As the World Series begins, John Timmer unpacks a psychological trend:
[M]any major league players have been spotted wearing these bulky metal necklaces during games. Their symbolism isn't religious. … Instead, these necklaces supposedly help players perform better by easing fatigue and shortening recovery time. The secret to these supposed benefits: titanium nanoparticles that help the body's own energy flow more readily. As we'll see, there's zero biological basis for any of these claims … That does not mean, however, that there's no benefit to wearing these things. The placebo effect is incredibly powerful.
(Photo: C.J. Wilson of the Texas Rangers. By Harry How/Getty Images.)
The Dish 