Skeptics Guide To The Universe Premium #474 - Ad Free torrent

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Ad-Free Version of Skeptics Guide To The Universe Podcast

Weekly science podcast produced by the New England Skeptical Society. Also provides blogs, forums, videos and resources.

This Day in Skepticism

August 9, 1945 Nuclear bombing of Nagasaki
News Items

Ebola 2014 http://theness.com/neurologicablog/index.php/ebola-pseudoscience/
Rosetta in Orbit http://www.cnn.com/2014/08/06/world/rosetta-spacecraft-comet-approach/
EM Drive http://theness.com/neurologicablog/index.php/nasa-tests-em-drive/
Hobbit Update http://www.theskepticsguide.org/hobbit-specimen-likely-down-syndrome
Volcanoes on Io http://www.theskepticsguide.org/jupiters-moon-io-two-weeks-of-volcanic-hell
Who's That Noisy

Who's That Noisy Answer to last week: Dolph Lundgren
Questions and Emails

Question #1: Herxing What can you guys tell me about 'herxing' (aka Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction)? As far as I can make out, it is a minor footnote of medical science, but to the 'chronic Lyme' crowd it is a crucial and magical diagnostic tool — better than any serological test. According to Wikipedia, 'reaction commonly occurs within two hours of drug administration, but is usually self-limiting.' In 'chronic Lyme' land, though, herxing goes on for days, weeks, months, years. It waxes and wanes. It can produce a wide variety of symptoms and often resembles the throes of religious ecstasy. Most dubious, 'chronic Lyme' sufferers are instructed to gauge their own health and response to treatment with this bizarro yardstick where the sicker you feel, the better you're getting. Seems like a sketchy racket to me. Kindly disinfect with sunlight. Thanks! Jeremy NYC
Interview

Interview with Dr. Karl Kruszelnicki Interview with Dr. Karl Kruszelnicki
Science or Fiction [ Show Answers ]

Item #1 Researchers report that they were able to change the color of a butterfly population’s wings from brown to violet in just six generations of selection. http://news.yale.edu/2014/08/05/butterflies-are-free-change-colors-new-yale-research
Item #2 A new study finds that asking people a single question, to rate themselves on a 7 point narcissism scale, is as reliable and valid as longer narcissism surveys consisting of 40 or more questions. http://www.plosone.org/article/fetchObject.action?uri=info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0103469&representation=PDF
Item #3 Scientists have developed a technique for bending sound waves along a curved path in open air, without the need of any special medium. https://newscenter.lbl.gov/2014/08/04/bottling-up-sound-waves/
Skeptical Quote of the Week

Skeptical Quote of the Week 'You got it buddy: the large print giveth, and the small print taketh away / Step right up' - Tom Waits