Skeptics Guide #1066

The Skeptic’s Guide to the Universe Skepticast #1066 December 9th 2025 Segment #1. News Items News Item #3 – Young Cancer https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/08/health/cancer-young-people-deaths.html News Item #2 – Adapting to Modern Life https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251207031335.htm News Item #1 – Safety of mRNA Vaccines https://theness.com/neurologicablog/new-study-on-the-covid-19-mrna-vaccines/ News Item #4 – Cosmic Rays Ground Aircraft https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20251201-how-cosmic-rays-grounded-thousands-of-aircraft News Item #5 – Reverse Aging Claim https://www.aol.com/articles/simon-cowell-says-hes-aging-171258148.html Segment #2. Who’s That Noisy Segment #3. Your Questions and E-mails Question #1: Pronunciation Question #2: EU Gene Editing European Union negotiators reached a deal on new rules for gene editing to help farmers produce healthier animals and crops. The new rules exempt gene-edited plants and animals from the bloc's regulations covering genetically modified organisms because gene editing mimics the natural breeding process. The law still needs to be formally approved by the European Parliament and the EU Council to take effect. European Union negotiators reached a deal on new rules that pave the way for gene editing, a technique that will help farmers produce healthier animals and crops as they adjust to climate change. Representatives of member states, the European Commission and the European Parliament agreed in the early hours of Thursday on the final shape of a law that will exempt gene-edited plants and animals from the bloc’s regulations covering genetically modified organisms. Crucially, gene editing mimics the natural breeding process, and doesn’t introduce DNA from a different species like conventional GM organisms. Barry Appelman Segment #4. Who Am I Segment #5. Science or Fiction Each week our host will come up with three science news items or facts, two genuine, one fictitious. He will challenge our panel of skeptics to sniff out the fake – and you can play along. Theme: 1066 Item 1: After the Norman Conquest in 1066, French became the official language of England, and remained so until 1362. Item 2: The decisive technology of the Battle of Hastings was the stirrup, used effectively by the Norman cavalry, but not yet in use by their Anglo Saxon counterparts. Item 3: Halley’s Comet appeared in the skies in 1066 and was thought to be a significant omen by both sides, and is even depicted in the famed Bayeux Tapestry depicting the Normal Conquest. Segment #6. Skeptical Quote of the Week "We are all flawed and creatures of our times. Is it fair to judge us by the unknown standards of the future?” ― Carl Sagan, The Demon-Haunted World: Science as a Candle in the Dark


View on YouTube.

Did Jack Disprove the Moon Landing?

Does the moon phase play a part in determining the time of moonrise and set? It turns out it does and Dr. Bob goes over the facts of why it does. In this video we also go over the claim that the moon phase in Louisville, KY on July 20, 1969 proved it was not possible that Apollo 11 was on the moon during the famous Nixon phone call.. Here is the discord link: https://discord.gg/yPUgFMSpZ7 Join this channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC68chxz-bc3e1gYq5WdfClA/join Donate to the Telescope Fund: https://www.patreon.com/posts/116418109 MEMBERSHIPS: https://www.patreon.com/c/bobthescienceguy/membership PayPal Link Telescope Link: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=JSAFP8KSRZDQQ Bob's Websites Check them OUT: Bob the Science Guy: https://www.youtube.com/user/drbob420 ResearchFlatMoon (the production channel): https://www.youtube.com/c/ResearchFlatMoon Slide Rules and Mathematics (STEM Education): https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEXa89aIdG222z8ADB0e7GA Shamrock Banks Observatory: https://www.youtube.com/c/CommonSenseScience Please consider becoming a Patreon of the Channel- All money donated through paypal or from the patreons goes directly into improvements in the channel (computers, cameras, lights etc) or to create educational videos (sextants, telescope equipment, etc). https://www.patreon.com/bobthescienceguy Bob


View on YouTube.

