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BBC News | Science/Nature | World Edition

'Lost towns' discovered in Amazon
Thu, 28 Aug 2008 21:37:07 -0000
The remote Amazon basin was once home to complex urban communities, according to a study in Science journal.
Fly's brain 'senses swat threat'
Thu, 28 Aug 2008 19:12:17 -0000
Researchers in the US say they have solved the mystery of why flies are so hard to swat.
Arctic ice 'is at tipping point'
Thu, 28 Aug 2008 10:36:56 -0000
The area covered by sea ice in the Arctic is now the second smallest on record, scientists reveal.

L.A. Times - Science

Ralph D. Feigin, 70; pediatrician built Baylor and Texas Children's Hospital into major teaching institutions
Fri, 29 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0700
Dr. Ralph D. Feigin, the pediatrician who built the Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children's Hospital into major teaching and research institutions and who wrote the book on children's infectious diseases, died Aug. 14 at The Methodist Hospital in Houston. He was 70.
Diabetes researchers convert pancreas cells to produce insulin
Thu, 28 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0700
The Harvard study may ultimately shift treatment options away from stem cells for a variety of diseases. Injecting a cocktail of proteins directly into the bodies of diabetic mice, researchers have converted normal pancreas cells into insulin-producing cells -- a genetic transformation that could pave the way for treating intractable diseases and injuries using a patient's own supply of healthy tissue.
Number of Americans without health insurance falls
Wed, 27 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0700
The Census Bureau says the 2007 decrease is mostly due to expanded government coverage for children. Thanks mostly to expanded government health coverage for children, the number of people without health insurance fell in 2007 for the first time since President Bush took office, the U.S. Census Bureau said Tuesday.

Reuters: Science News

Gustav kills nearly 70 in Caribbean, aims at U.S.
Fri, 29 Aug 2008 02:46:15 -0400
KINGSTON (Reuters) - Tropical Storm Gustav was blamed on Thursday for at least 68 deaths in the Caribbean and U.S. forecasters said it could hit New Orleans and Gulf of Mexico oil fields as a potentially powerful hurricane next week.
Canada wants more study on polar bear protection
Thu, 28 Aug 2008 19:12:59 -0400
INUVIK, Northwest Territories (Reuters) - Canada, criticized by environmentalists for not adequately protecting polar bears from the effects of climate change, said on Thursday it will take more time study its next step.
Why it's so hard to swat a fly
Fri, 29 Aug 2008 03:54:00 -0400
CHICAGO (Reuters) - The brains of flies are wired to avoid the swatter, U.S. researchers said on Thursday.

AP Top Science News At 3:49 p.m. EDT

Arctic sea ice drops to 2nd lowest level on record
By SETH BORENSTEIN and DAN JOLING Wed, 27 Aug 2008 23:23:14 -0000
WASHINGTON (AP) -- More ominous signs Wednesday have scientists saying that a global warming "tipping point" in the Arctic seems to be happening before their eyes: Sea ice in the Arctic Ocean is at its second lowest level in about 30 years....
Purdue reprimands fusion scientist for misconduct
Wed, 27 Aug 2008 23:11:17 -0000
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (AP) -- Purdue University on Wednesday reprimanded a scientist who has been accused of falsifying claims he produced nuclear fusion in tabletop experiments....
Fay leaves behind lots of water for Fla. lake
By BRIAN SKOLOFF Wed, 27 Aug 2008 22:14:56 -0000
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) -- Tropical Storm Fay brought some good news to the state's parched Everglades and its liquid heart, Lake Okeechobee - lots and lots of water....

NOVA scienceNOW | PBS

NOVA scienceNOW: Phoenix Mars Lander
NOVA Mon, 28 Jul 2008 13:00:00 -0500
NASA's latest robot has already found frozen water and is looking for more signs that the Red Planet could support life.
NOVA scienceNOW: Brain Trauma
NOVA Mon, 28 Jul 2008 13:00:00 -0500
Even so-called "mild" head injuries turn out to be anything but.
NOVA scienceNOW: Mammoth Mystery
NOVA Mon, 28 Jul 2008 13:00:00 -0500
A pair of mammoth skeletons is found locked together by their tusks. What happened?

Newsweek Technology Headlines

Virtual Viewpoint
Thu, 21 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0000
A new online software service allows you to build three-dimensional scenes out of dozens of photographs.
Of Sludge and Salad: Wastewater Greens the World's Gardens
Tue, 19 Aug 2008 03:14:52 -0000
You might want to hold your nose for this one.
1-800-CALL-DAD
Mon, 18 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0000
A new service lets other motorists notify parents how their teens are driving.

