Interlude: Autostereograms, CONSORT Diagrams, and Publication Extenders
When I was a kid, Magic Eye books were really popular. These books contain autostereograms, which are 2D images that can create the optical illusion of a 3D scene (check out these examples).
I was fascinated by the idea of autostereograms. But no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t see the 3D images.
I tried for decades. Yes, decades.
I used every trick I could find. I’d press the page against my nose and slowly move the book away from my face. I’d try crossing my eyes and tilting the pages. I'd ask friends for tips and to guide me through their process.
Nothing worked.
I thought I was just "bad" at it. After feeling disappointed so many times, I gave up.
And then, many years later, I discovered the problem.
I needed glasses to help correct my depth perception.
I still remember the day I got my glasses. I brought them home and immediately started looking at autostereograms. I was so delighted to finally see the 3D images.
Why am I sharing this story?
Because what you see as a limitation or flaw may be a solvable problem.
And sometimes you don't need to put in more effort. You just need a different perspective or the right tool.
Now onto this week's round-up...
💌 Round-up
💻 From My Desk
How to Create a CONSORT Flow Diagram in PowerPoint
Are you tired of building CONSORT flow diagrams from scratch or struggling with clunky templates that you found on the web? In this video, you’ll learn a faster and easier way to create CONSORT flow diagrams for clinical studies using PowerPoint. And you can download a handy template to help you get started!
👓 Reading
Publication Extenders: Yes, They Are Worth the Effort
"While some of the research cited is a few years’ old, as new evidence is published and presented, the conclusions remain the same: publication extenders play an important role in increasing the impact and reach of scientific articles, communicating research more effectively and making it more accessible to all audiences and, as a result, combatting the mis- and that is so readily available online."
ICMJE Ceases List of Journals Claiming to Follow Its Recommendations
"The International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE) previously provided a list...of journals that have contacted the ICMJE to request listing as a journal that follows the ICMJE's recommendations...Unfortunately,...many of the listed journals do not actually adhere to the ICMJE recommendations. The inability of the ICMJE to verify the accuracy of this list combined with the increase in predatory scholarly publishing practices contributed to the committee's April 2025 decision to cease maintenance of this list."
SPIRIT 2025 Statement: Updated Guideline for Protocols of Randomized Trials
"The process led to the addition of 2 new protocol items, revision to 5 items, deletion/merger of 5 items, and integration of key items from other relevant reporting guidelines. Notable changes include a new open-science section, additional emphasis on the assessment of harms and description of interventions and comparators, and a new item on how patients and the public will be involved in trial design, conduct, and reporting."
🎮 Playing
Wordosis
Do you play Wordle? Wordosis is just like Wordle, but with a medical spin! You get 6 attempts to guess a medical word.
Thank you so much for reading.
Warmly,
Crystal
