New global research reveals strong public trust in science

Largest global study since COVID-19 pandemic shows scientists are trusted around the world

University of Bath

A new international study on public trust in science, conducted across 68 countries, has found that most people trust scientists and believe they should be more involved in society and policymaking. Further, a majority of survey participants believe that scientists should be more involved in society and policymaking.

Published in Nature Human Behaviours (pre print link), this research was conducted by TISP, a Harvard University-based consortium led by Dr Viktoria Cologna (Harvard University, RTH Zurich) and Dr Niels G Mede (University of Zurich), which includes 241 researchers from 169 institutions worldwide, including the University of Bath.

The study, which includes 71,922 respondents—2,008 of them from the UK—provides the largest global dataset on trust in scientists since the COVID-19 pandemic.

Key Findings

• Widespread trust: Across 68 countries, the study finds that a majority of the public have relatively high trust in scientists (mean trust level = 3.62, on a scale from 1 = very low trust to 5 = very high trust). Majorities also perceive scientists to be qualified (78%), honest (57%), and concerned about people’s well-being (56%). 
• Desire for scientists’ engagement: A large majority (83%) agree that scientists should communicate science with the public. Only a minority (23%) believe that scientists should not actively advocate for specific policies. 52% believe that scientists should be more involved in the policymaking process.

Global Rankings

• Most Trusted: Egypt topped the list, followed by India, Nigeria, Kenya, and Australia.
• Middle of the Pack: The UK ranked 15th, three spots behind the US, but ahead of Canada (17th) and Sweden (20th).
• Least Trusted: At the bottom, Albania ranked 68th, followed by Kazakhstan (67th), Bolivia (66th), Russia (65th), and Ethiopia (64th).

Dr Eleonora Alabrese, an economist from the University of Bath, collected responses for part of the UK sample. She said:

“The UK has a generally high level of trust in science, ranking above many European countries, including Denmark, Germany, Sweden, and Belgium. Trust in scientists is higher among women, older individuals, and those with more education. Interestingly, a conservative political orientation is linked to lower trust in science in North America and parts of Europe. However, this pattern does not hold globally, suggesting that the political leadership may influence such attitudes in different regions.”

Lead researcher, Dr Viktoria Cologna from Harvard University and ETH Zurich said: “Our results show that most people in most countries have relatively high trust in scientists and want them to play an active role in society and policymaking”.

Second study lead Dr Niels G Mede from University of Zurich said: “The study is the most comprehensive post-pandemic snapshot of trust in scientists, societal expectations of their involvement in society and policymaking, and public views on research priorities.”

Challenges

The findings also highlight some areas of concern.  Globally, less than half of respondents (42%) believe that scientists pay attention to others’ views. The findings also show that many people, in many countries, feel that the priorities of science do not always align well with their own priorities. Participants assigned high priority to research dedicated to improving public health, solving energy problems, and reducing poverty. Research on developing defence and military technology was assigned a lower priority. In fact, participants explicitly believe that science prioritises developing defence and military technology more than they desire.

Recommendations

The consortium of academics recommends that scientists take these results seriously and find ways to be more receptive to feedback and open to dialogue with the public, consider ways in Western countries to reach conservative groups, and, in the fullness of time, consider their role in setting priorities aligned with public values.

Dr Eleonora Alabrese said: “While trust in science remains generally high, even a small decline in trust from a minority could influence how scientific evidence is used in policymaking. These findings are crucial for scientists and policymakers working to maintain public trust in science.”

 

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Journal

Nature Human Behaviour

DOI

10.1038/s41562-024-02090-5 

Article Title

Trust in scientists and their role in society across 68 countries

Article Publication Date

20-Jan-2025

Global trust in science remains strong

University of Zurich

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A global survey spanning 68 countries reveals that public trust in scientists is still high. Led by the University of Zurich and ETH Zurich, a team of 241 researchers conducted the largest post-pandemic study of trust in science, societal expectations and public views on research priorities.

