Skeptics Guide #914

The Skeptic’s Guide to the Universe Skepticast #914 January 12th 2023 Segment #1. Dumbest Thing of the Week https://nypost.com/2023/01/04/potatoes-in-socks-flu-remedy-shocks-tiktok-what-came-out-of-my-body/ Segment #2. News Items News Item #1 – Roman Concrete https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/01/230106144441.htm News Item #2 – Neuroimaging and Mental Health https://neurosciencenews.com/mental-health-neuroimaging-22228/ News Item #3 – Using Tumor Cells to Kill Tumors https://theness.com/neurologicablog/index.php/using-tumor-cells-to-kill-tumors/ News Item #4 – Planet Spirals Into Its Sun https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/planet-spiralling-into-its-sun-may-offer-glimpse-into-earths-end-3620632/amp/1 Segment #3. Who’s That Noisy Segment #4. Your Questions and E-mails Question #1: Damascus Steel I have listened to every episode, huge fan! I have never heard you guys talk about the Damascus steel debate This comes up frequently when people on YouTube or in blacksmithing TV shows make steel cut and folded into ornate patterns, it is referred to as Damascus steel. Then the nerds come out of the woodwork: "Actually the technique to making true Damascus steel has been lost to time and modern attempts are nowhere near as strong" From a material science standpoint (bob) is there any truth to the claim that ancient Damascus is a better material for swordmaking than modern Damascus? It seems almost a given that with modern metallurgy, knowledge, equipment and techniques that we can make a better steel and still have the signature pattern visible after polishing. What do you guys think? Thanks for the great show P.s. I wheezed when I heard Avatar described as "Dances with Smurfs”. John F Mullan 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: #1) Recent research demonstrates that with as few as three genetic changes human hemoglobin can be made to function similarly to crocodilian hemoglobin, allowing for extended periods on a single breath of air. #2) Researchers have developed artificial biorealistic nerve cells capable of communicating using ions, and stimulating living nerves. #3) An international team of scientists have found that there are millions of abandoned mines worldwide that can be converted into grid storage units with as much as 70 TWh of storage (about one day of world energy use). Segment #6. Skeptical Quote of the Week My prompt: "Generate a memorable and funny quote about the importance of skepticism in today's society. Please also give a very brief analyzing of your own quote and its meaning." ChatGPT's answer: "Without skepticism, we'd believe everything we hear, like unicorns being real and pineapple on pizza being a good idea. Best regards, Viggo Tellefsen Wivestad


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