SGU Episode 223

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

Swine Flu Scams

 * http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/health/Beware-The-Swine-Scams-64520047.html

Hulda Clark Died of Cancer

 * http://scienceblogs.com/insolence/2009/10/requiem_for_a_quack_part_ii.php

The Physics of Homeopathy

 * http://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/?p=2366

Scientology Trouble

 * http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/oct/27/scientology-church-fraud-france http://www.movieline.com/2009/10/paul-haggis-renounces-scientology.php?page=all

Suzanne Somers Cancer Quackery

 * http://scienceblogs.com/insolence/2009/10/suzanne_somers_fishy_whole_body_cancer_s.php

Question # 1 - Size of the Universe
"The Universe The universe is about 14 billion years old, so how come the observable universe is larger then 28 billion light years? As a follow up, how is it possible for any star or galaxy or whatever to be more then 14 billion light years apart? Thanks for putting together such a great show Adam Warren Bristol UK"

Question #2 - Mad Scientists
"If you were mad scientists... Message: ...how would you use your knowledge to take over the world? Anders Starmark GÃteborg, Sweden"

Question # 3 - Suspended Animation
"A Big hello to SGU from Darwin Australia, I am writing in to seek your opinion on something I came across on a paranormal and believers pod cast, it may be a good topic for discussion on the show. As painful as it is to listen to them, in the interest of being a good skeptic I find it compulsory to get both sides of the story. They mentioned a possible development in mans quest to cheat death itself. They reported that there could be a way to shut down your body and organs and reanimate them without any ill effects. Of all things, by using poison gas. A biologist named Mark Roth is reported to have been experimenting with a gas (hydrogen sulphide) that when inhaled replaces the oxygen in the body and thus stops the chemical reactions in the body’s cells that initiate degeneration. By doing this even though all vital signs have ceased the body will not die and remains in a state of suspended animation. Roth reportedly started experimenting on fish embryos by draining the oxygen from the embryo finding that the embryo stopped growing and when he reintroduced the oxygen they started growing again. He claims to have repeated the experiment on fruit flies and now rats and the process works. However has reached a hurdle. He says he needs to introduce the hydrogen sulphide by injection to anything larger than a rat. I would love to know what you guys think. Keep up the great work, hope you make it to Australia soon. Keith Simmons PS. I smell a zombie plague on the horizon…….."

Science or Fiction
Item # 1: New research finds that bad driving is partly genetic. Item # 2: Researchers find that ADHD is associated with consuming even a small amount of alcohol while pregnant. Item # 3: A recent analysis shows that 60% of household dust comes from outside air and tracked-in dirt.

Who's That Noisy

 * Answer to last week - the quacking frog

Quote of the Week
"'If anyone can show me, and prove to me, that I am wrong in thought or deed, I will gladly change. I seek the truth, which never yet hurt anybody. It is only persistence in self-delusion and ignorance which does harm.' -Marcus Aurelius"