Sara Reardon,

Sara Reardon is a freelance journalist based in Bozeman, Mont. She has a master's degree in molecular biology and has worked as staff reporter at Nature, New Scientist and Science. Her research focuses on the genetic basis of disease risk.

Biography:  https://www.scientificamerican.com/author/sara-reardon/

42%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermines the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
Analysis.OverallConflictOfInterestScore * 0.3F + Analysis.OverallBiasScore * 0.3F + Analysis.DeceptivenessScore * 0.3F + Analysis.ReadabilityScore * 0.1F

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

The Daily's Verdict

This author has a poor reputation for journalistic standards and is not considered a reliable news source.

Bias

10%

Examples:

  • The author uses sensationalist language when describing the findings stating 'this study provides unprecedented detail on how ancient ancestry can influence disease risk to this day.' This statement exaggerates the significance of these findings and implies that they have a direct impact on modern diseases which is not entirely accurate.

Conflicts of Interest

50%

Examples:

  • The new research found that modern-day genetic risk profile for MS is also present in bones and teeth that are thousands of years old
  • These genetic variants provided a survival advantage to the Yamnaya people, most likely by protecting them from catching infections from their sheep and cattle but also increased the risk of developing MS.

Contradictions

85%

Examples:

  • From a genetic perspective, the Yamnaya people are thought to be the ancestors of present-day inhabitants of much of North-Western Europe. Their genetic influence on today's population is much weaker.
  • Multiple sclerosis is a progressive disease that affects the brain and spinal cord and can lead to a range of symptoms, including paralysis. While it's not hereditary (environment also plays a role in its development), susceptibility is related to certain gene variants.
  • The genetic variants associated with a risk of developing MS traveled with the Yamnaya people -- livestock herders who migrated over the Pontic Steppe into North-Western Europe
  • The geographical and temporal distribution of ancient genomes sequenced and reported in this study provides an explanation for the North-South Gradient
  • The new research found that modern-day genetic risk profile for MS is also present in bones and teeth that are thousands of years old
  • These genetic variants provided a survival advantage to the Yamnaya people, most likely by protecting them from catching infections from their sheep and cattle but also increased the risk of developing MS.

Deceptions

50%

Examples:

  • The author uses sensationalist language when describing the findings stating 'this study provides unprecedented detail on how ancient ancestry can influence disease risk to this day.' This statement exaggerates the significance of these findings and implies that they have a direct impact on modern diseases which is not entirely accurate.

Recent Articles

The Genetic Origins of Multiple Sclerosis: A Journey Through Time and Herding Populations

The Genetic Origins of Multiple Sclerosis: A Journey Through Time and Herding Populations

Broke On: Monday, 15 January 2024 Researchers have found that genetic changes associated with multiple sclerosis first emerged among herding populations who migrated from Eastern Europe and then spread across the continent. While not hereditary, susceptibility for MS is related to certain gene variants.