Mallapaty, Smriti

Smriti Mallapaty is a science journalist who covers the Asia-Pacific region for Nature. She has a master's degree in environmental technology from Imperial College London and reports on subjects including biological and environmental sciences, space, publishing and community in Asia. Prior to joining Nature, she worked as a freelance science reporter for publications such as Scientific American and The New York Times magazine.

Biography:  https://www.nature.com/nature/editors

69%

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 mixed reputation for journalistic standards. It is advisable to fact-check, scrutinize for bias, and check for conflicts of interest before relying on the author's reporting.

Bias

100%

Examples:

No current examples available.

Conflicts of Interest

50%

Examples:

  • The article states 'Actors who expressed a preference for ORS were twice as likely to get it as those who mentioned no treatment.' This statement implies that patients' preferences are the primary reason for not receiving ORS. However, this is misleading because there could be other factors such as lack of awareness or accessibility that prevent patients from getting ORS.

Contradictions

85%

Examples:

  • A salty-sweet solution is a cheap and effective way to prevent children's death from diarrheal diseases.
  • The biggest risk is that the virus could evolve to infect mammals more effectively, including through the respiratory system.
  • Vaccinating people is a key focus of pandemic preparedness efforts.

Deceptions

50%

Examples:

  • The article states 'Every year, half a million children under five die of diarrhoea globally'. This statement implies that ORS can prevent all deaths from diarrhea which is not true. According to WHO, 149500 children died in 2018 due to diarrheal diseases and only about half of them received treatment with ORS.
  • The article states 'Most private doctors and pharmacists in the study understand the benefits of an oral rehydration solution (ORS)'. This statement implies that all private doctors and pharmacists prescribe ORS which is not true. According to WHO, only 50% of children with diarrhea receive treatment with ORS.

Recent Articles

Avian Influenza A(H5N1) Outbreak in Dairy Cows and Other Animals: A Multistate Crisis

Avian Influenza A(H5N1) Outbreak in Dairy Cows and Other Animals: A Multistate Crisis

Broke On: Saturday, 13 July 2024 The avian influenza A(H5N1) virus has spread to dairy cows in the US, affecting over 145 herds across 12 states. With cases also reported in other countries, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises avoiding exposures to sick or dead animals and practicing good hygiene. Annual flu vaccines do not protect against avian influenza viruses like H5N1, so it's crucial to stay informed through reliable sources such as the CDC and WHO.
Why Oral Rehydration Salts are Underutilized for Diarrhea Treatment in LMICs: Provider Perceptions and Misconceptions

Why Oral Rehydration Salts are Underutilized for Diarrhea Treatment in LMICs: Provider Perceptions and Misconceptions

Broke On: Monday, 12 February 2024 A new study in Science reveals that despite the availability of an effective treatment for diarrhea, oral rehydration salts (ORS), it remains underutilized due to provider perceptions about patient preferences. The researchers found that providers often avoid prescribing ORS citing concerns about taste and effectiveness as reasons. However, these misconceptions can be overcome through targeted interventions aimed at changing provider behavior.