SGU Episode 435

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SGU Episode 435
November 16th 2013
(brief caption for the episode icon)
SGU 434                      SGU 436
Skeptical Rogues
S: Steven Novella
B: Bob Novella
R: Rebecca Watson
J: Jay Novella
E: Evan Bernstein
Quote of the Week
For every complex problem there is an answer that is clear, simple, and wrong.
H. L. Mencken
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 ()

• November 16, 1938: LSD is first synthesized by Swiss chemist Dr. Albert Hofmann at the Sandoz Laboratories in Basel, Switzerland.

News Items

Oldest Animal ()

• http://sciencenordic.com/new-record-world%E2%80%99s-oldest-animal-507-years-old

Junk DNA ()

• http://theness.com/neurologicablog/index.php/reprogramming-your-junk-dna/

Martian Lizard ()

• http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2492862/The-iguana-MARS-Mysterious-rock-looks-like-lizard-spotted-Nasas-Curiosity-rover.html

Dark Energy ()

• http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/11/131107094622.htm

Who's That Noisy ()

• Answer to last week - porcupine

Questions and Emails

Question #1: Knee Ligament Follow Up ()

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/11/131107094622.htm

Interview with Gerald Posner ()

• http://www.posner.com/JFK Assassination November 22, 1963

Science or Fiction ()

Item #1: New World porcupines, like New World monkeys, have prehensile tails they use to climb trees. Item #2: While porcupines cannot shoot their quills, some species can throw them a short distance by whipping their tails. Item #3: A recent study documented porcupines killings dogs, foxes, and even badgers with their quills. Item #4: Porcupine quills are coated in a natural antibiotic.

Skeptical Quote of the Week ()

'For every complex problem there is an answer that is clear, simple, and wrong.' H. L Mencken

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