SGU Episode 539

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SGU Episode 539
November 7th 2015
(brief caption for the episode icon)
SGU 538                      SGU 540
Skeptical Rogues
S: Steven Novella
B: Bob Novella
C: Cara Santa Maria
J: Jay Novella
E: Evan Bernstein
Quote of the Week
Science has proof without any certainty. Creationists have certainty without any proof.
Ashley Montagu
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Show Notes
Forum Discussion

Introduction

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

Forgotten Superheroes of Science ()

• Andrea Ghez: is an Astronomer and UCLA professor. She was voted one of the top 20 scientists in the US and studies stellar motions near the Milky Ways' supermassive blackhole

News Items

Poop Power ()

• http://news.discovery.com/human/will-the-future-be-powered-by-feces-151103.htm#mkcpgn=rssnws1

Parallel Universe ()

• http://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/sciencefair/2015/11/03/alternate-universes-discovered/75102502/

Whole Universe Simulation ()

• http://astronomynow.com/2015/10/30/q-continuum-computer-simulation-models-birth-of-universe/

3D Printed Rhino Horns ()

• http://news.discovery.com/tech/biotechnology/3d-printed-synthetic-rhino-horns-could-save-rhinos-150624.htm+

Special Report ()

• http://westhartfordchurch.com/skepticsforum/

Who's That Noisy ()

• Answer to last week: vocaloid

What's the Word ()

• Indolent

Swindler's List ()

• Ransomware

Science or Fiction ()

Item #1: An examination of the medications used by astronauts on long duration missions aboard the ISS finds that the most common medications used are for anxiety. Item #2: A large survey of anti-vaccine websites finds that 2/3 of them use scientific studies to support their negative claims about vaccines, while 1/3 use anecdotes. Item #3: A new study suggests that supervolcanoes, unlike regular volcanoes, do not erupt because of a buildup of pressure in their magma chambers, and therefore require an external trigger.

Skeptical Quote of the Week ()

'Science has proof without any certainty. Creationists have certainty without any proof.' - Ashley Montagu

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