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The Skeptics' Guide To The Universe - Podcast 253 - 5/19/2010
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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 253 - May 19, 2010

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News Items: Cell Phone Cancer Update, Why Does Matter Exist, Applied Kinesiology, BMA Trashes Homeopathy, Early Bird Feathers, Ball Lightening, Pesticides and ADHD
Who's That Noisy
Science or Fiction



Segment:   News Items     
Cell Phone Cancer Update     http://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/?p=5207
Why Does Matter Exist     http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/18/science/space/18cosmos.html?ref=science
Applied Kinesiology     http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Piu75P8sxTo
BMA Trashes Homeopathy     http://ibnlive.in.com/news/homeopathy-is-witchcraft-says-uk-medical-body/115455-17.html?from=tn
Early Bird Feathers     http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2010/may/13/early-birds-feathers-not-for-flight
Ball Lightening     http://www.technologyreview.com/blog/arxiv/25166/
Pesticides and ADHD     http://www.theness.com/neurologicablog/?p=1962

Segment:   Who's That Noisy     
Who's That Noisy     Answer to last week - the sound of Dark Matter

Segment:   Questions and E-mails     
Question #1 - Liquid Mountaineering     http://skepchick.org/blog/2010/05/how-to-google-aka-liquid-mountaineering-is-a-viral-ad/
Question #2 - Cults     Big fan etc etc but I often (in the podcast, in the Why Are Nerds Unpopular article) hear/see you use the term "cult". Could you give a definition of what a cult is? Specifically, could you provide one that distinguishes a "cult" from, say, a Baptist church, or a Buddhist society, while also being encompassing enough to include all of the different groups that people have applied the label "cult" to? I ask because I do not have such a definition, and from everything that I know about the sociology of religions it is not possible to have such a definition. "Cult" seems to be a derogatory term applied by members of a dominant/popular religious group towards a smaller religious group that they don't like, and I'm disappointed that you use it so readily and without any qualification. I know you're very busy, but I hope you find time to respond. Regards, Jakub

Segment:   Science or Fiction     [ Click Here to Show the Answers ]
Item #1     A new study shows that wild birds prefer conventionally grown seeds to their organically grown counterparts. http://www.wiley.com/WileyCDA/PressRelease/pressReleaseId-75017.html
Item #2     A recent review concludes that epidemiological and animal data support the conclusion that caffeine slows progression and improves function in Alzheimer's disease and other dementias. http://www.physorg.com/news193317154.html
Item #3     Researchers announce that they have successfully developed a universal flu vaccine that can be widely available prior to the next flu season. http://www.physorg.com/news193498065.html

Segment:   Quote of the Week     
Quote of the Week     "Imagination is as vital to any advance in science as learning and precision are essential for starting points." - Percival Lowell 1855-1916 Astronomer, founded Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, began effort to find Pluto, famous for claiming to have found canals on Mars.
 
 
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