https://studiessuggest.org Counterintuitive scientific findings, verified and well-sourced. Evidence that challenges what you think you know. en-us Thu, 04 Jun 2026 06:57:00 -0700 https://studiessuggest.org/stories/trophy-hunting-funds-conservation-paradox.html A 2025 Nature Sustainability analysis of 1,677 mammal species found sport-hunted species were significantly less likely to be threatened. Namibia's hunting-funded conservancies turned 400 oryx into 29,000 and fewer than 25 desert lions into over 150. Only 3% of hunting revenue reaches communities in poorly governed countries. Governance determines whether killing saves or destroys. Thu, 04 Jun 2026 06:57:00 -0700 https://studiessuggest.org/stories/trophy-hunting-funds-conservation-paradox.html https://studiessuggest.org/stories/nba-playoff-officiating-bias-series-extension.html An original analysis of 345 best-of-7 NBA playoff series from 2003 to 2025, tested against a heterogeneous matchup-strength probability model, finds that Game 7s occur 15% less often than expected. The popular conspiracy theory relies on a mathematical error. Tue, 27 May 2026 09:00:00 -0700 https://studiessuggest.org/stories/nba-playoff-officiating-bias-series-extension.html https://studiessuggest.org/stories/venting-anger-increases-aggression.html A 2024 meta-analysis of 154 studies involving 10,189 participants found that venting anger through physical activity has an effect size of essentially zero. Activities that lower physiological arousal — deep breathing, meditation, yoga — reduced anger and aggression with a Hedges' g of −0.63. Mon, 25 May 2026 09:00:00 -0700 https://studiessuggest.org/stories/venting-anger-increases-aggression.html https://studiessuggest.org/stories/meta-conclusion-what-evidence-tells-us.html Across 25 articles, more than 400 experiments, and over 5 million research subjects, a single structural failure keeps disproved beliefs alive: the wrong answer almost always has a revenue model, and the right answer almost never does. Sun, 24 May 2026 09:30:00 -0700 https://studiessuggest.org/stories/meta-conclusion-what-evidence-tells-us.html https://studiessuggest.org/stories/bed-rest-delays-back-pain-recovery.html A Finnish randomized trial of 186 workers with acute low back pain found that those told to stay in bed recovered slowest. Those who kept moving as tolerated recovered fastest at both 3 and 12 weeks. A Cochrane review of 10 trials and 1,923 patients later confirmed the finding. Sun, 24 May 2026 09:00:00 -0700 https://studiessuggest.org/stories/bed-rest-delays-back-pain-recovery.html https://studiessuggest.org/stories/video-game-surgeons-fewer-errors-faster.html A study of 33 surgical residents and attending physicians found that those who played video games more than three hours a week committed 37% fewer errors and completed laparoscopic procedures 27% faster than their non-gaming colleagues. Sat, 23 May 2026 09:00:00 -0700 https://studiessuggest.org/stories/video-game-surgeons-fewer-errors-faster.html https://studiessuggest.org/stories/rto-mandates-dont-improve-company-performance.html An analysis of S&P 500 firms found no improvement in profits or stock value after return-to-office mandates. A separate study tracking 3 million workers found the best employees left first. A randomized trial found hybrid work cut attrition by a third with zero productivity loss. Thu, 22 May 2026 21:30:00 -0700 https://studiessuggest.org/stories/rto-mandates-dont-improve-company-performance.html https://studiessuggest.org/stories/moderate-drinking-no-mortality-benefit.html A meta-analysis of 107 cohort studies tracking 4.8 million people found that the apparent longevity benefit of one or two drinks a day vanishes entirely once you stop counting sick former drinkers as "abstainers." Fri, 22 May 2026 09:00:00 -0700 https://studiessuggest.org/stories/moderate-drinking-no-mortality-benefit.html https://studiessuggest.org/stories/microcredit-doesnt-reduce-poverty.html A special issue of the American Economic Journal brought