The case of the dissolving starfish: Often, the actual science regarding research studies is misreported by the institutions - i.e. academia - that publish press releases on studies they have sponsored, which then the journalists spread and propagandize for their readers and viewers
A recent example of misreporting are the "scientific" news stories based on a study's press release that increased ocean acidification, presumably from human CO2 emissions, was dissolving the poor coastal starfish population.
Turns out, per an analysis of what this latest starfish scientific study actually stated, the research said nothing of the sort.
The news stories about the dissolving starfish represent reporting practice that is frequent and purposefully designed to mislead the public and policymakers.
In contrast, when ocean acidification research is well-conducted and well-reported, the opposite conclusion about the impact of lower pH levels is usually the result.
An example is a recent ocean acidfication study of the impact on a starfish relative, the lowly sea urchin.
"In light of these several findings, the Australian, New Zealand and U.S. researchers felt safe in stating that the sea urchins "did not only persist but actually 'thrived' under extreme conditions." And why was this so? Uthicke et al. opine that it was because (6) "increased algal productivity under increased pCO2 [Ed: increasing water acidification] provided more food at the vent, resulting in higher growth rates." And in light of this likelihood, they conclude their paper by stating that the processes they studied "are best identified in natural settings ... where ecosystems and individuals are exposed throughout their life to conditions similar to those in future oceans.""
Unfortunately, the journalistic practice of relying on questionable press releases is widespread, thus leading "journalists" to embellish and promulgate fake science and, of course, leading to ludicrous fear-mongering. The case of the "dissolving starfish" is a classic example.
Previous articles about peer-reviewed science and articles about questionable journalism.