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I wonder why in Greece experts contend in the games and non-experts award the prizes.
— Anacharsis of Scythia (c. 590 BCE)
Hello, I am Zad68
, but please feel free to call me Zach. I am a volunteer Wikipedia editor just like you are (or could be!). I am particularly interested in medical topics, and I am an active member of Wikipedia's Medicine Wikiproject. I also like to edit or review articles in the natural sciences, and occasionally attend to the odd biography, especially if the person relates to an article I am working on.
I think the good article review process is one of the most important initiatives on Wikipedia. I have messed around with developing a bot using the account ZadBot, and plan to develop a bot to provide tools to automate the more tedious parts of doing reviews of WP:MED-scope articles in particular.
If you have any questions about things like sourcing for medical articles, the GA process, or just getting started with Wikipedia, please drop me a note on my User Talk page and I'll try to help!
Quick reference for some of my common edit summary abbreviations
- r = reply
- c = comment
- c/e = copyedit
Zad68's Rules of Content
- The best defense against bad content is good content. In fact it's probably the only defense.
- The Wikipedia Catch-22: You'll do your best content work on articles for subjects you know little about and don't particularly care about. But then, of course, you won't be particularly motivated to work on such articles.
- Any edit that adds biomedical information and explicitly points out it's based on a "scientific study published in peer-reviewed journal" probably needs to be reverted per WP:MEDRS.
- You don't have to respect the subject of the article you're working on, but you do have to respect the sources.
- This is why I find In popular culture sections problematic.
- This is just one reason why we should almost never be citing primary sources for scientific information.
Focus
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I found this essay and the accompanying slide show to be very influential in the choices I make of articles I'd like to do significant development work on. Wikipedia has a lot of articles, but overall the most important articles (as determined by the number of views) do not get as much development attention as they deserve. At over 12 years old, en.WP has over 4 million articles; just about all the articles that are on what might be considered core encyclopedic topics have already been started, but most are still not yet at GA quality. Editors should be motivated to work on the articles for these core topics, and I hope efforts like the Million Award will be effective in doing so.
A Cochrane a day
The Cochrane Library is a very well-respected publisher and repository of high-quality secondary sources of medical evidence. Wikipedia has partnered with them to provide free access to the full texts of their articles, and as of September 2013 is still handing out free accounts to editors active in developing WP:MEDICINE-content—see WP:COCHRANE to apply for your own free account! I got an account and to make sure Wikipedia benefits from it, I am trying to do a Cochrane a day: whatever other content work I might be doing, each weekday I will pull a Cochrane article and update something with it. An article will benefit, I'll learn something new, and maybe I'll get ideas for future content work. Should be fun!
- 16 September: Tiotropium is better than ipratropium for COPD
- 17 September: Subcutaneous sterile water injection doesn't help reduce childbirth labor pains
- 18 September: Insulin detemir and insulin glargine are equally effective for diabetes mellitus type 2
- 19 September: An updated review shows that there is still no good evidence to suggest that oxygen helps someone having a heart attack, and in fact may make things worse
- 20 September: Electronic mosquito repeller devices do not work to repel mosquitoes and reduce the spread of malaria
- 23 September: Adding radiation therapy after chemotherapy yields better results for those with early stage Hodgkin's lymphoma
- 24 September: Personal invitations and educational materials are effective at increasing the uptake of screening for cervical cancer
- 25 September: There is insufficient evidence to come to any kind of conclusion about what effect lycopene might have on prostate cancer
- 26 September: In type-2 diabetics with periodontal disease, treating the disease can result in an improvement in blood sugar levels
- 27 September: Inhaled antibiotics help fight lung infection in those with cystic fibrosis, but with some drawbacks
- 30 September: Celiac plexus blocks are a safe and effective way to deal with abdominal pain for those with inoperable pancreatic cancer
- 1 October: Caffeine is a bronchodilator, and so using it may interfere with the results of a lung function test for asthma
- 2 October: Combination hormonal contraceptives help reduce symptoms of severe PMS (known as premenstrual dysphoric disorder)
- 3 October: Corticosteroids increase the risk of mortality in those with traumatic brain injury, and so are not recommended to be given routinely
- 4 October: Sexual dysfunction is common in those with chronic kidney disease; PDE5 inhibitors (things like Viagra) and zinc show potential for helping men with these problems
- 7 October: Dopamine agonists are effective to help manage restless legs syndrome
- 8 October: Aspirin is often prescribed to women for the purpose of increasing chances of fertilization by IVF, but there's no evidence to show it works
- 9 October: There is no good evidence to show that Chinese herbs are safe or effective for treating diabetic neuropathy
- 10 October: Mycophenolate mofetil is a relatively safe treatment for lupus nephritis
- 14 October: Transdermal fentanyl patches are effective for those with moderate to severe cancer pain
- 10 October 2014: Topical corticosteroids for treating phimosis in boys: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD008973.pub2
OK I have to admit these are good...
