SGU Episode 427

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SGU Episode 427
September 21st 2013
(brief caption for the episode icon)
SGU 426                      SGU 428
Skeptical Rogues
S: Steven Novella
B: Bob Novella
R: Rebecca Watson
J: Jay Novella
E: Evan Bernstein
Quote of the Week
No No. Be of good cheer. If science teaches us anything, it teaches us to accept our failures, as well as our successes, with quiet dignity and grace.
Dr. Frederick Frankenstein
Links
Download Podcast
Show Notes
Forum Discussion

Introduction

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

This Day in Skepticism ()

• September 21, 1971: David Vetter (Bubble Boy) born

News Items ()

IgNobels 2013 ()

• http://www.improbable.com/ig/winners/#ig2013

Top Quark Ends Universe ()

• http://www.livescience.com/39604-doomsday-universe-fate-depends-on-mass-of-tiny-particle.html

Alien Life on Earth ()

• http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2416761/Scientists-claim-evidence-ALIEN-LIFE-Balloon-sent-edge-atmosphere-picks-organisms-come-space.html

The Physics of Homosexuality ()

• http://theness.com/neurologicablog/index.php/science-proves-im-right/

Regeneration ()

• http://miami.cbslocal.com/2013/09/16/s-fl-doctor-uses-new-technology-to-re-grow-mans-finger/

Who's That Noisy ()

• Answer to last week - pending

Questions and Emails ()

Question #1: Quantum Energy ()

OMG, I found this rubbish on a crowd funding website, they have raised $17,197 towards this project!!! Can you believe it?Make it stop!!http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/home-quantum-energy-generator Ok I vented, I’m done!John DawsonPerth Western Australia

Science or Fiction ()

Item #1: A new study finds that beauty sleep is real – patients who were treated for poor sleep were rated as more attractive following treatment. Item #2: Researchers find that cats infected with the toxoplasma parasite are more affectionate and likely to lick other animals, including humans, increasing the spread of the parasite. Item #3: Scientists have discovered a method for converting mature skin cells into stem cells with near perfect efficiency by removing a single protein.

Skeptical Quote of the Week ()

'No No. Be of good cheer. If science teaches us anything, it teaches us to accept our failures, as well as our successes, with quiet dignity and grace.'- Dr. Frederick Frankenstein

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