Training surgeons like dogs, icky money win 2019 Ig Nobels
Source: Associated Press
Training surgeons like dogs, icky money win 2019 Ig Nobels
By MARK PRATT
September 12, 2019
BOSTON (AP) — Training surgeons is as easy as training dolphins or dogs.
At least according to a study that Thursday earned a 2019 Ig Nobel, the annual Nobel Prize spoof that rewards weird, odd and sometimes head-scratching scientific discoveries.
This year’s winners included: Dutch and Turkish researchers who figured out which nation has the yuckiest money, an Italian scientist who urges consumption of pizza for its health benefits, and an Iranian engineer who obtained a U.S patent for a diaper-changing machine.
Karen Pryor, Theresa McKeon and Dr. I. Martin Levy figured out that a common technique used for training animals called operant learning — or clicker training — can be used to make better surgeons.
In short, a mechanical device that emits an audible click is used to reinforce positive behavior.
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Read more: https://apnews.com/474f3a000ee44c9e9bce6f1873c6222a
