SGU Episode 317

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

This Day in Skepticism

 * August 13, 1903: The journal Nature reported that helium gas is produced by the radioactive decay of the radium.

Antimatter in Space

 * http://iopscience.iop.org/2041-8205/737/2/L29/

3-D Brain Mapping

 * http://theness.com/neurologicablog/index.php/how-mammalian-brains-map-in-3d/

Time Shift

 * http://www.theatlanticwire.com/global/2011/07/strange-case-volcanic-eruption-set-clocks-15-minutes-fast/39775/

4-Time Lottery Winner

 * http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2023514/Lucky-woman-won-lottery-times-outed-Stanford-University-statistics-PhD.html

Who's That Noisy

 * Answer to last week: sawing dry ice

Question #1 - Robert Johnson
"I'm teasing a bit here... But how can you skip Robert Johnson??? The Father of the Blues... The man who made a deal with the devil at the crossroads! It's a great story. He supposedly sold his soul to the devil in exchange for his ability to play the blues. I tell you what, the blues get no respect (in my best Rodney Dangerfield voice). FYI, you are all brilliant and I truly enjoy every week when I get to listen to your thoughts, insights, and discussions. Keep up the amazing work and I hope to meet you all next year at TAM. Be well, Blake Purnell Kirkland, WA More follow up: http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/console/b012x12m"

Science or Fiction
Item #1: A study of 9th-11th graders finds that, when asked how they would like to be contacted with health information, the majority chose either Facebook or texting over traditional methods. Item #2: New research finds that having the ending of a movie or book spoiled by knowing the plot, even for mysteries, increases rather than decreases enjoyment. Item #3: DNA analysis indicates that modern humans derive about 4% of their DNA from Neanderthals, including some gene variants associated with improved immune function.

Skeptical Quote of the Week
"'And when we die our empty bodies turn to dust/There'll be no pit of fire/No angels singing songs for us/There's nothing we can say that people won't forget some day/There's nothing we can do that matters/And that's okay' From The Future by The Limousines."