Skeptics Guide #964

The Skeptic’s Guide to the Universe Skepticast #964 December 20th 2023 SGU Year in Review 2023 Segment #1. Best Science News of 2023 Leqembi for Alzheimer’s disease Osiris Rex Sickle Cell treatment Weight loss drugs Artificial Intelligence India Moon Landing First successful transplant of cryopreserved rat kidney Global Warming – hottest year on record, Canada fires, Antarctic record low ice Segment #2. Favorite SGU Moments Segment #3. Favorite SGU Interviews Segment #4. Skeptical Hero of the Year Segment #5. Skeptical Jackass of the Year Segment #6. In Memorium Skeptics Bruce Press Harriet Hall Politicians Sandra Day O’Connor (93) Henry Kissinger Dianne Feinstein (90) Rosalynn Carter (96) Scientists Dr. Gao Yaojie (95) – Exposed an HIV epidemic in China Dr. William P. Murphy Jr. (100) – invented the vinyl blood bag Endel Tulving (96) – Influential memory researcher M.S. Swaminathan (98) – Indian crop scientist/geneticist Ian Wilmut (79) – Dolly the sheep Douglas Lenat (72) – AI researcher, Eurisko, AI with “common sense” Dr. Ferid Murad (86) – effects of nitric oxide on cardiovascular system John Warnock (82) – developed the PDF Sliman Bensmaia (49) – neuroscientists developing prosthetics with sensation W. Jason Morgan (87) – plate tectonics Virginia Norwood (96) – technology for mapping Earth from space William Wulf (83) – computer scientists, development of internet Paul Berg (96) – first recombinant DNA or rDNA John B. Goodenough (100) – Li Ion batteries Gordon E. Moore (94) – Moore’s Law David Etnier PHd (84) – discoverer of the Snail Darter Other Frank Borman (95) – Apollo 8 astronaut Walter Cunningham (90) – First crewed Apollo mission (7) Mark Goddard (87) – Lost in Space Michael Gambon (82) – Dumbledore Bob Barker (99) Paul Reubens (71) – Pee-wee Herman Tony Bennett (96) Raquel Welch (82) Al Jaffee (102) – Mad Magazine Segment #7. Science or Fiction 2023 stats: Cara – 30 wins / 13 losses – 69.7% Evan – 26 wins / 22 losses – 54.1% Bob – 20 wins / 29 losses – 40.8% Jay – 21 wins / 26 losses – 44.6% Every guest who played Science or Fiction lost – 10 total. Rogues swept Steve 6 times Steve swept Rogues 8 times 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: SGU Past #1) In 2008 we reported on a new theory that disease spread by insects might have caused the extinction of the dinosaurs. Since then a 2016 study found that malaria dates back to the time of the dinosaurs and infected reptiles. #2) In 2009 we reported that Honda had developed a brain-machine interface that allows a driver to steer a car with mind control alone. They are still developing the technology, without any commercial applications so far. #3) In 2008 we reported on new bionic eyes, involving artificial retinas that allow previously blind patients to see shapes and lights. The company, Second Sight, has since gone bankrupt, abandoning patients with the implants. Segment #8. Skeptical Quote of the Week “For last year’s words belong to last year’s language and next year’s words await another voice. And to make an end is to make a beginning.” ― T.S. Eliot