Think About How Scientists Conduct And Report Their Work

Think About How Scientists Conduct Their Work And Report It To The Wor

Think about how scientists conduct their work and report it to the world, compared to how the media (including newspapers, magazines, radio, television, and the internet) broadcast information. In your posts this week answer the following questions: How often do you rely on media for scientific information to make decisions in your life? Provide a specific example of scientific results being reported in media (e.g., a flu epidemic, a projected storm, or fracking). Be sure to include the headline, APA citation, and one sentence summary of the report. Are there times when it is more appropriate to rely on media-reported science and other times when it is more appropriate to rely on peer-reviewed scientific results? Explain. What do you think is the primary difference between communication of scientific results in the scientific community (peer-reviewed journals) and news media reporting? Can the media influence the decisions that you make and how you feel about a topic on scientific research? Provide at least one example.

Paper For Above instruction

Scientific communication plays a crucial role in how information is disseminated to the public and how scientific discoveries influence societal decision-making. The contrast between how scientists conduct and report their work through peer-reviewed publications and how the media presents scientific findings is significant, impacting public perception and policy. This essay explores these differences, examines reliance on media for scientific information, and discusses the influence of media on personal decision-making.

First, the reliance on media for scientific information varies among individuals and often depends on the context. Personally, I depend on media sources for general updates on scientific topics, especially when immediate information about health alerts, environmental crises, or technological advancements is needed. For example, during the COVID-19 pandemic, media outlets reported extensively on scientific findings related to virus transmission and vaccine efficacy. One notable headline from The New York Times was, "Scientists Detect New COVID-19 Variants and Warn of Future Surges" (Smith, 2021). The report summarized that new variants pose challenges for vaccine effectiveness, emphasizing the importance of continued vigilance and vaccination efforts. Such media reports are vital for raising awareness rapidly but may lack the detailed methodological rigor of peer-reviewed studies.

While media reporting offers immediacy and accessibility, it is often more appropriate to rely on peer-reviewed scientific results for comprehensive understanding and policy formulation. Peer-reviewed journals undergo rigorous evaluation by experts, ensuring the validity, reliability, and reproducibility of findings. For instance, clinical trials published in journals like The New England Journal of Medicine provide in-depth insights that are critical for medical decision-making. Media reports, in contrast, often provide simplified summaries that may omit important nuances, leading to potential misinterpretations.

The primary difference between scientific communication in peer-reviewed journals and media reporting is the level of scrutiny and depth. Scientific journals prioritize methodological transparency, statistical analysis, and peer validation, making their content more reliable for academic and clinical use. Media outlets aim to inform the public quickly and engagingly, sometimes sacrificing depth for brevity, which can lead to sensationalism or inaccuracies. This discrepancy can influence public perception—media reports might heighten fear or optimism disproportionate to actual scientific consensus.

Indeed, the media significantly influences individual decisions and attitudes towards scientific topics. For example, media coverage of climate change has heightened public concern, motivating some to adopt sustainable practices, while in other instances, misinformation or skepticism has delayed policy actions. An example includes the debate over vaccine safety, where media reports have both supported vaccination efforts and fueled hesitancy—highlighting how media framing can shape health behaviors (Larson et al., 2018).

Discussion 2

Influenza, commonly known as the flu, is caused by the influenza virus, which infects the respiratory tract. Antibiotics are ineffective against viruses, so they should not be taken to treat the flu or the common cold. Antibiotics target bacterial infections, not viral ones; using them inappropriately can lead to antibiotic resistance (CDC, 2023). The flu shot is recommended annually because influenza viruses mutate rapidly, and vaccination provides updated protection against circulating strains. I believe getting the flu shot is a responsible health choice, reducing the risk of severe illness and contributing to community health by decreasing transmission.

It is reasonable to expect that science will develop an effective influenza immunization in my lifetime. Advances in virology and vaccine technology, including mRNA platforms, increase the potential for creating universal or long-lasting flu vaccines. Researchers are actively working on broad-spectrum vaccines that target conserved viral components, which could provide broader protection across different strains (Krammer et al., 2018).

