In the age of instant information, deadlines for reporters are getting shorter, while scientific data is no easier to parse. Though the internet is a powerful catalyst for scientific and technological progress, it can also fuel the spread of misinformation, ultimately influencing public opinion and policy. Equally troubling is the equating of correlation with causation and overlooking of confounders—by the public and establishment alike. This widespread misunderstanding of science renders the public easily exploited by groups that know how to cherry pick research to advance their agendas. “We populate the database with several factors in mind, foremost being scientific excellence demonstrated by a range of indicators (e.g.

Source: Forbes November 24, 2017 16:52 UTC