Are All Studies Worth Study?

Author: Knight Pierce Hirst

An Israeli study found that radiologists report more details when pictures of patients’ faces accompany radiology files. The focus of the study – involving 15 radiologists and 318 patients – wasn’t on the ailment being evaluated, but on incidental findings that show up on CT scans. When there were accompanying photos, incidental findings were reported in 81 scans. Three months later when the radiologists reviewed the 81 scans without photos, 80% fewer incidental findings were reported. The pictures had caused the radiologists to feel more empathy for the patients, which subconsciously motivated them to work harder – giving new meaning to being picture-perfect.

Two Indiana University doctors have reported that at least a dozen carefully controlled studies haven’t found any effect of dietary sugar on children’s behavior. These studies include ones done on children labeled hyperactive, thought to be at greater risk for a reaction. It seems part of the problem is parental expectation. This was confirmed by a study in which parents scored their children’s behavior as hyperactive after the children drank what “the parents thought” was a sugary beverage. Undoubtedly not all parents’ minds will be changed about sugar – some will think these studies are sweet nothings.

A study done at the University of Utah found that cell phones are more distracting to drivers than passengers. In an experiment with 96 adults ages 18 to 49 using driving simulators, researchers found that drivers using hands-free devices drifted out of lanes and missed more exits than drivers talking to passengers. This is because passengers are aware of traffic conditions and can modify their conversation accordingly. They can also act as a second pair of eyes. When someone on the phone “tells you where to go”, it’s insulting. When someone in your car tells you, it can be helpful.

Finally, a study done by Harris Interactive revealed that 46% of American women would rather give up sex for 2 weeks than give up internet access. For men the percentage was 30%. Amongst the 2,119 adults questioned, however, the percentage gap between women and men was less for ages 18 to 34 – 49% for women and 39% for men. Then there’s the study done in Britain by the electronics retailer Comet. It found that almost 50% of men would give up sex for 6 months to get a 50-inch plasma TV. When it comes to priorities, British men don’t seem to get the picture.

About the Author:

Knight Pierce Hirst has written for television, newspapers and greeting cards. Now she writes a 400-word blog three ties a week. KNIGHT WATCH, a second look at what makes life interesting, takes only seconds at http://knightwatch.typepad.com

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