Innovation

Facebook, the movie: the Facebook group
cgaylord Thu, 28 Aug 2008 20:48:32 -0000
Aaron Sorkin is doing a movie about Facebook. The whole thing seems fake at first. The man behind “The West Wing,” “Studio 60,” and “A Few Good Men” has a history of unease with web culture – he even wrote a West Wing episode about it. So a bunch of bloggers scratched their heads when a [...]
Sign language via cellphone
briefs Thu, 28 Aug 2008 17:53:51 -0000
For people diagnosed with hearing impairments, using a cellphone can be tough. Speed of communication depends on how quickly someone can send a text message. Researchers in the US, however, have devised a way for two people to use American Sign Language via video phones. It’s a work in progress, with a field test planned [...]
When radar doesn’t work
at-a-glance Thu, 28 Aug 2008 17:49:40 -0000
Click on the thumbnail to see the full image. . . . . .

Science News - UPI.com

UPI NewsTrack Health and Science News
Thu, 28 Aug 2008 17:44:00 -0400
Viagra might prevent heart attack, stroke ... Swiss 3-D system aids weather forecasting ... Potential type 1 diabetes therapy studied ... New microwaveable ceramic material created ... Health/Science news from UPI.
NASA delays Atlantis move to launch pad
Thu, 28 Aug 2008 17:40:59 -0400
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla., Aug. 28 (UPI) -- The U.S. space agency says it has postponed space shuttle Atlantis' scheduled move to its Kennedy Space Center launch pad.
New underground CO2 monitoring begins
Thu, 28 Aug 2008 16:40:34 -0400
WASHINGTON, Aug. 28 (UPI) -- U.S. Department of Energy scientists say they've started tracking carbon dioxide movement nearly 2 miles underground at the Cranfield, Miss., oilfield.

 

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The Skeptic's Dictionary - Skeptical definitions and essays on occult, paranormal, pseudoscientific ideas and practices with references to skeptical literature.
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A Skeptical Manifesto - Article by Michael Shermer defines and discusses skepticism. Includes a section that asserts a skeptic can also be open to scientific reason. Written in 1992.

Astronomical Pseudo-science: A Skeptic's Resource List - A bibliography from the Astronomical Society of the Pacific, for those who want to examine with a skeptical eye some of the claims at the fringes of science that seem connected to astronomy.
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Bad Science - About well understood phenomena which are persistently presented incorrectly by teachers and writers.

BookTalk - Dedicated to the advancement of critical thinking, reason, intelligence, freedom of inquiry, philosophy and the scientific method. Forums include chats with the authors.
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Carl Sagan's Baloney Detection Kit - Tools for testing arguments and detecting fallacious or fraudulent arguments, based on Sagan's book The Demon Haunted World: Science as a candle in the dark.
Meta Description: [ There are cults out there that need to be exposed, because they destroy people. The Church of Scientology is such a cult, to back up this strong claim I need to collect some of their secret literature. I want you to read it and make up your own mind. ]

Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal - World-wide organization that encourages the critical investigation of paranormal and fringe-science claims from a responsible, scientific point of view.
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Crank Dot Net - Skeptic provides categorized directory, both alphabetical and hierarchical, to a variety of kooks, cranks, loons, and crackpots on the net.
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Criticism of Scientific Skepticism - Criticizes self-identified skeptics, saying that their skepticism translates into scorn and condescension toward people and data that contradict current scientific beliefs. Gives examples of the excesses of skeptics.
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Debunker's Domain - Dedicated to debunking all manner of dubious claims.
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Eric's Skeptic Page - A skeptical look at all sorts of sciences and pseudosciences.
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Fortean Times - The Journal of Strange Phenomenae. Online version of the print magazine.
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Free Inquiry - Argues for free inquiry and thought; the philosophies of naturalism, empiricism, rationalism, and skepticism.

Massimo's Skeptic and Humanist Web - Addresses the topic of skepticism and secular humanism. Page includes lectures. handouts, and online column. Also, has links to book reviews and essays.
Meta Description: [ This site contains essays, columns, online presentations, and book reviews by Dr. Massimo Pigliucci. ]

Nova: Kidnapped by UFOs? - Companion site for TV program in which believers and skeptics, including Carl Sagan, explore case histories of alien abductions.

Number Watch - Monitors the media in search of misleading numbers in news, politics and science.
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NYTimes.com - Odds Are Stacked When Science Tries to Debate Pseudoscience - Essay. Having a debate inevitably suggests that each side has some credibility. As a result, opponents of the scientific method try very hard to appear in debates with scientists. [Requires free NYTimes.com registration to view]

Practical Skepticism - A how-to guide for examining claims and debunking myths, math abuse, and misleading arguments.

