Here is a recap of the stories that appeared last week at Science-Based Medicine, a multi-author skeptical blog that separates the science from the woo-woo in medicine.  

Undermining the regulation of stem cell therapies in Italy: A warning for the future? (David Gorski) http://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/index.php/undermining-the-regulation-of-stem-cell-therapies-in-italy-a-warning-for-the-future/ Stem cell quackery is rampant: clinics offer miraculous cures with untested treatments that may not even contain stem cells. Swayed by arguments of “health freedom” and “compassion,” the Italian government is on the brink of approving stem cell quackery and even facilitating it with government funding.  

GAPS Diet (Harriet Hall) http://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/index.php/gaps-diet/ The Gut and Psychology Syndrome Diet is a mishmash of half-truths, pseudoscience, imagination, and untested claims. It is the invention of one woman who believes a large number of health and psychological problems (especially autism) are caused by an imbalance of gut microbes. Her claims are not supported by any published evidence.  

Friends,

Last year we at the JREF decided to test the waters with a year-end fund-raising campaign to help raise awareness both of our mission as well as new ways to advance it. We were inspired by your response to our appeal, so much so that this year we hope our Season of Reason campaign will continue to support the bright future for skepticism and critical thinking.

We are focusing on our new educational efforts, as you will see here. But we now have a secret weapon that we're hopeful will make this end-of-year fund-raising campaign even more effective. An anonymous JREF member has made a very generous challenge donation to the JREF of up to $100,000. This means that whatever support you feel motivated to give to the JREF, this donor will match dollar-for-dollar up to a $100,000 limit!

Simply put my friends, there's never been a better time to put your money to work for skepticism and critical thinking, not only because every dollar you donate now doubles its value, but also because the JREF is doing more now to increase critical thinking in education than we've ever done in the past. The Amaz!ng Meetings are growing in size and number internationally, with record attendances, and we're seizing new opportunities to make a difference, such as digital publishing and smartphone "apps."