Episode #759

Episode #759

News Items

• New Coronavirus
• Proxima C
• Wulong bohaiensis
• Cancer Discovery
• Marshmallow Test Revisited
• Stress and Gray Hair

Who's That Noisy

• Answer to last week: vowels

Science or Fiction [ Show Answers ]

• Item #1 Fiction

  A deepwater shark discovered in the Gulf of Mexico, Mollisquama mississippiensis, has light-producing organs and is also the second largest shark known, second only to the whale shark. https://news.mongabay.com/2019/12/photos-top-15-new-species-of-2019/

• Item #2 Science

  A new plant with giant leaves over 8 feet long, Coccolobia gigantifolia, was finally described. Researchers had to wait 13 years to grow the plant from seeds until it produced flowers and fruit, allowing for a full description.

• Item #3 Science

  A new species of grouper, Epinephelus fuscomarginatus, was discovered in a fish market – the scientist had to purchase all the specimens to bring back to his lab.

Skeptical Quote of the Week.

‘Extended training in nonsense doesn’t make for better nonsense.’ - Mark Crislip