Episode #790
News Items
Who's That Noisy
- Answer to last week: Alligator
Science or Fiction
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Item #1
Science
Birds knees do not bend backward relative to humans; the backward bending joint is, in fact, their ankle. https://www.skeletaldrawing.com/home/2011/09/um-hey-scientific-american-bird-knees.html#:~:text=Ok%2C%20time%20for%20a%20quick,any%20tetrapod%20perform%20this%20trick.
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Item #2
Fiction
Birds are unable to digest rice, which will collect and expand in their GI system, potentially leading to death. https://www.jacksonville.com/reason/2016-10-19/fact-check-birds-really-can-eat-rice-safely#:~:text=Ornithologists%20write%20that%20rice%20is,expand%20when%20they%20absorb%20moisture.
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Item #3
Science
Penguins are found only in the Southern Hemisphere, but in many locations, including in the Galapagos near the equator. https://galapagosinsiders.com/travel-blog/galapagos-penguin
Skeptical Quote of the Week.
‘Open-mindedness is about being open to changing your mind in light of new evidence. It’s about detaching from your beliefs and focusing on unbiased thinking void of self-interest. It’s about being open to constructive criticism and new ideas. People who are sceptical do all of this as well—they challenge ideas and they withhold judgment until sufficient evidence is provided—they are open to all possibilities until sufficient evidence is presented.’ Christopher Dwyer, Ph.D., author of ‘Critical Thinking: Conceptual Perspectives and Practical Guidelines’