Skeptics Guide #1077

The Skeptic’s Guide to the Universe Skepticast #1077 February 26th 2026 Segment #1. Swindler’s List Tax Fraud Segment #2. News Items News Item #1 – Universal Nasal Respiratory Vaccine https://www.livescience.com/health/medicine-drugs/universal-nasal-spray-vaccine-protects-against-viruses-bacteria-and-allergens-in-mice News Item #2 – Origins of COVID https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-026-00530-y News Item #3 – Reusing Spent Nuclear Fuel https://interestingengineering.com/energy/us-tech-nuclear-waste-into-power News Item #4 – Birding Brain Boost https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/birdwatching-birding-brain-boost-cognition-research-rcna259945 Segment 3. Who’s That Noisy Segment #4. Your Questions and E-mails Question #1: Starting a Skeptical Group I've been a follower of your podcast since the very early days. I really admire what you do and how you increase scientific awareness. My views have always been scientific but your show has really help stir me into a positive direction. I try to be as skeptical as I can with things, I often listen to things I don't agree with (Matt Walsh, Alex Jones etc) to get an idea of what they are saying then try to use my skeptical skills to figure out the truth which is often in the middle. However, I do feel very must alone. Most of my friends are either left or right wing and I never discuss politics or complex issues with them as I value their friendship over who voted for who. I checked for local skeptical groups but there isn't any near me and I'd have to travel some way which isn't really convenient. A thought struck me that I could start my own group? Nothing big, just a place people can go to discuss things. How would I go about doing that and I guess more important, how much work is that? I can't imagine how much time and energy you all put into things you do but I don't think I'd have time to do this as a full time thing? Matt UK 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: Vaccines Item 1: Despite the claims of antivaxxers, no vaccines sold in the US are made using human fetal cells. Item 2: The WHO estimates that about 50% of vaccine doses are wasted each year due to spoilage. Item 3: The first known inoculation preceded the first vaccination by over 700 years. Segment #6. Skeptical Quote of the Week "Too often we give children answers to remember rather than problems to solve." ROGER LEWIN, Ph.D., British anthropologist and science writer (co-wrote 3 books with Richard Leakey)