SGU Episode 315

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

This Day in Skepticism

 * July 30, 1898,: Corn Flakes were invented by William Kellogg.

TAM9 and Upcoming Events

 * http://www.theskepticsguide.org/resources/events.aspx

Victory for Evolution in Texas

 * http://ncse.com/news/2011/07/victory-evolution-texas-006802

New Moon for Pluto

 * http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-14220620

Life in the Universe

 * http://www.space.com/12421-alien-life-rare-universe-extraterrestrials-seti.html

Connecticut Chupacabra

 * http://fairfield.patch.com/articles/southport-resident-reports-sighting-of-bizarre-creature-some-claim-is-a-chupacabra#photo-752971

Who's That Noisy

 * Answer to last week: Barn Owl

Interview with Bill Nye

 * http://planetary.org/home/

Science or Fiction
Item #1: A new analysis indicates that the greatest threat to endangered large African mammal species is the conservation laws designed to protect them. Item #2: Biologists discover that the cottony cushion scale insect fertilizes its eggs with sperm that live inside of it as a separate infectious tissue lineage. Item #3: Scientists discover that the biomass of a species in a given ecosystem is determined entirely by it's place in the food chain, and not by animal type, size, or other variable.

Skeptical Quote of the Week
"'A live body and a dead body contain the same number of particles. Structurally, there’s no discernible difference. Life and death are unquantifiable abstracts. Why should I be concerned?' - Dr. Manhattan"