SGU Episode 259

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

Whooping Cough Epidemic

 * http://www.cdph.ca.gov/Pages/NR10-041.aspx

Whaling Film Questioned

 * http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science_and_environment/10419711.stm

Superconductor Roadblock

 * http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/06/100627155116.htm

Life in 2050

 * http://pewresearch.org/pubs/1635/future-life-2050-computers-cancer-cure-space-travel-energy-world-war-terroist-jesus-return

Call to Ban Homeopathy

 * http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/health-news/doctors-call-for-total-nhs-ban-on-homoeopathy-2011735.html

Question #1 - Orbital Periods
"Correction on orbital periods."

Question #2 - Sunscreen
"Hey Rouges, I've recently had several friends send me articles about sunscreen ineffectiveness and potential harm. Here's a sample article http://www.ewg.org/2010sunscreen/9-surprising-facts-about-sunscreen/. Now that we're starting the summer season, I thought it would be an interesting topic to discuss on the show. Also, it would be totally cool if you would mention our local skeptics group (http://skeptics.madisonwi.us/) on the podcast. We have an active science in the pub group as well (http://madsciencepub.org/). Finally, I was wondering if you had any favorite skeptically-themed songs. I know you've featured Tim Minchin, Greydon Square and Symphony of Science on the show, but what other songs or artists you would add to create the ultimate skeptical playlist? Some of my favorites are 'Superstition' by Stevie Wonder, 'Cosmik Debris' by Frank Zappa and 'Pods and Gods' by NOFX. Anyway, I love the show, and I've been a listener since 2005. (You're partially to blame for inspiring my wife and I to name our son Darwin. He was born in Harrisburg, PA during the intelligent design debate.) Keep up the great work. You have many listeners here in Madison. Thanks, Andy Weidert"

Who's That Noisy

 * Answer to last week: Senator Tom Harkin

Science or Fiction
Item #1: A recent survey shows that only 8% of Americans correctly identified the Summer as the most dangerous driving season. Item #2: The Saturn Cassini probe has recently confirmed the existence of small rings around the moon Rhea. Item #3: A new study shows that learning from online lectures is inferior to learning from their live counterparts.

Quote of the Week
"'Science is the attempt to make the chaotic diversity of our sense experience correspond to a logically uniform system of thought.' - Albert Einstein"