Skeptics Guide #879

The Skeptic’s Guide to the Universe Skepticast #879 May 10th 2022 Segment #1. Evan Best UFO Picture https://zeenews.india.com/world/do-aliens-exist-researchers-release-best-ever-ufo-picture-netizens-baffled-2461859.html Segment #2. News Items News Item #1 – AI Artist https://voonze.com/dalle-2-the-artificial-intelligence-that-draws-anything-you-ask-of-it/ News Item #2 – Molten Salt Battery https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/rechargeable-molten-salt-battery-freezes-energy-in-place-for-long-term-storage/ News Item #3 – Trolling Science Journalism https://undark.org/2022/05/05/trolling-is-taking-a-toll-on-science-journalism/ News Item #4 – Solar Thermochemical Hydrogen Production https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0960148122003925?via%3Dihub Segment #3. Who’s That Noisy Segment #4. Your Questions and E-mails Question #1: Action Bias and Vaccines Just a quick question. I have heard several times on the show how there is this mentality that doing nothing is safer than doing something when it comes to vaccines but the science or fiction (episode 878) says otherwise. What is going on here? Thank you for all you do. 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. #1) In a recent study subjects were 30% less likely to choose a chocolate chip cookie that was described as “scientifically developed”. #2) An examination of eye control of fruit flies in flight follows a similar scheme as eye control in primates, suggesting convergent evolution across phyla. #3) Astronomers report that for the first time they have examined a star with spectroscopy and identified every known stable element within it. Segment #6. Skeptical Quote of the Week "Scientific research involves going beyond the well-trodden and well-tested ideas and theories that form the core of scientific knowledge. During the time scientists are working things out, some results will be right, and others will be wrong. Over time, the right results will emerge." Lisa Randall, American theoretical physicist, the Frank B. Baird, Jr. Professor of Science on the physics faculty of Harvard University


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