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Heightened connection between physical and mental activity to the perception of sound in athletes discussed by The New York Times

2/28/2020

Reviewed by: Maja Soltysiak and Sean Luke

Average score: 5 / 5

In Summary: A recent study investigates the sound-processing abilities of student athletes relative to non-athletes and finds that athletes’ sense of sound is heightened relative to their non-athlete peers. The New York Times reports neutrally on these findings and in a manner that is digestible to any audience. Although more elaboration could have been useful, author Gretchen Reynolds ultimately makes the article an enjoyable read.

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Research Article

Image by: Jermiah Joseph

Medical Xpress article doesn't provide source for claim that birth control pill use is declining due to mental health side effects

2/27/2020

Reviewed by: Vicky Chang and Matt Fairfax

Average Score: 3.5 / 5

In Summary: Birth control pills may have negative mental health side effects according to this Medical Xpress article. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there has been a decrease in women who use contraceptives due to its side effects. The author interviewed women who have experienced the negative mental health effects due to birth control pills to support the claim. The article pulls information from a variety of sources but does not cite any of the sources. While there are issues with the credibility of the article, the language is accessible to the public and the author explains any terms that may be unknown.

Original News Story

Image by: Maximillian Soltysiak

Healthline uses multiple perspectives to illuminate findings related to neurological influences on depressive disorders

2/26/2020

Reviewed by: Kimya Manouchehri and Julia Schmid

Average score: 4 / 5

In Summary: Neurological biomarkers related to depression were recently determined by experimental imaging and discussed in multiple studies. Author Bob Curley summarizes these discoveries in an unexaggerated and neutral manner. Although there is room for credibility doubt due to non-peer reviewed studies, his supporting sources are reputable and help to justify his claims.

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Sources Cited Below

Image by: Jermiah Joseph

Using A.I. to analyze mammogram screenings as reported by The New York Times

2/24/2020

Reviewed by: Kennedy Barkhouse and Celina Tang

Average Score: 5 / 5

In Summary: A.I. is learning to read mammograms to help doctors find breast cancer. Radiologists and A.I. were shown mammograms and determined if the patient had cancer or not, A.I. was able to decrease the percent of false positives and false negatives. The New York Times article summarizes the scientific article and doesn’t shy away from discussing the shortcomings of A.I. The article avoids the use of jargon and presents the information without bias.

Original News Story

Research Article

Image by: Maximillian Soltysiak

Interesting study about molecular interactions that could impact future medicine discussed by Phys.org

2/23/2020

Reviewed by: Victoria Han and Kyra Horsthuis

Average score: 5 / 5

In Summary: Phys.org effectively summarizes a research study by the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) in a way that is understandable by both the scientific and non-scientific community. The author writes neutrally and appropriately while describing the study’s findings; however, there are a few unjustified claims throughout.

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Research Article

Image by: Maximillian Soltysiak

Important findings about dendritic action potentials that clarify human behaviour oversimplified by IFLScience

2/21/2020

Reviewed by: Rachel Lacroix and Vicky Chang

Average score: 4 / 5

In Summary: A new discovery that provides insight into a specific human action potential that has not yet been found in other mammals; however, the author tends to generalize the research. Katy Evans efficiently summarizes the new findings but tends to add her own interpretations to the research and also lacks further support from other research.

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Research Article

Image by: Maximillian Soltysiak

Men's Journal inappropriately makes connections from study that relates personal well-being to sexual frequency

2/20/2020

Reviewed by: Julia Schmid and Kimya Manouchehri

Average score: 2 / 5

In summary: A study relating personal well-being to sexual frequency was misused by Men’s Journal to characterize sexual happiness. The supporting sources, apart from the main research study, are unreliable and even further decrease the credibility of Steele’s claims. Although Steele summarizes the study’s findings without any jargon, she borders on colloquialism.

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Research Article

Image by: Jermiah Joseph

Easy-to-read article by Vice on the discovery of two new cannabinoids in a recent study

2/19/2020

Reviewed by: John Samuelian Jr and Rachel Lacroix

Average Score: 5 / 5

In Summary: The article in Vice summarizes a new study published in Scientific Reports described the discovery of two previously unknown cannabinoids. The two discovered chemical compounds (THCP and CBDP) are very similar to the commonly known cannabinoids, THC and CBD. The authors also describe how various combinations of these four compounds can possibly attribute to the different types of “highs” people experience when using cannabis. The article is well-written and easily accessible to a lay audience.

Original News Story

Research Article

Image by: Jermiah Joseph

Well-written MedicalXpress article on Immunotherapy clearly summarizes T-cell mechanism discovery

2/16/2020

Reviewed by: Ryan Yee and Victoria Han

Average Score: 5 / 5

In Summary: A study by researchers in University College London investigated specific immune system mechanisms to induce apoptosis (cell death) in the cancerous cells of mice. The researchers were able to identify both a growth and transcription factor present in the T-cells that can aid in this process. With multiple perspectives from scientists within the community, the article written in MedicalXpress provides accurate background information and the findings are explained in a manner that is accessible to a lay audience.

Original News Story

Research Article

Image by: Maximillian Soltysiak

CNN reports unbiasedly about the genetic influences and sources of anxiety

2/15/2020

Reviewed by: Adrianna Rizzuto and Hadi El Roz

Average Score: 4.5 / 5

In Summary: CNN’s Ryan Prior summarizes several sources studying the genetic influences and outside sources of anxiety. The research article uses a series of veterans’ data to determine the genetics at play with anxiety disorders. CNN’s article, while unbiased and well supported by the research, could have benefitted from more personal interviews to broaden the diversity of the information.

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Research Article

Image by: Maximillian Soltysiak