The Skeptics' Guide to the Universe

Learn more about each item on episode 426!

Results:
Discord: 33%
Instagram: 21%
Bluesky: 4%
Facebook: 33%
Threads: 67%
Twitter: 21%
Rogues: 80%

And the fiction is...
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2: A new study finds that subjects were more likely to purchase a lottery ticket if they had just spent money on an expensive item.

The study found that after buying a lottery ticket, participants expressed more materialistic thoughts.

3: Researchers find that women are more likely to purchase expensive accessories when they feel threatened in their relationship, and that this strategy works because women are also less likely to pursue a man whose girlfriend has expensive accessories.

2: A new study finds that subjects were more likely to purchase a lottery ticket if they had just spent money on an expensive item.

1: New research finds that hearing a salesperson flatter another customer causes a negative reaction to the salesperson but increases the desire to buy an expensive item.

1: New research finds that hearing a salesperson flatter another customer causes a negative reaction to the salesperson but increases the desire to buy an expensive item. 2: A new study finds that subjects were more likely to purchase a lottery ticket if they had just spent money on an expensive item. 3: Researchers find that women are more likely to purchase expensive accessories when they feel threatened in their relationship, and that this strategy works because women are also less likely to pursue a man whose girlfriend has expensive accessories.

Today’s Science or Fiction throwback is from 2013. Guess which is the fiction by liking your answer choice in this thread

#scienceorfiction

Learn more about each item on episode 270!

Results:
Discord: 67%
Instagram: 44%
Bluesky: 37%
Facebook: 39%
Threads: 67%
Twitter: 37%
Rogues: 75%

And the fiction is...
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2: It is best to study in a consistent and uncluttered environment.

It’s actually better to vary your study environment.

3: A recent review concludes that there is no evidence to support the notion that different people benefit from different learning styles, such as visual vs auditory.

2: It is best to study in a consistent and uncluttered environment.

1: After studying material, self-testing is more effective at enhancing learning than repeated studying.

1: After studying material, self-testing is more effective at enhancing learning than repeated studying. 2: It is best to study in a consistent and uncluttered environment. 3: A recent review concludes that there is no evidence to support the notion that different people benefit from different learning styles, such as visual vs auditory.

Science or Fiction time! Guess the fiction from 2010 by liking your answer choice in this thread

This Science or Fiction Throwback came from episode 498. And the fiction is . . .
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2: Analysis of the oldest fossil primate species indicates that the earliest primates lived underground.

The actual paper was about a tree-dwelling early primate species.

3: New research finds that wolves have as much social skill with their own species and with humans as do domestic dogs.

2: Analysis of the oldest fossil primate species indicates that the earliest primates lived underground.

1: Scientists have developed a smart keyboard that is self-powered and can identify users by their typing pattern.

1: Scientists have developed a smart keyboard that is self-powered and can identify users by their typing pattern. 2: Analysis of the oldest fossil primate species indicates that the earliest primates lived underground. 3: New research finds that wolves have as much social skill with their own species and with humans as do domestic dogs.

Science or Fiction time! Guess the fiction from 2015 by liking your answer choice in this thread:

Learn more about each item on episode 198!

Results:
Discord: 69%
Instagram: 28%
Bluesky: 55%
Facebook: 37%
Threads: 0% (I posted late so there were only a few votes)
Twitter: 36%
Rogues: 67%

And the fiction is…
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2: Physicists have developed a new incandescent light bulb suitable for residential use that is almost 100 times as energy efficient as existing bulbs.

They really made the smallest incandescent lightbulb, just 100 atoms wide, from a carbon nanotube.

3: A new fossil analysis shows that the so-called “hobbit”, or Homo florensiensis, had long flat feet more like apes than humans, and therefore could not walk efficiently.

2: Physicists have developed a new incandescent light bulb suitable for residential use that is almost 100 times as energy efficient as existing bulbs.

1: Scientists reveal the first car that can run on biofuel made from chocolate.

1: Scientists reveal the first car that can run on biofuel made from chocolate. 2: Physicists have developed a new incandescent light bulb suitable for residential use that is almost 100 times as energy efficient as existing bulbs. 3: A new fossil analysis shows that the so-called “hobbit”, or Homo florensiensis, had long flat feet more like apes than humans, and therefore could not walk efficiently.

Science or Fiction time! Guess the fiction from 2009 by liking the post in this thread with your answer choice.

Learn more about each item on episode 422!

Results:
Discord: 31%
Instagram: 46%
Bluesky: 23%
Facebook: 50%
Threads: 0%
Twitter: 30%
Rogues: 33%

And the fiction is...
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2: A recent study finds that listening to an emotional sermon can induce an out-of-body experience in susceptible people.

In the real study, researchers induced an out-of-body experience using a visualized heartbeat.

3: A new paper warns against “chemophobia,” the irrational fear of the ubiquitous and non-toxic chemicals found in our food and environment.

2: A recent study finds that listening to an emotional sermon can induce an out-of-body experience in susceptible people.

1: A new study finds that medical testimonials that contain irrelevant information may lead to inappropriate medical decision making.

1: A new study finds that medical testimonials that contain irrelevant information may lead to inappropriate medical decision making. 2: A recent study finds that listening to an emotional sermon can induce an out-of-body experience in susceptible people. 3: A new paper warns against “chemophobia,” the irrational fear of the ubiquitous and non-toxic chemicals found in our food and environment.

Science or Fiction time! Guess the fiction from 2013 by liking the post in this thread with your answer choice:

"claims for oregano oil are based partly on traditional use and partly on pre-clinical data. There is almost no scientific data involving people. Proponents are extrapolating from the basic science to clinical claims, which is not valid and has proven extremely unreliable."