Understanding and tackling the reproducibility crisis – Why we need to study scientists’ trust in data

Calnan, Michael; Kirchin, Simon; Roberts, David L.; Wass, Mark N.; Michaelis, Martin

doi:10.1016/j.phrs.2023.107043

Cited by 1 publication

(2 citation statements)

References 14 publications

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“…A respectful, humble attitude to the immense complexity of milk molecular structures, and their interactions with human health outcomes stimulate (rather than inhibit) empirical research and logical scientific reflection. ‘Reproducibility crises’ across many biological sciences suggest a need for more humility in science in terms of methods, data, and bias [ 44 , 45 ]. It is common to claim that science and faith should be kept separate.…”

Section: Conflict or Synergy Between Scientific Knowledge And Faith C...mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Medical sciences, including milk bioactivity research, suffer from a “reproducibility crisis”, with vast amounts of work being wasted due to lack of scientific reproducibility. This has led to much speculation on how to improve experimental designs and technology for better reproducibility, but also to broad reflections on the realistic (or unrealistic) attitudes of researchers towards data and the sciences of natural phenomena [ 44 ]. Some have advocated for greater intellectual humility in natural science and suggested publication reforms to combat tendencies to oversell results and neglect limitations, uncertainties, and unknowns [ 45 ].…”

Section: Introduction and Rationalementioning

confidence: 99%

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Science and Faith to Understand Milk Bioactivity for Infants

Sangild

2024

Nutrients

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Milk bioactivity refers to the specific health effects of milk components beyond nutrition. The science of milk bioactivity involves the systematic study of these components and their health effects, as verified by empirical data, controlled experiments, and logical arguments. Conversely, ’faith in milk bioactivity’ can be defined as personal opinion, meaning, value, trust, and hope for health effects that are beyond investigation by natural, social, or human sciences. Faith can be strictly secular, but also influenced by spirituality or religion. The aim of this paper is to show that scientific knowledge is frequently supplemented with faith convictions to establish personal and public understanding of milk bioactivity. Mammalian milk is an immensely complex fluid containing myriad proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, and micronutrients with multiple functions across species, genetics, ages, environments, and cultures. Human health includes not only physical health, but also social, mental, and spiritual health, requiring widely different fields of science to prove the relevance, safety, and efficacy of milk interventions. These complex relationships between milk feeding and health outcomes prevent firm conclusions based on science and logic alone. Current beliefs in and understanding of the value of breast milk, colostrum, infant formula, or isolated milk proteins (e.g., immunoglobulins, α-lactalbumin, lactoferrin, and growth factors) show that both science and faith contribute to understand, stimulate, or restrict the use of milk bioactivity. The benefits of breastfeeding for infants are beyond doubt, but the strong beliefs in its health effects rely not only on science, and mechanisms are unclear. Likewise, fear of, or trust in, infant formula may rely on both science and faith. Knowledge from science safeguards individuals and society against ‘milk bioactivity superstition’. Conversely, wisdom from faith-based convictions may protect science from unrealistic ‘milk bioactivity scientism’. Honesty and transparency about the potentials and limitations of both scientific knowledge and faith convictions are important when informing individuals and society about the nutritious and bioactive qualities of milk.

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Section: Conflict or Synergy Between Scientific Knowledge And Faith C...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introduction and Rationalementioning

confidence: 99%