Stephen Luntz
Stephen Luntz is an Australian science writer with degrees in science (physics major) and arts (English Literature and the History and Philosophy of Science). He graduated from the University of Melbourne and went on to earn a Graduate Diploma in Science Communication from the Australian National University. Stephen wrote for Australasian Science magazine for 15 years before joining IFLScience.com. His columns there were shortlisted for the Queensland Premier's Science Writing Prize, and formed the basis of the book Forensics, Fossils and Fruitbats: A Fieldguide To Australian Scientists.
94%
The Daily's Verdict
This author is known for its high journalistic standards. The author strives to maintain neutrality and transparency in its reporting, and avoids conflicts of interest. The author has a reputation for accuracy and rarely gets contradicted on major discrepancies in its reporting.
Bias
100%
Examples:
No current examples available.
Conflicts of Interest
100%
Examples:
No current examples available.
Contradictions
100%
Examples:
No current examples available.
Deceptions
85%
Examples:
- The article claims humans have not gone beyond low Earth orbit since 1972 but then mentions a mission scheduled for later this year which will take them further than low Earth orbit. This contradicts itself and creates confusion for readers.
- The article claims humans have waited 52 years to go back to the moon but then mentions a mission scheduled for later this year which will take them further than low Earth orbit. This contradicts itself and creates confusion for readers.
- The article claims humans will not set foot on the Moon this year but then mentions a mission to take four astronauts around the Moon and back again in November. This contradicts itself and creates confusion for readers.
Recent Articles
Saving Frogs with DIY Heated Shelters: A Cost-Effective Solution to Fight Chytrid Fungus
Broke On: Wednesday, 26 June 2024Scientists discover that heated shelters, or 'frog saunas', can help endangered frog species fight off the deadly chytrid fungus and increase survival rates. Frogs preferring heated environments have lower infection rates and are more resistant to re-infection. This cost-effective technique could benefit other Australian amphibian species facing chytridiomycosis, but should not replace other conservation efforts. 
New Discoveries Suggest Waves Shape Titan's Liquid Methane Seas and Lakes
Broke On: Wednesday, 19 June 2024MIT researchers suggest waves are responsible for shaping Titan's large seas and lakes on Saturn's moon, based on simulations and comparison with Earth's erosion patterns. Discoveries from NASA's Cassini spacecraft reveal Titan, larger than Mercury, has a complex hydrocarbon cycle with liquid methane and ethane bodies shaped by waves similar to Earth's oceans. 
New Discovery: Earth's Early Surface Hosted Fresh Water and Oceans, 4.4 Billion Years Ago
Broke On: Monday, 03 June 2024Newly analyzed zircon crystals, 4.4 billion years old and found in Western Australia's Jack Hills, reveal Earth had both fresh water and oceans as early as 4 billion years ago. The crystals' light oxygen isotopic signatures indicate exposure to fresh water during formation, challenging the previous belief of a completely oceanic Earth. 
New Volcanic Eruption Mechanism Discovered at Kilauea: The Stomp-Rocket Mechanism
Broke On: Sunday, 27 May 2018In 2018, Kilauea Volcano in Hawaii underwent a series of explosive eruptions driven by ground collapse and magma reservoir pressure increases, resulting in a new type of eruption mechanism called the 'stomp-rocket mechanism'. This dynamic was compared to stepping on an air bag connected to a hose, launching magmatic material out of Kilauea's crater. Researchers from the University of Oregon, USGS, and Sichuan University analyzed 12 such explosive eruptions using data from IRIS, USGS, NOAA, NCEP/NCAR and National Park Service. 
New High-Resolution Images of Europa's Platypus Region Reveal Potential Targets for Future Missions
Broke On: Thursday, 29 September 2022NASA's Juno spacecraft captures high-resolution images of Jupiter's moon Europa, revealing a chaotic terrain named 'Platypus.' This area may indicate the presence of briny liquid seeping to the surface and is a potential target for NASA's Europa Clipper mission and ESA's JUICE mission. The images also show possible plume activity and dark stains, hinting at present-day surface activity. Juno's data provides valuable information for future missions exploring Europa, which could reveal more about life beyond Earth. 
New Research Sheds Light on Venus' Water Loss: Dissociative Recombination Plays a Bigger Role Than Previously Thought
Broke On: Monday, 06 May 2024New research suggests that the process of dissociative recombination, where hydrogen atoms combine with carbon monoxide ions to form water and release electrons, is responsible for Venus' continuous loss of water. This repeating cycle results in the planet losing around twice as much water every day compared to previous estimates. 
Ediacaran Fossils Dated to 565 Million Years Ago, Providing Insights into the Evolution of Complex Multicellular Life on Earth.
Broke On: Tuesday, 16 January 2024Researchers at Curtin University have precisely dated some of the world's oldest fossils of complex multicellular life to 565 million years ago, during the Ediacaran period. The study highlights the importance of understanding these ancient ecosystems in order to unravel Earth's past and shape our comprehension of life's evolution. The Ediacaran biota demonstrates examples of heterotrophy, locomotion, sexual reproduction and organization into complex ecosystems. 
Science in 2024: Putting American Astronauts on the Moon
Broke On: Saturday, 03 February 2024NASA's Artemis III mission aims to put American astronauts on the moon for the first time in over four decades. Two crucial events must occur before this can happen: The Artemis II mission and a test of SpaceX's Starship spacecraft in Texas.