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Presentation of research on the role of nudge theory in food preferences written effectively for many audiences by National Post

3/30/2020

Reviewed by: Sean Luke and Kennedy Barkhouse

Average score: 4 / 5

In Summary: A research project investigating the use of nudge theory in shifting student’s food preferences towards healthier choices. Richard Warnica writes for the National Post about this project in a neutral way that adheres well to the scientific method used by the study author. There is room for improvement as Warnica could have benefitted from additional sources independent of the original research article.

Original News Story

Research Article

Image by: Jermiah Joseph

ScienceMag article describes flaw in retracted coronavirus research paper in NEJM

3/27/2020

Reviewed by: Ryan Yee and Kyra Horsthuis

Average Score: 5 / 5

In Summary: Author Kai K. of ScienceMag discusses the flawed findings of research published in the New England Journal of Medicine that suggested that an asymptomatic woman had transmitted COVID-19 in Germany to four people on a business trip meeting. Kai provides numerous opposing but credible, perspectives from individuals both involved and not involved with the original paper. The author effectively maintained a neutral tone and presents readers with an accurate and holistic depiction of the situation without any opinions.

Original News Story

Research Article

Image by Jermiah Joseph

Improvements in cancer treatment methods presented effectively and concisely by ScienceDaily

3/25/2020

Reviewed by: Matt Fairfax and Sean Luke

Average score: 5 / 5

In Summary: Recent advancements with the goal of creating safer cancer therapy were discussed thoroughly but efficiently so that readers understand what is already known and what was actually improved. Although there is no confusion between correlation and causation, the author fails to explain some scientific jargon. That, in addition to the lack of sources independent from the original research article, decreases the article’s accessibility. With few errors, ScienceDaily makes this exciting update an enjoyable read.

Original News Story

Research Article

Image by: Jermiah Joseph

Recent successes with combined CRISPR and T-cell therapy highlighted by ScienceMag

3/24/2020

Reviewed by: Maja Soltysiak and Catherine Choueiri

Average score: 5 / 5

In Summary: ScienceMag reports on a recent study that has found success with combining gene-editing CRISPR technology with T-cell therapy in treating cancer. Author Jennifer Couzin-Frankel conveys the excitement pertaining to these advancements while keeping the news story largely void of scientific jargon, personal opinions and emotion, and sensationalizing. There are a few issues with accessibility; however, Couzin-Frankel manages to make the article interesting and adaptable to multiple audiences.

Original News Story

Research Article

Image by: Jermiah Joseph

The preparation for adolescence through active brain remodelling explained by ScienceDaily

3/20/2020

Reviewed by: Kyra Horsthuis and Kimya Manouchehri

Average score: 5 / 5

In Summary: The transition into adolescence was tracked using functional MRI imaging and its findings were summarized effectively and neutrally by Science Daily. The author, unnamed, explained the active re-modelling of the brain during this time using jargon-free language and analogies to render the material understandable by a lay audience. Although the article lacks accessibility and multiple sources of information, it is an enjoyable read for those interested in the brain’s role in human development.

Original News Story

Research Article

Image by: Katherine Jiang

ScienceDaily article explains how researchers transform trash into valuable graphene.

3/19/2020

Reviewed by: John Samuelian Jr. Jayanth Taranath 

Average score: 4.5 / 5

In Summary: Mike Williams, author at ScienceDaily, explains research conducted at Rice University that explains how graphene, a very valuable substance with numerous favorable properties, can be produced from trash. The article describes the methods and findings of the article in detail without using jargon unless necessary.

Original News Story

Research Article

Image by: Katherine Jiang

Live Science presents study investigating the transmission of noncommunicable diseases using clickbait

3/19/2020

Reviewed by: Kimya Manouchehri and Celina Tang

Average score: 5 / 5

In Summary: A recent study investigating the transmission of noncommunicable diseases, such as cancer and obesity, was described by Live Science. The study found that transmission patterns suggested that the transmission of noncommunicable diseases was likely due to a sharing of microbiota within residents of the same household. Live Science unfortunately errs on the side of a clickbait nature through its fear-mongering nature. Yet, despite this, the study is presented without the use of any scientific jargon, making it understandable by most audiences.

Original News Story

Research Article

Image by: Katherine Jiang

Well-written Newsweek article on Tardigrades’ ability to survive at high temperatures doesn’t exaggerate the results of the study

3/17/2020

Reviewed by: Katarina Kukolj and Vicky Chang

Average Score: 4.5 / 5

In Summary: According to a Scientific Reports article, tardigrades cannot survive at high temperatures for long periods of time. Now, due to climate change, Denmark is experiencing warming summers with temperatures that are the median lethal temperatures for tardigrades. The Newsweek article accurately described the purpose of the study without being misleading with the results but doesn’t provide a different perspective on the topic

Original News Article

Research Article

Image by: Katherine Jiang

Well-balanced article explains quantum dots research by NIST.

3/17/2020

Reviewed by: Jayanth Taranath and Patrick Grzela

Average Score: 4 / 5

In Summary: ScienceDaily article summarizes research done by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) on quantum dots. The researchers were able to successfully observe the electron distribution of the inside of a coupled quantum dot which will unlocks future potential in investigating how we can better control it and use it as a unit of information for our computers. The article explains the research and its importance well, but a lay audience member can get lost in some jargon. Although the author finds a balance between good explanation and oversimplification, the lack of author information and biography provides no method of reading more of their work.

Original News Story

Research Article

Image by: Katherine Jiang

The benefits of yoga on brain health as presented by WebMD

3/16/2020

Reviewed by: Julia Schmid and Victoria Han

Average score: 5 / 5

In Summary: A recent review of multiple studies relating to the effects of yoga on the brain was recently published and further reviewed by HealthDay. WebMD has reposted this article in the goal to promote yoga for its positive benefits on brain health. The news story is presented neutrally without input of bias. Although there are multiple quotes throughout the article, they are sourced mainly from a neurologist who is not an expert on this topic.

Original News Story

Research Article

Image by: Katherine Jiang