together six independent randomized controlled trials spanning India, Morocco, Ethiopia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Mongolia, and Mexico. The combined evidence: microcredit modestly increases business activity but does not raise incomes, reduce poverty, or empower women. Thu, 21 May 2026 09:00:00 -0700 https://studiessuggest.org/stories/microcredit-doesnt-reduce-poverty.html https://studiessuggest.org/stories/knee-surgery-no-better-than-sham.html The Finnish FIDELITY trial randomized 146 patients with degenerative meniscal tears to arthroscopic partial meniscectomy or sham surgery. At 12 months, outcomes were identical. At 10 years, the surgery group had more osteoarthritis and three times the rate of knee replacement. Thu, 21 May 2026 01:00:00 -0700 https://studiessuggest.org/stories/knee-surgery-no-better-than-sham.html https://studiessuggest.org/stories/sugar-does-not-make-children-hyperactive.html A JAMA meta-analysis pooling 23 double-blind, placebo-controlled experiments found that sugar has no measurable effect on children's behavior or cognitive performance. The "sugar high" persists as a cultural belief driven almost entirely by parental expectation. Thu, 21 May 2026 00:00:00 -0700 https://studiessuggest.org/stories/sugar-does-not-make-children-hyperactive.html https://studiessuggest.org/stories/cash-transfers-poor-invest-not-waste.html A randomized trial of 1,440 households in rural Kenya found that unconditional cash transfers raised consumption by 22%, increased assets by 61%, and improved psychological well-being, while spending on alcohol and tobacco did not increase. Wed, 20 May 2026 23:00:00 -0700 https://studiessuggest.org/stories/cash-transfers-poor-invest-not-waste.html https://studiessuggest.org/stories/learning-styles-no-evidence-matching-instruction.html A landmark review commissioned by the Association for Psychological Science examined 50 years of learning-styles research and concluded there was virtually no evidence that matching instruction to a student's preferred style improves outcomes. Wed, 20 May 2026 22:45:00 -0700 https://studiessuggest.org/stories/learning-styles-no-evidence-matching-instruction.html https://studiessuggest.org/stories/highlighting-rereading-least-effective-study-methods.html A landmark 2013 review evaluated 10 common study techniques across hundreds of experiments and rated highlighting, rereading, and summarization as low utility. Only practice testing and distributed practice earned the highest rating. Wed, 20 May 2026 22:30:00 -0700 https://studiessuggest.org/stories/highlighting-rereading-least-effective-study-methods.html https://studiessuggest.org/stories/wounds-heal-slower-at-night-circadian-clock.html A study of 118 burn patients found that injuries sustained between 8 PM and 8 AM took an average of 28 days to heal, compared to 17 days for daytime burns, driven by circadian rhythms in individual skin cells. Wed, 20 May 2026 20:00:00 -0700 https://studiessuggest.org/stories/wounds-heal-slower-at-night-circadian-clock.html https://studiessuggest.org/stories/sleep-deprivation-rapidly-treats-depression.html A meta-analysis of 66 studies spanning 45 years found that acute sleep deprivation produces rapid antidepressant effects in roughly half of depressed patients. Wed, 20 May 2026 19:30:00 -0700 https://studiessuggest.org/stories/sleep-deprivation-rapidly-treats-depression.html https://studiessuggest.org/stories/breakfast-not-most-important-meal.html A Monash University meta-analysis of 13 randomized controlled trials found no evidence that breakfast aids weight loss. Breakfast eaters consumed 260 extra calories per day and weighed slightly more than those who skipped it entirely. Wed, 20 May 2026 19:00:00 -0700 https://studiessuggest.org/stories/breakfast-not-most-important-meal.html https://studiessuggest.org/stories/houseplants-dont-purify-indoor-air.html A Drexel University review of 196 experiments across 12 studies found that potted plants remove VOCs so slowly that you'd need 10 to 