If you need to predict the choice of gerunds or infinitives you should be

guided by the choice of the base verb in the sentence

here we have two examples

a) SAIENTISTS appear to be getting close to an explanation. thisONE is
correct
and
b) NOT: SAIENTISTS appear being getting close to an explanation. this
ONE is incorrect

the explanation is that An infinitive must follow BY VERBS LIKE want,

need, hope, promise, appear and other verbs… and why?

Infínitives are better used to describe a potential event( this is where we

focus in this example) and also, hypothetical, or future events and that
kind of verbs, verbs that we have in this slide represent potential
events, many of these, not all.

and you will be wondering what is a potential event?

a potential event it’s an event that might take place, here I have an example
for you to understand better:

I hope to come to the party tomorrow.,

here we talk about an event that might take place,

what event? a party,
and when? tomorrow