SGU Episode 453

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

This Day in Skepticism

 * March 15: Beware the Ides of March! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ides_of_March

Review

 * Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey

Flight 370 Mystery

 * http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/03/10/us-malaysiaairlines-flight-idUSBREA2701720140310

Earth's Shields

 * http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn25176-earth-raises-a-plasma-shield-to-battle-solar-storms.html#.Ux7r4fmwLYh

Meat Study

 * http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/03/140304125639.htm

Who's That Noisy

 * Answer to last week: Sheng

Interview with Jennifer Ouellette

 * http://www.jenniferouellette-writes.com/

Science or Fiction
Item #1: A new study finds that 25% of clinical trials are discontinued prior to their completion. Item #2: Researchers find that subjects fail to identify fake photo IDs (where the picture does not match the person) 45% of the time. Item #3: Researchers studying concession stand sales at sporting events find that the inclusion of healthy options, such as fruit and cheese, caused sales to drop by 30%.

Skeptical Quote of the Week
"'Once a scientific truth emerges from consensus of experiments and observations, it is the way of the world. So say science… When different experiments give you the same result, it is no longer subject to your opinion. That's the good thing about (science). It is true whether or not you believe in it. That's why it works.'- Neil deGrasse Tyson"