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On
Sunday's (May 8) episode of “Last Week Tonight,” John Oliver unleashed
his own study that states the majority of these studies are nothing but a
myth.
John Oliver busts the myth of popular scientific studies
Remember that scientific study that claimed smelling farts can cure cancer? How about the one that said drinking a glass of red wine gives the same results as going to the gym? Both statements sound very outrageous yet they are both technically considered scientific studies. On Sunday’s (May 8) episode of “Last Week Tonight,” John Oliver unleashed his own study that states the majority of these studies are nothing but a myth.
Oliver pointed his attention to coffee, to kick off the segment, as the popular beverage has been linked to many studies in recent years. “In just the last few months, we’ve seen studies about coffee that claim it may reverse the effects of liver damage, help prevent colon cancer, decrease the risk of endometrial cancer and increase the risk of miscarriage,” Oliver says.
Oliver continues busting this science myth by saying, “Coffee today is like God in the old testament: It will either save you or kill you, depending on how much you believe in its magic powers.” Sure, some may view coffee as magical, but a cure to cancer? As if Starbucks needed more power in the world …
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The real problem in these studies are the lack of replication or fact checking as there seems to be no incentive — monetary or otherwise — for scientists to revisit another person’s work. This right here is how a simple notion presented by one scientist can be considered a study worth reporting on.
All that really seems to be needed here is the right publicity team to get that shiny press release out to news organizations. With internet friendly keywords like coffee, chocolate, puppies, farts and cancer, it’s really only a matter of time before these claims become viral.
After-all, who needs to talk about real scientific issues like climate change, when it’s possible your dog hates hugs? We’re looking at you, Dr. Love.
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