- Even changed "BFV" to "CFV"
Stuff to do
- Lyme disease - To GA
- Earthworm - To GA
- Review recent changes in the WP:MED Queue
- Fix {{cite book}} editor field to handle where it's filled in like "4th ed." to not render as "4th ed.ed."
- Foreign language Wikis - WP:MED article assessments
- Create BLP for Charles Snowdon
What's going on at WP:MEDICINE
Did you know
- 21 Feb 2025 – EviCore (talk · · hist) was nominated for DYK by Vigilantcosmicpenguin (t · c); see discussion
- 02 Feb 2025 – Brain microbiome (talk · · hist) was nominated for DYK by Bluethricecreamman (t · c); see discussion
- 14 Jan 2025 – Transgender health care misinformation (talk · · hist) was nominated for DYK by Your Friendly Neighborhood Sociologist (t · c); see discussion
Articles for deletion
- 27 Feb 2025 – Muhammad Imran Qadir (talk · · hist) was AfDed by Sackiii (t · c); see discussion (2 participants)
- 26 Feb 2025 – Bella Vista Ambulance Services (talk · · hist) was AfDed by Edit.pdf (t · c); see discussion (3 participants)
- 24 Feb 2025 – List of pneumonia deaths (talk · · hist) was AfDed by Wizardman (t · c); see discussion (5 participants)
- 23 Feb 2025 – Alexey Zarov (talk · · hist) was AfDed by Klbrain (t · c); see discussion (1 participant)
- 23 Feb 2025 – Shampa Sinha (talk · · hist) was AfDed by Soumyapatra13 (t · c); see discussion (6 participants)
- 21 Feb 2025 – Şifa University (talk · · hist) was AfDed by Sirfurboy (t · c); see discussion (3 participants)
- 21 Feb 2025 – Taseer Badar (talk · · hist) was AfDed by Pollia (t · c); see discussion (6 participants)
- 20 Feb 2025 – Adelaide Dental School (talk · · hist) was AfDed by ロドリゲス恭子 (t · c); see discussion (2 participants; relisted)
- 06 Feb 2025 – Pharmazz (talk · · hist) was AfDed by Taking off shortly (t · c); see discussion (9 participants; relisted)
- 21 Feb 2025 – David Greuner (talk · · hist) AfDed by Protobowladdict (t · c) was closed as delete by Liz (t · c) on 28 Feb 2025; see discussion (4 participants)
- (10 more...)
Proposed deletions
- 27 Feb 2025 – KazMSA (talk · · hist) was PRODed by LibStar (t · c): concern
- 27 Feb 2025 – International Journal of Fertility (talk · · hist) was PRODed by Headbomb (t · c): concern
- 27 Feb 2025 – Kazakhstan National Respiratory Society (talk · · hist) was PRODed by LibStar (t · c): concern
- 24 Feb 2025 – Emergycare (talk · · hist) was PRODed by JayCubby (t · c): concern and endorsed by Bearian (t · c) on 25 Feb 2025
- 22 Feb 2025 – List of exercise prescription software (talk · · hist) was PRODed by Helpful Raccoon (t · c): concern and endorsed by ReaderofthePack (t · c) on 27 Feb 2025
- 24 Feb 2025 – Roseto effect (talk · · hist) PRODed by Bon courage (t · c) was deproded by Fryedk (t · c) on 25 Feb 2025
Categories for discussion
- 27 Feb 2025 – Category:Ceylon Medical Corps officers (talk · · hist) was CfDed by LaundryPizza03 (t · c); see discussion
- 26 Feb 2025 – Category:Slovenian plastic surgeons (talk · · hist) was CfDed by LibStar (t · c); see discussion
- 26 Feb 2025 – Category:Colombian plastic surgeons (talk · · hist) was CfDed by LibStar (t · c); see discussion
