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Lack of diffusion of popular scientific ideas marks the presence of epistemic ‘bubbles’

Using a machine-learning framework to study the diffusion of biomedical knowledge in the literature, we find that scientific ideas experience popularity booms and busts when knowledge diffusion is constricted, which leads to adverse consequences for science and scientists. Our work highlights the need for research to have an effect on diverse audiences to achieve sustained scientific advancement.

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Fig. 1: Contrasting diffusion trajectories of two example papers.

References

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This is a summary of: Kang, D. et al. Limited diffusion of scientific knowledge forecasts collapse. Nat. Hum. Behav. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41562-024-02041-0 (2024).

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Lack of diffusion of popular scientific ideas marks the presence of epistemic ‘bubbles’.
Nat Hum Behav (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41562-024-02042-z

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  • Published: 02 January 2025

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41562-024-02042-z

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