Trust in scientists is at a moderately high level worldwide, according to a new study. This is the conclusion of an international team of 241 researchers led by Viktoria Cologna of ETH Zurich and Niels G. Mede of the University of Zurich (UZH). “Our results show that most people in most countries have a relatively high level of trust in scientists,” says principal investigator Viktoria Cologna, “and want them to play an active role in society and politics.” The study found no evidence for the oft-repeated claim of a crisis of trust in science.

The study is the result of the TISP Many Labs study, a collaborative effort that allowed the authors to survey 71,922 people in 68 countries, including many under-researched countries in the Global South. For the first time since the coronavirus pandemic, the study provides global, representative survey data on the populations and regions of the world in which researchers are perceived to be most trustworthy, the extent to which they should engage with the public, and whether science is prioritizing important research issues.

No crisis of trust in science

Across 68 countries, the study finds that the majority of the public has a relatively high level of trust in scientists (mean trust level = 3.62, on a scale of 1 = very low trust to 5 = very high trust). The majority of respondents also perceive scientists as qualified (78%), honest (57%) and concerned about people’s well-being (56%). 

However, the results also reveal some areas of concern. Globally, less than half of respondents (42%) believe that scientists pay attention to the views of others. “Our results also show that many people in many countries feel that the priorities of science are not always well aligned with their own priorities,” says co-author Niels G. Mede. “We recommend that scientists take these results seriously and find ways to be more receptive to feedback and open to dialogue with the public.”

Polarization of population groups and differences between countries

The findings confirm the results of previous studies that show significant differences between countries and population groups. In particular, people with right-wing political views in Western countries tend to have less trust in scientists than those with left-wing views. This suggests that attitudes toward science tend to polarize along political lines. In most countries, however, political orientation and trust in scientists were not related.

Call for active engagement of scientists

A majority of respondents want science to play an active role in society and policy-making. Globally, 83% of respondents believe that scientists should communicate with the public about science, providing an impetus for increased science communication efforts. Only a minority (23%) believe that scientists should not actively advocate for specific policies. 52% believe that scientists should be more involved in the policy-making process.

Participants gave high priority to research to improve public health, solve energy problems, and reduce poverty. On the other hand, research to develop defense and military technology was given a lower priority. In fact, participants explicitly believe that science is prioritizing the development of defense and military technology more than they would like, highlighting a potential misalignment between public and scientific priorities.

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Journal

Nature Human Behaviour

DOI

10.1038/s41562-024-02090-5 

Method of Research

Survey

Subject of Research

People

Article Title

Trust in scientists and their role in society across 68 countries

Article Publication Date

20-Jan-2025

 

A new chapter in Roman administration: Insights from a late Roman inscription

The Hebrew University of Jerusalem

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image: 

Aerial view of Abel Bet Maacah looking south-east (courtesy of the Tel Abel Beth Maacah excavations. Photo: Robert Mullins).

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Credit: (courtesy of the Tel Abel Beth Maacah excavations. Photo: Robert Mullins).

Archaeologists have uncovered a rare Tetrarchic boundary stone at the site of Abel Beth Maacah in northern Israel. Originally marking land borders under Roman Emperor Diocletian’s tax reforms, the stone provides insight into ancient land ownership, local settlement patterns, and imperial administrative practices. The discovery also introduces two previously unknown place names, expanding our understanding of the region’s historical geography and socio-economic landscape.

Archaeologists Prof. Naama Yahalom-Mack and Dr. Nava Panitz-Cohen from the Institute of Archaeology at the Hebrew University, and Prof. Robert Mullins from Azusa Pacific University have uncovered a significant relic of ancient administrative practices during their excavation of the biblical site of Abel Beth Maacah near Metula in northern Israel. The find, which was deciphered by Dr. Avner Ecker and Prof. Uzi Leibner from the Hebrew University is a boundary stone, originally inscribed to delineate agrarian borders between villages during the reign of the Roman Tetrarchy (a short-lived system instituted by the emperor Diocletian in 293 CE to govern the Roman Empire by dividing it between two emperors, the augusti, and their junior colleagues and designated successors, the caesares) and was found in secondary use in  a Mamluk-period installation. This basalt slab, etched with a detailed Greek inscription, has provided a wealth of historical insights.