- 24 Feb 2025 – Category:Ancient Chinese physicians (talk · · hist) was CfDed by Fayenatic london (t · c); see discussion
- 24 Feb 2025 – Category:Medieval Chinese physicians (talk · · hist) was CfDed by Fayenatic london (t · c); see discussion
- 23 Feb 2025 – Category:Lithuanian cardiac surgeons (talk · · hist) was CfDed by LibStar (t · c); see discussion
- 16 Feb 2025 – Category:Burn survivors (talk · · hist) was CfDed by Jc37 (t · c); see discussion
Redirects for discussion
- 24 Feb 2025 – Juvéderm (talk · · hist) →Injectable filler was RfDed by 1234qwer1234qwer4 (t · c); see discussion
- 24 Feb 2025 – Juvederm (talk · · hist) →Injectable filler was RfDed by 1234qwer1234qwer4 (t · c); see discussion
- 24 Feb 2025 – Juvéderm Ultra (talk · · hist) →Injectable filler was RfDed by 1234qwer1234qwer4 (t · c); see discussion
- 24 Feb 2025 – Juvéderm Ultra Plus (talk · · hist) →Injectable filler was RfDed by 1234qwer1234qwer4 (t · c); see discussion
- 24 Feb 2025 – Juvederm Volbella (talk · · hist) →Injectable filler was RfDed by 1234qwer1234qwer4 (t · c); see discussion
- 24 Feb 2025 – Juvederm Vollure (talk · · hist) →Injectable filler was RfDed by 1234qwer1234qwer4 (t · c); see discussion
- 24 Feb 2025 – Juvederm Voluma (talk · · hist) →Injectable filler was RfDed by 1234qwer1234qwer4 (t · c); see discussion
- 09 Feb 2025 – Cybersexism (talk · · hist) →Cyberbullying was RfDed by 1234qwer1234qwer4 (t · c); see discussion
- 24 Jan 2025 – LGBTQ+ Production of Family (talk · · hist) →Use of assisted reproductive technology by LGBTQ people was RfDed by Significa liberdade (t · c); see discussion
- 12 Jan 2025 – Vitamin C2 (talk · · hist) →Choline was RfDed by DM5Pedia (t · c); see discussion
- (2 more...)
Featured list candidates
- 24 Feb 2025 – List of commercially available insulins (talk · · hist) was FL nominated by MallardTV (t · c); see discussion
- 21 Feb 2025 – List of medical eponyms with Nazi associations (talk · · hist) was FL nominated by IntentionallyDense (t · c); see discussion
Good article nominees
- 27 Feb 2025 – Intersex healthcare (talk · · hist) was GA nominated by Urchincrawler (t · c); start
- 09 Feb 2025 – Vitamin D (talk · · hist) was GA nominated by David notMD (t · c); start
- 07 Feb 2025 – Abortion in Madagascar (talk · · hist) was GA nominated by Vigilantcosmicpenguin (t · c); start
- 02 Feb 2025 – Hashimoto's thyroiditis (talk · · hist) was GA nominated by Daphne Morrow (t · c); see discussion
- 29 Jan 2025 – Abortion in Malawi (talk · · hist) was GA nominated by Vigilantcosmicpenguin (t · c); start
- 11 Jan 2025 – Hussein Kamel Bahaeddin (talk · · hist) was GA nominated by FuzzyMagma (t · c); start
- 01 Jan 2025 – Eileen Niedfield (talk · · hist) was GA nominated by Oh-Fortuna! (t · c); start
- 23 Dec 2024 – Doxycycline (talk · · hist) was GA nominated by Maxim Masiutin (t · c); see discussion
- 23 Dec 2024 – Drug-eluting stent (talk · · hist) was GA nominated by Maxim Masiutin (t · c); start
- 23 Dec 2024 – Ketotifen (talk · · hist) was GA nominated by Maxim Masiutin (t · c); start
- (5 more...)
