The NESS Podcast Blogs Video Forums SGU Fans Affiliates
 
 

The Skeptics' Guide To The Universe - Podcast 201 - 5/27/2009
<<< Back to Podcast Archive

The Skeptics' Guide To The Universe

The Skeptics' Guide to the Universe is a weekly Podcast talkshow discussing the latest news and topics from the world of the paranormal, fringe science, and controversial claims from a scientific point of view. -The Skeptics' Guide to the Universe: Your escape to reality -Produced by the New England Skeptical Society in association with the James Randi Educational Foundation(JREF) : http://www.theness.com

Podcast 201 - May 27, 2009

  Download Podcast
   Print Show Notes
Interview with Phil Plait
News Items: Whooping Cough Increase, Scientology on Trial, RNA World, Rook Tool Use, Northeast Skeptical Conference
Your Questions and E-mails: Polonium Halos
Science or Fiction
Who's That Noisy



Segment:   News Items     
Whooping Cough on the Rise     http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2009-05-26-whooping-cough_N.htm?csp=usat.me
Scientology On Trial     http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/scientologists-in-france-go-on-trial-for-fraud-1690579.html
RNA World     http://www.theness.com/neurologicablog/?p=541
Rook Tool Use     http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/environment/article6360754.ece
NECSS     NECSS (nexus) - Northeast Conference on Science and Skepticism Date: September 12, 2009 Time: 10AM-6PM Location: New York City Featured Speakers: - James Randi - Carl Zimmer - John Rennie - Paul Offit - Massimo Pigliucci - George Hrab - Kaja Perina - Howard Schneider - John Snyder - Michael DeDora - Jamy Ian Swiss (MC)

Segment:   Questions and E-mails     
Question # 1 - Polonium Halos     As a former creationist, one of the most persuasive arguments that I remember is that of polonium halos in granite. Dr. Robert Gentry claims to have discovered proof of an instantaneous creation of earth in the form of the halos of radioactive polonium in undisturbed granite. He challenges mainstream science to reproduce such an artifact in the laboratory or explain how such a thing could happen naturally. What do you think about this guy, and are his claims at all weighty? Thanks for the great show, guys. I regularly listen to about ten podcasts, and I've got to say that yours is the one I most eagerly wait for every week. P.S. I recently listened to your 2008 year-in-review episode again and had an idea. I've purchased all of the bonus content of the show and loved it, and I would unhesitatingly pay twice as much for an uncensored clip of the show in which Jay's cat barfed on his keyboard. What do you say, Skeptics? Please? Trinity Melvin Valparaiso, Florida

Segment:   Interview     
Interview with Phil Plait     http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/ http://www.randi.org

Segment:   Science or Fiction     [ Click Here to Show the Answers ]
Item # 1     Epidemiologists warn of a surge in the incidence of leprosy in India and other parts of Asia, which they fear may return to epidemic proportions. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090526202805.htm
Item # 2     Researchers find that in the last 18 years the percentage of Americans following basic healthy lifestyle recommendations has declined. http://www.sciencecodex.com/following_a_healthy_lifestyle_is_on_the_decline_in_the_us
Item # 3     A cancer patient was detained at customs for several hours because the chemotherapy he was on caused him to lose his finger prints. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090526202730.htm

Segment:   Who's That Noisy     
Whos That Noisy     Atlantic Croaker Fish

Segment:   Quote of the Week     
Quote of the Week     pending
 
 
Home About Resources Media Store Contact Site Map Credits ©2008 THE NEW ENGLAND SKEPTICAL SOCIETY