Episode #444

Episode #444

News Items

• Self-Cleaning Clothes
• Fukushima Fallout
• Tiktaalik Update
• Universal Flu Vaccine
• Snowden Alien Conspiracy
• Blood-Type Diet

Who's That Noisy

• Answer to last week:

Science or Fiction [ Show Answers ]

• Item #1 Science

  A new study reexamines classic moral dilemma psychology scenarios using virtual reality, finding that subjects are more utilitarian (basing decisions on outcomes rather than moral reasoning) when facing the scenarios in virtual reality than when simply asked what they would do. http://www.alphagalileo.org/ViewItem.aspx?ItemId=138033&CultureCode=en

• Item #2 Fiction

  A recently published study finds a so-called “obesity paradox” – overweight or obese patients with type 2 diabetes survive longer than their normal weight counterparts. http://www.nejm.org/doi/pdf/10.1056/NEJMoa1304501

• Item #3 Science

  New research finds that even the oldest trees grow faster and store more carbon as they age. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/01/140115132740.htm

Skeptical Quote of the Week.

“The line between what is known scientifically and what has to be assumed in order to support knowledge is impossible to draw. Memory itself is an internal rumour.” – George Santayana