The Skeptics' Guide to the Universe The Skeptics Guide #1060 - Nov 1 2025
19 snips
Nov 1, 2025 Delve into the intriguing world of therapeutic nanoparticles aimed at Alzheimer's, where mouse models show promise but human translation remains a challenge. Discover the surprising truths about what may have killed Napoleon's forces, revealing insights from ancient DNA. Learn about innovative ways to enhance photosynthesis and the latest discoveries regarding second-generation black holes. Plus, dive into a fun segment on logical fallacies and uncover whether human instincts truly exist.
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Halloween Traditions And Party Tradeoffs
- Bob describes obsessive last‑minute Halloween preparations and tweaking every detail for parties.
- The hosts debate moving Halloween to a weekend and lament trunk‑or‑treat replacing traditional door‑to‑door trick‑or‑treating.
Napoleon's Losses Reattributed By aDNA Evidence
- Reanalysis of 1812 Russian campaign remains found Salmonella Paratyphi and Borrelia recurrentis, not typhus.
- Cara Santa Maria notes modern aDNA metagenomics on 13 teeth suggests paratyphoid plus relapsing fever likely amplified mortality.
Engineering Photosynthesis For Massive Yield Gains
- Crop photosynthesis is inefficient because plants overproduce Rubisco instead of concentrating CO2 near the enzyme.
- Stephen Novella describes engineering carboxysome-like compartments to boost efficiency and cut water and nitrogen use.