Category: Science

The Semmelweis Reflex

Hungarian physician Ignaz Semmelweis joined the maternal clinic of Vienna’s General Hospital in 1846. At the time, a mysterious condition was baffling doctors: up to eighteen percent of mothers were dying of childbed fever. No adequate theory yet existed to explain the condition, though one was so ridiculous as to attribute it to "mother's shame" … Continue reading The Semmelweis Reflex →

A Question for Atheists

In 2012, a Gallup International poll found that 12% of global respondents identify as “convinced atheists.” In China, the figure is 47%, followed by Japan at 31% and France at 29%. In the United States, self-identified atheists have risen from 1% in 2005 to 5% in 2012. While this is still a very small figure, … Continue reading A Question for Atheists →