> Nobody should wonder why people do not trust science
Taking an iterative approach where you make a prediction, test the prediction, and adjust course in response to the test (AKA science) is literally the only possible thing that can work to discover true things about the world. So if someone distrusts science they're basically giving up on a belief in objective reality.
But I agree it's not surprising that people don't trust science, any more than it's surprising that people believe in astrology, lizard people, or ESP. Human minds don't have a special science sensor that lights up when they read true things. It's pretty much garbage in garbage out.
Don't miss the story here, which is that the study failed to replicate and the fraud was detected. In many human endeavors there are frauds that have persisted for centuries.
> That on its own is scandalous
Yeah it is, I agree. Providing data should be mandatory to the reviewers. It should IMO also be provided publicly if feasible (at least upon request if it's financially burdensome to host) if the work is publicly funded.