Requests for comments
- 25 Feb 2025 – Autism (talk · · hist) has an RfC by Robert McClenon (t · c); see discussion
Peer reviews
- 30 Dec 2024 – Valve-sparing aortic root replacement (talk · · hist) has been put up for PR by Jarrod Baniqued (t · c); see discussion
- 03 Dec 2024 – Neurocysticercosis (talk · · hist) has been put up for PR by IntentionallyDense (t · c); see discussion
Requested moves
- 21 Feb 2025 – Lucy Letby (talk · · hist) is requested to be moved to Lucy Letby case by Sirfurboy (t · c); see discussion
- 19 Feb 2025 – AAGL (talk · · hist) is requested to be moved to American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists by Headbomb (t · c); see discussion
- 16 Feb 2025 – Streptococcal pharyngitis (talk · · hist) is requested to be moved to Strep throat by Jeffrey34555 (t · c); see discussion
- 26 Jan 2025 – Levmetamfetamine (talk · · hist) is requested to be moved to Levomethamphetamine by Mdewman6 (t · c); see discussion
Articles to be merged
- 27 Feb 2025 – Neovascularization (talk · · hist) is proposed for merging to Vasculogenesis by Klbrain (t · c); see discussion
- 27 Feb 2025 – Vascularisation (talk · · hist) is proposed for merging to Vasculogenesis by Klbrain (t · c); see discussion
- 22 Feb 2025 – HIV vaccine development (talk · · hist) is proposed for merging to HIV Vaccine by Sushidude21! (t · c); see discussion
- 25 Jan 2025 – Adaptive deep brain stimulation (talk · · hist) is proposed for merging to Deep brain stimulation by I enjoy sandwiches (t · c); see discussion
- 15 Jan 2025 – Zoonotic origins of COVID-19 (talk · · hist) is proposed for merging to Origin of SARS-CoV-2 by Tiggerjay (t · c); see discussion
- 05 Jan 2025 – Intravitreal injection (talk · · hist) is proposed for merging to Intravitreal administration by Klbrain (t · c); see discussion
- 03 Jan 2025 – Metabolic theory of cancer (talk · · hist) is proposed for merging to Causes of cancer by IntentionallyDense (t · c); see discussion
- 02 Jan 2025 – Cancer-related symptom burden (talk · · hist) is proposed for merging to Signs and symptoms of cancer by Klbrain (t · c); see discussion
- 02 Jan 2025 – Psychoneuroimmunology (talk · · hist) is proposed for merging to Psychoneuroendocrinology by Klbrain (t · c); see discussion
- 25 Dec 2024 – Alcohol-related brain damage (talk · · hist) is proposed for merging to Long-term impact of alcohol on the brain by Mathnerd314159 (t · c); see discussion
- (10 more...)
Articles to be split
- 04 Dec 2024 – Fluticasone furoate (talk · · hist) is proposed for splitting by Tikmok (t · c); see discussion
- 22 Apr 2024 – State health agency (talk · · hist) is proposed for splitting by GobsPint (t · c); see discussion
- 20 Apr 2024 – Health department (talk · · hist) is proposed for splitting by GobsPint (t · c); see discussion
- 28 Mar 2024 – United Network for Organ Sharing (talk · · hist) is proposed for splitting by 45.26.61.142 (t · c); see discussion
- 03 Jan 2024 – Anisakis (talk · · hist) is proposed for splitting by Artoria2e5 (t · c); see discussion
- 17 Nov 2023 – Mycoplasma (talk · · hist) is proposed for splitting by Artoria2e5 (t · c); see discussion
- 27 May 2023 – Health advocacy (talk · · hist) is proposed for splitting by Felix QW (t · c); see discussion
- 31 Mar 2023 – Range of motion (talk · · hist) is proposed for splitting by Urbourbo (t · c); see discussion
- 02 Oct 2022 – Soft diet (talk · · hist) is proposed for splitting by AngusWOOF (t · c); see discussion
- 04 Jan 2022 – Arthur Neve (talk · · hist) is proposed for splitting by Breamk (t · c); see discussion
- (5 more...)
Articles for creation
- 27 Feb 2025 – Draft:Mary Yolanda Alvarado (talk · · hist) has been submitted for AfC by Marieljoana (t · c)
- 27 Feb 2025 – Draft:Jose Wiley (talk · · hist) has been submitted for AfC by Cryptic Keyboarder (t · c)
- 25 Feb 2025 – Draft:Fractyl Health (talk · · hist) has been submitted for AfC by MaryGaulke (t · c)
- 20 Feb 2025 – Draft:Gareth Sheridan (talk · · hist) has been submitted for AfC by Ppp32 (t · c)
- 20 Feb 2025 – Draft:Boris Pasche (talk · · hist) has been submitted for AfC by Slt523 (t · c)
- 20 Feb 2025 – Draft:Shan Meltzer (talk · · hist) has been submitted for AfC by Research27vandy (t · c)
- 20 Feb 2025 – Draft:Abraham Osinubi (talk · · hist) has been submitted for AfC by Redstarwiki (t · c)
- 18 Feb 2025 – Draft:TCGAbiolinks (talk · · hist) has been submitted for AfC by Tileuzhan1 (t · c)
- 16 Feb 2025 – Draft:Vision Rehabilitation Therapist (talk · · hist) has been submitted for AfC by 98.11.14.228 (t · c)
- 14 Feb 2025 – Draft:Athena Kourtis (talk · · hist) has been submitted for AfC by Pkslrrrr (t · c)
- (39 more...)
Barnstars...
...and other approbation
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