October's "Science" Rumors: Should nodules be removed immediately? Is this winter the coldest in 60 years?

The October "Science" Rumor List is here! If you find a nodule, you should remove it immediately, otherwise it will turn into cancer? Is this winter the coldest in 60 years? Let's see the truth.

The monthly "science" rumor list is guided by the Beijing Association for Science and Technology, Beijing Municipal Cyberspace Administration, and the Capital Internet Association, and jointly released by the Beijing Science and Technology Journalists and Editors Association and the Beijing Regional Website Joint Rumor-Refuting Platform, and supported by the Science Communication Professional Committee of the China Science Writers Association, the China Evening News Science Editors and Journalists Association, the Shanghai Science Communication Association, and the Beijing Institute of Scientific and Technological Information.

1. If a nodule is found, it should be removed immediately, otherwise it will turn into cancer.

gossip:

Once a nodule is discovered, it must be removed immediately without waiting, otherwise it will definitely become cancerous in the future.

the truth:

Nodules, in layman's terms, refer to relatively small masses that are painless or painful. Nodules can be seen and felt in the neck, armpits, breasts, and under the skin of various parts of the body. However, some nodules grow in "hidden corners" and are not easy to be found. For example, nodules growing on organs such as the lungs, liver, kidneys, and heart require the help of imaging examinations to be discovered.

Don't be too nervous about nodules, as more than 90% of nodules are benign. Benign nodules generally do not need to be treated, and some nodules remain benign throughout life, such as scar nodules (a type of nodule formed during the repair process after a traumatic injury, which will not change throughout life). However, once a nodule is found, it needs to be observed at all times and visited a hospital to determine whether the nodule is benign or malignant and its grade.

For palpable nodules like breast nodules, you can sense changes in the size and hardness of the nodules yourself. For nodules on the limbs and body surface, you need to observe and touch them at any time. Lung nodules require professional examination. If you can't tell whether it is a nodule or not, it is recommended to go to the hospital for treatment.

It is important to note that no nodules should never be removed indiscriminately, because removing nodules will also have a certain impact on the body. After the nodule is removed, the local tissue of the affected area will be damaged to a certain extent. For example, the removal of breast nodules may cause damage to the breast ducts; the removal of lung nodules may require the removal of part of the lung lobe, which will affect the lung function. In short, whether to remove the nodules and when to remove them requires the doctor to judge according to the situation.

2. This winter is the coldest in 60 years

gossip:

This winter is the coldest in 60 years and will see the "heaviest snowfall", all of which is related to La Niña.

the truth:

During the National Day holiday this year, affected by strong cold air, the lowest temperature in Northeast China and North China fell below freezing. Many scenic spots in Henan, Sichuan, Gansu, Inner Mongolia, Jilin, Heilongjiang and other places "unlocked" winter scenery mode early. As the temperature dropped, many news about "the coldest winter in 60 years" and "all this is related to La Nina" circulated on Weibo, WeChat, Moments and forums.

But in fact, in early October, it is normal for the temperature in northern my country, especially Inner Mongolia and Northeast China, to drop to freezing point or even snow. Climate forecasting is a highly professional job that requires a large amount of climate observation data as a basis, high-resolution numerical forecast products as support, and a series of statistical analysis to carefully draw a scientific conclusion.

Experts from the China Meteorological Administration believe that this cooling process is not necessarily related to La Nina. The La Nina phenomenon refers to the sea surface temperature in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean, which is colder than the same period of previous years. Generally speaking, in the winter when most La Nina events are at their peak, cold air activities affecting my country are more frequent than usual, and the probability of lower temperatures in central and eastern my country than the same period of previous years is higher.

In addition, La Nina alone cannot guarantee that winter will be colder. The impact of each La Nina event is different, and not every La Nina winter has a low average temperature in my country. Moreover, under the background of global warming, the factors affecting my country's winter climate are more complex. The melting of Arctic sea ice and changes in Eurasian snow cover will affect the East Asian winter monsoon circulation, and thus affect my country's winter climate.

3. Compound Isatis root can effectively resist the new coronavirus

gossip:

Compound Isatis Root Granules have definite efficacy against the new coronavirus, so please buy them quickly.

the truth:

On October 13, the team of Academician Zhong Nanshan mentioned at a seminar that during the in vitro efficacy screening against the new coronavirus, the research team found that compound isatis root granules, stomatitis clearing granules, etc. showed different degrees of in vitro inhibitory efficacy.

After relevant media reports, Isatis root quickly became popular, and pharmacies and e-commerce platforms were out of stock. On the evening of the 18th, the relevant pharmaceutical company issued a clarification announcement, stating that the relevant conclusions involved in the relevant media reports were only the results of in vitro screening experiments on compound Isatis root granules against the new coronavirus. Further related work needs to be carried out on this product, and there is still a certain degree of uncertainty.

