substance such as gold, silver, or sometimes even paper money, and that the device will indicate the presence of such material by indicating a change in direction relative to the operator. This theory of operation is not supported by scientific theory; the devices have not been shown to work in blind testing, and the resonance principle invoked has not been shown to work in laboratories (and is not consistently employed by LRL manufacturers). In addition, the Inverse-Square Law limits the


id: lunar-effect-20260505-0
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lunar_effect-0.md
category: reference
title: Lunar effect
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lunar_effect
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:22:30.169912+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: lunar-effect-20260505-0
summary:
The lunar effect is a link between different stages of the 29.5-day lunar cycle and the behavior and physiology of various species, purportedly including humans. The changing phase and position of the Moon in its orbit impacts night lighting and ocean tides on Earth. Various organisms have adapted to this repeating cycle. A considerable number of studies have examined the effect on humans. By the late 1980s, there were at least 40 published studies on the purported lunar-lunacy connection, and at least 20 published studies on the purported lunar-birthrate connection. Literature reviews and metanalyses have found no correlation between the lunar cycle and human biology or behavior. In cases such as the approximately monthly cycle of menstruation in humans (but not other mammals), the coincidence in timing reflects no known lunar influence. The widespread and persistent beliefs about the influence of the Moon may depend on illusory correlation – the perception of an association that does not in fact exist. In a number of marine animals, there is strong evidence for the effects of lunar cycles. Observed effects relating to reproductive synchrony may depend on external cues relating to the presence or amount of moonlight. Corals contain light-sensitive cryptochromes, proteins


id: lunar-effect-20260505-1
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lunar_effect-1.md
category: reference
title: Lunar effect
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lunar_effect
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:22:30.169912+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: lunar-effect-20260505-0
summary:
==== Law and order ==== Senior police officers in Brighton, UK, announced in June 2007 that they were planning to deploy more officers over the summer to counter trouble they believe is linked to the lunar cycle. This followed research by the Sussex Police force that concluded there was a rise in violent crime when the Moon was full. A spokeswoman for the police force said "research carried out by us has shown a correlation between violent incidents and full moons". A police officer responsible for the research told the BBC that "From my experience of 19 years of being a police officer, undoubtedly on full moons we do seem to get people with sort of strange behavior – more fractious, argumentative." Police in Ohio and Kentucky have blamed temporary rises in crime on the full Moon. In January 2008, New Zealand's Justice Minister Annette King suggested that a spate of stabbings in the country could have been caused by the lunar cycle. A reported correlation between Moon phase and the number of homicides in Miami-Dade County was found, through later analysis, not to be supported by the data and to have been the result of inappropriate and misleading statistical


id: lunar-effect-20260505-2
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lunar_effect-2.md
category: reference
title: Lunar effect
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lunar_effect
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:22:30.169912+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: lunar-effect-20260505-0
summary:
=== In animals === Many animals use moonlight for navigation and to time behavior. As an example of lunar navigation, numerous insect species, such as moths, use moonlight to stabilize their flight paths and maintain consistent trajectories. Corals contain light-sensitive cryptochromes, proteins that are sensitive to different levels of light. Corals at the Great Barrier Reef release their eggs and sperm simultaneously, always after full moon between October and December. Also, the Barau's petrel is known to time their mating season with the full moon. Spawning of coral Platygyra lamellina occurs at night during the summer on a date determined by the phase of the Moon; in the Red Sea, this is the three- to five-day period around the new Moon in July and the similar period in August. Acropora coral time their simultaneous release of sperm and eggs to just one or two days a year, after sundown with a full moon. Dipsastraea speciosa tends to synchronize spawning in the evening or night, around the last quarter moon of the lunar cycle. Another marine animal, the bristle worm Platynereis dumerilii, also spawns a few days after a full moon. It is used as a model for studying cryptochromes and