The inscription revealed two previously unknown village names, Tirthas and Golgol, which may correspond to ancient sites identified in the 19th-century Survey of Western Palestine. The slab also mentions an imperial surveyor, or "censitor," whose name is attested here for the first time. These markers reflect the sweeping tax reforms initiated by Diocletian in the late third century CE, emphasizing the role of land ownership and settlement structures in the economic landscape of the Roman Near East.

“This discovery is a testament to the meticulous administrative re-organization of the Roman Empire during the Tetrarchy,” said Prof. Uzi Leibner. “Finding a boundary stone like this not only sheds light on ancient land ownership and taxation but also provides a tangible connection to the lives of individuals who navigated these complex systems nearly two millennia ago.”

Dr. Avner Ecker added, “What makes this find particularly exciting is the mention of two previously unknown place names and a new imperial surveyor. It underscores how even seemingly small discoveries can dramatically enhance our understanding of the socio-economic and geographic history of the region.”

This discovery adds to a unique corpus of over 20 boundary stones concentrated in the northern Hula Valley and surrounding areas. The stones mark a period of heightened administrative control aimed at standardizing taxation and clarifying land ownership. Remarkably, this specific find highlights the interconnectedness of historical geography, economic policies, and local settlement patterns. Scholars believe the abundance of boundary stones in this region underscores the high concentration of small landholders who operated independently of major urban centers. Interestingly, a contemporaneous rabbinic tradition mentions a burden imposed by the emperor Diocletian on this specific area, and apparently also reflects the hardships the tax reform drew on the local population.  

The find enriches our understanding of the socio-economic dynamics during the Tetrarchy, particularly the implications of Diocletian’s reforms on rural communities. Prof. Leibner and Dr. Ecker emphasize that such discoveries provide a unique glimpse into the lives of ancient inhabitants, the pressures they faced under imperial rule, and the enduring traces of their communities in the archaeological record. This exceptional artifact now joins the broader narrative of Roman imperial administration in the Levant.

An Iron Age citadel and Mamluk-period installation in which the inscription was incorporated in secondary use (courtesy of the Tel Abel Beth Maacah excavations. Photo: Robert Mullins).

Credit

(courtesy of the Tel Abel Beth Maacah excavations. Photo: Robert Mullins).

The boundary stone (courtesy of the Tel Abel Beth Maacah excavations. Photo: Tal Rogovsky).

Credit

(courtesy of the Tel Abel Beth Maacah excavations. Photo: Tal Rogovsky)

Journal

Palestine Exploration Quarterly

DOI

10.1080/00310328.2024.2435218 

Method of Research

Experimental study

Subject of Research

Not applicable

Article Title

“Diocletian oppressed the inhabitants of Paneas” (ySheb. 9:2): A New Tetrarchic Boundary-Stone from Abel Beth Maacah

 

In chimpanzees, peeing is contagious

Cell Press

 

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 Three chimpanzees in an enclosure holding leafy branches

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Credit: Kumamoto Sanctu

A new study reported in the Cell Press journal Current Biology on January 20 is the first to describe a phenomenon researchers refer to as “contagious urinations.” The study in 20 captive chimpanzees living at the Kumamoto Sanctuary in Japan shows that, when one chimp pees, others are more likely to follow. 

“In humans, urinating together can be seen as a social phenomenon,” says Ena Onishi of Kyoto University.  

“An Italian proverb states, ‘Whoever doesn’t pee in company is either a thief or a spy’ (Chi non piscia in compagnia o è un ladro o è una spia), while in Japanese, the act of urinating with others is referred to as ‘Tsureshon’ (連れション). This behavior is represented in art across centuries and cultures and continues to appear in modern social contexts. Our research suggests that this phenomenon may have deep evolutionary roots. We found that chimpanzees, our closest relatives, tend to urinate in response to the urination of nearby individuals.” 

