Skeptics Guide #1034

The Skeptic’s Guide to the Universe Skepticast #1034 April 30th 2025 Segment #1. News Items News Item #1 – Internet Fakes Precede Violence https://theconversation.com/memes-and-conflict-study-shows-surge-of-imagery-and-fakes-can-precede-international-and-political-violence-233055 News Item #2 – Lab Grown Teeth https://www.livescience.com/health/lab-grown-teeth-could-offer-alternative-to-fillings-and-implants-scientists-say News Item #3 – RFK on Autism https://theness.com/neurologicablog/how-should-we-talk-about-autism/ News Item #4 – AI Designed Gravitational Wave Detectors https://scitechdaily.com/when-machines-dream-ai-designs-strange-new-tools-to-listen-to-the-cosmos/ Segment 2. Who’s That Noisy Segment #3. Your Questions and E-mails Question #1: Big Bang Miracle Thanks for the informative and entertaining show. I had a friend recently questioned me about miracles. I told him that I had not seen any evidence of a miracle. He then asked me if I believed the Big Bang Theory (not the show). I told him that I was and that it was, in my opinion, the most likely explanation for the beginning of our universe. He then stated that the cosmic inflation aspect violated our physics laws because it expanded faster that the speed of light. He stated that this would qualify as a miracle. I did not have a reply other than to thank him for giving me something to think about. I am curious what your thoughts are regarding this. Keep up the great work. Jim Michigan Segment #4. Interview with Melanie Trecek-King Website: www.ThinkingIsPower.com Associate Professor of Biology, Massasoit Community College Director of Education, Mental Immunity Project Social Media: Facebook, YouTube, TikTok, X, Instagram: @ThinkingPowers 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: Metallurgy Item 1: Researchers at the Max Planck Institute have devised a single-step method for extracting Ni from ore that reduces the total carbon footprint by 84% and energy usage by 18%. Item 2: Scientists at the University of Texas have developed an industrial process for separating rare earth metals from common metal ions, using nanopore membranes, that is three times faster than existing methods while requiring half as much energy. Item 3: Researchers at Penn State have patented a new technique for extracting lithium that requires minutes rather than hours, does not use toxic chemicals, and requires much less energy than existing methods. Segment #6. Skeptical Quote of the Week "It is truth that I seek, and truth never yet hurt any man. What does hurt is persistence in error or ignorance." —Marcus Aurelius, Meditations, Book 6