What are the roots of science denialism in the time of COVID-19, and how do we untangle them?
By Fiona Crichton What has become starkly apparent in the age of the SARS CoV-2 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is that the effective communication of science-based health messages is no easy task (1). We see this exemplified in a resistance in certain quarters to...
Climate change: Why do humans instinctively reject evidence contrary to their beliefs?
By Peter Ellerton Why do humans instinctively reject evidence contrary to their beliefs? Do we understand why and how people change their mind about climate change? Is there anything we can do to engage people? These are three very significant questions. They could be...
Can effective framing encourage people to take better care of our oceans?
By Komathi Kolandai-Matchett Effective communication, capable of garnering public support for marine conservation, appears more urgent now than ever before. Marine ecosystems are besieged by multiple human-caused threats – temperature and acidity increases, toxins,...
Will volcanic eruptions increase? 🔊
In December an unexpected volcanic eruption on White Island in New Zealand killed twenty-one people, while in the Philippines, the eruption of Taal Volcano caused thousands of people to flee the area. With Climate Change, will volcanic eruptions become more frequent...
Q+A: Are we living in a climate of ignorance?
After a prominent New Zealand radio host claimed that the science of man-made climate change was not yet settled – and used dodgy sources to do so – Joel Rindelaub, research fellow at the University of Auckland issued a rebuttal titled ‘Why Sources Matter in a Climate...
How do we measure pain, anyway?
By Jeremy Delahanty Imagine you have been asked to define pain by your doctor. They might have asked for a rating on a scale from zero, no pain, to ten, unbearable pain. Or you chose from a selection of faces ranging from happy to tearful. Maybe you answer with your...
Caster Semenya: Is bogus science being used to stifle the vulnerable?
By Sarah Laframboise In the ruling against Caster Semenya, bogus science is being used to stifle the vulnerable according to Sarah Laframboise. Caster Semenya crouched over the starting line, waiting for the start in the final 800 meter race at the 2016 Olympic Games....
Why is the first photo of a black hole so important?
By Chris Benton With much excitement from the press, an international team of astronomers recently announced they had directly imaged the silhouette or shadow of a black hole for the first time (Figure 1). This ground-breaking observation highlights many achievements...
Debunking the myth? New study confirms there is no link between MMR and autism
By Katie L. Flanagan For years a myth has been propagated that the MMR vaccine causes autism. However new research has confirmed the link does not exist. Last week, a Danish study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine gave considerable weight to the existing...Subscribe by Email
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