Flu is high right now, and this year H3N2 is spreading fast. Most people hospitalized because of the flu are not vaccinated.
Even if the vaccine isn’t a perfect match, it still helps reduce severe illness and hospitalization.
👉 scienceupfirst.com/public-he…#ScienceUpFirst
ALT A grey background of medical masks with a red stop sign shape on top. Text in graphic: "This flu season is bad. Swipe to see what's normal and when you should seek care." #ScienceUpFirst
There’s no secret cancer cure being hidden by “Big Pharma.”
Cancer research is global, complex, and driven by people who dedicate their lives to helping patients.
Learn why this myth doesn’t hold up here
👉 scienceupfirst.com/misinform…#ScienceUpFirst
ALT A mustard yellow background with a line of pills at the top. Text in graphic: " No. “Big Pharma” is not withholding effective cancer cures to profit off existing treatments. We explain everything here" #ScienceUpFirst
There is no toxic buildup in your intestine, because…
• There’s a regular turnover of your intestine lining.
• Your body is built to effectively neutralize and eliminate toxins.
Read more 👇
scienceupfirst.com/project/y…#ScienceUpFirst
ALT A graphic of a stomach fills the image with text over top that says: "Your gut does not need to be "cleansed" of toxic buildup. #ScienceUpFirst"
Whether you’re looking for it or not, you are probably coming across AI-generated information when searching online. 🤖
Keep reading for red flags to look out for and ways to check for accuracy. 🔍
scienceupfirst.com/misinform…#ScienceUpFirst
ALT A light blue background shows green dots connecting to one another. The text reads: “SUF Overview. Many people are now using ChatGPT or other Generative AI tools instead of regular search engines. Even if you don’t intentionally use these services, it’s likely that your search engine of choice has an AI overview that summarizes results for you. So… are they giving you reliable information? Things to look out for: Hallucinations, Knowledge Cutoffs, Sycophancy. Dive deeper with #ScienceUpFirst”
In 2026 it’s cool to care. Myth busting and critical thinking are the in thing. But relying on AI answers, charming personalities and other less than accurate sources are all out baby!
Check out our site for more “in” tips on spotting misinformation.
ScienceUpFirst.com
ALT A scrapbook style page in a notebook. Text in graphic: 2026. Ins: Asking yourself, “Hmm, is this accurate?”. Being able to say “I don’t know, let me do some research on that”. Checking credentials and multiple sources. Learning about the different misinformer tactics. Nuance. Starting conversations with “I’m open to changing my mind…”. Outs: Sharing articles after only reading the headline, Fully trusting AI summaries, Thinking others fall for misinfo but not you, Only counting on social media for news, Putting ideology over evidence, Trusting charisma over expertise.
ALT 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
Our team is taking a short break over the next two weeks to recharge, reflect, and get ready for 2026
While we’re away, let us know the topics you would like us to cover in the new year. 👇
#ScienceUpFirst
Talking about polarizing topics can be difficult. Regardless of who the conversation is with it’s better for everyone if it goes positively.
Here are a few tips to help you get through these difficult discussions.😵💫
scienceupfirst.com/project/o…#ScienceUpFirst
ALT Two people looking frustrated with a turkey dinner on a dinner table and speech bubbles that aren't saying anything between them. Text in graphic: "Conversations on polarizing topics can often be challenging and can quickly become unproductive. Here are a few evidence-based tips we have found to be helpful." #ScienceUpFirst
Does it feel like there are difficult conversations hiding around every corner this month?
We know this can be a stressful time of year and we wanted to give you a few tips to hopefully help make it easier.
Happy holidays from the team at #ScienceUpFirst
Deciding whether or not to go to the ER with your child is stressful.
We've broken down key factors for you to look for in this decision tree, we hope it alleviates some of your stress. 👇
scienceupfirst.com/kids-heal…#ScienceUpFirst
ALT Large bolded text on a teal background reads: “SHOULD YOU GO HERE TO THE HOSPITAL? Kids Edition” Under a flag that says “Start here” there is a question that asks “Does your child have a fever?” with three different options branching out and leading to more decisions.
Science is built on many voices, not one institution.
A single surprising statement, even from a familiar or historically trusted source, doesn’t replace the wider consensus.
But how to gauge reliability?👇
scienceupfirst.com/misinform…#ScienceUpFirst
ALT Six red flags in the centre, each one has a warning sign. There's a magnifying glass in the upper right. Text in the graphic: "Trusted Health Source Starting to Feel Off? 6 Signs A Source Is Unreliable. Breaks from broad expert consensus. Uses studies or data in a selective or misleading way. Ignores corrections or credible scientific criticism. Uses ideological or politicized language. Keeps moving the goalposts. Asking for impossible proof or proof of a negative” #ScienceUpFirst
Every year, as the days get shorter and darker, some people will experience seasonal depression.
Learn about what can help and what won’t help with seasonal depression symptoms here 🌨️
scienceupfirst.com/project/t…#ScienceUpFirst
ALT A night sky cityscape with shooting stars. Text in the graphic: "The sun is setting by 5PM. That's tough on a lot of us. Here are some evidence-based approaches to managing seasonal depression." #ScienceUpFirst
What if different misinformation tactics came with different moods and styles?
What would cherry picking look like? What about an appeal to nature? Check out this post to see them all!
👉 scienceupfirst.com/misinform…#ScienceUpFirst
ALT The text at the top reads “Red Herring.” There are multiple items shown with a background that has a colour palette ranging from burgundy red to creamy white, passing through silver grey. Some of the pictures include black and white stiletto shoes, a black hat, a silver fish, some beige gloves, a red camera, a black hand bag, and a woman in a black attire and a beige coat. The text underneath reads “Misinformer tactics mood board.”
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 👇 scienceupfirst.com/project/m…#ScienceUpFirst
ALT 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 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.
Here is a hierarchical pyramid of evidence 🔺scienceupfirst.com/project/h…#ScienceUpFirst
ALT 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
@CaulfieldTim This is misleading because it applies only to some kinds of science, e.g., in biomedical fields. Not all areas of science require the same kind of evidence.
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
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…
This post was made in collaboration between @camhnews and @scienceupfirst#ScienceUpFirst
ALT 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