This is the stupidest “science” I’ve seen in a long time.
Causality is not shown. Only association.
Parasites may be causing stupidity. Or, stupidity may be causing poor hygiene and parasites. Or, some third factor may be causing both stupidity and parasites.
Have these “scientists” ever heard of control groups?
Geez. This is a High School science FAIL, not even College 101.
Look at the same demographic and cultural population having been moved from its original locaiton. For example, look at Somalis in the U.S. versus Somalis in Somalia.
Or, look at the difference in intelligence among differing racial groups both inhabiting a parasite infested location, say South Africa. If both whites and blacks have the same level of parasites, but differing IQs, that would tend to disprove the hypothesis (but might be politically incorrect, to say the least.)
Come on, boys, this is REALLY SIMPLE. You’re supposed to be SCIENTISTS. Use the Scientific Method, for cryin’ out loud. Or at least some semblance thereof.
Correlation is the most abused means of statistical analysis in existence. Everyone repeat - most correlations are spurious and/or non-causal. Pay little attention to them unless followed up by sound methodology in causality.
Maybe they were infected with parasites when young...