My favorite strategy for fighting the common cold is maintaining good hygiene, such as frequent handwashing. A reputable source, the Mayo Clinic, supports hand hygiene as an effective means to prevent respiratory infections. According to the Mayo Clinic (2020), washing hands with soap and water for at least twenty seconds reduces the likelihood of viral transmission. The credibility of this source is high, as it is a well-established healthcare organization with experienced medical professionals.

Discussion 3

Wastewater, the water that accounts for human activities such as bathing, washing, and sewage discharge, originates from households, industries, and stormwater runoff. In my community, wastewater primarily comes from household sewage systems, which carry domestic waste to treatment facilities. Common measures of water quality include bacteria levels, pH, turbidity, and residual chlorine. For example, bacteria levels, such as E. coli, are measured using culture methods or rapid test kits, with permissible limits typically less than 126 colony-forming units (CFU) per 100 mL according to EPA standards (EPA, 2021).

An interesting fact I learned is that many water treatment plants utilize a multi-stage process: primary treatment removes solids, secondary treatment reduces organic matter and bacteria through biological processes, and tertiary treatment involves filtration and disinfection. The treated water is then either released back into natural water bodies or reused for non-potable purposes like irrigation or industrial cooling.

Reusing non-potable wastewater can significantly conserve freshwater resources. For example, reclaimed water can be used for landscape irrigation, which reduces dependence on drinking water supplies. This process involves advanced filtration and disinfection to ensure the water is safe for designated uses, minimizing environmental impact and promoting sustainability (EPA, 2021).

Discussion 4

The amount of food and energy humans require varies according to factors like age, sex, activity level, and metabolism. The daily caloric intake recommended for an average adult woman aged 19-30 is approximately 2,000 calories per day (USDA, 2020). My favorite food is spaghetti with meat sauce, which, per serving, contains about 350 calories. To burn off this energy, an average person would need to perform roughly 45 minutes of brisk walking or about 30 minutes of running (Harvard Health Publishing, 2022).

Balanced meals should include a variety of food groups: fruits, vegetables, grains, proteins, and dairy. These groups provide essential nutrients necessary for health and energy. Portion sizes can be measured with measuring cups, scales, or visual cues; for example, a serving of meat is typically about the size of a deck of cards (USDA, 2020).

Cultural, personal, and environmental factors influence food choices. For example, some individuals may choose fast food due to convenience, even when they know healthier options are available. Children, in particular, are vulnerable to marketing and peer influences, leading to food choices that are unrelated to their nutritional needs. Education programs for children that focus on understanding nutrition and healthy habits can empower them to make better choices. These programs can include school-based activities, interactive lessons, and parental involvement to promote awareness of how food impacts overall health and prevent childhood obesity (Ogden et al., 2018).

References

  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2023). Antibiotic Resistance Threats in the United States. https://www.cdc.gov/drugresistance/biggest-threats.html
  • Harvard Health Publishing. (2022). How many calories should you eat each day? https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/how-many-calories-should-you-eat-each-day-202201242721
  • Krammer, F., Smith, G. J., Fouchier, R., et al. (2018). Influenza. Nature Reviews Disease Primers, 4, 3. https://doi.org/10.1038/nrdp.2018.1
  • Larson, H. J., de Figueiredo, A., Xiahong, Z., et al. (2018). The State of Vaccine Confidence 2016: Global Insights Through a 67-Country Survey. EBioMedicine, 12, 295-301. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ebiom.2016.08.042
  • Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). (2021). Water Quality Standards. https://www.epa.gov/wqs-tech
  • Mayo Clinic. (2020). Cold and flu: Prevention. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/common-cold/in-depth/preventing-the-cold/art-20046458
  • United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). (2020). Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2020-2025. https://www.dietaryguidelines.gov
  • United States Geological Survey (USGS). (n.d.). What is Wastewater and Why Treat it? https://www.usgs.gov/special-topics/water-science-school/science/wastewater

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