While [i.e., although] context usually points you to the intended meaning, ambiguity is possible. Guides on scientific and technical writing strongly advocate for avoiding while with the meaning of although, and since with the meaning of because:
Use the proper subordinating conjunctions "While" and "since" have
strong connotations of time. Do not use them where you mean
"although", "because", or "whereas".
Poor Since solvent reorganization is a potential contributor, the selection of data is very important.
Better Because solvent reorganization is a potential contributor, the selection of data is very important.
Poor While the reactions of the anion were solvent dependent, the corresponding reactions of the substituted derivatives were not.
Better Although the reactions of the anion were solvent dependent, the corresponding reactions of the substituted derivatives were not.
Janet Dodd, ed.; The ACS [American Chemical Society] Style Guide,
p.100 (1986)
While, Although, Since, Because While has long been used with the concessive connotation expressed by although, and since in the
meaning expressed by because or for the reason that. Both while
and since have a strong sense of time, and either one at the
beginning of a sentence may be ambiguous. Each of the two sentences
below has two possible interpretations: one interpretation of the
first is absurd.
While the peanuts are grown in Georgia, most of them are eaten in New York.
Since snow fell yesterday, the roads have been slippery.
Revise any sentence in which either of these words might be
ambiguous. Use a substitute word or phrase (although, but, whereas,
even though, even if instead of while; because, for, inasmuch as
instead of since). Or try making two coordinate clauses separated by a
semicolon.
The peanuts are grown in Georgia; most of them are eaten in New York.
Because snow fell yesterday, the roads have been slippery.
Edward Huth et al., eds.; Council of Biology Editors Style Manual,
p.24 (1978)
