Honest Universe

$26m for Acupuncture

Mark Hanna • May 04, 2016

• ACC,
• acupuncture,
• frozen shoulder,
• government spending,
• Health and Medicine,
• neck and shoulder pain

Last week, ACC’s spending on alternative therapies was in the media spotlight. There were pieces on both TV3’s Story and Stuff asking the question of whether or not this spending is justified. This was prompted by some new information that’s been released by ACC under the Official Information Act, regarding their funding of acupuncture treatments. ACC … Read More

Misleading claims common among chiropractors

Mark Hanna • Apr 01, 2016

• Health and Medicine

Most New Zealand chiropractors make misleading claims. Through my role as the chair of the Society for Science Based Healthcare, I see a lot of misleading health claims in advertisements. Many of them are pretty clearly bogus; I’ve seen claims that drinking “harmonized water” is as good as sunscreen and that bacteria make your … Read More

Misleading claims common among chiropractors

Mark Hanna • Apr 01, 2016

• Health and Medicine

Most New Zealand chiropractors make misleading claims. Through my role as the chair of the Society for Science Based Healthcare, I see a lot of misleading health claims in advertisements. Many of them are pretty clearly bogus; I’ve seen claims that drinking “harmonized water” is as good as sunscreen and that bacteria make your … Read More

Are You an Organ Donor?

Mark Hanna • Mar 08, 2016

• Andy Tookey,
• Colin Cavaghan,
• GiveLife,
• Organ Donation,
• Organ Donor

Organ donation is important. When a person dies in a way that leaves them brain dead but their other organs still viable, such as an intracranial haemorrhage in an intensive care unit, their organs can be transplanted to save others’ lives in a way nothing else can. Only a few organs, kidneys for example, can be donated by live donors. Read More

Are You an Organ Donor?

Mark Hanna • Mar 08, 2016

• Health and Medicine

Organ donation is important. When a person dies in a way that leaves them brain dead but their other organs still viable, such as an intracranial haemorrhage in an intensive care unit, their organs can be transplanted to save others’ lives in a way nothing else can. Only a few organs, kidneys for example, can be donated by live donors. Read More

Fun with Light

Mark Hanna • Jan 25, 2016

• Science and Society

There are lots of cool science activities you can do at home with light. Like I’ve done almost every year of my life, I spent my summer break at my family bach at Oakura. Last summer I wrote a post about a trip to the rocks and what could be found living there. This summer, on the relatively … Read More

Fun with Light

Mark Hanna • Jan 25, 2016

• Science and Society

There are lots of cool science activities you can do at home with light. Like I’ve done almost every year of my life, I spent my summer break at my family bach at Oakura. Last summer I wrote a post about a trip to the rocks and what could be found living there. This summer, on the relatively … Read More

Nurofen: Does It Really Target Pain?

Mark Hanna • Dec 14, 2015

• advertising,
• Health and Medicine,
• Ibuprofen,
• misleading,
• Nurofen,
• Reckitt Benckiser

Nurofen provides targeted relief from pain. Or does it? For a long time now, the pharmaceutical company Reckitt Benckiser has sold a range of their ibuprofen product Nurofen, which are marketed for four specific types of pain: Back pain Migraine pain Period pain Tension headache Since at least 2008, Nurofen has marketed these specific pain relief products saying they “ … Read More

Nurofen: Does It Really Target Pain?

Mark Hanna • Dec 14, 2015

• Health and Medicine

Nurofen provides targeted relief from pain. Or does it? For a long time now, the pharmaceutical company Reckitt Benckiser has sold a range of their ibuprofen product Nurofen, which are marketed for four specific types of pain: Back pain Migraine pain Period pain Tension headache Since at least 2008, Nurofen has marketed these specific pain relief products saying they “ … Read More

It’s Detox Season

Mark Hanna • Dec 11, 2015

• Health and Medicine

Summer is detox season, but beware misleading health advice. Every summer, we are bombarded with advertisements, editorials, and advertorials chastising us for all the toxins we have poisoned ourself with by indulging in fruit mince pies and Christmas ham. But it’s okay, we are told, for there is a solution to this toxic overload. And … Read More