id: lunar-effect-20260505-3
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lunar_effect-3.md
category: reference
title: Lunar effect
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lunar_effect
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:22:30.169912+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: lunar-effect-20260505-0
summary:
== Bibliography == Abell, George (1979). Review of the book The Alleged Lunar Effect by Arnold Lieber, Skeptical Inquirer, Spring 1979, 68–73. Reprinted in Science Confronts the Paranormal, edited by Kendrick Frazier, Prometheus Books, ISBN 0-87975-314-5. Abell, George and Barry Singer (1981). Science and the Paranormal – probing the existence of the supernatural, Charles Scribner's Sons, chapter 5, ISBN 0-684-17820-6. Berman, Bob (2003). Fooled by the Full Moon – Scientists search for the sober truth behind some loony ideas, Discover, September 2003, page 30. Caton, Dan (2001). Natality and the Moon Revisited: Do Birth Rates Depend on the Phase of the Moon?, Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society, Vol 33, No. 4, 2001, p. 1371. A summary of the results of the paper. Diefendorf, David (2007), Amazing... But false! Hundreds of "facts" you thought were true, but aren't, Sterling Publishing, ISBN 978-1-4027-3791-6 Foster, Russell G.; Roenneberg, Till (2008). "Human Responses to the Geophysical Daily, Annual and Lunar Cycles". Current Biology. 18 (17): R784–R794. Bibcode:2008CBio...18.R784F. doi:10.1016/j.cub.2008.07.003. PMID 18786384. S2CID 15429616. Lunar cycles had, and continue to have, an influence upon human culture, though despite a persistent belief that our mental health and other behaviours are modulated by the phase of the


id: lung-chinese-medicine-20260505-0
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lung_(Chinese_medicine)-0.md
category: reference
title: Lung (Chinese medicine)
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lung_(Chinese_medicine)
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:22:31.305799+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: lung-chinese-medicine-20260505-0
summary:
The lungs (Chinese: 肺; pinyin: fèi) is one of the zang organs described in traditional Chinese medicine. It is a functionally defined entity and not equivalent to the anatomical organ of the same name. == In the context of the zang-fu organs == The Lung is a zang organ meaning it is a yin organ. Situated in the thorax, it communicates with the throat and opens into the nose. It occupies the uppermost position among the zang-fu organs, and is known as the "canopy" of the zang-fu organs. Due to the lung's position in the body, toward the back of the chest and in the upper half of the abdomen, it has yin within yang qualities and is more yang than other zang organs besides the heart. Each zang organ is paired with a fu organ, the lung's paired organ is the large intestine. Its meridians connects with the large intestine, with which makes it internally related. The lung and large intestine are connected by two meridians, Yangming large intestine meridian of hand and the Taiyin lung meridian of hand. The Lung and its paired organ are associated with the element of metal and the emotion of grief. Each of


id: lysenkoism-20260505-0
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lysenkoism-0.md
category: reference
title: Lysenkoism
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lysenkoism
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:22:32.570224+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: lysenkoism-20260505-0
summary:
Lysenkoism was a pseudoscientific political campaign led by the Soviet biologist Trofim Lysenko against genetics and science-based agriculture in the mid-20th century, rejecting natural selection in favour of a form of Lamarckism, as well as expanding upon the techniques of vernalization and grafting. More than 3,000 mainstream biologists were dismissed or imprisoned, and numerous scientists were executed in the Soviet campaign to suppress scientific opponents. The president of the Soviet Agriculture Academy, Nikolai Vavilov, who had been Lysenko's mentor, but later denounced him, was sent to prison and died there, while Soviet genetics research was effectively destroyed. Research and teaching in the fields of neurophysiology, cell biology, and many other biological disciplines were harmed or banned. The government of the Soviet Union (USSR) supported the campaign, and Joseph Stalin personally edited a speech by Lysenko in a way that reflected his support for what would come to be known as Lysenkoism, despite his skepticism toward Lysenko's assertion that all science is class-orientated in nature. Lysenko served as the director of the USSR's Lenin All-Union Academy of Agricultural Sciences. Other countries of the Eastern Bloc including the People's Republic of Poland, the Republic of Czechoslovakia, and the German Democratic Republic accepted


id: lysenkoism-20260505-1
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lysenkoism-1.md
category: reference
title: Lysenkoism
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lysenkoism
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:22:32.570224+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: lysenkoism-20260505-0
summary:
In 1928, rejecting natural selection and Mendelian genetics, Trofim Lysenko claimed to have developed agricultural techniques which could radically increase crop yields. These included vernalization, species transformation (one species turning into another), inheritance of acquired characteristics, and vegetative hybridization (see below). He claimed in particular that vernalization, exposing wheat seeds to humidity and low temperature, could greatly increase crop yield. He claimed further that he could transform one species, Triticum durum (durum spring wheat), into Triticum vulgare (common autumn wheat), through 2 to 4 years of autumn planting. This species transition he claimed to occur without an intermediate form. However, this was already known to be impossible since T. durum is a tetraploid with 28 chromosomes (4 sets of 7), while T. vulgare is hexaploid with 42 chromosomes (6 sets). This objection did not faze Lysenko, as he claimed that the chromosome number changed as well. Lysenko claimed that the concept of a gene was a "bourgeois invention", and he denied the presence of any "immortal substance of heredity" or "clearly defined species", which he claimed belong to Platonic metaphysics rather than strictly materialist Marxist science. Instead, he proposed a "Marxist genetics" postulating an unlimited possibility of transformation of living


