when i logged back into my game, it only took about 20 minutes before my poor scientist was back up to a 'master' level.

my info is as follows:
version 1.06.03
purchased through yahoo games- not sure of exact date, i'll try to find out though. i have been trying to experiment with the only stews that i have fed to my villagers and i have not been able to noticeably recreate what happened. if they are decreasing in skill level, it has not been dramatic enough for me to notice...i'll keep toying with it and see what i can manage.