Phys .org: Researchers suggest better communication needed to convince public of findings. “A team of researchers from several institutions in the U.S. has published a Perspective piece in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences discussing the growing problem of acceptance of findings by scientists by the general public. They suggest several possible approaches that researchers could use to promote more effective signals of trustworthiness to the public.”
citizen science
NZ’s litter problem: Citizen scientists hope rubbish data will provide wake-up call for Kiwis (Newshub New Zealand)
Newshub New Zealand: NZ’s litter problem: Citizen scientists hope rubbish data will provide wake-up call for Kiwis. “In a programme being rolled out at over 100 beaches, groups of volunteers are collecting and analysing the rubbish that washes up on New Zealand shores to build a database of evidence to inspire action.”
Natural History Museum: Where to report birds tangled in plastic rubbish
Natural History Museum: Where to report birds tangled in plastic rubbish. “Birds and Debris was set up by Dr Alex Bond, Senior Curator of Birds at the Museum, and collaborators at the Environmental Research Institute at the University of the Highlands and Islands. The website allows people all over the world to report birds endangered by not only plastic but any type of debris, such as glass, fabric and metal.” The image with the story is a graphic one, of a bird with a fishing hook caught in its mouth.
Clemson News: Citizen scientists sought to help protect state’s water quality
Clemson News: Citizen scientists sought to help protect state’s water quality. “Clemson University and the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control are seeking South Carolinians who care about preserving water quality in their home state to serve as scientists — with no Ph.D. or prior training necessary.”
The Irish News: Citizen scientists track humpback whale travels with help of social media
The Irish News: Citizen scientists track humpback whale travels with help of social media . “Humpback whales are known to make vast migrations between their breeding and feeding grounds, and are increasingly being seen in UK seas. Now the first ever confirmed record of a UK-sighted whale hundreds of miles away in its summer feeding grounds in the high Arctic has been revealed, after its picture was spotted on Facebook by volunteer ‘citizen scientists’.”
Nature: Citizen science could map snakebite risk
Nature: Citizen science could map snakebite risk. “Snake bites kill an estimated 81,000–138,000 people and disable 400,000 globally every year. The World Health Organization and the Wellcome Trust are both taking action … We suggest that citizen science could also help to reduce the toll.”
BBC: Scotland-led study into plastic pollution impact on birds
BBC: Scotland-led study into plastic pollution impact on birds . “Pictures of birds entangled in plastic and nests built with the waste are being collected by Scottish researchers. They want people from around the world to contribute to the ‘citizen science’ project by uploading their images to a new website.”