Raindrops aren't raindrop-shaped

I didn't HAVE to go flying in a wind tunnel to prove that raindrops aren't shaped like you think, but... Join us on Patreon! https://patreon.com/itsokaytobesmart Instagram http://www.instagram.com/DrJoeHanson http://www.instagram.com/okaytobesmart Facebook https://www.facebook.com/itsokaytobesmartpbs/


View on YouTube.

Percy Jackson Season 2 Episodes 1 & 2 - TheMythologyGuy discusses

Produced by The Mythology Guy
This episode features: Percy Jackson Season 2 Episodes 1 & 2 - TheMythologyGuy discusses

Additional Information:
► Instagram: https://instagram.com/tartarusgames
► Card Game: https://tartarusgames.squarespace.com

For more information or to watch the video on YouTube, click here!

TheMythologyGuy Live Chat/Q&A

Produced by The Mythology Guy
This episode features: TheMythologyGuy Live Chat/Q&A

Additional Information:
► Instagram: https://instagram.com/tartarusgames
► Card Game: https://tartarusgames.squarespace.com

For more information or to watch the video on YouTube, click here!

What’s the best position to sleep in? - Rachel Marie E. Salas

Is there a best sleep position? Dig into how sleeping on your side, back, or stomach can impact your body and health. -- Sleep positions go by countless creative names— the zombie, mountain climber, free faller, soldier, and more. Yet sleep experts typically simplify them into the basic types: side, stomach, or back. Individual sleep styles are highly personal, but how we spend the night affects our bodies and health in several ways. So, what’s the best position to sleep in? Rachel Marie E. Salas investigates. Lesson by Rachel Marie E. Salas, directed by Sofia Pashaei. Support Our Non-Profit Mission ---------------------------------------------- Support us on Patreon: http://bit.ly/TEDEdPatreon Check out our merch: http://bit.ly/TEDEDShop ---------------------------------------------- Connect With Us ---------------------------------------------- Sign up for our newsletter: http://bit.ly/TEDEdNewsletter Follow us on Facebook: http://bit.ly/TEDEdFacebook Find us on Twitter: http://bit.ly/TEDEdTwitter Peep us on Instagram: http://bit.ly/TEDEdInstagram ---------------------------------------------- Keep Learning ---------------------------------------------- View full lesson: https://ed.ted.com/lessons/whats-the-best-position-to-sleep-in-rachel-marie-e-salas Dig deeper with additional resources: https://ed.ted.com/lessons/whats-the-best-position-to-sleep-in-rachel-marie-e-salas/digdeeper Music: https://www.campstudio.co ---------------------------------------------- Thank you so much to our patrons for your support! Without you this video would not be possible! Nathan Milford, Tomas Beckett, Alice Ice, Eric Berman, Kurt Paolo Sevillano, Jennifer Heald, Megulo Abebe, isolwi, Kate Sem, Ujjwal Dasu, Angel Alberici, Minh Quan Dinh, Sylvain, Terran Gimpel, Talia Sari, Katie McDowell, Allen, Mahina Knuckles, Charmaine Hanson, Thawsitt, Jezabel, Abdullah Abdulaziz, Xiao Yu, Melissa Suarez, Brian A. Dunn, Francisco Amaya, Daisuke Goto, Matt Switzler, Peng, Tzu-Hsiang, Bethany Connor, Jeremy Shimanek, Mark Byers, Avinash Amarnath, Xuebicoco, Rayo, Po Foon Kwong, Boffin, Jesse Jurman, Scott Markley, Elija Peterson, Ovidiu Mrd, paul g mohney, Steven Razey, Nathan Giusti, Helen Lee, Anthony Benedict, Karthik Balsubramanian, Annastasshia Ames, Amy Lopez, and Vinh-Thuy Nguyen.


View on YouTube.

What is this strange pattern down the east coast of America?

There is this strange pattern of bodies of water all down the east coast of America and most of them point north west. They're called Carolina Bays as they're found predominantly in the Carolina states and they're home to some crazy wildlife. But how did they form?


View on YouTube.