ScienceUpFirst

A dark blue background with an angry red emoji swearing in the centre. Some text above and below the emoji reads: “The Oxford word of 2025 is rage bait. Read why this misinformer tactic is so popular in the caption.” #ScienceUpFirst

Did you know that misinformation on the internet and social media often plays on your emotions to go viral?

Rage bait can hinder our critical thinking. Read more on that and how to protect yourself here 👇 www.scienceupfirst.com/project/misi...

#ScienceUpFirst

Ever find yourself watching something on social media and wondering if you’ve been transported to another universe?

In honour of the Stranger Things season 5 premiere we made a video of the Upside Down…except it’s a wellness influencer.

#ScienceUpFirst

A layered, rainbow-coloured pyramid, with each layer tied to a different part of the hierarchy of evidence. Text in graphic: "The Hierarchy of Evidence: Risk of Bias, Systematic Review/Meta Analysis, Randomised Controlled Trials, Cohort Studies, Case Control Studies, Case Series/Reports, Editorials/Expert Opinion. Not all evidence is the same. #ScienceUpFirst

Did you know that not all scientific evidence has the same weight?

The more the study relies on an expert's opinion, rather than many data points and peer-review, the higher the risk of bias.

🔺https://www.scienceupfirst.com/project/hierarchy-of-evidence/

#ScienceUpFirst

It’s shaping up to be a rough flu season — time to layer up that protection. 💪

Need some inspo? Check out what others are doing to stay healthy this season
👉 tinyurl.com/SUFScienceChampions

#ScienceUpFirst #LaSciencedAbord #TogetherAgainstMisinformation

On a colourful background of purple and orange, a cannabis leaf is shown as getting bigger. The text says: “Today's cannabis is much stronger than what your parents smoked in the 70s.” In the lower corner, it says “In collaboration with CAMH.” #ScienceUpFirst

Cannabis is NOT what it used to be.
With much higher levels of THC today, the effects can hit harder and carry greater risks for substance addiction or psychosis.

scienceupfirst.com/lifestyle-be...

This post was made in collaboration between @camhnews.bsky.social and @scienceupfirst.bsky.social

A woman in the centre sits thinking about her choices with question marks by her head. Text in graphic: "Thinking about tracking your cycle instead of using birth control? Learn how it works and what to keep in mind" #ScienceUpFirst

Everyone deserves accurate info to make the choices that work for them.

Check this out to learn what research says about tracking your cycle. 👇

scienceupfirst.com/sexual-healt...

This post was made in collaboration between @pwhrcanada.bsky.social and @scienceupfirst.bsky.social

An informational poster in the style of "don't feed the sealions". There's a warning sign at the top, in the centre it says "Please do not feed sealioners" with a ban sign and a human face looking towards a barking sealion. At the bottom there is a sealion with a man's head that says "I'll never stop" Text in graphic: " Did you know sealioners; Are trolls who ask endless questions to drain your energy? Aim to make you seem unreasonable for getting frustrated or not answering all their questions? Are best dealt with by calling out their bad-faith tactic?" #ScienceUpFirst

They say they’re “just asking questions.”
You answer.
They ask again, ignoring your answer.
And again.
And again.
That’s not curiosity, that’s sealioning. A polite-looking way to troll and waste your time.
Don’t take the bait. Call it out. 🦭

👉 scienceupfirst.com/misinformati...

#ScienceUpFirst

Measles Resources | ScienceUpFirst Measles is serious. Canada has now reported measles-related deaths after decades without them. This page provides key resources and answers to common questions.

If you or your loved ones have questions, we’re here for you.

We have a complete resource page on measles available on our website👇
scienceupfirst.com/public-healt...

#ScienceUpFirst

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A black and yellow background. There is a credit to the CBC for a headline that reads: “Canada loses measles elimination status. Updated 5 minutes ago. Public Health Agency of Canada says outbreak has persisted for over 12 months.” The message below reads: “This was all preventable. The MMRV vaccine remains very safe and effective. And yet, medical misinformation makes it increasingly hard for Canadians to make good decisions to protect their families.” #ScienceUpFirst

Canada has lost its measles elimination status after more than 25 years, despite evidence of efficacy and safety for the vaccines. 👇
scienceupfirst.com/public-healt...

