Skeptics Guide #976

The Skeptic’s Guide to the Universe Skepticast #976 March 20th 2024 Segment #1. Quickie with Steve https://www.bbc.com/news/health-68609297 Segment #2. News Items News Item #1 – Starship’s Third Launch https://www.space.com/spacex-starship-third-test-flight-faa-investigation News Item #2 – Extinct Flu Virus https://www.livescience.com/health/flu/a-branch-of-the-flu-family-tree-has-died-and-wont-be-included-in-future-us-vaccines News Item #3 – Keeping Voyager 1 Going https://arstechnica.com/space/2024/03/finally-engineers-have-a-clue-that-could-help-them-save-voyager-1/ News Item #4 – Death by Exorcism https://www.nbcnews.com/video/hearing-begins-in-alleged-california-exorcism-death-206991429705 News Item #5 – Energy Demand Increasing https://theness.com/neurologicablog/energy-demand-increasing/ Segment #3. Who’s That Noisy Segment #4. Your Questions and E-mails Question #1: Fighting Lions 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. Item 1: Researchers have developed a universal exoskeleton control system that can work for any user without the need for extensive calibration or training. Item 2: Scientists created a new method for using classic computers to error-correct quantum computers, resulting in a 60 qubit quantum computer with an accuracy rate of 91%. Item 3: New material design allows for structural wood to create buildings as high as 18 stories. Segment #6. Skeptical Quote of the Week “One takes comfort from the fact there is no Gresham’s laws in science. In the long run, good science drives out bad.” ― Martin Gardner


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