Academician Zhong Nanshan himself also responded: "It is the compound isatis root, not the isatis root, that has an anti-new coronavirus effect in the laboratory, which is far from being effective in vivo...Some people have taken my words out of context and expanded them to even say that it is the isatis root. This is a distortion, and the relevant departments have come out to clarify."

Before a drug can be used in clinical treatment, it must go through three stages: in vitro testing, animal testing, and clinical testing. The results obtained in the laboratory on in vitro cells are still a long way from being effective in the clinic.

For example, 75% alcohol can kill viruses, but it can only be used for external disinfection and cannot be taken internally. Shuanghuanglian, which was previously sold out, is only effective in vitro, and there is no evidence of its effectiveness in clinical treatment.

Even if a drug is already on the market and in vitro tests have proven that it has an inhibitory effect on the virus, clinical trials cannot be omitted. Even if it is just adding a new indication, it needs to pass a clinical trial with a certain sample size to prove its safety and effectiveness before it can be officially used on patients.

Before the Phase III clinical trial is completed, no one can say whether the compound isatis root is effective. There is no need to follow the trend and buy it, and it is not recommended to take the drug as a method of preventing disease. Taking it carelessly may also cause side effects.

4. A family of nine died after eating homemade "sour soup" due to aflatoxin poisoning

gossip:

Nine people from a family in Jitong County, Heilongjiang Province died after eating homemade "sour soup" together. The aflatoxin content in the food seriously exceeded the standard, which was aflatoxin poisoning.

the truth:

The "sour soup" poisoning was caused by high concentrations of fumonisin produced by contamination with Pseudomonas cocovenenans, not excessive aflatoxin. Aflatoxin is a toxin produced by the "Aspergillus flavus" mold, which is one of the strongest carcinogens known to humans. But in this incident, even if the aflatoxin in the food exceeded the standard, it would be difficult to reach a lethal dose. Aflatoxin has a bitter taste, and it is difficult for people to not notice the lethal dose that causes acute poisoning. Cases of death caused by aflatoxin are very rare, and the mortality rate is not so high.

Poisoning caused by fumonisin is not uncommon. Its incubation period is up to 3 days, and most cases are half a day to a day. Patients initially have only mild symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, and general weakness, followed by jaundice, hepatomegaly, subcutaneous hemorrhage, hematemesis, hematuria, oliguria, confusion, irritability, convulsions, twitching, shock and coma. At present, there is no specific antidote for fumonisin, and patients generally do not have a fever. The mortality rate of severe cases is very high.

There are three main types of food that are easily contaminated and cause aflatoxin poisoning: fermented cereal products (fermented corn flour, glutinous corn glutinous rice ball flour, corn starch, fermented glutinous millet, diaojiangba, ciba, vinegar jelly, etc.); potato products (potato vermicelli, sweet potato flour, taro starch, etc.); spoiled black fungus and white fungus, etc.

To effectively prevent rice fermentation acid poisoning, we must first master the correct production method. Do not use moldy corn and other raw materials to prepare fermented rice flour products; change the water frequently when soaking cereals to keep them hygienic and odor-free; dry them in time after grinding or dry them into powder; the storage environment should be ventilated and moisture-proof, and do not directly contact the soil to prevent pollution. Secondly, it is forbidden to sell or eat fresh Tremella. To ensure the quality of the strains used to cultivate Tremella, the fresh Tremella picked should be dried in time or fully exposed to ultraviolet light. Third, correctly identify the quality of Tremella. After the dried Tremella is soaked in water, the flower shape is complete and large, the fungus pieces are white or slightly yellow, elastic, and have no odor. Deteriorated Tremella is shapeless, sticky, and inelastic, the fungus pieces are dark yellow to yellowish brown, and have a peculiar smell. The well-fermented Tremella should be fully rinsed and the base of the Tremella should be removed.

5. Pain is not a disease, just bear with it

gossip:

Pain is a symptom or an accessory to a certain disease. It will subside as the disease heals, so there is no need to treat it deliberately. Just endure it and it will pass.

the truth:

Eliminating pain is a basic right of patients. Don’t endure pain. In reality, the most common misunderstanding when facing pain is to endure it if you can, and seek treatment only when you can’t endure it. Studies show that more than 70% of pain patients “endure pain” and don’t seek medical treatment, and only 28% of patients seek medical treatment within 1 to 10 days of the first pain.

Pain can be divided into acute pain and chronic pain. Acute pain is pain that occurs suddenly and lasts for a short time, and is mostly related to surgery, trauma, tissue damage or certain disease states; chronic pain lasts for a long time and is often a continuation of acute pain. Osteoarthritis, neck pain, back pain, headache, cancer pain, etc. are all common chronic pains that seriously affect the quality of life. The aging population, unhealthy lifestyles and behavioral habits, and chronic diseases are factors that cause the persistence and severity of pain diseases.

