SGU Episode 284

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

Arsenic-Based Life

 * http://news.sciencemag.org/sciencenow/2010/12/arsenic-researcher-asks-for-time.html

Buttology

 * http://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/?p=8954

V-Steam

 * http://www.latimes.com/health/la-he-v-steam-20101220,0,3315605.story

Singing Mice

 * http://www.physorg.com/news/2010-12-japan-bio-scientists-mouse.html

The Real daVinci Code

 * http://www.aolnews.com/2010/12/13/do-hidden-letters-in-mona-lisas-eyes-reveal-a-real-da-vinci-cod/

Who's That Noisy

 * Answer to last week: walnut sphinx caterpillar

Question #1 - Corrections
"Cichlid, Methane, and Chlorophyll"

Special Report

 * With James Randi and an interview with the SkepticBros, Tim and Nick http://skepticbros.com/placebo-bands/ http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/power-wristbands-banned-and-refunds-ordered-by-accc/story-fn5izo02-1225975249012

Science or Fiction
Item #1: The recent lunar eclipse on the Winter solstice was only the second such event in the last 2000 years, the other one occurring in 1638. Item #2: The earth rotates about it's axis approximately 366.25 times for each revolution about the sun. Item #3: For points on the arctic circle, this (the winter solstice) is the one day of the year with 24 hours of darkness.

Quote of the Week
"'I am somehow less interested in the weight and convolutions of Einstein's brain than in the near certainty that people of equal talent have lived and died in cotton fields and sweatshops.' - Stephen Jay Gould"

Announcements

 * Announcements: SGU wins Podcast Award (thanks to our listeners): http://www.podcastawards.com/ Medical Myths by Steven Novella now available from the Teaching Company: http://www.teach12.com/tgc/courses/course_detail.aspx?cid=1924 Evan appears on Parenting Within Reason: http://foundationbeyondbelief.org/fbbpodcast/ NECSS Looking for sign interpreters: http://www.necsscon.org/