SGU Episode 549

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SGU Episode 549
January 16th 2016
(brief caption for the episode icon)
SGU 548                      SGU 550
Skeptical Rogues
S: Steven Novella
B: Bob Novella
C: Cara Santa Maria
J: Jay Novella
E: Evan Bernstein
Quote of the Week
The important thing in science is not so much to obtain new facts as to discover new ways of thinking about them.
Sir William Henry Bragg, Nobel Prize for Physics, 1915
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Show Notes
Forum Discussion

Introduction

You're listening to the Skeptics' Guide to the Universe, your escape to reality.

What's the Word ()

• Algorithm

This section is in the middle of being transcribed by D_Inwood (talk) as of Oct 14, 2016. To help avoid duplication, please do not transcribe this section while this message is displayed.

News Items

Bacterial vs Human Cells ()

• http://www.nature.com/news/scientists-bust-myth-that-our-bodies-have-more-bacteria-than-human-cells-1.19136

GMO Labeling ()

• http://theness.com/neurologicablog/index.php/should-there-be-mandatory-gmo-labeling/

Mites Run in the Family ()

• https://www.sciencenews.org/article/mites-living-your-face-probably-run-your-family

Apple Car ()

• http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-35280633

Gravity Waves ()

• http://www.sciencemag.org/news/2016/01/rumor-gravitational-wave-discovery-just-source-says?utm_source=sciencemagazine&utm_medium=facebook-text&utm_campaign=rumorsofwaves-1887

Questions and Emails

Question #1: Correction ()

• Infants are obligate nose breathers

Science or Fiction ()

Item #1: Neuroscientists have discovered a mechanism by which our brain compress memories, allowing us to experience them in “fast forward.” Item #2: Researchers have developed a laser light treatment that can be applied to growing crops, killing many common pests and potentially dramatically reducing the need for pesticide. Item #3: Scientists have developed tiny robots that can attach themselves to immobile sperm and swim them to the egg so they can participate in fertilization. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ww-x-VIFh-Q&feature=youtu.be

Skeptical Quote of the Week ()

"The important thing in science is not so much to obtain new facts as to discover new ways of thinking about them." - Sir William Henry Bragg, Nobel Prize for Physics, 1915

S: The Skeptics' Guide to the Universe is produced by SGU Productions, dedicated to promoting science and critical thinking. For more information on this and other episodes, please visit our website at theskepticsguide.org, where you will find the show notes as well as links to our blogs, videos, online forum, and other content. You can send us feedback or questions to info@theskepticsguide.org. Also, please consider supporting the SGU by visiting the store page on our website, where you will find merchandise, premium content, and subscription information. Our listeners are what make SGU possible.

References