Generative AIs may make up information they serve you, meaning they may potentially spread science misinformation. Here’s how to check the accuracy of what you read in an AI-enhanced media landscape.
Vaccines help protect farm animals from various diseases.
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While mRNA vaccines are designed to last longer in the body than mRNA molecules typically would, they are also tested to ensure they are eliminated from livestock long before milking or slaughter.
For much of the 20th century, Americans were used to seeing people bearing the signs of past polio infection.
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Polio vaccines have been a massive public health victory in the US. But purely celebratory messaging overlooks the ongoing threat if vaccination rates fall.
The restraints on COVID-19 misinformation on Twitter are off.
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A wealth of research on social media shows that COVID-19 misinformation is damaging to public health.
Talking about vaccines with trusted health care providers and with family can help wade through the sea of information – and misinformation.
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With COVID-19 shots finally available for infants and preschoolers, knowing how to combat misinformation on social media and elsewhere could be more important than ever.
Misinformation about COVID-19 vaccines affecting fertility have no realistic basis.
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Some of the most persistent myths about COVID-19 vaccination have been false rumours that it can affect fertility in men or women. There has never been any evidence to support this misinformation.
English printmaker James Gillray’s ‘The Cow-Pock.’
(The Cow-Pock/James Gillray)
Stories build powerful emotional attachments. We root for heroes, boo their opponents and get anxious for the fictional problem to be solved. Facts have very little to do with it.
You’re not the only one having trouble discerning the truth.
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Fact-checking risks oversimplifying and distorting Americans’ political conflicts, while not actually helping people find ways to work together productively.
It can be difficult to distinguish between the calls of sincere scientists for more research to reach greater certainty, and the politically motivated criticisms of science skeptics.
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Skeptics may make demands for absolute certainty to undermine science and delay action. Critiques may not be in the interest of advancing science and public health, but by someone with an agenda.
Health care providers are just one trusted source of information for parents on the safety of COVID-19 vaccines for children.
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Clive Palmer says vaccines don’t work and Craig Kelly is among those misinterpreting statistics to suggest COVID vaccines are causing more deaths overseas.
Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers implied he was vaccinated against COVID-19 when he was not, and made statements about the vaccines based on misinformation.
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NFL star Aaron Rodgers has amplified dangerous and disproven myths about the COVID-19 vaccine. Here’s why his statements are not only untrue, but also harmful because they spread misinformation.
The “Which Virus Are You” website was a fun and informative way to talk to young people about the benefits of the COVID-19 vaccines.
(Marion Cossin)
Not knowing how many posts people see on social media overall or where specific types of content get concentrated is keeping researchers in the dark about misinformation.
Many U.S. states follow some form of “mature minor doctrine” allowing teens to make medical decisions without parental consent, including COVID-19 vaccination.
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Some states have a legal framework allowing “mature minors” to make their own health care decisions – but they apply it in different ways, and some don’t have it at all.
Misinformation on social media is hindering efforts to vaccinate people against the coronavirus.
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Combating vaccine misinformation on social media requires blocking sources of misinformation – and giving researchers access to data about how misinformation spreads.
We surveyed social media users from vulnerable groups and found 73% got their vital news from social platforms. How can we protect these people from vaccine misinformation?
Identify and stop the lies.
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A national coalition of scientists, communicators and health experts is empowering Canadians to work together against online misinformation about COVID-19 and COVID-19 vaccines with #ScienceUpFirst.