SGU Episode 326

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

This Day in Skepticism

 * October 15: Global Handwashing Day! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_Handwashing_Day

Vitamins and Mortality

 * http://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/index.php/vitamins-and-mortality/

Megavirus

 * http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-15242386

NDEs

 * http://www.theepochtimes.com/n2/science/near-death-experiences-30-years-of-research-part-1-61547.html

More UFOs

 * http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-15165928 and UFB - http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2047746/The-proof-UFOs-exist-picture-taken-Cornish-coast.html

Electrosense

 * http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111011163057.htm

Airborne Petition

 * http://skepchick.org/2011/10/the-airborne-identity/

Who's That Noisy

 * Answer to last week: Zaphod Beeblebrox IV

Interview with Stephen L. Macknik, Ph.D. and Susana Martinez-Conde, Ph.D.

 * http://www.sleightsofmind.com/

Science or Fiction
Item #1: Astronomers discover that the intergalactic fog that was present in the early universe was likely cleared away by rogue black holes. Item #2: Scientists discover that communication among bacteria plays an important role in global climate change. Item #3: A research team has created a new form (or allotrope) of carbon that has the hardness of diamond but is amorphous.

Skeptical Quote of the Week
"'Imagination should give wings to our thoughts but we always need decisive experimental proof, and when the moment comes to draw conclusions and to interpret the gathered observations, imagination must be checked and documented by the factual results of the experiment.' Louis Pasteur"

Announcements

 * CSIcon: http://www.centerforinquiry.net/events/csicon_2011/
 * Podcast Awards: http://podcastawards.com/