More or Less: Behind the Stats

Chennai-based data communicator Rukmini S discusses India's election data trends and the impact on governing party, focusing on fertility rates, healthcare improvements, development progress, and challenges in female empowerment and economic participation.

Dr Madeleine Sumption from the Migration Observatory at Oxford talks about falling net migration. The podcast also debunks claims about Taylor Swift's economic impact and explores the reasons behind the rising UK prison population.

Dr. Donald Lloyd-Jones discusses the misconceptions of intermittent fasting, highlighting its benefits for weight management and health. The podcast explores the controversy of time-restricted eating and cardiovascular health, analyzing studies on the risks associated with consuming meals within an 8-hour window. The discussion also delves into associations in epidemiology and the need for further research on the implications of time-restricted eating on cardiovascular health.

Investigating the accuracy of statistics on pregnancy chances, MP misconduct investigations, and NHS waiting lists. Debunking claims of 685 years to clear NHS waitlists and 10% of MPs under investigation. Exploring the impact of gold on UK export figures and the correct method for calculating pregnancy probabilities. Delving into the decline in UK's goods trade post-Brexit and during the pandemic.

Professors Sam Peltzman and John Helliwell explore the correlation between falling marriage rates and decreasing happiness in the US. They discuss the complexities of causation and the impact of individual happiness on the decision to marry, revealing the intricate link between marriage and happiness levels.

Miyako Ikeda from OECD and Professor Alice Sullivan from UCL discuss if reading for pleasure is the biggest factor in a child's success. They explore the impact of reading on academic performance, student engagement, literacy scores, and bridging the achievement gap. The podcast questions the claim that reading for pleasure is the sole determinant of future success.

Andrew Mercer, polling expert from the Pew Research Centre, discusses the accuracy of polling results suggesting 20% of young Americans believe the holocaust is a myth. They question the reliability of opt-in polling methods and reveal discrepancies in findings. The impact of bogus respondents and challenges in obtaining accurate survey data are also explored.

Economist Monica de Bolle discusses the impact of Javier Milei's economic measures in Argentina, exploring the decrease in inflation rate and its implications. The podcast delves into the country's economic struggles, transition to market-driven pricing, issues of inflation and poverty, and challenges of implementing reforms amidst public unrest.

Dr. Hilary Cass discusses The Cass Review on gender identity services for under-18s in England's NHS. The review found weak evidence on medical interventions. Claims online circulated that it ignored 98% of the evidence. Guests delve into evaluating studies, importance of high-quality evidence, and addressing misinformation surrounding trans youth medicine review.

Astrophysics expert Dr. Anna Lisa Varri from the University of Edinburgh delves into the complexities of predicting celestial orbits and the Three Body Problem in physics, contrasting real-world systems like our solar system with fictional universes, highlighting the challenges of long-term predictability and non-hierarchical systems.