Psychologists Educating Students to Think Skeptically - PESTS is a meeting place for educators (specifically psychologists, although anyone is welcome) to discuss issues involving skeptical thinking and ways to introduce and teach skeptical thinking in the classroom.

Reality Matters - Debunks religion, the origin of God, the Bible, near death experiences and paranormal contacts with spirits.

404 sci.skeptic FAQ - Frequently asked questions about the sci.skeptic newsgroup.

SIMPOS - Netherlands foundation for information on social problems and occult tendencies.
Meta Description: [ Occultism: tendencies A-Z. Influences on problems like racism, economy, ecology, education, and democracy ]

Skepchick - A woman's skeptical science and life blog.

Skeptic Friends Network - Examines a variety of claims with emphasis on debunking creation science.
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Skeptic News - Tracks new information on various skeptical web pages.
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Skeptic Report - E-zine featuring writings on skeptical inquiry and critical thinking. Also lists related books and provides links to numerous websites on topics including skepticism, alternative science, creationism, and health fraud.

Skeptic's Digest - Here you can access the best skeptical articles on the Web about the occult, paranormal, pseudoscience and other weird things
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Skeptical Information Links - Links to materials for skeptics, and about skepticism.
Meta Description: [ Jim Lippard's Skeptical Information Site ]

Skeptical Investigations - Criticism of skepticism, including information about fraud in mainstream science and questioning of the methods and motives of skeptics.
Meta Description: [ investigation into skepticism in science ]

Skeptical Pages by Tommy Persson - Links to newsletters, organizations, and websites.

Skeptical References - A bibliography of materials for skeptics.

Skepticality Skeptic and Critical Thought News - Roughly mongthly podcast of interviews with prominent skeptical thinkers.

Skeptix Mailing List - Forum discussion about extraordinary phenomena. Includes post archives and subscription information.

The Crackpot Page - Dedicated to all the Flat Earthers, Circle Squarers, Angle Trisecters, Cube Halvers, Perpetual Motion Mechanics, UFO and Elvis sighters, and all the other true believers who adamantly refuse to accept mathematical or physical proof that their convictions are untenable.

The Daily Skeptic - Online newsletter, devoted to skeptical inquiry.

The James Randi Educational Foundation - Foundation headed by professional magician exposes psychics, faith healers, and such. Offers $1.1 million to anyone who can actually demonstrate something supernatural.
Meta Description: [ James Randi Educational Foundation - an educational resource on the paranormal, pseudoscientific, and the supernatural. ]

404 The Left Hemisphere - Skepticism, religion, and secularism on the WWW.

The Nasty Side of Organ Transplanting - The secrets of organ harvesting and transplanting known only to the professionals in the business.

The Secular Web - Agnosticism, atheism, freethought, humanism, and rationalism on the Web
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The Skeptic Magazine - United Kingdom publication, taking a skeptical look at pseudoscience and claims of the paranormal.

The Skeptic Tank - The Skeptic Tank is a BBS which maintains extensive archives on scientifically questionable groups, individuals, and ideologies. Message board and articles.

404 The Skeptic's Bunker - A personal page, intended to advance logic and rational thought over blind faith.
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The Skeptic's Refuge - Gateway to The Skeptic's Dictionary with skeptical articles on the occult, the supernatural, the paranormal and the pseudoscientific.

The Skeptics Society - The Skeptics Society is a scientific and educational organization of scholars, scientists, historians, magicians, professors and teachers, and anyone curious about controversial ideas, extraordinary claims, revolutionary ideas and the promotion of science.
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The Skeptomaniac - Skeptical commentary on paranormal belief and thought, including a message board for readers.

The View from Number 80 - Lists sites pertaining to, amongst other things, pseudoscience, flim-flam or irrational claims and tries to give them critical attention and, in many cases, a certain amount of ridicule.

Tony Youens - Skeptic articles, information, books from Tony Youens - parapsychology investigations.
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TrueAuthority.com - Experts test claims on subjects including dinosaurs, creation/evolution, and cryptozoology.

What is pseudoscience? - How it differs from science, how to spot it. Junk science, pathological science, quackery and pseudoscientific scams.
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X-Project Paranormal Magazine - Web e-zine featuring a series of skeptical articles.
Meta Description: [ The X-Project Magazine is a daily paranormal news magazine investigating the paranormal, UFOs, cryptozoology, the occult, and Fortean events from a critical and rational perspective. ]

Zetetics Laboratory - Laboratory at the University of Nice where paranormal phenomena are studied.