Analysis: Video falsely links metal experiment to vaccine ingredients
The original educational video shows elemental mercury reacting with aluminum metal. Neither is present in vaccines.
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annie lab
@HKU School of Future Media
Health
Misleading claim misuses US heat wave index to downplay worsening heat waves
A conservative commentator cites a single EPA chart to argue heat waves are not becoming more severe. Decades of data and broader scientific evidence show the opposite.
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Analysis: Viral post misleadingly links sunscreen use to higher cancer risk
Researchers tied the apparent link to behavioral factors, such as higher UV exposure and insufficient sunscreen use, not sunscreen itself
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Explainer: Viral posts misrepresent decades‑long hantavirus vaccine research
DNA vaccines are a form of immunization, not gene therapy. No hantavirus vaccines have been in widespread use, with most candidates still in early‑stage research and development.
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False: No recent data shows ‘half of Chinese men die before 68’
The viral figure cannot be traced to any official or credible source. The available census-based figure from 2020 shows the median ages at death for men are around 73.
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Misinformation spreads as WHO member states adopt pandemic agreement
Adoption of a treaty is not the same as signing it. The agreement explicitly preserves national sovereignty and requires further steps before becoming legally binding.
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False: Video of former Indonesian minister promoting health product is manipulated
The former health minister, Terawan Agus Putranto, said nothing about the health product in the original speech seen on a TV news report in 2019.
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Analysis: Issues surrounding ‘100% lethal’ strain of coronavirus tested in Chinese lab
The preprint paper describing lab research was widely misinterpreted as an attempt to ‘create and test’ a deadly strain of COVID-19 virus. While many experts raised concerns over the safety level of the lab environment, the risk of the pangolin coronavirus appears to be less than what was initially reported and discussed.
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False: China’s blood product does not account for 80% of global export market
Global trade data between 2018 and 2022 indicates China’s share in blood and blood-related products’ global exports has been in single digit percentage consistently.
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Explainer: Why people in East Asia hoard table salt amid fears of radiation exposure
Many people flocked to grocery stores in China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and South Korea recently to buy table salt in bulk. Annie Lab explains what was going on.
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