Topics include pesticides in oats, AI video generation ethics, flaws in university rankings, looksmaxxing trends, Titan's habitability, mysterious sounds, evolution of science communication, debunking false beliefs, and solar eclipse myths and predictions.
Looks maxing trend involves soft and hard maxing for facial enhancement, controversial mewing lacks scientific backing.
University rankings criticized for bias, inequities, and conflicts of interest, caution advised in decision-making.
Orthotropics focus on mewing for oral posture correction, lacks independent verification and results reliability.
Concerns rise over looks maxing health implications and lack of rigorous evidence, urge for cautious evaluation.
Gas giants have total solar eclipses due to sun's apparent size from farther moons' perspective.
Deep dives
Looks Maxing and Mewing: Reshaping Facial Features
Looks maxing is a trend among online communities seeking to enhance facial appearance, primarily among men. Soft maxing involves easy tweaks like changing hair or skincare, while hard maxing includes Botox injections and mewing. Mewing, named after John Mu, focuses on orthotropics to correct malocclusion and facial posture. However, the science behind mewing efficacy remains controversial with limited independent studies.
University Rankings Controversy
University rankings, like those from QS and Times Higher Education, face criticism for conceptual invalidity and opaque methods. They often bias towards research institutions and STEM subjects, perpetuate inequities, and create conflict of interest with for-profit companies selling advertising to ranked universities. Experts caution against relying on such rankings for educational decisions.
Orthotropics and Skepticism on Efficacy
Orthotropics, focused on correcting oral posture and facial bone growth, includes mewing recommended by John Mu's techniques. The controversial method lacks robust scientific backing, relying on limited and often biased studies. Critics urge caution due to lack of independent verification and subjective nature of results.
Impact of Looks Maxing Trends
The rise of looks maxing trends, encompassing soft maxing through simple changes and hard maxing with more invasive procedures like mewing and Botox, raises concerns over efficacy and health implications. Lack of rigorous scientific evidence and potential biases in practices highlight the need for cautious evaluation and informed decision-making.
Ranking System Challenges
University ranking systems face challenges due to conceptual flaws, subjectivity, bias towards certain disciplines, and promotion of colonial inequities. Conflicts of interest with for-profit entities selling rank-boosting services further raise skepticism on the reliability and transparency of such rankings.
The Evolution of Science Communication
With the onset of social media, the internet, and the pandemic, science communication has significantly evolved over the past 20 years. Initiatives like science podcasting have gained momentum, bridging the gap between specialist scientists and the general public. The discipline has transitioned from a young field to a more established practice, emphasizing dedicated time and effort to excel in science journalism.
Expanding Reach Through Diverse Channels
Platforms such as radio, national networks, and internet radio have provided extensive reach for science communicators like Chris Smith. By leveraging these diverse channels, including collaborations with the BBC and programs in Australia and South Africa, scientists have been able to share cutting-edge research and develop in-depth science stories for a global audience.
Navigating Challenges and Changing Landscape
As science communication has advanced, practitioners face new challenges, including increased public scrutiny and the need for creative approaches to engage diverse audiences. The role of a science communicator has transformed, requiring a more specialized focus, dedicated effort, and a blend of scientific expertise and journalistic skills for effective storytelling.
Eclipses on Gas Giants
Gas giants like Jupiter and Saturn have total solar eclipses from their moons' perspective due to the apparent size of the sun being smaller from farther away.
Frequency of Solar Eclipses
On average, any spot on Earth experiences a total solar eclipse every 375 years on average, allowing for variations due to location and specific orbital conditions of Earth.
Interview with Chris Smith from the Naked Scientists; News Items: Pesticides in Oats, AI Video, University Rankings Flawed, Mewing and Looksmaxxing, Titan Uninhabitable; Who's That Noisy; Science or Fiction
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