SGU Episode 401

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SGU Episode 401
23rd March 2012
(brief caption for the episode icon)
SGU 400                      SGU 402
Skeptical Rogues
S: Steven Novella
B: Bob Novella
R: Rebecca Watson
J: Jay Novella
P: Perry DeAngelis
Quote of the Week
I appear as a skeptic, who believes that doubt is the great engine, the great fuel of all inquiry, all discovery and all innovation.
Christopher Hitchens
Links
Download Podcast
SGU Podcast archive
Forum Discussion

Introduction

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

This Day in Skepticism (1:50)

• March 23, 1989: Pons and Fleischmann announce the experimental production of "N-Fusion", which was quickly labeled by the press as cold fusion.

News Items

Marshmallow Test (4:42)

• The Marshmallow Test

Bacteria Everywhere (13:19)

• Intraterrestrials: life thrives IN ocean floor
• Pacific Ocean's Mariana Trench teeming with bacteria

Acupuncture HIV (19:28)

• Unlicensed Acupuncturist Charged In 16 HIV Infections In Switzerland

Dr. Oz Sued (26:30)

• NYC Lawsuit Filed Against Dr. Oz Over Sleep Tip

New Pope (36:14)

• Argentina's Bergoglio elected as new Pope Francis

Special Report: Why Worry? (44:26)

• The 150 Things the World's Smartest People Are Afraid Of

Who's That Noisy? (1:01:34)

• http://sguforums.com/index.php/topic,45425.0.html
• Answer to last week: Voyager golden record

Science or Fiction (1:05:00)

Item #1: Scientists have successfully tested a coal combustion process that extracts energy from coal without burning it while capturing 99% of the carbon dioxide produced. Item #2: A new study finds that eye injuries from laser pointers have been increasing, with over 500 reported cases in 2012 in the US. And item #3: A recent analysis of published English-language books shows a steady trend toward decreasing use of emotional words throughout the 20th century.

Announcements

NECSS Update (1:11:01)

• eBay auction for SGU private recording/NECSS VIP tickets:
  • NECSS 2013 All Access Pass 1
  • NECSS 2013 All Access Pass 2

Skeptical Quote of the Week (1:22:49)

I appear as a skeptic, who believes that doubt is the great engine, the great fuel of all inquiry, all discovery and all innovation.

Christopher Hitchens

References