The issue focused on whether individual studies were scientific and academic research. Research scientists have been concerned for years that smaller studies are biased by researchers' theories of science, making their findings less reliable. Scientists said they found some study results did not appear to back up claims about medical benefits of dieting.

In the decision, medical doctors told U.S. District Judge Robert W. Lucas that each study has an equal chance of being scientifically sound. It "raises significant questions about what data can be published in