Gotta pay for the original study. I would agree that the US=more-likely correlation in the title belies the articles actual intent - that fraudulent research targets 'high impact' pubs.
>>>*There is an old saying. "A lie, oft repeated, becomes truth."
"Statistics" can be used to "prove" anything, or disprove if so inclined.
Example: Blue Fords cause illness! The proof is in the statistics, the vast majority of people diagnosed with serious illness in the last CENTURY have been exposed to a blue Ford. Nearing the 100th percentile, a statistical fact.
(Probably one that smokes, too!...*LOL**)
Add in an economic system that funds "studies" on about any subject one would like, then figure in someone somewhere anticipating profit from the results of the "study" and there you go.
So when "Global Warming" loses it's SHOCK value and people begin to not believe that the tide is coming in under the door next MONDAY, the switch is to "Climate change!"
Now IS there "Climate change?" Is THAT real?
Yep. No kidding. For about the last 4.5 BILLION years, give or take a couple of years.
"How about the current "600,000 DIE each year from second hand smoke!!!" Neat British study there. Gee, I wonder how many die then from FIRST HAND smoke?
Since more people smoke POT than smoke tobacco, I wonder if maybe THAT is it?
Studies. No end to them, most luckily end up in a dusty pile somewhere, stored where no one will ever see them.
The ones we need to worry about are the ones pushed by people with an agenda.....*EB