id: lysenkoism-20260505-2
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lysenkoism-2.md
category: reference
title: Lysenkoism
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lysenkoism
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:22:32.570224+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: lysenkoism-20260505-0
summary:
=== Peak === From July 31 to August 7, 1948, the Academy of Agricultural Sciences (VASKhNIL) held a week-long session (August 1948 Session of VASKhNIL), organized by Lysenko and approved by Stalin. At the end of it, Lysenkoism was declared as "the only correct theory." As Lysenko performatively spoke at the end, "the Central Committee of the Communist Party has examined my report and approved it". Attendants recognized this as the birth of a new orthodoxy. Of the 8 scientists who advocated genetics during the session, 3 immediately announced repentance. Soviet scientists were required to denounce any work that contradicted Lysenko, and criticism was denounced as "bourgeois" or "fascist". The Ministry of Higher Education commanded all biological institutes to immediately follow the Lysenko orthodoxy:The Central University Administration and the Administration of Cadres are directed to review within two months all departments of biological faculties to free them from all opposed to Michurinist biology and to strengthen them by appointing Michurinists to them. Point 6 of the Order No. 1208 (August 23, 1948)For several months, similar central directives dismissed scientists, withdrew textbooks, and required the removal of any references to heredity in higher education. There was also an order to destroy


id: lysenkoism-20260505-3
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lysenkoism-3.md
category: reference
title: Lysenkoism
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lysenkoism
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:22:32.570224+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: lysenkoism-20260505-0
summary:
=== Reappearance === In the 21st century, Lysenkoism is again being discussed in Russia, including in respectable newspapers like Kultura and by biologists. The geneticist Lev Zhivotovsky has made the unsupported claim that Lysenko helped found modern developmental biology. Discoveries in the field of epigenetics are sometimes raised as alleged late confirmation of Lysenko's theories, but in spite of the apparent high-level similarity (heritable traits passed on without DNA alteration), Lysenko believed that environment-induced changes are the primary mechanism of heritability. Heritable epigenetic effects have been found, but are minor and unstable compared to genetic inheritance. == Scientific content == Heredity was reformulated as "the property of the living body to demand certain environmental conditions and to react in a certain way to them". Michurin attempted to explain Lamarckian heredity by theorizing that some sort of "heredity" is present all throughout an organism, which reacts to environmental influence. This is incompatible with the Weismann barrier, which leads Lysenkoists to denounce Weismann. Instead, they proposed a "physiological" theory, that the heredity diffused throughout the body is somehow collected in the germ cells, which are "built from molecules, granules, of various organs and parts of the organism", i.e. the pangenesis theory. When


id: lysenkoism-20260505-4
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lysenkoism-4.md
category: reference
title: Lysenkoism
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lysenkoism
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:22:32.570224+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: lysenkoism-20260505-0
summary:
== Further reading == Denis Buican, L'éternel retour de Lyssenko, Paris, Copernic, 1978. ISBN 2859840192 Ronald Fisher, "What Sort of Man is Lysenko?" Listener, 40 (1948): 874–875. Contemporary commentary by a British evolutionary biologist (pdf format) Loren Graham, Chapter 6. "Stalinist Ideology and the Lysenko Affair", in Science in Russia and the Soviet Union (New York: Cambridge University Press, 1993). Oren Solomon Harman, "C. D. Darlington and the British and American Reaction to Lysenko and the Soviet Conception of Science." Journal of the History of Biology, Vol. 36 No. 2 (New York: Springer, 2003) David Joravsky, The Lysenko Affair (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1970). Richard Levins and Richard Lewontin, "Lysenkoism", in The Dialectical Biologist (Boston: Harvard University Press, 1985). Anton Lang, "Michurin, Vavilov, and Lysenko". Science, Vol. 124 No. 3215, 1956) doi:10.1126/science.124.3215.277b Valery N. Soyfer, Lysenko and the Tragedy of Soviet Science (New Brunswick, New Jersey: Rutgers University Press, 1994). ISBN 0813520878 "The Disastrous Effects of Lysenkoism on Soviet Agriculture". Science and Its Times, ed. Neil Schlager and Josh Lauer, Vol. 6. (Detroit: Gale, 2001) == External links == SkepDic.com – 'Lysenkoism', The Skeptic's Dictionary Lysenkoism, BBC Radio 4 discussion with Robert Service, Steve Jones & Catherine Merridale (In