The researchers decided to study this behavior after noticing that the sanctuary chimpanzees seemed to pee at about the same time. It reminded them of human behavior, and they wondered whether it might be comparable to contagious yawning. To find out, they documented peeing behaviors in the Kumamoto chimpanzees over more than 600 hours, including 1,328 urination events. They analyzed the observational data to see whether peeing among the chimpanzees was significantly synchronized in time. They also explored whether it was influenced by nearby individuals or shaped by social factors. 

The evidence showed that urination events were significantly more synchronized during observations than would be expected if the chimpanzees were simply peeing at random times with respect to one another. The likelihood of contagious urination also increased with physical proximity to the initial urinator, they report. Interestingly, individuals with lower dominance ranks were more likely to pee when others were peeing. The finding suggests that urination patterns are influenced by social hierarchy, with a tendency for the behavior to "flow down" the dominance structure, the researchers say. 

“We were surprised to discover that the contagion pattern was influenced by social rank,” Onishi says. “Since there were no prior studies on contagious urination in any species, we drew parallels to contagious yawning, another semi-voluntary physiological behavior. Based on this, we initially expected that any social influences might resemble those seen in yawning—such as stronger contagion between socially close pairs. However, our results showed no evidence of effects related to social closeness. Instead, we observed a clear influence of social rank, with lower-ranking individuals being more likely to follow the urination of others.” 

“This was an unexpected and fascinating result, as it opens up multiple possibilities for interpretation,” Shinya Yamamoto, also of Kyoto University, adds. “For instance, it could reflect hidden leadership in synchronizing group activities, the reinforcement of social bonds, or attention bias among lower-ranking individuals. These findings raise intriguing questions about the social functions of this behavior.” 

The findings may have important implications for understanding and exploring the role of this behavior in maintaining group cohesion, facilitating coordination, or reinforcing social bonds within the group, according to the researchers. It reveals how this seemingly mundane and necessary behavior might be of overlooked social significance. 

The researchers say more study is needed to understand the specific functions and mechanisms underlying contagious urination in chimpanzees. They’re also curious to know whether this phenomenon exists in other species.  

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Current Biology, Onishi et al.: “Contagious urination in chimpanzees.” https://www.cell.com/current-biology/fulltext/S0960-9822(24)01594-X

Current Biology (@CurrentBiology), published by Cell Press, is a bimonthly journal that features papers across all areas of biology. Current Biology strives to foster communication across fields of biology, both by publishing important findings of general interest and through highly accessible front matter for non-specialists. Visit http://www.cell.com/current-biology. To receive Cell Press media alerts, contact press@cell.com.

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Journal

Current Biology

DOI

10.1016/j.cub.2024.11.052 

Method of Research

Observational study

Subject of Research

Animals

Article Title

Contagious urination in chimpanzees

Article Publication Date

20-Jan-2025

Trump’s return prompts fears over impact on global science

By Shaoni Bhattacharya and Emily Twinch
20 JAN 2025


Trump presidency: 

Key appointees, as well as WHO and climate stances, worry scientific community

As Donald Trump’s second presidential term begins with his inauguration today, scientists worldwide have sounded warnings about the impact his policies could have on science, public health, climate and research funding.

Scientists are concerned about the consequences of the US pulling out of the Paris climate agreement—as it did under the first Trump administration—and the World Health Organization.

Trump’s nominees for key federal agency posts in science have also caused consternation. There has been anxiety over the impact for science, with vaccine sceptic Robert F Kennedy Jr likely to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, taking charge of federal government involvement in areas ranging from medical research to food safety.

Other nominees include Covid lockdown critic Jay Bhattacharya, proposed as director of the National Institutes of Health, and Lee Zeldin, nominated for director of the Environmental Protection Agency.

