In fact these lofty goals can often have a deleterious effect, leading to discouragement, unethical behavior or even underachievement.

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Data showing a deleterious effect might well be more likely to be written up and published than data showing nothing much.

ECONOMIST: Ocean acidification

"Given the increase in sweet beverage consumption in Europe, clear messages on its deleterious effect on health should be given to the population, " Dr Romaguera and colleagues conclude in their research paper.

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