We often need time to confirm that a trend is real, and time, of course, is what a leading indicator is supposed to beat.

BBC: The popcorn route to recovery

If those of us who do not belong to any of the main political parties ever have cause to doubt ourselves, we need only take the most cursory of looks at these endlessly biddable Dobbins in order to confirm us in our righteousness.

BBC: A Point of View: Party activists should escape the herd

We need to do a lot more analysis back at the lab before we can confirm the volcano has caused extra phytoplankton growth.

CNN: Could volcanic eruptions signal boom time for ocean life?