John-Arne Røttingen, chief executive of Wellcome, said: “The US has a critical role to play in advancing science and global health. Health security for all nations also depends on global collaboration.

“A Trump administration, and a health department led by Robert F Kennedy Jr, will pose fresh challenges for science, health and equity.”

Rallying for science

A US non-profit organisation, the Union for Concerned Scientists, last week published two open letters rallying support for science in advance of Trump’s inauguration.

The first, signed by over 50,000 “science supporters, scientists and experts” asked Congress to “stand up against attempts to politicise or eliminate scientific roles, agencies and federal research that protect our health, environment and our communities”.

A second letter addressed 99 senators, some of whom have a role in the confirmation of Trump’s federal agency nominees, on behalf of 28 organisations that “support scientific integrity”. It asked them to consider “respect for science”.

“In particular, we urge you to vote against nominees who lack the necessary qualifications, have serious conflicts of interest, or fail to recognise any scientific consensus relevant to their agency,” it added.

Opposing confirmations

The start of confirmation hearings for Zeldin as administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency on Friday met with criticism from environmentalists. The former congressman has a poor track record on environmental legislation, as noted by the US League of Conservation Voters.

“In his last role in government, then-Congressman Zeldin regularly voted for more pollution and fewer public health protections. He opposed efforts to fund the national flood insurance program—even as rising sea levels continue to threaten his own hometown [on Long Island]—and he voted to drastically slash funding for the very agency he now claims he wants to lead,” said Melinda Pierce, legislative director of environmental organisation the Sierra Club.

“Lee Zeldin has called for the repeal of standards that protect clean air and clean water…We call on members of the United States Senate to oppose his confirmation and protect the lives and livelihoods of this and all future generations.”

Scientifically worrying

Researchers have also expressed concerns to Research Professional News over the choice of Bhattacharya to lead the NIH, which describes itself as the world’s largest public funder of biomedical research.

Bhattacharya’s role in the debate over Covid lockdowns, in which he co-authored an open letter calling for an alternative strategy protecting those at highest risk while allowing those at minimal risk to “live their lives normally to build up immunity”, has seen him labelled by one critic as “a pro-infection doctor” who had wrongly claimed that “one infection led to permanent, robust immunity”.

“Given how bizarre…Trump’s nominations for high office have been, Dr Bhattacharya’s lack of any obvious qualification to be NIH director should not be a surprise,” Martin McKee, professor of European public health and medical director at the London School of Tropical Hygiene and Medicine, told RPN.

“Scientifically, it is worrying that someone who was so wrong about the course of the pandemic should be in this position.”

Stephen Griffin, professor of cancer virology at the University of Leeds, also highlighted Bhattacharya’s pandemic stance as “a particular concern, especially given the worrying proliferation of H5N1 influenza across the US”.

McKee added: “Organisationally, it [the nomination] is also concerning given his lack of any experience of leading something as complex. It is, however, impossible to know what the consequences of this and the other nominations might be.”

Loss from world stage

Scientists are also concerned about losing US expertise and funding from global scientific collaborations. In particular, if the US leaves WHO—a process initiated by Trump during his first presidential term—this would be likely to have a huge impact. The US is WHO’s top donor country, having contributed US$1.284 billion during the two-year period from 2022–23.

“Health leaders in the USA bring tremendous technical expertise, leadership and influence and their potential loss from the world stage would have catastrophic implications, leaving the US and global health weaker as a result,” said Røttingen.

He added: “The scale of the health challenges we all face means it is in everyone’s interest that the WHO can operate at full strength and with all countries as engaged members influencing their priorities.”

Chart of the Day: 70 years of China-Afghanistan ties

20-Jan-2025

CGTN

January 20, 2025, marks the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Afghanistan. On this occasion, let's have a look at some key indicators highlighting the growing cooperation between the two countries. 

 

‘$0 to $10 billion in…’: Netizens on Donald Trump's meme coins

IT'S PURE SPECULATION

ByHT News Desk

Jan 20, 2025 

The Trump memecoins are marketed with a picture of Trump holding a fist up superimposed over the words “FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT”.

