Skeptical Science

Scientists say artificial intelligence could help bring the woolly mammoth back from extinction, according to a report. AI is being used to analyze the mammoth genome and accelerate efforts to edit elephant DNA so the Ice Age giant's traits could be recreated. The idea of de-extincting the mammoth has drawn both excitement and skepticism about whether such a creature can truly be brought back.

The American Academy of Pediatrics has renewed its call to ban raw milk sales, citing health risks to children as anti-science rhetoric around food safety gains ground. The pediatricians' group argues unpasteurized milk can carry dangerous pathogens, and its statement comes amid growing promotion of raw milk by figures skeptical of established public health guidance.

A Carl Sagan quote is circulating widely: "Anything you don't understand, Mr. Rankin, you attribute to God. God for you is where you sweep away all the mysteries of the world... You simply turn your mind off and say God did it." Readers are sharing it as a pointed criticism of using God as an explanation for the unknown, echoing long-running debates between science and religion.

Scientists surveyed about their political leanings were reportedly asked to rate themselves on a scale from 1 (most left-leaning) to 7 (most right-leaning). According to the figures cited, only 16% of the most left-leaning scientists described themselves as techno-optimists, a notably lower share than other groups. The finding is fueling discussion about the relationship between political ideology and attitudes toward technological progress within the scientific community.

News coverage is examining the science behind political polls, explaining how pollsters sample voters, weight responses and calculate margins of error. The interest comes as polling data shapes coverage of elections and public opinion, with many readers skeptical about poll accuracy after recent misses and seeking to understand what the numbers really represent.

The SETI Institute is highlighting a new episode of its Big Picture Science programme, 'Skeptic Check: Sunny Daze', examining sunlight's effects on human health. The sun bombards Earth with radiation that can be harmful in excess, but recent studies suggest moderate exposure offers real benefits. The discussion explores the balance between the risks and rewards of catching some rays.

Bryan Johnson, the tech entrepreneur known for spending millions attempting to reverse his biological age, is featured in a new Axios Show interview laying out his longevity ambitions. He frames his mission as making 300 the new 70, arguing that rigorous protocols, data tracking and experimental therapies could dramatically extend healthy human lifespan. The project continues to draw both interest and skepticism from medical experts.

A scientific paper that questioned the role of carbon dioxide in climate change has been retracted, with critics having reportedly described it as a 'hot mess'. The retraction was reported by Retraction Watch. Retractions of papers challenging the mainstream scientific consensus on climate change tend to draw significant attention, as they raise questions about peer review standards and how journals handle contested research on CO2 and global warming.

A circulating science digest highlights three stories: researchers say penguin guano is helping Antarctic ecosystems stay resilient to climate change; a new Nature piece describes a medium-term 'timer' in the brain that tracks sleep and predicts awakening; and New Scientist examines why full-scale quantum computers may remain perpetually five years away. Readers are sharing the collection as a quick briefing on current research.

The Genetic Literacy Project examines why astrology, homeopathy, vaccine rejectionism and creationism continue to attract adherents despite growing scientific evidence against them. The piece argues that science's progress has not eliminated public susceptibility to pseudoscientific claims, exploring psychological, cultural and social factors that keep such beliefs alive across populations.