1,000 plants per square meter to match basic ventilation. Wed, 20 May 2026 15:00:00 -0700 https://studiessuggest.org/stories/houseplants-dont-purify-indoor-air.html https://studiessuggest.org/stories/daylight-saving-time-increases-energy-use.html A natural experiment exploiting Indiana's 2006 statewide adoption of DST found it increased residential electricity consumption by 1-4%, costing households $9 million per year and generating up to $5.5 million in pollution costs. Wed, 20 May 2026 00:00:00 -0700 https://studiessuggest.org/stories/daylight-saving-time-increases-energy-use.html https://studiessuggest.org/stories/financial-literacy-education-no-effect-behavior.html The most comprehensive meta-analysis of financial education research found that teaching people about compound interest, budgeting, and debt management accounts for essentially none of their actual financial decisions. Wed, 20 May 2026 00:00:00 -0700 https://studiessuggest.org/stories/financial-literacy-education-no-effect-behavior.html https://studiessuggest.org/stories/scared-straight-programs-increase-juvenile-crime.html A Cochrane systematic review of 946 juveniles across nine experiments found that prison-visit deterrence programs raised the odds of reoffending by 68%. The programs remain in use. Wed, 20 May 2026 00:00:00 -0700 https://studiessuggest.org/stories/scared-straight-programs-increase-juvenile-crime.html https://studiessuggest.org/stories/antioxidant-supplements-increase-mortality.html A Cochrane review of 78 trials and 296,707 participants found that beta-carotene and vitamin E supplements increase all-cause mortality. Wed, 20 May 2026 00:00:00 -0700 https://studiessuggest.org/stories/antioxidant-supplements-increase-mortality.html https://studiessuggest.org/stories/open-offices-reduce-face-to-face-collaboration.html Two Fortune 500 companies outfitted employees with sociometric sensors before and after converting cubicles to open plans. Face-to-face conversation plummeted while email surged. Wed, 20 May 2026 00:00:00 -0700 https://studiessuggest.org/stories/open-offices-reduce-face-to-face-collaboration.html https://studiessuggest.org/stories/positive-affirmations-backfire-low-self-esteem.html Experiments at the University of Waterloo found that positive self-statements backfired for those who needed them most. Mon, 19 May 2026 00:00:00 -0700 https://studiessuggest.org/stories/positive-affirmations-backfire-low-self-esteem.html https://studiessuggest.org/stories/brainstorming-groups-fewer-ideas-than-individuals.html A meta-analysis of 20 studies found that interactive brainstorming groups consistently underperformed individuals working independently. Mon, 19 May 2026 00:00:00 -0700 https://studiessuggest.org/stories/brainstorming-groups-fewer-ideas-than-individuals.html https://studiessuggest.org/stories/stretching-before-exercise-no-injury-prevention.html A systematic review of 25 RCTs found stretching had no significant injury prevention benefit, while strength training cut risk by over a third. Mon, 19 May 2026 00:00:00 -0700 https://studiessuggest.org/stories/stretching-before-exercise-no-injury-prevention.html https://studiessuggest.org/stories/exercise-minimal-effect-weight-loss.html A study of 332 adults across five populations found total energy expenditure plateaus above moderate activity levels. Mon, 19 May 2026 00:00:00 -0700 https://studiessuggest.org/stories/exercise-minimal-effect-weight-loss.html https://studiessuggest.org/stories/more-choices-less-satisfaction.html Consumers were 10 times more likely to buy jam when offered 6 options instead of 24. Mon, 19 May 2026 00:00:00 -0700 https://studiessuggest.org/stories/more-choices-less-satisfaction.html https://studiessuggest.org/stories/violent-video-games-no-aggression-link.html A pre-registered Oxford study of 1,004 adolescents using objective violence ratings found zero relationship with aggressive behavior. Mon, 19 May 2026 00:00:00 -0700 https://studiessuggest.org/stories/violent-video-games-no-aggression-link.html