Forget Robitussin, try a sugar pill

Recent studies unearthed the truth about children's cold medicines: not only are they useless against cold symptoms, but they can cause harm to children. So is it any surprise that adult cold medicines are generally no better than placebos?

Turns out Mom was right: drink plenty of fluids and get some rest. And save your drug money for the real diseases.

Foundations admit mistakes to save others

There's an interesting story in the NY Times today about nonprofit foundations and their newfound interest in publishing evidence about their failures. One foundation officer notes that it's a kind of public service:

“There’s an increasing recognition among foundation leaders that not to be public about failures is essentially indefensible,” said Phil Buchanan, the executive director of the Center for Effective Philanthropy, which advises foundations. “If something didn’t work, it is incumbent upon you to make sure others don’t make the same mistake.”

This is a great development for grant giving, and one that's also making its way into other fields, such as medicine. Now if we can just get it into politics.