Quickies
Skepchick Quickies, 3.17
- Anti-vaccine autism campaigners lose court battle. (From PrimevilKneivel.)
- “The number of downloads suggests the ringtones must be working to a certain extent.” ‘Therapeutic ringtones’ for mobile phones create a buzz in Japan. (From James.)
- The bacteria on our hands, could be used in forensic identification in the same way as DNA, say scientists. (From Dave.)
- Ah, it so clear now: graph of UFO convincibility over time. (From Sydney.)
With regard to bacterial fingerprints being used “soon” in actual investigations, I am reminded of this helpful chart: http://www.xkcd.com/678/
I love the idea of therapeutic ringtones, but we absolutely have to address the “popularity gap” in this and any other mobile device centered modalities. In other words, no one calls me, so my ringtone isn’t helping me. :(
The unique bacteria story is interesting- it seems to me that people living in the same household would have similar flora on their hands.
How long before we hear the anti-vaxers complaining about activist judges and their conspiracy with the drug companies?
even supposing 100% effectiveness, how useful is a sleep-inducing ring tone? If someone’s calling you, do you continue to attempt to sleep or do you answer the phone?
I’m sure those ringtones work to a certain extent. That is to say, it works for alerting the user of an incoming call.
@Displaced Northerner: The unique bacteria story is interesting- it seems to me that people living in the same household would have similar flora on their hands.
I was wondering the same thing myself. I’ve lived with the same partner for 20 years now. What would possibly keep our single-cell buddy populations different?
I would think peoples different body chemistry would have an effect of which bacterias flourished on ones hands over others. Thus making it different even though you are living together.
@davew: WAG. Different environment. Your skin types are different, so different bacteria succeed to become the dominant flora. Some bacteria are exchanged during normal cohabitation and partnership, but the existing flora is robust enough to rebuff the constant invasion, having the edge of being the establishment, being better adapted, and a third important point that I can’t mention.
Yet another reason to wear gloves to all crimes. Preferably latex w/ brand new leather gloves on top that have been wiped over surfaces at the nearest public toilets just prior to the B&E.
But then, if crooks read articles like this and learnt from them, they night have a different occupation.
From Not Exactly Rocket Science, ‘David Foran, director of Michigan State University’s Forensic Biology Laboratory, says that it’s “utility in a forensic context is doubtful”. It’s unlikely to ever meet the high standards of certainty needed for a criminal investigation, although that probably won’t stop it from appearing in a future episode of CSI. ‘
Link One made me happy
“They keep moving the goalposts,” says Offit. “It’s the hallmark of pseudoscience.”
I thought the hallmark of pseudoscience was BS, but we can go with his term.
Yay Logic!!!!