SGU Episode 421

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

This Day in Skepticism

 * August 10 1846: an Act of Congress established the Smithsonian Institution.

Dead Monk Alive

 * http://www.altering-perspectives.com/2013/05/dead-buddhist-monk-is-alive.html

Lab Grown Burger

 * http://phys.org/news/2013-08-reaction-lab-made-burger-lacks-flavor.html http://phys.org/news/2013-08-world-lab-grown-burger-london.html

Dolphin Memory

 * http://www.nature.com/news/dolphins-remember-each-other-for-decades-1.13519

Cattle Mutilations

 * http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2382250/Are-aliens-blame-Missouri-farmer-Lyn-Mitchell-finds-cow-mutilated-genitals-missing-organs.html

Gluten Follow Up

 * http://theness.com/neurologicablog/index.php/gluten-free-defined/

Who's That Noisy?

 * Answer to last week: ringing rocks

HPV Vaccine
"Hi Steve and the Rouges, I’ve been sparring over the past few days with several people on forums regarding the safety of the HPV vaccine. I’ve consistently been able to point out flaws in their logic, but one poster made a comment that sort of floored me with what she said. I have copied the quote in full below for you to look over, but the part I had a question about related to this line: ”HPV (Human papillomavirus) is a virus and a virus cannot live in an alkaline environment. This is proven every time you put chemicals in your pool to boost the alkalinity of the water to kill the bugs. Simple science to me. If you maintain the body’s immune system to its optimum levels and have a body serum pH of 7.35–7.45 the body should rid itself of the virus according to scientific literature.” This seems like a bit of Woo-logic to me, but maybe there is something I am missing. Perhaps a kernel of truth buried beneath a pile of misinformation? If you could please respond with a brief discussion on the point she may be trying to make, I would appreciate it. Thank you for your consideration and keep up the great work with the show, Scott Williams Chicago, IL"

Interview with Michael Mann

 * http://www.meteo.psu.edu/holocene/public_html/Mann/index.php

Science or Fiction
S: Item #1: Scientists have developed a fully automated portable kit for testing the amount of caffeine in beverages. Item #2: Chemists have developed a process for making a strong alcoholic beverage from coffee grounds. Item #3: New research finds that pregnant women who drink coffee daily have a significant increase in the risk of certain birth defects.

Skeptical Quote of the Week
'Simplicity and beauty are the signs not of truth but of a well-constructed approximate model of a limited domain of phenomena.' Lee Smolin in ”Time Reborn”