id: macrobiotic-diet-20260505-0
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macrobiotic_diet-0.md
category: reference
title: Macrobiotic diet
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macrobiotic_diet
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:22:33.731810+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: macrobiotic-diet-20260505-0
summary:
A macrobiotic diet (or macrobiotics) is a restrictive dietary regime based on ideas about types of food drawn from Zen Buddhism. The diet tries to balance the food elements classified as yin and yang, a practice that also extends to cookware. Major principles of macrobiotic diets are to reduce animal products, eat locally grown foods that are in season, and consume meals in moderation. There is no high-quality clinical evidence that a macrobiotic diet is helpful for people with cancer or other diseases, and it may be harmful. Neither the American Cancer Society nor Cancer Research UK recommends adopting the diet. Deaths have been reported from malnutrition on strict macrobiotic diets. == Conceptual basis == The macrobiotic diet is associated with Zen Buddhism and is based on the idea of balancing yin and yang. The diet proposes ten plans which are followed to reach a supposedly ideal yin:yang ratio of 5:1. The diet was popularized by George Ohsawa in the 1930s and subsequently elaborated on by his disciple Michio Kushi. Medical historian Barbara Clow writes that, in common with many other types of quackery, macrobiotics takes a view of illness and of therapy which conflicts with mainstream medicine. Macrobiotics emphasizes


id: macrobiotic-diet-20260505-1
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macrobiotic_diet-1.md
category: reference
title: Macrobiotic diet
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macrobiotic_diet
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:22:33.731810+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: macrobiotic-diet-20260505-0
summary:
== Cancer == The macrobiotic diet has been advertised as an alternative cancer treatment but is ineffective to treat any type of cancer. Macrobiotics author Michio Kushi argued that conventional cancer treatments are "violent and artificial" and the macrobiotic diet should not be combined with conventional treatment. There is no clinical evidence to support the cancer claims of macrobiotic proponents. The American Cancer Society who reviewed 11 scientific data bases found no peer-reviewed evidence that the macrobiotic diet is effective for treating any type of cancer. The Office of Technology Assessment, examining both published and unpublished macrobiotic literature, failed to verify any claims of cancer cure. The American Cancer Society recommends "low-fat, high-fiber diets that consist mainly of plant products"; however, they urge people with cancer not to rely on a dietary program as an exclusive or primary means of treatment. Cancer Research UK states, "some people think living a macrobiotic lifestyle may help them to fight their cancer and lead to a cure. But there is no scientific evidence to prove this." == Safety == === Regulation === Macrobiotic practitioners are not regulated, and need not have any qualification or training in the United Kingdom. === Complications === One


id: macrophagic-myofasciitis-20260505-0
file: data/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macrophagic_myofasciitis-0.md
category: reference
title: Macrophagic myofasciitis
tags: science, encyclopedia
source_url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macrophagic_myofasciitis
date_saved: 2026-05-05T09:22:34.928224+00:00
instance: kb-cron
parent: macrophagic-myofasciitis-20260505-0
summary:
Macrophagic myofasciitis (MMF) is a histopathological finding involving inflammatory microphage formations with aluminium-containing crystal inclusions and associated microscopic muscle necrosis in biopsy samples of the deltoid muscle. Based on the presence of aluminium and the common practice of administering vaccines into the deltoid, it has been proposed that the abnormalities are a result of immunisation with aluminium adjuvant-containing vaccines. The findings were observed in a minority of persons being evaluated for "diffuse myalgias, arthralgias or muscle weakness" who underwent deltoid muscle biopsies. The individuals had a history of receiving aluminium-containing vaccines, administered months to several years prior to observation of MMF histopathology. It has been subsequently proposed that macrophagic myofasciitis is in fact a systemic disorder where various diseases develop in association and as consequence of vaccination with aluminium-containing vaccines in susceptible individuals, however, the World Health Organization has concluded that "[t]here is no evidence to suggest that MMF is a specific illness", and that "[t]he current evidence neither establishes nor excludes a generalized disorder affecting other organs." == Description == According to the WHO, "There is no evidence to suggest that MMF is a specific illness. MMF is a lesion containing aluminium salts, identified by histopathological examination, found at


