Science Archives

How to Anticipate Risk in a Random World

Are you a good judge of risk? What factors do you take into account when trying to anticipate risks involved in a project or an endeavor? According to Nassim Nicholas Taleb, the author of Fooled by Randomness, most people are poor judges of risk because they do not fully comprehend the power of randomness. As a result, they harbor misguided beliefs about risk that lead them to make poor decisions. In this article, we’ll look at the characteristics of people who fail to anticipate risk properly and discuss specific things you can do to anticipate risk mindfully.

Memory Distortions: Reconstructing the Past

Is memory an accurate record of the past? Can you think of a memory that you remember in vivid detail? Do you believe those details are accurate? Memories are mere representations of events—not accurate recordings—and thus they easily become distorted. There’s no way you can remember every detail of an experience. Instead, you remember certain aspects, and when you call up the memory, you unconsciously fill in the details. This lends itself to memory distortions. Here is how memories become distorted and how they affect your learning process.

Can You Increase Your Intelligence? Science Says Yes

Can you increase your intelligence? Or is IQ fixed at birth? Is human IQ genetically predetermined or can it be improved? Contrary to what many people think, your IQ isn’t predetermined. In fact, Americans’ average IQ has risen over time, likely because of changes in nutrition, schools, and culture. Learn about the factors that affect your IQ and some strategies for improving your intelligence.

How to Solve a Fermi Estimation Problem

What’s a Fermi estimation problem? What kinds of information does the Fermi problem probe for? A Fermi problem is a problem that involves making a justified estimation about quantities, degrees, probabilities, or variances. Fermi problems are solved by breaking down seemingly impossible questions into smaller and smaller questions. The idea is that eventually, you’ll be able to separate questions that are truly unknown from questions for which you can at least make an educated guess. Below is an example of a Fermi problem.

Spaced Practice Method: Level Up Your Learning Game

What is spaced practice? How does spaced practice compare to cramming (learning a large amount of information in a very short period of time)? Which technique is more effective and why? Spaced practice is a study technique that involves multiple short study sessions spaced out over time. Spaced practice develops your “underlying habit strength,” which prepares you to use that knowledge when you need it. It may feel less productive than cramming initially because you’ve forgotten some of the material and it feels like you don’t have a grasp of it—but that extra effort is precisely what makes the method

Debunking the Arguments in Listening to Prozac

What is the book Listening to Prozac about? Who is the scientist that challenged the claims made in the book? Listening to Prozac is a landmark book written in support of antidepressants drugs by Dr. Peter Kramer. The book is based on three main arguments rooted in questionable science. Dr. Irving Kirsch used new evidence-based research to refute these arguments in his journal—” The Emperor’s New Drugs: Exploding the Antidepressant Myth.” Read on for Dr. Irving Kirsch’s arguments as to why Listening to Prozac is flawed.

Johann Hari: Why Antidepressants Don’t Always Work

The Three Reasons Why Antidepressants Don't Work

What is the major reason why Johann Hari claims antidepressants don’t work? If antidepressants are not the solution to depression, why are they still popular? According to Johann Hari, author of Lost Connections, the main reason why antidepressants don’t work is that the chemical imbalance that those drugs are designed to treat is rarely ever the true cause of depression. Multiple studies have debunked the imbalance theory, and yet, antidepressants are still used. Hari says this is because big pharma controls much of the drug trial and approval process that authorizes the use of antidepressants. Read on to learn more

How to Read a Book Effectively (History, Math, Science)

Do you want to know how to read a book effectively? What are the best ways to read history, math, and science books? How do you go about reading books that are no longer accurate? In How to Read a Book, co-authors Adler and Van Doren explain how to read history, math, and science books. They suggest reading these books and finding commonalities and links to one another rather than reading them in isolation. They also suggest being on the lookout for bias. Continue reading to learn the best methods for reading history, math, and science effectively.

Parkinson’s Disease: Causes & Prevention Measures

Are there any hereditary causes of Parkinson’s disease? Can Parkinson’s disease be deadly? 25,000 people die from Parkinson’s every year. Most cases of Parkinson’s disease aren’t genetic, although people who are diagnosed with early-onset Parkinson’s disease are likely to have inherited it. Keep reading to learn more about Parkinson’s disease prevention, mechanisms, and causes.

Digestive Cancer: Types, Risk Factors, and Prevention

What are the three different types of digestive cancer? Is there anything you can do to prevent developing digestive cancer? On average, digestive cancer causes 114,000 deaths every year. This includes: colorectal cancer (50,000), 2) pancreatic cancer (46,000), and 3) esophageal cancer (18,000). Luckily, there are a few measures you can take to reduce your risk of contracting digestive cancer. Keep reading to learn more about digestive cancers, their main risk factors, survival rates, and prevention.