Skeptics Guide #987

The Skeptics Guide To The Universe

The Skeptic’s Guide to the Universe Skepticast #987 June 5th 2024 Segment #1. Quickie with Bob https://gizmodo.com/drake-equation-update-fermi-paradox-intelligent-life-1851503974 Segment #2. News Items News Item #1 – Change-6 Lifts Off from Moon https://www.reuters.com/technology/space/chinas-change-6-probe-lifts-off-far-side-moon-2024-06-04/ News Item #2 – Adaptogens https://sciencebasedmedicine.org/what-are-adaptogens/ News Item #3 – Younger Periods https://cosmosmagazine.com/health/age-of-first-period-of-us-women-declines/ News Item #4 – More Aliens https://www.irishstar.com/news/us-news/aliens-are-real-us-army-32884961 News Item #5 – Metasurface Night Vision https://www.optica-opn.org/home/newsroom/2024/june/a_metasurface_approach_to_night_vision/ Segment #3. Who’s That Noisy Segment #4. Your Questions and E-mails Question #1: Megabits Question #2: Aliens, Pyramids and Racism 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: GMOs Item 1: Researchers have developed a photosynthesis-enhanced poplar tree variety with a greater than 50% increase in above ground biomass accumulation. Item 2: The pink glow pineapple is approved in the US, it has pink flesh that is sweeter, less sour, with hints of watermelon. Item 3: A biotech company has begun shipping “firefly petunias”, which glow when you touch or shake them. Segment #6. Skeptical Quote of the Week "Remember that all models are wrong; the practical question is how wrong do they have to be to not be useful." George Box, Empirical Model-Building and Response Surfaces (1987)