Glossary
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Numerology | Numerology is the mystical study of the energetic vibrations and symbolic meanings of numbers, often using birth dates and names to reveal character, personality, and life path. Science Misinformation |
| Ocean Acidification | Increased concentrations of carbon dioxide in sea water causing a measurable increase in acidity (i.e., a reduction in ocean pH). This may lead to reduced calcification rates of calcifying organisms such as corals, mollusks, algae and crustaceans. Climate Change Denial |
| Outlier | A data point in a set of data that is much bigger or much smaller than the rest of the set. Science General |
| Ozone | Ozone, the triatomic form of oxygen (O3), is a gaseous atmospheric constituent. In the troposphere, it is created by photochemical reactions involving gases resulting both from natural sources and from human activities (photochemical smog). In high concentrations, tropospheric ozone can be harmful to a wide range of living organisms. Tropospheric ozone acts as a greenhouse gas. In the stratosphere, ozone is created by the interaction between solar ultraviolet radiation and molecular oxygen (O2). Climate Change Denial |
| Ozone Layer | The layer of ozone that begins approximately 15 km above Earth and thins to an almost negligible amount at about 50 km, shields the Earth from harmful ultraviolet radiation from the sun. Climate Change Denial |
| Pandemic | A pandemic cuts across international boundaries, as opposed to regional epidemics. This wide geographical reach is what makes pandemics lead to large-scale social disruption, economic loss, and general hardship. Vaccines |
| Paradigm | A paradigm is a standard framework, set of beliefs, or overarching model that guides how we understand, interpret, or approach the world. It establishes the fundamental assumptions and boundaries of how we think about a specific discipline or situation. Science |
| Parameter | A factor we measure. A climate parameter can be the amount of rainfall, maximum or average temperature, length of drought periods, and so on. Science General |
| Participatory research | A collaborative approach that equitably involves community members, stakeholders, or end-users in the entire research process - from design to action. Ethical Concerns |
| Passive Immunity | Protection against disease through antibodies produced by another human being or animal. Passive immunity is effective, but protection is generally limited and diminishes over time (usually a few weeks or months). For example, maternal antibodies are passed to the infant prior to birth and protect the baby for the first 4-6 months of life. Vaccines |