5 scientific studies that elicit ‘duhs’ from readers

Scientific studies were not created equal. Some would merit Nobel prizes for their authors and change the world, while others lack a “eureka” moment and instead elicit a big “duh!” from readers.

Time listed some of those research which have conclusions that many people already know, bringing into question why resources and time were poured on these studies. After all, their findings are common knowledge that ordinary people know from their daily life experiences.

• Duh#1 - One such research was undertaken by the American Heart Association that found chest pain is reduced and quality of life becomes better if a person quits smoking after a heart attack. Time suggests that a similar study be done on the negative impact of setting up a booth of a popular doughnut chain at a diabetes clinic. Small wonder then that with all the bad press that sugary food have been getting, shareprices of Krispy Kreme tumbled down 12 percent on Thursday over missed forecasts. It is the lowest for the fast food chain since May 2013.
• Duh#2 – A study published in the Journal of Health Psychology reached the conclusion that it is not healthy to be homeless. For sure the hobos living in New York City or the bag lady in San Francisco who risk freezing to death while sleeping on a park bench during winter agrees with their scholarly findings.
• Duh#3 – Millennials, said to have a different outlook when it comes to working, may disagree with the conclusion of a study published in the Journal of Applied Psychology that valuable knowledge comes with a long work experience which most older employees have. Just ask companies in Montana where 41 percent of residents age 55 and above are employed, according to a different, but sensible, study by AARP, reports the Missoulian.
• Duh#4 – Another “earth-shaking” discovery by the American Heart Association is that special care is required by survivors of middle-aged congenital cardiovascular ailments. Nurses and other caregivers would be happy to learn about that scholarly finding.
• Duh#5 – A study published in Science says people who live in a democracy has higher chances of supporting democracy. Ask that question to Syrians fleeing the Islamic State’s decapitators or relatives of Ugandans who were the dinner of former dictator Idi Amin, and surely the surveyor would get a blank stare while the oppressed or repressed residents are busy planning how to survive while crossing the Mediterranean Sea.

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