A book that criticizes alternative medicine to treat conditions that have names but no criteria is controversial - because it runs up against a supplement and alternative medicine enabled by governments that believe science can't be trusted
What rising sea level? Peter, CC BY-SABy Mark Maslin,University College LondonThere are many complex reasons why people decide not to accept the science of climate change. The doubters range from the conspiracy theorist to the skeptical scientist, or from the paid lobbyist to the raving lunatic.
Nightwatchman Nathan Lyon bowled by Mohammed Sharmi last week. AAP/ David MariuzBy Tim Trudgian, Australian National UniversityImagine you are captain of the national cricket team. With 20 minutes left in day one of a test match, your top-order batsman is dismissed. Do you employ a nightwatchman? That is, do you send in a tail-end batsman to see out the bowling until the end of the day’s play and protect your top-order?Well, a little bit of math can show you that you shouldn't.
A man relaxes in some decidedly un-Scottish weather outside the venue for this year's Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. AAP Image/ Dave HuntBy Andrew King, University of Melbourne; David Karoly, University of Melbourne and Sophie Lewis, Australian National UniversityIt’s clear: 2014 has been a scorcher. As well as probably being the hottest year on record globally, regional and local climate records have tumbled too.
Everyone needs to understand the basics of science to participate fully in the democratic process. shutterstock.By Jonathan Garlick, Tufts University.
Games appear in galleries, does that make them art? blakespot, CC BYBy Ashok Ranchhod, University of Southampton and Vanissa Wanick Vieira, University of Southampton.
Neapolitans have given fishmongers and celebrities alike a place at the nativity for hundreds of years. acetosa888, CC BY-SABy Jessica Hughes, The Open UniversityThere’s a scene in the film "Love Actually" where a little girl announces that she’ll be playing “first lobster” in the school nativity play. “There was more than one lobster present at the birth of Jesus?” asks her surprised mum – causing the girl to sigh in exasperation at such profound levels of parental ignorance.
Want to try something old schoolfor Christmas? If you were preparing the festive meal 600 years ago you’d have far more on your plate.
You definitely didn't have one? Honestly? ShutterstockBy Lara Warmelink, Lancaster University
Your brain is still you. Andrew Mason, CC BYBy Walter Sinnott-Armstrong, Duke UniversityImagine that Brian promises to drive you to the airport but never shows up, and you miss your flight. When you confront Brian, he tells you that he remembered his promise but decided to watch a movie instead. Would you be angry? You betcha!
"You think you're in pain now, but this is not going to look good on Facebook tomorrow." Stefano Bolognini/National Museum of DenmarkBy Arosha K Bandara, The Open University
All the better for hearing you with. Boris Roessler/EPABy Victoria Ratcliffe, University of Sussex and David Reby, University of SussexSometimes it may seem like your dog doesn’t want to listen. But in our study, however, we’ve found that he may understand more than he lets on.
