A global survey with over 70,000 participants found that people have moderately high levels of trust in scientists overall, with most wanting researchers to be more involved in policymaking. Trust levels are influenced by political orientation and vary among nations, with left-leaning political views generally associated with higher trust. The study suggests that scientists need more training and improved communication skills to effectively engage in public policy, and the team plans to make the global data set openly accessible for further research.
A study published in Royal Society Open Science found that when former President Donald Trump contracted COVID-19, it made conservatives more likely to accept that the virus is real, but it didn't change their views on how dangerous the virus is. The study also found that political orientation was a significant predictor of risk perception, with right-leaning participants expressing lower risk perception. However, the study found no significant association between Trump's diagnosis and risk perception among participants. The study suggests that participants with right-wing political views may have identified more closely with President Trump, making his diagnosis more influential in shaping their hoax beliefs.