#ScienceUpFirst

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Everyone deserves care, comfort, and pleasure! 💗

A big thank you to Dr. Lori Brotto (@drloribrotto) for sharing her expertise! This post was made in collaboration between @pwhrcanada,@womensresearch and scienceupfirst

#ScienceUpFirst #PWHRCanada #TogetherAgainstMisinformation

Image description: A photo of a stethoscope in the lower right half of the slide. Text in slide: "No, COVID-19 vaccines do not increase cancer risk. In fact, a preliminary study found that it might increase survival rates of certain cancer patients." #ScienceUpFirst

No, a recent study did not show that COVID-19 vaccines cause cancer.
It found more cancer diagnoses after vaccination, not that vaccines caused cancer.

Headlines can be misleading, read carefully.
More details here 👇
scienceupfirst.com/vaccines/cov...

#ScienceUpFirst

Did you know you can absolutely transmit human papillomavirus (HPV) without showing any symptoms? In fact, most people who catch HPV won’t show any symptoms!

Learn more about HPV and how it spreads: tinyurl.com/HPVWhatIs

This post was made in collaboration with @Immunize.ca

#ScienceUpFirst

Three overlapping masks in the bottom two thirds of the image, an arrow in the bottom right. Text in graphic: "Masking and neurodivergence. An introduction" #ScienceUpFirst

Have you ever heard of neurodivergent masking? It’s a way of hiding parts of oneself to fit in and avoid social repercussions.

But this is not without consequences for individuals' health. Learn more here 👇 www.scienceupfirst.com/project/mask...

#ScienceUpFirst

Learn more about how this inaccurate perception can act as a barrier to action here 👉 scienceupfirst.com/climate/good...

Share this so that more people know they are not alone - action encourages action!

#ScienceUpFirst
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Two people are hugging planet Earth. There are clouds in the background. A hand is waving the Canadian flag. There is a message that says “GOOD NEWS! Most Canadians care about climate (Even if you think they don't)” #ScienceUpFirst

Good news! The vast majority of people living in Canada care about climate change!

But, many Canadians also think that most of their fellow Canucks don’t share their views.

This can be problematic 👇

#ScienceUpFirst
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A Clippy the paperclip character on a sheet of yellow lined paper saying "It looks like this post is pulling on a lot of emotions! Do you want to take a step back and reflect on the information? Yes. No." #ScienceUpFirst

We felt nostalgic this week and wanted to bring back Clippy, but with a twist!

We wondered: “What would Clippy say if it was programmed to nudge and assist people with misinformation?”

You can see the rest of our Clippys here. 👇
scienceupfirst.com/misinformati...

#ScienceUpFirst

A storm; clouds, lightning, heavy rain and water. Text in the graphic: "Extreme Weather, Extreme Misinformation. How false rumours make emergencies worse – and why they don’t end when the sky clears." #ScienceUpFirst

The last thing people need in a crisis is bad information👇

scienceupfirst.com/climate/extr...

As always, before you share a post, pause and think, "Is this accurate?"

#ScienceUpFirst

@royalcollege.bsky.social
@cmadocs.bsky.social
@cfpc-cmfc.bsky.social
@afmc-ca.bsky.social

A yellow background with a photo of a doctor's hand holding a stethoscope coming into the left side of the frame. Text in image: " The COVID-19 vaccines are not associated with “sudden death,” “excess deaths,” or “turbo cancer.” They’ve been studied extensively and have saved millions of lives (1-3)." #ScienceUpFirst

Science is under attack and it’s causing real harm to people, communities, and public trust.

“Turbo cancer” is not a real thing and deaths from the COVID-19 vaccines are extremely rare and closely monitored. Read more here 👇
scienceupfirst.com/misinformati...

