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zeynep's profile
zeynep tufekci
zeynep tufekci
zeynep tufekci
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@zeynep

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zeynep tufekciVerified account

@zeynep

Complex systems, wicked problems. Society, technology, science and more. @UNC professor. @NYTimes columnist. My newsletter is @insight: http://www.theinsight.org 

floating in a most peculiar way
theinsight.org
Joined August 2009

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    1. zeynep tufekci‏Verified account @zeynep 29 Dec 2021

      Genuine question. I once had a medical doctor who swore by saline nose/throat gargling for upper respiratory tract illnesses—he was a by the book, orthodox, evidence-based doc. I did not research it. Anyone know the evidentiary status of his claim? I did not see a recent review.

      137 replies 29 retweets 470 likes
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    2. zeynep tufekci‏Verified account @zeynep 29 Dec 2021

      I was thinking about it not just because Omicron is more upper-respiratory, but just that mechanical processes are probably not as interesting for research & publication. (Then again hand-washing is an obvious mechanical process that took a long-time to establish and does work.)

      13 replies 1 retweet 144 likes
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      zeynep tufekci‏Verified account @zeynep 29 Dec 2021

      zeynep tufekci Retweeted Kevin Donato

      Alright, we have a 2015 review and the answer is maybe yes but don't know. Only 5 randomized studies ever done, apparently. (Found some mild benefit but with so few, hard to tell either way). I always wonder why such common claims don't get trialed more.https://twitter.com/WhatMyWifeYells/status/1476338701823213574 …

      zeynep tufekci added,

      Kevin Donato @WhatMyWifeYells
      Replying to @themaltesemama @zeynep
      It's for the wrong condition. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25892369/  is the latest Cochrane review of upper respiratory saline treatment that I've seen (2015).
      3:51 PM - 29 Dec 2021
      • 5 Retweets
      • 160 Likes
      • El Mosquito Emma Otheguy waldenj Bonnie Flint Notavi Thelonious Funk Michael Tanel Gagan Tano Nils Barth
      22 replies 5 retweets 160 likes
        1. New conversation
        2. zeynep tufekci‏Verified account @zeynep 29 Dec 2021

          zeynep tufekci Retweeted Aartik Sarma

          Okay, adding the reviews we do have, and one COVID related preprint coming up.https://twitter.com/AartikSarma/status/1476342990176075776 …

          zeynep tufekci added,

          Aartik Sarma @AartikSarma
          Replying to @zeynep
          Evidence is limited. Some pediatrics studies found ⬇️symptoms (2020) : https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32312677/  Evidence is weaker in adults (2015): https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25892369/  Pilot study in 2019 found ⬇️symptoms, ⬇️ viral shedding, but larger studies required: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30705369/ 
          1 reply 2 retweets 66 likes
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        3. zeynep tufekci‏Verified account @zeynep 29 Dec 2021

          And here's a preprint. It has a positive finding, but do note it is tiny sample and there is no for-real control group—just comparison to national rates of hospitalization. https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.08.16.21262044v3 … https://twitter.com/jpdleblanc/status/1476342862405111811 …pic.twitter.com/4lzlnxfvJY

          7 replies 3 retweets 62 likes
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        4. zeynep tufekci‏Verified account @zeynep 29 Dec 2021

          Okay, here's a 2019 study. Same encouraging findings, same small sample, same "need a bigger trial" recommendation. https://twitter.com/microlabdoc/status/1476346209291886595 …pic.twitter.com/YP39ZOkIiW

          5 replies 5 retweets 69 likes
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        5. zeynep tufekci‏Verified account @zeynep 29 Dec 2021

          I have the most sincere respect for the power of both placebo and nocebo—aka don't mess with folk medicine—but I can't help but get curious about trials for things with plausibility, like this.

          8 replies 1 retweet 132 likes
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        6. zeynep tufekci‏Verified account @zeynep 29 Dec 2021

          zeynep tufekci Retweeted Amy Heckathorn

          Btw, I asked out of curiosity, and I know this is a common folk-remedy in some cultures but... just in case anyone is encountering this with a practical mindset. DO NOTE THE FOLLOWING. Rinsing nasal passages with tap/contaminated water has real risks!https://twitter.com/heckathorn_amy/status/1476353795927904259 …

          zeynep tufekci added,

          Amy Heckathorn @heckathorn_amy
          Replying to @RobbDawson4 @specterm @zeynep
          YES! Or boiled water. Two people in Louisiana used tap water a few years ago and died from a brain eating amoeba. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/tap-water-in-neti-pots-behind-two-brain-eating-amoeba-deaths-in-2011-investigation-finds/ …
          15 replies 11 retweets 143 likes
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        7. zeynep tufekci‏Verified account @zeynep 30 Dec 2021

          zeynep tufekci Retweeted Dr. Jennifer BLM Glass

          Just because I find rigorous testing of folk-remedies interesting… Someone could do a quasi-experiment by using rapid tests like this, but with some folks using rinse/gargle, some not, and also do before/after comparisons (after waiting an hour or so, as per test instructions).https://twitter.com/methanoJen/status/1476276591219064836 …

          zeynep tufekci added,

          Dr. Jennifer BLM Glass @methanoJen
          Day 10 of 3x-Pfizer-vaxxed #COVID19 breakthrough case. Still testing faintly +ve. I analyzed all nine of my rapid antigen tests w/ ImageJ & plotted the ratio of the area of sample to the area of control. Saw a linear relationship (R2=0.99) from day 2-10: pic.twitter.com/8vR6r5ygwz
          Show this thread
          6 replies 3 retweets 59 likes
          Show this thread
        8. zeynep tufekci‏Verified account @zeynep 30 Dec 2021

          By the way, why rigorously test folk-remedies? First: sometimes there’s unintended harm you can uncover only through proper trial. Second: if beneficial, yeay! Third: if no effect found? It seems that the placebo benefit is essentially unshakable, so no harm in finding no effect.

          15 replies 5 retweets 111 likes
          Show this thread
        9. End of conversation
        1. New conversation
        2. David Scales‏ @DavidAScales 29 Dec 2021
          Replying to @zeynep

          Who would pay? It is a common recommendation in Quebec. Low risk, low cost, some potential benefit, why study? Would be nice to have data on efficacy (would help justify forcing it on small kids) but seems more of an academic question.

          1 reply 0 retweets 1 like
        3. zeynep tufekci‏Verified account @zeynep 29 Dec 2021
          Replying to @DavidAScales

          If it works, it can do a lot of good at low risk and low cost. If it doesn't, meh, we know and it won't stop people anyway from the ritual aspect of it. I'm just amazed it doesn't get studied since no drug to sell.

          2 replies 0 retweets 2 likes
        4. Show replies
        1. David Fox‏ @ddssff 29 Dec 2021
          Replying to @zeynep

          My guess: stuff that is harmless free and feels good does not attract much controversy or funding.

          0 replies 0 retweets 0 likes
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