[stormer]

“If they controlled for all of these variables, then it has to be the soda causing the aggression, right?”

Again, no. They are demonstrating correlation, not causation. It does not seek to explain the underlying dynamic.

[Mase]

Again, it's hard to discern their conclusions from the linked article, but I have read enough of this kind of research to believe that even if they don't directly make the link, their conclusions will make any link highly suggestive.

They have to do this if they are going to attract more money to continue their "research." Mere correlation isn't worth much, unless you think there really is something legit between the amount of rainfall in Fiji and the price of peanuts in Georgia. These people are going to have to make some sort of connection here....and they will. They are already laying the groundwork. The media are willing accomplices in the charade that passes for legitimate research today.

You appear willing to give them the benefit of the doubt. Not me, I've seen far too much of this in my career to believe otherwise.