Episode 77 – Holiday episode: Quirky Papers
Welcome to a special Holiday Episode of the PAPERs Podcast! In this fun and festive episode, the hosts bring their quirkiest and most unconventional academic papers to the table, sharing surprising insights and plenty of laughs along the way. This year, we’re taking the holiday spirit up a notch: for the first time, this episode is available as a video!
Whether you’re a loyal listener or joining us for the first time, you’ll enjoy watching the hosts’ banter, quirky fashion choices, and playful discussions as they present academic gems that range from chocolate and Nobel laureates to the unexpected power of cute animal pictures.
What’s in This Episode?
This year’s holiday episode highlights a collection of quirky, thought-provoking, and downright entertaining papers, each with a unique twist. The hosts have scoured the academic universe to bring you the following:
- How alcohol might just help you solve creative problems.
- Why eating chocolate could potentially make you a Nobel laureate.
- How side effects of placebos can enhance their perceived effectiveness.
- The surprising connection between video games and bronchoscopy skills.
- Why humor belongs in the classroom, straight from medical students’ perspectives.
- Insights into how science progresses—one funeral at a time.
Episode 77 – Holiday Episode: Quirky Pape
Welcome to a special Holiday Episode of the PAPERs Podcast! In this fun and festive episode, the hosts bring their quirkiest and most unconventional academic papers to the table, sharing surprising insights and plenty of laughs along the way. This year, we’re taking the holiday spirit up a notch: for the first time, this episode is available as a video!
Watch the Episode!
We’re thrilled to announce that Episode 77 is now available as a video episode! Catch the hosts in their festive attire, quirky accessories, and animated discussions. Watch it now and let us know what you think in the comments.
Quirky Recommendations
Uncorking the Muse: Alcohol Intoxication Facilitates Creative Problem Solving
Who knew wine and wisdom could mix so well? This randomized controlled trial demonstrates that moderate alcohol intoxication helps with creative problem-solving by enhancing cognitive flexibility. The authors suggest that a touch of inhibition-reduction might spark “outside-the-box” thinking. Jason jokingly wonders if this explains why brainstorming sessions at conferences sometimes feel so productive—after a glass or two!
Reference: Jarosz, A. F., & Wiley, J. (2012). Consciousness and Cognition, 21(1), 487-493. Read the paper
How chocolate unleach creativity – Chocolate Consumption, Cognitive Function, and Nobel Laureates
Eat chocolate, win a Nobel Prize? This paper provocatively links chocolate consumption per capita to the number of Nobel laureates a country produces. While the data correlation is undeniable, Linda and the team chuckle at its tongue-in-cheek interpretation: maybe it’s the Swiss diet of dark chocolate (not milk chocolate!) that keeps them on top of the world.
Reference: Messerli, F. H. (2012). Chocolate Consumption, Cognitive Function, and Nobel Laureates. New England Journal of Medicine, 367(16), 1562–1564. Read the paper
It hurts so good!
Does pain equal gain? This study found that placebos with mild side effects were perceived as more effective than those without. The methods makes one think who is volonteering to cerain studies….. Lara humorously relates this to the sting of harsh reviewer comments—does the pain make the feedback feel more legitimate? The study also calls to mind classic Buckley’s Cough Syrup ads: “It tastes awful, and it works!” Do we need a
Reference: Schenk, L. A., Fadai, T., & Büchel, C. (2024). How side effects can improve treatment efficacy: A randomized trial. Brain, 147(8), 2643–2651. Read the paper
Reviewer 2 – Care pack
Board game
Process frustrations and other emotions in this board game created by faculty and students at McMaster University. Look up the boad game here
Video gamers demonstrate superior bronchoscopy skills
Gamers, rejoice! This paper proves that hours spent playing Splatoon 2 might actually make you a better doctor—at least when it comes to bronchoscopy. The study found that video gamers excel in spatial awareness and hand-eye coordination, key skills for medical procedures. But not everyone’s convinced: Linda jokes that she’d prefer not to be the “beginner-level” patient during bronchoscopy practice, no matter how good your kill streak is.
Reference: Shimoda, M., Tanaka, Y., Morimoto, K., Yoshimori, K., & Ohta, K. (2024). Video gamers demonstrate superior bronchoscopy skills among beginners. Scientific Reports, 14(1), 2290. Read the paper
Humor is no joke! – Usage of humor in Medical Education
This study highlights how medical students appreciate humor for its ability to reduce stress, boost engagement, and stave off sleepiness during lectures. However, Linda notes the importance of striking the right balance—humor must be culturally sensitive and professionally appropriate to avoid awkward moments in class.
Reference: Taleb, R., Itani, H., Itani, S., Salameh, R., Ramadan, A., & Sidani, K. (2022). The use of humour in medical education: Students’ perspective. The European Journal of Humour Research, 10(1), Article 1. Read the paper
Does Science Advance One Funeral at a Time?
Max Planck famously said that “science advances one funeral at a time.” This bibliometric analysis puts his theory to the test and finds truth in it: when superstar scientists pass away, their collaborators’ productivity often declines, but fresh voices rise to challenge old ideas. Jason cheekily suggests this paper is the ultimate argument for planning a graceful retirement.
Reference: Azoulay, P., Fons-Rosen, C., & Zivin, J. S. G. (2019). Does Science Advance One Funeral at a Time? American Economic Review, 109(8), 2889–2920. Read the paper
Linguistic Obfuscation in Fraudulent Science
If a paper sounds too complicated, it might be hiding something. This study finds that fraudulent research is often written in overly complex, jargon-heavy language to mask its lack of substance. Jason jokes that reviewer #2’s harsh critiques may actually be helpful here: cutting through the fluff might save us all from a bad citation.
Reference: Markowitz, D. M., & Hancock, J. T. (2016). Linguistic Obfuscation in Fraudulent Science. Journal of Language and Social Psychology, 35(4), 435–445. Read the paper
Enjoy the episode, and we’d love to hear your thoughts! Which quirky paper caught your eye? Drop a comment or share the episode with a fellow academic for some holiday cheer!
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