#ScienceUpFirst

Photos of crumpled plastic bottles in a circle around the text. They're black and white, the background is mint green. Text in graphic: "Are microplastics a problem for our health? Let’s break down what we know (and what we don’t) about microplastics and human health." #ScienceUpFirst

Microplastics are in our water, food, air—and even our bodies. But are they actually harming our health? 🤔
Here's what we know (and what we don't).👇

scienceupfirst.com/science-101/...

#ScienceUpFirst

A background of leaves, a yoga symbol in the upper right corner. Pink stripes on the left hand side, the text is in decorative shapes. Text: "4 misinformer tactics ill-intentioned wellness influencers can use to cause confusion." #ScienceUpFirst

Wellness influencers often use misinformer tactics to persuade. We’ve already discussed 4 tactics in a previous post, but here are 4 more 👇

scienceupfirst.com/misinformati...

#ScienceUpFirst

A clear glass bottle of oil with a wood stopper on the top. In the upper left is a title block with oil blobs that says "Cooking Oils". A big drop of oil in the upper right corner with text that says "Your go-to guide for the best oils in every situation". A title box on the lower left says "Oil uses and concerns". There are fluid design elements. The remaining text says: "What factors influence choosing a cooking oil? Smoke point, tastes, cost, health effects, environmental impact? Swipe to see how the oils compare.”

Ever get lost in the grocery store oil aisle wondering which oil to use for cooking? 🫒

You’re not alone!

We teamed up with Nutritionist & Dietitian @myriam.beaudry.dtp to make a quick guide on popular cooking oils and how to best use them.

Check it out 👇
scienceupfirst.com/nutrition/co...

Two women stretch in the centre. There's an arrow at the bottom pointing to the right. Text: "Should you stretch when you workout? Maybe, but you might not get the benefits you expect" #ScienceUpFirst

Many assumed benefits of stretching, like injury prevention, faster recovery, or improved performance, don’t seem to hold up under research.

Surprised?👇

scienceupfirst.com/lifestyle-be...

#ScienceUpFirst

A hand reaches out of the ocean on the left side and a hand on the upper right with a firehose blasts that drowning hand in a full spray of water. Text in graphic: "Misinformer Tactic: Firehose of Falsehood" #ScienceUpFirst

Same misinformation repeated again and again? That’s part of the firehose of falsehood tactic.

Learn why this propaganda technique works so well here 👇
www.scienceupfirst.com/project/misi...

#ScienceUpFirst

Sorry to hear you had to go through that. Availability can still be a challenge in some regions even nowadays but hopefully not as much.

Nope. Measles isn’t just a childhood disease. It can affect anyone!

Learn more about measles and who is most at risk for serious infection here: tinyurl.com/MeaslesNeedT...

This post was made in collaboration between (@immunizecanada.bsky.social) and (@ScienceUpFirst)

Shelves with books and assorted office items across the top and bottom. Text in graphic: "Lateral reading: How to effectively, Stop, Investigate the source, Find better coverage, Trace the information source." #ScienceUpFirst

Doing your own research? Fact-checkers use lateral reading because it is faster, more efficient, and less biased than vertical reading. It’s called the SIFT method.

👉https://scienceupfirst.com/misinformation-101/how-to-read-laterally-sift/

#ScienceUpFirst #SciLit

Science is everywhere: in your bread, your music, your Wi-Fi, your medicine, and even your weather forecast. Here’s how it shows up in your everyday life.👇
www.instagram.com/reel/DPmH7vL...

#ScienceUpFirst #SciLit

A black and white hand holding a marker on a crumpled paper background. Text: "Should you do your own research? Let's talk about it. #ScienceUpFirst"

You’ve probably heard the phrase “Do your own research” before. Let’s look at why it’s a loaded concept and how you can do it in a healthier way. 👇

scienceupfirst.com/science-101/...

#ScienceUpFirst #SciLit

A green, yellow and orange abstract cover with moving shapes and an arrow in the lower right corner. Text: "4 Ways Ill-Intentioned Wellness Influencers can use Misinformer Tactics to Lure You In" #ScienceUpFirst

Wellness influencers often rely on misinformer tactics to persuade. We’re breaking down 4 of them here 👇

scienceupfirst.com/misinformati...

#ScienceUpFirst