SGU Episode 189

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

Item #1 – Vaccine Update

 * http://www.theness.com/neurologicablog/?p=478 http://omg.yahoo.com/news/jenny-mccarthy-on-playboy-botox-husband-jim-carrey/19433

Item #2 - Designer Babies

 * http://www.theness.com/neurologicablog/?p=488

Item #3 - Riversnake Update

 * http://www.boingboing.net/2009/02/26/are-the-photos-of-bo.html

Item #4 - TAM7 Info

 * TAM 7 Registration: http://www.randi.org/site/index.php/component/content/article/37-static/446-the-amazing-meeting-7-registration.html

Interview with Kenny Feder

 * Archeologist Dr. Kenny Feder discusses a recent Clovis tool find in Colorado http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090226/ap_on_sc/ancient_tools

Science or Fiction
Item # 1: MIT engineers have developed a process to nanostitch composite materials together, such as those used in aircraft manufacture, with carbon nanotubes making the materials 10 times stronger and a million times more conductive. Item #2: A researcher has developed a device that can induce a room-temperature plasma field in a sealed food package which kills bacteria and reduces the risk of food-borne infection. Item # 3: Researchers find that those who profess deep religious belief perform significantly poorer on standardized tests of mental agility, such as the Stroop test.

Who's That Noisy

 * Answer to last week - a wind turbine

Quote of the Week
"“I bought a doughnut and they gave me a receipt for the doughtnut... I don't need a receipt for the doughnut. I give you money and you give me the doughnut, end of transaction. We don't need to bring ink and paper into this. I can't imagine a scenario that I would have to prove that I bought a doughnut. To some skeptical friend, 'Don't even act like I didn't get that doughnut, I've got the documentation right here... It's in my file at home. ...Under 'D' -Mitch Hedberg"

Notes and Links

 * Steve and Randi on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tpeEnMFmXsM
 * Bob on Astronomy Cast: http://www.astronomycast.com/astronomy/ep-126-from-skeptics-guide-with-questions/
 * Jay on the Cuddly Skeptic: http://cuddlyatheism.wordpress.com/2009/03/04/a-skeptical-interview-with-sgus-jay-novella/
 * Rebecca on the Sunday Supplement: http://sundayssupplement.blogspot.com/2009/02/episode-thirty-eight.html
 * Skeptoid 150th Episode Party: http://skepticblog.org/2009/02/05/the-skeptoid-150th-episode-party/