The Skeptics' Guide to the Universe The Skeptics Guide #1053 - Sep 13 2025
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Sep 13, 2025 Dive into the discovery of Earth's quasi-moon and the fascinating concept of microbots powered by light, revolutionizing drug delivery. Caution is urged around Tylenol's links to autism, while the evolution of musical preferences showcases generational shifts. Explore the innovative wearable device allowing silent communication, and wrestle with the alarming decline in science education scores. Finally, enjoy playful insights into otters and groundbreaking discussions on gravitational waves that may confirm Stephen Hawking's theories.
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Earth's Hidden Quasi-Moons
- Earth has a dynamic population of temporary small satellites including mini-moons and quasi-satellites co-orbital with Earth.
- 2025 PN7 is a newly confirmed quasi-moon that has co-orbited for ~60 years and will remain ~60 more years.
Steering Microbots With Light Fields
- Researchers used patterned light fields to steer swarms of micro-robots without onboard processors or real-time control.
- They mapped robot motion to optics/relativity math, enabling scalable, static control of many tiny robots simultaneously.
Aging Narrows Musical Taste
- As people age they concentrate listening on fewer, more nostalgic songs while younger listeners seek novelty.
- Streaming services should tailor recommendations differently for older users who prefer familiar, nostalgia-linked music.