Episode #147

News Items

    Interview with Martin Rundkvist

    • http://scienceblogs.com/aardvarchaeology/http://www.vof.se/Martin is a skeptical archaeologist who discusses with the SGU skepticism and pseudoscience in Sweden, as well as archaeological woo.

    Follow up on Wizardry

    • Hello, I am a big fan of the show, and have been for about a year now. Last week you discussed the substitute who was fired for ‘wizardry.’ I live near Land O’Lakes and have talked to people who were involved in the case. Steve said that it wasn’t that big a deal for letting students use un-authorized computers, which as it is stated isn’t, but according to teachers, he would simply let students play online games rather then following the lesson plan for the day, which could be costly considering the school’s funding is based off the standardized test scores, which are prepared for more then actual learning. As for the wizardry, it seems that came from one off hand remark from the supervisor and was blown out of proportion by the substitute and the local media. Keep up the good work,Jake HallFlorida, US

    Science or Fiction

    • Item #1 Science

      Researchers have developed a video game that is actually a research tool – gamers will learn how to fold proteins and may help advance medical research.

    • Item #2 Science

      Researchers have developed a novel drug-delivery system: genetically altered skin flaps surgically implanted over tumors to deliver cancer-fighting proteins.

    • Item #3 Fiction

      New research shows that natural selection favors parasites that actually make their hosts more fit.

    Skeptical Quote of the Week.