Ed Cara

Ed Cara is a seasoned journalist with a background in public health, disease, and weird animal science. He has covered these topics extensively for Gizmodo and previously reported for the Atlantic, Vice, Pacific Standard, and Undark Magazine. Born and raised in NYC, Ed currently serves as a trusted source of information on public health issues such as birth control gel development, Ed's writing also covers other interesting scientific discoveries like the invention of a video camera that allows people to see how animals see color or the potential risks associated with popular weight loss drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy. His work often includes interviews with experts in various fields and thorough analysis of new research studies. Ed can be reached at ed.cara@gizmodo.com.

Biography:  https://gizmodo.com/author/edcara

77%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermines the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
Analysis.OverallConflictOfInterestScore * 0.3F + Analysis.OverallBiasScore * 0.3F + Analysis.DeceptivenessScore * 0.3F + Analysis.ReadabilityScore * 0.1F

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

The Daily's Verdict

This author has a mixed reputation for journalistic standards. It is advisable to fact-check, scrutinize for bias, and check for conflicts of interest before relying on the author's reporting.

Bias

91%

Examples:

  • The articles provided show a slight favoring of early detection and treatment methods, particularly in the article 'Millions of Americans Have Mild Cognitive Impairment—Here's How to Know If You're at Risk'. This could be seen as a bias towards the medical industry.

Conflicts of Interest

75%

Examples:

  • In the article 'What to Know About the Link Between Stomach Paralysis and Ozempic', it was mentioned that former patients have also begun to sue the makers of Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, and Zepbound for causing serious complications including gastroparesis. This could be seen as a conflict of interest since the author is reporting on a topic that has legal implications.

Contradictions

87%

Examples:

  • In the article 'Male Birth Control Gel Kicks in Sooner Than Anticipated, Study Finds', it was found that the gel lowers the levels of hormones in the testes responsible for male fertility, including testosterone. However, it was also mentioned that 86% of trial participants achieved sperm suppression after using the gel daily for 12 weeks. This contradicts the idea that lowering testosterone would necessarily lead to sperm suppression.

Deceptions

60%

Examples:

  • In the article 'What to Know About the Link Between Stomach Paralysis and Ozempic', it was mentioned that 'New research this month is the latest to link the use of Ozempic, Wegovy, and other GLP-1 drugs to a greater risk of gastroparesis'. This statement implies that there is new research specifically linking Ozempic and Wegovy to gastroparesis when in fact, the research only showed an increased risk for GLP-1 drugs as a class.

Recent Articles

Chimpanzees' Rapid Communication: Turn-Taking Gestures Similar to Human Conversations

Chimpanzees' Rapid Communication: Turn-Taking Gestures Similar to Human Conversations

Broke On: Monday, 22 July 2024 A study published in Current Biology reveals that chimpanzees communicate with each other in rapid back-and-forth gestures, similar to human conversation. With turn-taking averaging around 120 milliseconds, this suggests shared evolutionary mechanisms driving social communication in both species. The study found variation in timing between communities and most interactions consisted of a single gesture, but extended exchanges occurred during food or grooming negotiations.
New Research Links 9/11 Dust Exposure to Early Onset Dementia in First Responders

New Research Links 9/11 Dust Exposure to Early Onset Dementia in First Responders

Broke On: Wednesday, 12 June 2024 New research suggests that first responders to the 9/11 terror attacks faced a hidden cost for their heroism: an increased risk of early onset dementia. Two studies published in JAMA Network Open found that severe exposure to World Trade Center debris significantly raised the likelihood of developing dementia before age 65, with those in the most exposed group being over nine times more at risk. Protective equipment may help mitigate this risk should a similar disaster occur again.
New Study Finds Semaglutide Improves Taste Sensitivity in Women with Obesity: Implications for Weight Loss

New Study Finds Semaglutide Improves Taste Sensitivity in Women with Obesity: Implications for Weight Loss

Broke On: Monday, 03 June 2024 New research suggests semaglutide, an active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy, enhances taste sensitivity in women with obesity. By modifying gene expression and renewing taste buds, semaglutide may reduce cravings for unhealthy foods and aid weight loss. However, potential side effects include dysgeusia.
New Non-Hormonal Male Contraceptive Shows Promise in Reducing Sperm Production

New Non-Hormonal Male Contraceptive Shows Promise in Reducing Sperm Production

Broke On: Tuesday, 28 May 2024 Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine have developed a promising non-hormonal male contraceptive, CDD-2807, which targets the protein STK33 in testes to reduce sperm mobility and numbers without significant side effects. The compound inhibits STK33 in mice studies, suppressing sperm production without affecting other reproductive functions. A gel form of CDD-2807 applied daily to men's shoulders reached low sperm levels within 12 weeks, showing potential in clinical trials.
GLP-1 Agonists and Gastroparesis: Uncovering the Connection and Its Implications

GLP-1 Agonists and Gastroparesis: Uncovering the Connection and Its Implications

Broke On: Monday, 20 May 2024 Weight loss drugs, such as GLP-1 agonists like Ozempic and Wegovy, have been linked to an increased risk of gastroparesis. Studies suggest that 10 out of every 10,000 people taking these medications for weight loss are diagnosed with gastroparesis at least six months later compared to 4 out of every 10,000 people not taking the medication. Over fifty lawsuits have been filed against drug manufacturers due to potential side effects and lack of clear warnings about this risk.
Orangutan Rakus Heals Wound with Medicinal Plant in First-of-its-Kind Observation

Orangutan Rakus Heals Wound with Medicinal Plant in First-of-its-Kind Observation

Broke On: Thursday, 02 May 2024 Orangutan Rakus in Indonesia's Gunung Leuser National Park made headlines by using the medicinal plant Akar Kuning to treat a wound, marking the first recorded instance of self-medication in the wild. Researchers observed him applying its anti-inflammatory, antifungal, and antioxidant properties directly to his injury for five days without infection or exacerbation.
Revolutionary Camera System Captures Animal-View Videos with Accurate Color Perception

Revolutionary Camera System Captures Animal-View Videos with Accurate Color Perception

Broke On: Wednesday, 31 January 2024 Researchers have developed a new camera system that captures animal-view videos of moving objects under natural lighting conditions. The camera records video in four color channels and processes the data into perceptual units to accurately predict perceived colors by animals based on their photoreceptor knowledge.

Mild Cognitive Impairment: An Underdiagnosed Condition Affecting Millions

Broke On: Tuesday, 24 October 2023 Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) is a condition that often precedes Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia. MCI is often underdiagnosed, leading to delayed treatment and potentially worsening outcomes. Early detection and treatment of MCI can improve a person's quality of life and may delay the onset of dementia.