No @#&!, Sherlock: High School Students Drink to Escape and Other Obvious Science

High school students don’t merely drink for fun, relaxation and the thrill of experimentation, but to escape their problems — and concerned public health officials should avoid anti-drinking ad campaigns that play on funny stories about drunken misadventures. So begins the latest installment of No @#&!, Sherlock, our regular roundup of the latest, greatest self-evident […]

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High school students don't merely drink for fun, relaxation and the thrill of experimentation, but to escape their problems -- and concerned public health officials should avoid anti-drinking ad campaigns that play on funny stories about drunken misadventures.

So begins the latest installment of No @#&!, Sherlock, our regular roundup of the latest, greatest self-evident science. As always, we cover these findings because we value them. Not every study can be groundbreaking, breathaking, through-breaking or otherwise distinguished, but they're still important. After all, what if reminding people about the time they threw up at the wedding was actually useful* *?

It's easier to categorize things when we have names for them. Labeling a product as green doesn't make it environmentally friendly. Shoppers avoid products associated with types of people they disdain. Baby boomers spend lots of money after they retire.

Attractive people have an easier time getting hired.Physically fit baby boomers have lower stroke risks. Smoking cigarettes increases your risk of type II diabetes. Living near heavy traffic is bad for kids' respiratory problems. People are more likely to try potentially harmful pharmaceuticals if they have an above-average risk of disease, and tend to trust doctors who seem empathetic. Some radiologists are better than others at reading mammograms.

Belief, disbelief and uncertainty involve different parts of the brain.
Political television that features close-up shots of people shouting in disagreement makes viewers less tolerant. People who support President Bush are more likely to agree that photographs of dead soldiers should be censored.

Kids learn by imitating adults, even if adults aren't very good at whatever they're doing.
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Image: IgKnition*
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