Episode #927

Episode #927

News Items

• Dopamine Detox
• Overprotection May Cause Anxiety
• W Boson Mass
• No Health Benefits from Moderate Drinking

Interview with Jon Bornstein

• Chief Operating Officer of Amprius Technologies.

Science or Fiction [ Show Answers ]

• Item #1 Fiction

  Researchers have developed a new sprayable enzyme that can rapidly break down PET plastics at ambient temperatures, making them usable in natural environments, including sea water. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-023-37415-x

• Item #2 Science

  A new analysis finds that most of the plastic injested by vultures come directly from food producers, like restaurants, rather than landfills or other sources. https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fevo.2023.1158453/full

• Item #3 Science

  Scientists report the development of a new class of material that is rigid, stronger than hard plastics, moldable at low temperature, are endlessly recyclable, made from non-toxic plant material, are stable when coated, but break down in minutes when broken and exposed to water. https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acssuschemeng.2c06981

Skeptical Quote of the Week.

‘A large portion of overconfidence stems from a desire to feel certain. Certainty is simple. Certainty is comfortable. Certainty makes us feel smart and competent. Your strength as a scout is in your ability to resist that temptation.’ Julia Galef