SGU Episode 253

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

Cell Phone Cancer Update

 * http://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/?p=5207

Why Does Matter Exist

 * http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/18/science/space/18cosmos.html?ref=science

Applied Kinesiology

 * http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Piu75P8sxTo

BMA Trashes Homeopathy

 * http://ibnlive.in.com/news/homeopathy-is-witchcraft-says-uk-medical-body/115455-17.html?from=tn

Early Bird Feathers

 * http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2010/may/13/early-birds-feathers-not-for-flight

Ball Lightening

 * http://www.technologyreview.com/blog/arxiv/25166/

Pesticides and ADHD

 * http://www.theness.com/neurologicablog/?p=1962

Who's That Noisy

 * Answer to last week - the sound of Dark Matter

Question #1 - Liquid Mountaineering
"http://skepchick.org/blog/2010/05/how-to-google-aka-liquid-mountaineering-is-a-viral-ad/"

Question #2 - Cults
"Big fan etc etc but I often (in the podcast, in the Why Are Nerds Unpopular article) hear/see you use the term 'cult'. Could you give a definition of what a cult is? Specifically, could you provide one that distinguishes a 'cult' from, say, a Baptist church, or a Buddhist society, while also being encompassing enough to include all of the different groups that people have applied the label 'cult' to? I ask because I do not have such a definition, and from everything that I know about the sociology of religions it is not possible to have such a definition. 'Cult' seems to be a derogatory term applied by members of a dominant/popular religious group towards a smaller religious group that they don't like, and I'm disappointed that you use it so readily and without any qualification. I know you're very busy, but I hope you find time to respond. Regards, Jakub"

Science or Fiction
Item #1: A new study shows that wild birds prefer conventionally grown seeds to their organically grown counterparts. Item #2: A recent review concludes that epidemiological and animal data support the conclusion that caffeine slows progression and improves function in Alzheimer's disease and other dementias. Item #3: Researchers announce that they have successfully developed a universal flu vaccine that can be widely available prior to the next flu season.

Quote of the Week
"'Imagination is as vital to any advance in science as learning and precision are essential for starting points.' - Percival Lowell 1855-1916 Astronomer, founded Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, began effort to find Pluto, famous for claiming to have found canals on Mars."