A Story of Scientific Irreproducibility: Study Contradicts Belief that Cancer Prevents Alzheimer’s

It’s been estimated that up to half of scientific studies are irreproducible, they can’t be replicated, and this is a big problem. A new study illustrates a case in point, calling into question previous results suggesting that cancer prevents Alzheimer’s. Heidi Hanson, Ph.D., M.S., a Huntsman Cancer Institute research associate and research assistant professor of family and preventive medicine at the University of Utah School of Medicine, discusses the research and reasons behind the contradictory findings. She also talks about why irreproducibility in research is pervasive and suggests some ways for overcoming it. Learn more about the research published in The Journals of Gerontology: Series B.