Do nasopharyngeal swabs, like those used in PCR (polymerase chain reaction) testing for COVID-19, affect your longevity and aging? No, that's not true: Most research about the effectiveness and safety of such swabs suggests that they pose no significant threat to most patients. The claim appeared in a video (archived here) posted on TikTok on April 28, 2023. The video…

Is it a proven fact that the consumption of pasteurized milk leads to ADHD? No, that's not true: While the exact causes of this disorder remain unknown, the existing body of evidence links the occurrence of ADHD to genetic factors, not diet. The claim appeared in a video on Instagram on May 8, 2023. The caption said: 🚨MILK SCAM🚨🐮Avoid pasteurized…

Are any of the men pictured in social media posts Mauricio Garcia, the gunman who was killed during the May 7, 2023, mass shooting at an Allen, Texas, outlet mall? No, that's not true: While a man pictured in two different posts with two different pictures shares a name with the gunman, he is not the same person nor the…

Did security footage capture the moment when an "angry" warehouse robot attacked a human worker? No, that's not true: This is a short science fiction film made by a film company in Georgia with CGI. The company, Sozo Bear Films, emailed Lead Stories, confirming that this footage is not real and was created with visual effects. The claim appeared on…

Did old, never-before-seen photos surface in May of 2023 of Donald Trump posing with young women on a private jet, and also partying with Jeffrey Epstein? No, that's not true: Although there are authentic images of Donald Trump posing for pictures with young women and with Jeffrey Epstein, these three images surfaced on social media without any provenance or explanation…

So you've probably read all those warnings from pundits, academics and researchers about how generative AI tools like ChatGPT are going to impact disinformation and fact checking. And you may have even seen some recent examples of a deep-faked pope in a puffer jacket or Donald Trump being arrested. But let me tell you the story of a real-life example…

Is thimerosal, a mercury-based preservative, found in "almost every single vaccine" and is it "killing you slowly"? No, that's not true: Multiple studies have shown "no evidence of harm caused by the low doses of thimerosal in vaccines," according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The two types of mercury people can be exposed to are very…

Can using the herb comfrey as a mouthwash help heal teeth and gums? No, that's not true: A professor at the UCLA School of Dentistry told Lead Stories that there is no evidence that comfrey can restore damaged gums or teeth. The Mount Sinai Health System explicitly states that people should not take comfrey by mouth. Scientific evidence points to…

Does the Chelsea Clinton-endorsed vaccine program "The Big Catch-up" require U.S. children to receive a COVID-19 mRNA immunization? No, that's not true: The program is a global effort to "catch up" on giving recommended childhood vaccines, which declined globally during the 2020 pandemic. The World Health Organization (WHO) told Lead Stories that there are no mandated vaccinations required under this…

Did the Grim Reaper walk through Westminster Abbey during the coronation of King Charles III on May 6, 2023? No, that's not true: A press officer at the Abbey told Lead Stories that the robed figure seen on TV during the ceremony is a verger, not the symbolic representation of death. A verger is a lay minister who assists the…