US President-elect Donald Trump has launched a new cryptocurrency token just before his inauguration to the top post that is due on Monday, drawing reactions from netizens.

FILE PHOTO: US President-elect Donald Trump arrives to attend a rally the day before he is scheduled to be inaugurated for a second term, in Washington, (REUTERS)

The $Trump memecoin has been soaring in value, and potentially boosting his net worth. It’s the latest norm-defying promotion by Trump, who has also helped sell branded bibles, gold sneakers and diamond-encrusted watches.

Follow Donald Trump inauguration live updates here.

“It’s time to celebrate everything we stand for: WINNING! Join my very special Trump Community,” Trump said in a social post late Friday promoting the new tokens.

The Trump memecoins are marketed with a picture of Trump holding a fist up superimposed over the words “FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT,” a reference to Trump’s response to an assassination attempt at a political rally in July last year.

In promoting the meme coin, Trump told supporters to “Have Fun!”

The website selling the tokens has said that they are meant as expressions of support and not an investment opportunity.

That hasn’t stopped people from trying to make money. The Trump meme coins started selling for $10 each before soaring to as high as about $70 as of Sunday morning. It fell sharply later Sunday after Trump and his wife, Melania Trump, posted about a meme coin for her own named $Melania . The Melania coin was trading for around $5 Sunday afternoon.

How did social media react to the new Donald Trump memecoin?

Social media reacted to the Donald Trump memecoins in a variety of ways. While for some, it was a new way of investment and fun, others pointed out the absurdity of it all.

Here are a few reactions:

“The $TRUMP memecoin — a financial asset that didn't exist on Friday afternoon — now accounts for about 89% of Donald Trump's net worth,” journalist Mehdi Hasan wrote on X.

“If Joe Biden had launched a memecoin as President-elect, Fox News would have been covering it relentlessly for four straight years, Republicans would have moved to impeach him on day one, and Trump would have been leading rallies chanting, “Lock him up.”,” social media personalities Ed Krassenstein said about the tokens.

A user pointed out that the coin’s website says that it is not an investment opportunity.

“Driving to work knowing there’s a 15 year old who made $25 million on Trump’s memecoin,” a user wrote while sharing a meme.

“Me buying Trump’s memecoin after watching its market value go from $0 to $10 billion in less than 2 hours,” another user said.

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Hamas wins Gaza war, Israel fails to achieve its goals: Ex-Israeli general

20/01/2025, Monday
AA


File photo

‘This war was a disastrous Israeli failure in Gaza,' Giora Eiland says

Palestinian group Hamas has won the Gaza war and prevented Israel from achieving its goals, the former head of the Israeli National Security Council said Sunday.

“This war was a disastrous Israeli failure in Gaza," Giora Eiland, a retired general, told Maariv newspaper.

"This war was a failure for a very simple reason that Hamas did not only succeed in preventing Israel from achieving its goals, but also remained in power,” he added.

A Gaza ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement took effect at 11.15 a.m. local time (0915GMT) on Sunday after a few hours' delay due to Israeli accusations for Hamas of delaying the release of a list of captives set to be released. It was originally scheduled to start on 8.30 a.m. local time.

Eiland, who headed the National Security Council from 2004 to 2006, said the ceasefire deal does not prevent Hamas from rearming.

"If Hamas moves against Israel, it will be violating the agreement," he said.

Eiland was the mastermind of the so-called Generals' Plan, which calls for imposing a blockade on northern Gaza and forcibly displacing Palestinians from the area as part of Tel Aviv's genocidal war on the enclave.

Nearly 47,000 people have been killed, mostly women and children, and over 110,700 others injured in the Israeli war since Oct. 7, 2023, according to local health authorities.

The Israeli war has left more than 11,000 people missing, with widespread destruction and a humanitarian crisis that has claimed the lives of many elderly people and children in one of the worst global humanitarian disasters ever.

In November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.

Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its war on the enclave.