Chris Ponting's project to replicate Mark Davis’s remarkable findings of immune activation in ME/CFS (S McGrath blog)

I think blinding is responsible, with this much invested, names and reputations involved the pressures creating subconscious bias are considerable and the investigators free themselves from any effect from this by keeping it blinded until the data analysis phase and ensure the outcome is scientifically useful. After all what we need is the truth.

Including MS as a positive control, to ensure the detection method used is effective, is also good design which will make the outcome (whichever way it goes) all the more authoritative.

I am very grateful for their efforts and agree it was well done of @Simon M to bring Dr Mark Davis's findings to Prof Chris Ponting's attention.