SGU Episode 130

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

Scientists Make Beating Heart

 * www.scienceblog.com/cms/researchers-create-beating-heart-lab-15218.html

Divining Intervention

 * www.theskepticsguide.org/sgublog/?p=110

UFO Over Texas

 * www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=18146244

More Evidence Against Vaccines Causing Autism

 * www.theness.com/neurologicablog/index.php?p=159 vaccineawakening.blogspot.com/2006/10/ca-autism-increases-with-rate-decline.html www.safeminds.org/government/safeminds-analysis-schechter-grether-01-08v2.pdf

Tom Cruise Recruiting Video

 * gawker.com/5002269/the-cruise-indoctrination-video-scientology-tried-to-suppress

Dinosaur Extinction
"SGU gang: Although it's possible I may be overlooking a simple explanation, I'm not quite sure how an asteroid and/or volcanic activity killed off the dinosaurs without destroying almost every other existing species living at the same time. If the theory is correct that it was the resulting dust and smoke that blocked out the sun for years and years, which in turn would have killed off plant life, why didn't ALL living creatures, except bacteria of course, go the way of Dino? This doesn't seem logical, although, again, I may be missing a simple explanation. Help and thanx. Paul DesOrmeaux Rochester, NY"

Interview with Brian Dunning

 * www.skeptoid.com

Science or Fiction
Question #1: New research shows that some over-the-counter dietary supplements may promote the progression of prostate cancer. Question #2: New evidence shows that humans have better hearing, in terms of frequency discrimination, than almost all other animals. Question #3: The bubonic plague has recently reached epidemic levels in parts of Africa and Asia and experts warn of a possible worldwide pandemic if immediate steps are not taken.

Quote of the Week
"'I am among those who think that science has great beauty. A scientist in his laboratory is not only a technician: he is also a child placed before natural phenomena which impress him like a fairy tale.'-Marie Curie"

Announcements

 * Announcements: Rebecca interviewed for The Infidel Guy: www.infidelguy.com Steve interviewed for Books and Ideas podcast: http://booksandideas.wordpress.com/2008/01/18/books-and-ideas-16-interview-with-dr-stephen-novella-from-the-s/

== References ==