Key Takeaways

  • Kara Santa Maria successfully passed her licensing exam for professional psychology, marking a significant milestone in her career.
  • The term ‘psionic’ has its origins in mid-20th century science fiction, specifically popularized in the 1950s, and was later adopted by Dungeons and Dragons.
  • Studies indicate a correlation between excessive screen time in preteens and adolescents and an increased risk of mental health issues like mania, stress, and depression.
  • A significant percentage of U.S. adults (estimated 7%) have been present at the scene of a mass shooting, with younger generations being more likely to report such exposure.
  • Research into stem cell therapy for Parkinson’s disease continues, with a focus on improving neuron survival and function, though significant technological hurdles remain.
  • A study on mice suggests that a protein called RGS14 may suppress brown fat function, and its absence leads to enhanced metabolism, exercise capacity, and longevity.

Segments

The Origin of ‘Psionic’ (~00:23:00)
  • Key Takeaway: The term ‘psionic’ originated in science fiction in the mid-20th century, not Dungeons and Dragons as commonly thought, and describes psychic abilities framed as science-based powers.
  • Summary: Evan Bernstein discusses the etymology of the word ‘psionic,’ tracing its origins to science fiction magazines in the 1950s, and how it was later adopted by Dungeons and Dragons. The segment clarifies that the term predates its popular use in gaming and explains its linguistic construction.
Screen Time and Mental Health (~00:35:15)
  • Key Takeaway: Studies show a strong correlation between high screen time in children and adolescents and increased risks of mental health issues, including mania, stress, and depression.
  • Summary: Jay Novella presents findings from two studies linking excessive screen time in preteens and adolescents to negative mental health outcomes. The discussion highlights the importance of physical activity as a buffer against these issues and the challenges parents face in managing their children’s screen usage.
Mass Shooting Exposure in the U.S. (~00:55:00)
  • Key Takeaway: An estimated 7% of U.S. adults have been present at the scene of a mass shooting, with younger generations and males being more likely to report such exposure.
  • Summary: Bob Novella discusses a study on direct exposure to mass shootings in the U.S., revealing that a significant portion of the adult population has experienced such events. The research also indicates disparities in exposure based on age and gender, and highlights the need for better data collection.
Stem Cell Therapy for Parkinson’s Disease (~01:08:00)
  • Key Takeaway: While stem cell therapy for Parkinson’s disease has been explored since the 1980s, significant technological hurdles remain in getting stem cells to form meaningful connections in the brain, though research continues.
  • Summary: The hosts discuss the history and current state of stem cell therapy for Parkinson’s disease, noting early attempts in the 1980s and the impact of government funding bans. They highlight the challenges in cell integration and the ongoing research into induced pluripotent stem cells and their potential therapeutic applications.
Brown Fat, Exercise, and Longevity in Mice (~01:28:00)
  • Key Takeaway: Mice lacking the RGS14 protein exhibit enhanced brown fat function, leading to improved exercise capacity, increased lifespan, and delayed aging phenotypes.
  • Summary: Bob Novella explains a study where mice without the RGS14 protein showed enhanced brown fat, leading to better metabolism, exercise performance, and extended healthy lifespan. The discussion explores the potential therapeutic implications of mimicking these effects in humans.
This Week’s Noisy (~01:48:00)
  • Key Takeaway: The sound identified in ‘This Week’s Noisy’ was a skunk, a fact that surprised the panel.
  • Summary: Jay Novella reveals that the ’noisy’ sound from the previous week was a skunk, a fact that none of the panelists guessed correctly. He then introduces a new ’noisy’ for the audience to identify.
Listener Email: Vitamin A and Measles (~01:53:00)
  • Key Takeaway: While vitamin A supplementation can reduce mortality in children with measles in vitamin A-deficient populations, it does not prevent measles infection or transmission and has no proven benefit in developed nations.
  • Summary: Steve Novella addresses a listener’s email questioning the show’s criticism of RFK Jr.’s recommendation of vitamin A for measles. Steve clarifies that vitamin A treats vitamin A deficiency, which measles can exacerbate, but it is not an antiviral treatment for measles itself and lacks efficacy in populations without deficiency.
Interview with Professor Dave Farina (~02:05:00)
  • Key Takeaway: Professor Dave Farina uses his YouTube channel, ‘Professor Dave Explains,’ to educate on science topics and debunk misinformation, particularly concerning flat earth theories and creationism.
  • Summary: Host Stephen Novella interviews Dave Farina, known for his ‘Professor Dave Explains’ YouTube channel. They discuss his journey into science communication, his work debunking pseudoscience like flat earth and creationism, and the importance of addressing scientific misinformation in the current political climate, particularly regarding gender identity and biological sex.
Science or Fiction: Ancient Roots of Modern Science (~02:45:00)
  • Key Takeaway: Two of the three presented historical scientific ideas—Aristarchus of Samos’s heliocentric model and Ibn Sina’s concept of disease transmission through invisible entities and quarantine—are accurate, while the idea of an 11th-century Persian scholar proposing continental drift is fictional.
  • Summary: The panel plays ‘Science or Fiction,’ identifying which of three historical scientific claims is false. They correctly identify the fictional claim about continental drift and confirm the accuracy of Aristarchus’s heliocentric model and Ibn Sina’s early germ theory and quarantine concepts.
Tribute to Joe Nickell (~03:05:00)
  • Key Takeaway: The skeptical community mourns the recent passing of Joe Nickell, a renowned paranormal investigator and skeptic, celebrated for his rigorous research and contributions to critical thinking.
  • Summary: The hosts pay tribute to Joe Nickell, a significant figure in the skeptical movement, highlighting his work as a paranormal investigator, author, and lecturer. They remember his dedication to evidence-based reasoning and his impactful debunking of phenomena like the Shroud of Turin and the Warrens’ claims.