Pain can cause a series of pathophysiological changes, affecting the patient's mood and mental health, leading to sleep disorders, anxiety, irritability, and decreased compliance with various treatments. Continuous pain stimulation can cause central sensitization, resulting in a lower threshold of neurons to pain stimulation, increasing the intensity and duration of pain, and greatly increasing the difficulty of pain treatment. Therefore, it is still necessary to seek medical attention in a timely manner when experiencing pain.

6. Turn on airplane mode and your phone will charge faster

gossip:

Turning on your phone's airplane mode can significantly increase charging speed.

the truth:

The charging time depends on the difference between the charging speed and the power consumption speed. Under the premise of a certain charging speed, turning on the airplane mode will reduce the power consumption of the phone and can indeed increase the charging speed to a certain extent, but it is impossible to achieve a "substantial increase".

Someone has done an experiment to charge two mobile phones in different modes at the same time. Mobile phone No. 1 was charged with flight mode on, with 27% remaining power. It was charged at 15:03 and reached 67% at 16:09, taking 1 hour and 6 minutes, and storing 40% of power in total. Mobile phone No. 2 was charged with flight mode off, with 34% remaining power. It reached 64% at 16:09, taking the same time, and storing 30% of power in total.

Through the above experiment, we can find that the charging speed of the mobile phone in airplane mode is faster than normal. However, the claims of "twice as fast" or "significantly improved" on the Internet have not been confirmed. According to the comparison of the power stored in mobile phones No. 1 and No. 2, No. 1 has 10% more power than No. 2 and is about 33% faster than No. 2. This is just a very preliminary experiment, and different mobile phones will have different differences, but none of them are twice as fast.

The charging speed of a mobile phone depends largely on the output power of the charger, the protocol of the power management chip, and the characteristics of the battery. From the perspective of power consumption, whether it is searching for base station signals or WiFi, GPS, and Bluetooth, the power consumption required by these wireless modules is very small, and the total may be less than 1 watt. Even if the flight mode is turned on and the communication, WiFi, GPS, and Bluetooth modules of the mobile phone are turned off, the charging time that can be saved will not exceed 15%. Nowadays, many mobile phones already support fast charging functions, and the impact of flight mode is even less obvious. Instead of turning on flight mode, it is better to use less or no mobile phone when charging, because mobile phone apps and "long-term screen wake-up state" are the big power consumers.

7. You should never exercise if you have rheumatoid arthritis

gossip:

If you have rheumatoid arthritis, you must never exercise again.

the truth:

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, systemic autoimmune disease characterized by symmetrical, polyarthritis. As the disease progresses, the patient's joints become damaged or even deformed, and become swollen and painful during movement.

During the acute phase of rheumatoid arthritis, patients experience obvious joint swelling and pain, accompanied by mild edema of the tissues around the joints, increased local temperature, and tenderness. At this time, the patient's joint movement is limited or completely incapable of movement. During the acute phase, patients should rest in bed, take medication on time, limit the movement of swollen and painful joints, and avoid weight bearing, excessive activity, and cold stimulation. When resting, avoid putting pressure on swollen and painful joints to avoid aggravating the swelling and pain of the joints.

When the medication relieves symptoms and the acute phase is over, patients should undergo functional recovery training, mainly including joint and muscle training. Patients with rheumatoid arthritis can perform finger joint training, mainly including finger extension and flexion movements. During training, start from the distal interphalangeal joint, to the proximal interphalangeal joint, and then to the metacarpophalangeal joint. Extend and flex as fully as possible, and can be performed on a single finger or on multiple fingers at the same time. Be careful not to over-exert yourself during activities and do not use sudden force to prevent damage to the joints. In addition to joint training, patients can also do some aerobic exercise. Aerobic exercise can not only relax muscles and relieve spasms in tissues around joints, but also promote blood circulation and dissipate inflammation.

Appropriate activities can greatly promote the functional recovery of patients with rheumatoid arthritis during the remission period, and can also improve the patient's self-care ability and help the patient build confidence. Rehabilitation training requires long-term persistence, so it requires the cooperation and supervision of the patient's family. Only by insisting on functional exercise in the early stage can the degree of damage to the joints caused by the disease be reduced and the quality of life be improved.

(Content sources: Beijing Science and Technology News, Beijing Daily, People's Daily Central Kitchen - Blue Sky Studio, China National Radio, "Shanghai Online Rumor Refutation" WeChat public account, "First Financial Daily" WeChat public account, "Science Rumor Refutation Platform" WeChat public account, "Dietary Reference" WeChat public account, Tadpole Music, Beijing Evening News.)

Produced by: Science Central Kitchen

Produced by: Beijing Science and Technology News | Science Plus Client

Welcome to share in your circle of friends

Reprinted by public accounts, newspapers, etc.

Reproduction without authorization is prohibited, and offenders will be prosecuted