This document describes how brieflycurious.com sources, writes, reviews, and corrects the content we publish. We maintain this policy publicly so readers and other publishers can understand our standards.
Sourcing
Every article is based on primary scientific sources, which may include:
Peer-reviewed research published in scientific journals. Preprints from recognized servers (arXiv, bioRxiv, medRxiv, SSRN) when clearly identified as preliminary. Official announcements, press releases, and data from universities, government research agencies (NIH, NASA, NOAA, CDC, FDA, ESA), and recognized scientific organizations. Direct interviews or statements from researchers, when available.
Each article includes a link to the primary source so readers can verify our reporting and explore the original research themselves. When we cite secondary reporting (another journalist’s article), we disclose it explicitly and link to their work.
We do not publish articles based solely on unverified social media posts, anonymous sources without corroboration, or press releases from commercial entities promoting their own products without independent verification.
Writing and accuracy
Our articles aim to accurately reflect what the underlying research found — including the limitations, uncertainties, and scope of the findings. We distinguish between:
Established scientific consensus (e.g., vaccines reduce disease transmission), which we state directly. Emerging research (e.g., a new single study), which we frame as preliminary and note that replication is needed. Scientific debate (e.g., the role of specific dietary patterns in longevity), where we present the key positions and the evidence behind each.
Headlines are written to be accurate, not sensational. We avoid clickbait phrasing that overstates what research actually shows. If a headline asks a question, the article addresses that question directly.
Our editorial team
Brieflycurious.com is edited by Martin Borko, a journalist with over a decade of experience covering science, technology, and health for European digital publications. Full biography and published work: /author/martin-borko/.
For health and medical topics, articles draw on guidance from external reviewers with relevant expertise where possible. Where a specific reviewer has verified a piece of medical content, their name appears at the top of the article. Where no specific reviewer is credited, the editor is solely accountable for the accuracy of the published version.
We are working to expand our editorial team. Contributors and reviewers with verifiable expertise in medicine, public health, life sciences, space science, or related fields are invited to get in touch.
Independence and conflicts of interest
Brieflycurious.com is published by Pledge Media Ltd. Our editorial content is independent of advertising and sponsorship. We do not allow advertisers, sponsors, or affiliate partners to influence what we cover or how we cover it.
Sponsored content, affiliate links, and any material relationships are disclosed per our Advertising Policy.
How we use AI in our editorial process
We are transparent about the role artificial intelligence plays in our workflow. AI tools assist us with research, drafting, fact-checking support, translation reference, and editing suggestions — in the same way journalists have long used search engines, databases, dictionaries, and style checkers.
However, AI does not make editorial decisions on this site. Every article published on brieflycurious.com is:
Sourced from primary research — a peer-reviewed study, preprint, or official institutional announcement — chosen by a human editor based on its scientific significance and relevance to readers. Verified against the original source by a human before publication. Specific factual claims (study findings, quoted statements, statistics, names, affiliations, dates) are checked against the underlying paper or institutional release. Edited for accuracy, clarity, and tone by a human editor, who is responsible for the final published version.
We do not publish articles generated entirely by AI systems without human editorial involvement, and we do not publish content where the underlying claims have not been verified by a human against a primary source. The editor named on each article is accountable for its accuracy.
We treat AI as a tool, not an author. Where AI assistance has materially shaped an article beyond routine drafting and editing support, this is noted in the article.
Corrections
If we publish an error, we correct it. Corrections are handled as follows:
Factual errors (incorrect data, names, dates, study findings) are corrected in the article text, with a note at the bottom indicating what was changed and when. Substantive errors that change the meaning of the article are flagged with a correction notice at the top of the article. Minor errors (typos, grammar) are fixed without a notice.
Readers can report errors via our Contact page. We aim to respond to correction requests within three business days.
Updates to articles
Science evolves. When significant new research meaningfully updates the findings in one of our existing articles, we update the article and add a note indicating when and why it was updated. Articles older than two years that cover rapidly evolving fields (e.g., medical research, space exploration) may include a note that readers should check for more recent developments.
Health and medical content disclaimer
Articles about health, medical conditions, treatments, diet, and related topics are for informational purposes only. They are not medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Readers should consult a qualified healthcare provider about their individual health decisions. We do not promote specific treatments, medications, or clinical services.
Contact
Editorial inquiries, corrections, source suggestions, or feedback: Contact us.