Science Archives

Why Is Astrophysics Important? It Humbles & Stretches Us

Why is astrophysics important? In the big scheme of things, how special are Earth and human beings? Neil deGrasse Tyson shows how astrophysics has stripped humanity of its archaic belief that we hold a special place at the center of the universe. Still, it affirms what we share in common and provides a vast new frontier for discoveries that may transform how we understand reality. Read more to understand this perspective from Tyson’s book Astrophysics for People in a Hurry.

Bad Science by Ben Goldacre: Book Overview

What is Bad Science by Ben Goldacre about? What are the main takeaways of the book? In Bad Science, Ben Goldacre details the strategies researchers, corporations, and journalists use to mislead the public. Goldacre also gives you the tools you need to identify and call out shady science when you see it. Read below for a brief overview of Bad Science.

What Are Dark Matter and Dark Energy? Cosmological Placeholders

What are dark matter and dark energy? Do our current theories of physics need to be reworked to account for them? Since humans first looked up, we’ve wondered about our place in the cosmos, yet everything we’ve learned has shown that our ignorance still outstrips our knowledge. Neil deGrasse Tyson explores two of these areas of mystery: dark matter and dark energy. Read more to find out what we do and don’t know about these scientific frontiers.

Why Sensationalism in Journalism Hurts Science

What is sensationalism in journalism? How does it misrepresent scientific findings? Sensationalism is an editorial tactic that exaggerates news for the sake of writing shocking stories. According to Bad Science by Ben Goldacre, this practice can potentially misrepresent scientific information. Here’s why journalists need to be cautious about sensationalizing stories about science.

Dark Energy in the Universe: Einstein’s Cosmological Constant

What was Einstein’s cosmological constant? Was he right that he was wrong about it? In recent decades, astronomers have witnessed a mysterious force they’ve named “dark energy” that’s accelerating the universe’s expansion. The theoretical underpinnings of dark energy go back to Einstein’s equations of relativity. Read more to understand what scientists know—and what they speculate—about dark energy in the universe.

The Damaging Effects of Misleading Science Articles

What is the harm of misleading science articles? What is the impact of journalism on the scientific community? Journalism is essential for sharing important information about the latest in science. However, as Ben Goldacre claims in Bad Science, journalism has the potential to spread misinformation that has a lasting impact on the public. Below, we’ll look at the many ways mainstream media outlets could misrepresent scientific findings.

Anti-Science Movement: Why Mistrust in Science Is Trending

What’s causing the anti-science movement? Why is there a widespread distrust of science recently? In recent years, an anti-science movement of hostility toward scientific institutions has spread around the globe. In response, an equally fervent pro-science movement has sprung up. Read on to learn why science has become controversial and what’s causing the anti-science movement.

Neil deGrasse Tyson: Dark Matter & the Missing Mass Problem

What’s dark matter? Could it be undiscovered black holes or even planets? We can’t see wind, but we know it’s there because of its effects on things we can see. That’s how it is with dark matter. In 1937, astronomers observed galaxies moving around as a result of a huge mass they couldn’t see. This “missing mass” problem gave rise to the concept of dark matter. According to Neil deGrasse Tyson, dark matter is a mystery that raises fascinating questions. Continue reading to learn what dark matter is not and what it might be.

Cherry-Picking Data in Healthcare: The Unethical Practice

What does cherry-picking data mean? Why do many companies in healthcare do this? There are some drug and healthcare companies that cherry-pick results, referencing the positive and ignoring the negative. In Bad Science, Ben Goldacre expresses how this is an unethical practice. Let’s look at why cherry-picking data isn’t advised.

The 2 Methods of Salt Harvesting Throughout History

What is salt harvesting? What are the different ways to harvest salt? At one point in time, salt was a valuable resource for people to harvest. According to Mark Kurlansky in his book Salt, this led to a couple of methods to harvest salt that were easier for workers. Let’s look at the two salt harvesting methods that have been used for thousands of years.