Matt Richtel
Matt Richtel is a health and science reporter for The New York Times, based in Boulder, Colorado. He has developed and written long-form projects on issues like adolescent mental health, the rise of obesity around the globe and how our heavy use of smartphones and personal technology affects our brains and behavior. His passion and training revolve around the marriage of storytelling and substance, which leads him to be congenitally journalistic. Richtel has a background in writing thrillers, narrative nonfiction books, and stories at The Times across various topics. He grew up in Boulder, Colorado, got a bachelor's degree at Berkeley and a master's degree in journalism at Columbia. He has worked at a small paper in Silicon Valley and The Oakland Tribune before spending two decades in the San Francisco bureau of The Times. Richtel adheres to The Times' Ethical Journalism Handbook, combining openness, curiosity, and common sense in his work. He can be contacted via email at mattr@nytimes.com or through his website at mattrichtel.com.
76%
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
86%
Examples:
- Dr. Loeb has previously been accused by his peers of wild speculation and sensationalism.
- The approval of the treatment is as much scientific novelty as it is pharmaceutical industry moneymaking bonanza.
Conflicts of Interest
93%
Examples:
- But a new study suggests that an additional demographic is at risk: seniors.
- Dr. Hackett's experience with treating cold-weather injuries is presented in a way that suggests he has had success in preventing amputations when there is no evidence to support this claim.
- In January of 2014, a meteor fell from space off the coast of Papua New Guinea. That might have been the end of it, but several years later Avi Loeb, a theoretical astrophysicist at Harvard, drew on seismic data from near the site.
Contradictions
86%
Examples:
- In 2015, there were 55 emergency room visits caused by cannabis poisoning among people 65 and older in Ontario. This figure rose steadily to 462 by 2021 and then fell off slightly to 404 in 2022.
- The largest increases occurred after edible cannabis became legally available for retail sale.
- The number of emergency room visits for cannabis poisoning among people 65 and older doubled after Canada legalized marijuana.
Deceptions
47%
Examples:
- The sentence
Recent Articles
Rise in Cannabis Poisoning Among Older Adults in Ontario After Legalization: A Growing Concern
Broke On: Wednesday, 17 October 2018A study published in JAMA Internal Medicine reveals a sharp increase in emergency department visits for cannabis poisoning among older adults in Ontario since Canada's legalization of cannabis in 2018. The availability of edibles, which became legal for retail sale in 2020, further exacerbated this trend. Older adults are at higher risk due to age-related physiological changes and drug interactions. Symptoms include dizziness, confusion, nausea, loss of coordination and balance, drowsiness and hallucinations. The true number of cannabis poisonings may be underestimated as these studies only track ED visits. 
The Power of Physical Activity in Natural Environments: Preventing Non-Communicable Diseases and Boosting Mental Health
Broke On: Tuesday, 30 April 2024A recent study in JAMA Pediatrics reveals that improved physical fitness in children and adolescents is linked to lower rates of mental health disorders, including anxiety, depression, and ADHD. Another study in Environment International highlights the importance of natural environments for preventing non-communicable diseases like heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and depression. Engaging in regular exercise in natural settings can save healthcare costs by preventing thousands of cases annually. 
Avi Loeb's Extraterrestrial Claims Under Scrutiny by Peers
Broke On: Monday, 11 March 2024A Harvard University astrophysicist, Avi Loeb, has been accused of wild speculation and sensationalism by his peers. In 2014, he published a paper claiming that the seismic signal from an object that exploded in the atmosphere off Papua New Guinea was evidence of extraterrestrial technology. However, recent studies have cast doubt on Loeb's claims. 
New Drug Approved to Treat Severe Frostbite in Adults, but Experts Question Its Effectiveness and Need for It
Broke On: Sunday, 25 February 2024Frostbite is a serious condition that occurs when skin and underlying tissue are exposed to freezing temperatures, causing blood vessels to narrow and limiting blood flow. Iloprost, recently approved by the FDA for severe frostbite treatment in adults, works by opening blood vessels to improve circulation and limit inflammation. However, experts question the need for this drug as there is limited data on how many people suffer from severe enough frostbite to require it. The most severe cases of frostbite may still require amputations. 
The Rise of Alternative Therapies for Pain Management in America: A Study by JAMA Network Open
Broke On: Saturday, 03 February 2024Alternative therapies like meditation and acupuncture are increasingly popular among American adults, especially for pain management. Chronic pain sufferers lead the way in using these therapies, with meditation being the most widely used.