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Clear and concise article by The Walrus on the potential dangers of cosmetic products contains a bit dramatic of a title

1/27/2020

Reviewed by: Maja Soltysiak and Beverly Gu

Average Score: 4.5 / 5

In Summary: The presence of certain chemicals in cosmetic products may pose a risk to those who are in contact with them often. While the news story by The Walrus does provide a well written summary of the potential dangers of certain chemicals for a general audience, in an easy-to-read way. Although the body of text was clear and concise, the title was a bit on the dramatic side given the factual information.

Original News Story

Research Article

Image by: Jermiah Joseph

Well written story on engineered E. coli that survive on CO2 by Independent

1/20/2020

Reviewed by: John Samuelian Jr and Tommy Davies

Average Score: 5 / 5

In Summary: From a recent paper published by researchers in Israel, a strain of E. coli was engineered to survive and consume CO2 for its metabolism. These efforts were made to help address the increasing concentrations of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere to help alleviate its affects on climate change. The story by Independent provides a simplified background and explanation for the research and notes how it can be used in applications such as climate change. In addition to quotes from the authors of the publication and other researchers, the story allows a general audience to take an interest at some of the solutions that arise to deal with modern problems.

Original News Story

Research Article

Image by: Katherine Jiang

Attempts at simplifying the intricacies behind graphene and other two-dimensional materials causes some issues in a story by Knowable Magazine

1/18/2020

Reviewed by: Jayanth Taranath and Patrick Grzela

Average Score: 3.5 / 5

In Summary: Graphene and other two-dimensional materials are becoming increasingly more essential for new technologies and applications. In the news story by Knowable Magazine, what graphene and these other ‘wonder’ materials are and how they can be used in applications in the future are discussed at some length. While the article appears to be targeted to an audience with less of a scientific background, important details and some misleading statements arise during the simplification of the concepts from the original research articles.

Original News Story

Sources Cited Below

Image by: Katherine Jiang

Broad, potentially misleading statements in story by Medical Xpress paint an attractive picture of a new cancer treatment that has yet to be tested in humans

1/16/2020

Reviewed by: Ryan Yee and Matt Fairfax

Average Score: 3.5 / 5

In Summary: A new class of drugs to combat cancer has recently been investigated that work on enzymes that create epigenetic modifications. These modifications change gene expression without modifying the genetic code or DNA sequence. While the news story by Medical Xpress effectively simplifies a relatively complex area of cancer and cell biology, broad, unsubstantiated statements made within the title and the news story itself may be open for misinterpretation by general audience members.

Original News Story

Research Article

Image by: Jermiah Joseph

Exceptional article by Vox on several studies regarding the health and processed meat consumption

1/14/2020

Reviewed by: Victoria Han and Shauna Morrell

Average Score: 5 / 5

In Summary: According to recent studies, the research is leading authors argue against the statement from the World Health Organization suggesting a reduction in the consumption of processed meats for health reasons. In the news story by Julia Belluz and Vox, multiple perspectives are provided without the author taking a side, while accurate details from the research are presented in an easily understood manner. All opinions and sources are readily linked and available, allowing the reader to dig into the topic as much as they desire.

Original News Story

Sources Cited Below

Image by: Katherine Jiang

Solid review by ScienceDaily on two studies investigating cancer-driving mutations in non-coding DNA

1/12/2020

Reviewed by: Matt Fairfax and Ryan Yee

Average Score: 4.5 / 5

In Summary: Two recent studies out of the Ontario Institute for Cancer Research have shed light on the nature and consequences of mutations within non-coding regions in the genome and the impact these can have on cancer progression/development. The story by ScienceDaily concisely summarizes the key discoveries of the research and includes direct quotes from some lead researchers on the project to provide a greater understanding for the reader. The research and story help provide a link to the roles non-coding sequence can play in human disease, especially given most of the human genome is not made up of genes that encode proteins.

Original News Story

Research Article 1

Research Article 2

Image by: Jermiah Joseph

Difficult concept expertly broken down in reprinted story by Wired on how the excitation of neurons may have an influence on aging in humans

1/10/2020

Reviewed by: Lucas Warma and Julia Schmid

Average Score: 5 / 5

In Summary: A recently published study in Nature investigated potential relationships between overactivity and excitation in neurons and animal life spans. In the reprinted article by Wired, originally from Quanta Magazine, there is a level of precaution taken to avoid exaggeration of the results of the paper. Along with additional sources of information, from experts in the field, there is a great deal of depth for the general reader to pick up on and satisfy their curiosity. Difficult concepts are made easy to understand and the illustrations in the news story assist the reader along the way.

Original News Story

Research Article

Image by: Jermiah Joseph

Well articulated story by Neuroscience News on alpha brain waves and attention levels

1/9/2020

Reviewed by: Kyra Horsthuis and Jayanth Taranath

Average Score: 5 / 5

In Summary: A new study investigated how alpha brain wave modulation can affect attention levels in participants performing visual tasks. In the Neuroscience News story, possible implications of this research are raised by additional experts in the field, suggesting that in principle, humans may be able to capitalize on this alpha wave neurofeedback to enhance their attention. The story clearly conveys the research process and is overall quite informative.

Original News Article

Research Article

Image by: Jermiah Joseph

NewScientist story on a recent preprint regarding plants emitting squeals when in stressful conditions includes additional expert opinions

1/8/2020

Reviewed by: Katarina Kukolj and Tinsae Haile

Average Score: 5 / 5

In Summary: The story by NewScientist describes the results from a recent paper that is not yet peer reviewed and published, regarding recordings that reveal that plants make ultrasonic squeals when stressed by a lack of water or when the stem is cut. Positives on the story by Adam Vaughan include accurately summarized methods, results, and possible implications of the study, and notably additional expert opinions.

Original News Story

Research Article

Image by: Katherine Jiang

Story by The Atlantic on a study revisiting the “Marshmallow Test” is further supported by credible and relevant sources

1/6/2020

Reviewed by: Julia Schmid and Lucas Warma

Average Score: 5 / 5

In Summary: The “Marshmallow Test” is a famous psychological study investigating insight into children’s abilities to delay gratification and their success in the future. A similar study was revisited by a recent study and is the subject of the story by The Atlantic. The article accurately states the claims of the research publication and further supports its arguments with other credible information.

Original News Story

Research Article

Image by: Katherine Jiang