Studies that Prove the Obvious--from Scientific American

Yes, studies are always being done on something and often when you read the conclusion you say..."Duh...that's news?"

• Sign In / Register

Subscription Center

• Subscribe to Print & Tablet »
• Subscribe to Print »
• Give a Gift »
• View the Latest Issue »

• More Science
• ::
• TechMediaNetwork
• ::
• December 28, 2013
• ::
• Email
• ::
• Print

The 13 Most Obvious Scientific Findings of 2013

Here's a sampling of the unsurprising research of 2013—with a few notes on why scientists bothered

By Stephanie Pappas and LiveScience

Tweet

Share on Tumblr

Image: Flickr/Peter Turvey

Common sense is no replacement for science; plenty of "everyone knows" knowledge has had its legs cut out from under it by a well-designed study. Nevertheless, some research turns up results that don't exactly shock and awe.
Such no-duh research usually has a serious underlying purpose, from the study of why people cheat to the roots of racism. Researchers have to understand the basics of everyday phenomena in order to understand them, after all.
Here's a sampling of the unsurprising research of 2013 — with a few notes on why scientists bothered.
1. The Western diet is bad for you
Wait … fried Snickers bars and hot dogs aren't the foundations of a well-balanced diet? The "Western diet" of processed and fried foods with a side of sweets and red meat increases the likelihood of premature death, researchers reported in April in The American Journal of Medicine, to the surprise of no one.
The study was slightly different than other research into how Twinkies can kill, in that it assessed overall health in old age rather that the effect of diet on specific diseases. [7 Foods You Can Overdose On]
2. Sleeping beauty is no myth
News bulletin: Baggy eyes, puffy skin and a bleary expression do not make for a hot look. Research published in September in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine reveals the better you sleep, the better you look.
Obvious on a day-to-day basis, no doubt — and the reason make-up was invented. But this study went beyond the morning after to find that several months of good sleep make a difference in a person's appearance. The participants were patients being treated for sleep apnea and heavy snoring, breathing problems that can disrupt sleep without a person knowing it. After treatment, independent raters judged the participants as younger and more attractive compared with photos taken before treatment.
3. Racists are close-minded
Few would associate racism with open-mindedness. A study published in January in the journal Psychological Science reveals that, sure enough, racism produces a closed mind.
People prompted to believe racial stereotypes by reading a false scientific study became less open-minded. Interestingly, this close-mindedness led to less creativity overall, even in activities having nothing to do with race. Rigid, categorical thinking underlies both racist beliefs and a lack of creativity, the researchers said.
4. Morbid alert! Hanging is bad for the heart
Few people probably hang themselves for the cardio benefits. A January study in the Emergency Medicine Journal confirmed, indeed, hanging is not good for the heart. The study researchers reviewed emergency medical records in Melbourne, Australia, and found that 4 percent of cardiac arrests treated were the result of hanging.
The treatment findings, however, revealed some possibly life-saving information. Resuscitation saved the lives of 3 percent of the patients, suggesting that emergency medical technicians should give it a shot. [10 Other No-Duh Science Findings from Years Past]
5. Cheating men have strong sexual urges
No, really?! Guys who cheat do so because they experience strong sexual impulses, according to a study published in the journal Personality and Social Psychology in September.
This no-duh finding comes courtesy research on college students who had to reflect on sexual temptations and participate in a game in which they had to reject or accept potential dates based on photographs. The study revealed the male impulse to accept a potential partner was much stronger than the female impulse. [50 Sultry Facts About Sex]

1 2 3 Next »