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Title: 'Brain training' is just the placebo effect working, study finds
Source:
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URL Source: http://www.sciencealert.com/brain-t ... the-placebo-effect-study-finds
Published: Jun 24, 2016
Author: staff
Post Date: 2016-06-24 08:27:25 by Tatarewicz
Keywords: None
Views: 206
Comments: 8
ScienceAlert... An experiment conducted by a team of researchers at the George Mason University finds that they can achieve what paid brain training programs claim - using a simple trick. They used two posters with different advertising messages to attract participants, but both posters lead to the exact same study and the exact same activities. One poster mentioned brain training and cognitive enhancement and citing studies that claim they can increase fluid intelligence. The other poster used the same design but simply offered credits for participation in a study. Fifty recruits were accepted to participate. The 25 participants lured by "Cognitive Enhancement" were the placebo group and the other 25 who responded to the promise of credits were the control group. BrainTrainIntextForoughi CK, et al All 50 participants took standardised tests to measure their fluid intelligence. Next, they played an hour of a brain training game. Finally, another fluid intelligence test was conducted to measure any changes. The results showed that the placebo group did better on this test, scoring around 5 to 10 IQ points higher than their first test. The control group showed no such changes. This implies that the expectations set by the posters prior to the activities may have been responsible for the IQ rise and not the games themselves. While video games, in general, have certain benefits in training parts of the brain and can be used as a highly effective educational tool, brain training programs may need to tone down their claims. Earlier this year, online brain training company Luminosity had to shell out a hefty US$2 million fine for false advertising. "Lumosity preyed on consumers’ fears about age-related cognitive decline, suggesting their games could stave off memory loss, dementia, and even Alzheimer’s disease," says Jessica Rich, director of the Federal Trade Commission’s Bureau of Consumer Protection. "Lumosity simply did not have the science to back up its ads." Until these companies can come up with scientific evidence to back up their claims, experts show that this is likely nothing but a scam. This article was originally published by Futurism.
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#1. To: Tatarewicz (#0)
Way cool on this -- and I'm glad to see ScienceAlert. Somebody posted something from it and I lost it, or something from ScienceUpdate and it changed to a worse format. Great site! ---------------------------------------- 1st-world dogooders have run 3rd-world population figures sky high, and now they're eating the planet up. Search "the world's disappearing sand"!
Hey, to hear Science Alert tell it, we're is SAVED! Headlines: Scientists have developed solar cells 100 times thinner than a human hair Scientists just found a compound that kills 98% of a drug-resistant bacteria Canada's forests might be more resilient to global warming than we thought Researchers find genes in algae that could stop coral bleaching Scientists just turned plastic bottles and bags into liquid fuel This crazy new material can trap and recycle radioactive nuclear fuel This is the end of the fossil fuel age as we know it, says report Scientists accidentally created nanorods that harvest water from the air WATCH: Here's how engineers are turning CO2 into stone Glow-in-the-dark cement could soon light up a city near you Scientists have figured out how to use bacteria as living hard drives Laser technology reveals huge medieval cities hidden in the Cambodian jungle Small trial shows memory loss from Alzheimer's disease can be reversed Breast cancer growth is halted by osteoporosis drug, study finds Scientists are using brain-opening 'microbubbles' to make chemo more effective ---------------------------------------- 1st-world dogooders have run 3rd-world population figures sky high, and now they're eating the planet up. Search "the world's disappearing sand"!
Oh boy, I could have some fun with those. For instance: EROI is energy returned on energy invested, BTW. I looked into it, breifly. Dead end. Well, you get my point, I hope. Where the hell is my flying car from the 70s?... Oh... Godfrey Smith: Mike, I wouldn't worry. Prosperity is just around the corner. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EROI en.wiki pedia.org/wiki/Energy_returned_on_energy_invested Speaking of energy.... www.youtube.com/watch? v=9WF951J5l4k :] ---------------------------------------- 1st-world dogooders have run 3rd-world population figures sky high, and now they're eating the planet up. Search "the world's disappearing sand"!
Works in the lab with lots of corporate and government grant money. But like with most inventions, few make it to market.
Because they're not cost effective, or because the PTB don't want us to enjoy real solutions?
---------------------------------------- 1st-world dogooders have run 3rd-world population figures sky high, and now they're eating the planet up. Search "the world's disappearing sand"!
When it comes to saving/rehabilitating human life, what is cost-effective?
Doctors and lawyers don't mind thinking that way.
---------------------------------------- 1st-world dogooders have run 3rd-world population figures sky high, and now they're eating the planet up. Search "the world's disappearing sand"!
#2. To: All (#1)
#3. To: NeoconsNailed (#2)
Hey, to hear Science Alert tell it, we're is SAVED! Headlines:
Scientists have developed solar cells 100 times thinner than a human hair (but 100,000 times as fragile. Entire grid brought down by raindrop)
Scientists just found a compound that kills 98% of a drug-resistant bacteria (Yeah, it's called bleach, but it only works in dead people)
Scientists just turned plastic bottles and bags into liquid fuel (EROI is .001%)
"Scientists Invent Flying Car: No Survivors, Planet Decimated"
Mike Flaherty: Yeah, it's been there a long time. I wish I knew which corner.
My Man Godfrey (1936)
#4. To: Esso (#3)
#5. To: NeoconsNailed (#2)
#6. To: Tatarewicz (#5)
#7. To: NeoconsNailed (#6)
#8. To: Tatarewicz (#7)
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