A panel discussion on arguing with non-skeptics at the recent Northeast Conference on Science and Skepticism in New York City featured James Randi, George Hrab, D. [More]



James Randi - New York City - Steve Mirsky - D. J. Grothe - Philosophical skepticism

A panel discussion on arguing with non-skeptics at the recent Northeast Conference on Science and Skepticism in New York City featured James Randi, George Hrab, DJ Grothe and podcast host Steve Mirsky (picture at left). [More]



James Randi - New York City - Steve Mirsky - D. J. Grothe - Philosophical skepticism

The prevalence of early repolarization pattern among 35- to 54-year-olds is higher than previously thought, and has a clear link to an increased risk of cardiac death, especially among men, according to a new study.

Stronger suction is required to smoke "electronic cigarettes" than conventional brands, with possible adverse effects on human health, researchers report. Using a smoking machine to compare the smoking properties of eight conventional cigarettes with five e-cigarette brands, the researchers also found that in the case of e-cigarettes, the aerosol density dropped after the first ten puffs, requiring still stronger suction thereafter to produce aerosol.

Researchers in Spain have studied the underlying mechanisms of water condensation in the troposphere and found a way to make artificial materials to control water condensation and trigger ice formation at room temperature.

Current research suggests that taking morphine can block new blood vessel and tumor growth.

For decades research has shown that listening to music alleviates anxiety and depression, enhances mood, and can increase cognitive functioning, such as spatial awareness. However, until now, research has not addressed how we listen to music. For instance, is the cognitive benefit still the same if we listen to music whilst performing a task, rather than before it? Further, how does our preference for a particular type of music affect performance? A new study shows that listening to music that one likes whilst performing a serial recall task does not help performance any more than listening to music one does not enjoy.

Researchers have developed a new, carbon-based nanoscale platform to electrically detect single DNA molecules. Using electric fields, the tiny DNA strands are pushed through nanoscale-sized thin pores in a graphene nanopore platform that ultimately may be important for fast electronic sequencing of the four chemical bases of DNA based on their unique electrical signature.

A long lunch out with co-workers or a late-night conversation with a family member might seem like a distraction from other healthy habits, such as going to the gym or getting a good night's sleep. But more than 100 years' worth of research shows that having a healthy social life is incredibly important to staying physically healthy. Overall, social support increases survival by some 50 percent, concluded the authors behind a new meta-analysis. [More]



Social support - Health - Meta-analysis - Conditions and Diseases - Sleep Disorders

Confronting someone who makes a prejudiced remark can be a good thing -- but not everyone does it. Researchers studied how and when targets of bias will speak up, and found that they're more likely to do so if they hold a particular belief: that people's personalities can change.