SGU Episode 504

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SGU Episode 504
March 7th 2015
(brief caption for the episode icon)
SGU 503                      SGU 505
Skeptical Rogues
S: Steven Novella
B: Bob Novella
J: Jay Novella
E: Evan Bernstein
Guest
A: Alan Melikdjanian
Quote of the Week
Accepting death - by understanding that every life comes to an end, when time demands it. Loss of life is to be mourned, but only if the life was wasted.
Spock to younger Spock in Yesteryear - STA
Links
Download Podcast
Show Notes
Forum Discussion

Introduction

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

Special Report (5:32)

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leonard_Nimoy

Forgotten Superheroes of Science (12:11)

• Oswald Avery Jr: physician and Medical Researcher was the first to identify DNA as the molecule of inheritance

News Items

Dress Color Hubbub (17:57)

• http://theness.com/neurologicablog/index.php/what-color-is-this-dress-its-an-optical-illusion/

Ranking Websites by Factual Accuracy (28:39)

• http://theness.com/neurologicablog/index.php/google-wants-to-ranks-websites-for-trustworthiness/

Reverse Eyeball Solution (42:03)

• http://www.theskepticsguide.org/scientists-propose-incorrect-origin-to-backwards-eye

Dawn at Ceres (49:52)

• http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2015/03/150302-black-hole-blast-biggest-science-galaxies-space/

Who's That Noisy (50:08)

• Answer to last week: Iceberg

Dumbest Thing of the Week (53:47)

• http://scienceblogs.com/insolence/2015/03/03/mike-adams-attacks-jimmy-kimmel-for-hate-speech/ and http://video.foxbusiness.com/v/4090424358001/jimmy-kimmel-doctors-create-vaccination-psa/?#sp=show-clips

Science or Fiction (1:02:21)

Item #1: A new genetic study of mice finds that fathers have a greater genetic influence on their offspring than mothers. Item #2: New research finds that regular consumption of peanuts is associated with a 23-38% decrease in cardiovascular mortality. Item #3: Field trials on a new GMO strain of wheat with increased photosynthesis demonstrate more than double increased yield from conventional wheat hybrids.

Announcements (1:21:50)

• NorthEast Conference on Science and Skepticism: NECSS.org April 9-12 New York Keynote by Bill Nye
• TAM13: The Amazing Meeting July 16-19 Tropicana Hotel, Las Vegas
• Podcast Awards: http://www.podcastawards.com/ SGU Nominated in Science category

Skeptical Quote of the Week (1:25:30)

'Accepting death - by understanding that every life comes to an end, when time demands it. Loss of life is to be mourned, but only if the life was wasted.' (Spock to younger Spock in Yesteryear - STA)

S: The Skeptics' Guide to the Universe is produced by SGU Productions, dedicated to promoting science and critical thinking. For more information on this and other episodes, please visit our website at theskepticsguide.org, where you will find the show notes as well as links to our blogs, videos, online forum, and other content. You can send us feedback or questions to info@theskepticsguide.org. Also, please consider supporting the SGU by visiting the store page on our website, where you will find merchandise, premium content, and subscription information. Our listeners are what make SGU possible.

References