No, Phones Aren't Giving Kids Horns, Seriously

TL;DR

A recent study claiming that cell phone use is causing horns to grow on young people's skulls is inaccurate and was misreported by the media.

Transcript

Thanks to CuriosityStream for supporting this episode! Go to CuriosityStream.com/SciShow to learn more. [♩INTRO] This week in science news, we are required to inform you that despite what you might have heard, kids these days are not growing literal horns on the back of their heads because of their cell phones. Yes. I am also somewhat amazed that t... Read More

Key Insights

• 🥺 The misreporting of scientific research can lead to sensationalized and inaccurate headlines, which can harm the public's perception of science.
• ❓ Understanding the difference between correlation and causation is crucial in evaluating scientific studies.
• 👨‍🔬 Peer review is an essential step in ensuring the accuracy and credibility of scientific research.
• 🧑‍🏭 Consumers of science news should critically evaluate studies and consider multiple factors before accepting claims as fact.

Questions & Answers

Q: Did the study show that cell phone use causes horns to grow on people's skulls?

No, the study only found small spurs of bone at the base of the skull, which are not considered horns and are not caused by cell phone use.

Q: Were there any flaws in the study's methodology?

The study's methodology had some issues, including vague results and discrepancies between the findings in the text and the figures.

Q: What responsibility do scientists have in ensuring accurate reporting of their research?

Scientists should provide clear and reliable information in their studies, but they also rely on peer review to catch any errors or oversights. However, in this case, the review process failed to correct inaccuracies.

Q: How can consumers of science news determine if a study is reliable?

Consumers should consider factors such as the number of participants, presence of a control group, reproducibility of results, conflicts of interest, and the credibility of the news outlet reporting the study.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• A study claimed that cell phone use was causing bone protrusions at the base of the skull, which was misinterpreted as horns growing on young people.

• The study actually found small spurs of bone, which, while unusual, are not uncommon and not associated with any specific activity.

• The study's results were vague, with missing information on the number of people affected, leading to inaccuracies in reporting.