Glossary
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| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Natural Selection | Natural selection is a fundamental mechanism of evolution where organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and produce more offspring. Proposed by Charles Darwin, this process drives species change over time by passing on advantageous, heritable traits. Evolution |
| Naturopathy | A system of alternative medicine based on the belief that the body heals itself through 'natural' remedies. Many of its practices lack evidence, and some naturopaths discourage vaccination. Alternative Medicine |
| Nefarious intent | Assuming that the people behind an official account have sinister motives, a common feature of conspiracy theories. Science Literacy |
| Net Zero | A state in which greenhouse gas emissions are balanced by removals from the atmosphere, so that human activity adds no further warming. Climate Change |
| Neural network | A neural network is a kind of computer algorithm modeled off the human brain, and it's typically created using machine learning or deep learning. Neural networks can approximate complex functions without being programmed directly, and they're at the core of most modern AI models. Artificial Intelligence |
| Neutralizing antibody | An antibody that blocks a pathogen from infecting cells, for example by binding to a virus's spike protein. Vaccines |
| Neutron | A particle with no electric charge found in the nucleus of most atoms. Science General |
| Newton's laws of motion | Three laws describing how objects move: an object stays at rest or in uniform motion unless acted on by a force; force equals mass times acceleration; and every action has an equal and opposite reaction. Science General |
| Nihilistic skepticism | Excessive suspicion that rejects any information from mainstream sources, while often accepting unsupported alternative claims. Science Literacy |
| Nirvana fallacy | Rejecting a realistic solution because it is not perfect, for example dismissing vaccines because they are not 100 percent effective. Also called the perfect solution fallacy. Science Literacy |