Category Archives: Science

Neil deGrasse Tyson’s Latest Book Will Be Published Next Week

Posted on February 22, 2012 by Hemant Mehta

So, Neil deGrasse Tyson’s latest book Space Chronicles: Facing the Ultimate Frontier comes out next week! (And, says one commenter, it’s already available on Kindle.) Who’s excited? You’re excited. The book explores “NASA and the future of space travel.” Dr. … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, General, Science | 4 Comments

NPR Promotes Military Acupuncture

Posted on February 17, 2012 by Jason Torpy

I was dismayed to see a headline from NPR today saying, “Military pokes holes in acupuncture skeptics’ theory.” Acupuncture is founded on the hypothesis that needles will redirect bodily energy to improve overall well-being. The problem? The bodily energy (called … Continue reading →

Posted in General, Military Atheists, Pseudoscience, Science | 54 Comments

Support for Evolution Education Comes from a Surprising Source

Posted on February 16, 2012 by Hemant Mehta

Even though the Indiana Creationism Bill has been effectively killed (for now), there’s still a anti-evolution bill pending in New Hampshire. Thankfully, someone testified against it in front of the House Education Committee yesterday: “It would be a blow to … Continue reading →

Posted in Education, General, Politics, Science | 21 Comments

An Atheist Doctor Helps Jehovah’s Witnesses Who Refuse Blood Transfusions

Posted on February 6, 2012 by Hemant Mehta

Jehovah’s Witnesses famously refuse blood transfusions — an irrational demand that has led to uncountable numbers of sad-but-preventable deaths. At Cedars-Sinai hospital in Los Angeles, though, one doctor — an atheist — is determined to help JWs suffering from advanced … Continue reading →

Posted in General, Science | 57 Comments

Darwin Day 2012 Celebrations

Posted on January 28, 2012 by Hemant Mehta

A lot of atheist groups around the country are planning Darwin Day activities, and the lineup for the University of Northern Iowa Freethinkers and Inquirers‘ celebration looks terrific: They have Joe Nickell (skeptical investigator of the paranormal), Jamila Bey (secular … Continue reading →

Posted in Education, General, Science, Secular Student Alliance | 10 Comments

Indiana Legislative Panel Clears Creation Science Bill

Posted on January 27, 2012 by Shannon Burgdorf

Dennis Kruse, the same Indiana State Senator who wants public school students to recite the Lord’s Prayer at the beginning of every day, is now sponsoring a bill that would promote Creationism in science class… and he’s getting much farther … Continue reading →

Posted in Education, General, Politics, Science | 78 Comments

I Guess Science Proves Christianity…

Posted on January 22, 2012 by Hemant Mehta

It’s old, but hilarious. Watch the whole thing for full impact, but if you want to jump to the anti-climax, go to the 3:30 mark to hear Louie Giglio talk about how the protein laminin somehow justifies his wacky beliefs: … Continue reading →

Posted in General, Humor, Science | 43 Comments

Republican Rick Brattin Wants To Ruin Science Education in Missouri

Posted on January 12, 2012 by Hemant Mehta

Rick Brattin, a Republican state representative in Missouri, has sponsored a bill (HB 1227) that would require “equal treatment of science instruction regarding evolution and intelligent design.” What would that entail? Course textbooks contain approximately an equal number of pages … Continue reading →

Posted in Education, General, Politics, Science | 45 Comments

Federal Government Wastes $666,000 To Study the Effectiveness of Praying Away AIDS

Posted on January 7, 2012 by Carrie

Last month, the Chicago Tribune released a review of the National Institute of Health’s allocation of research funds. The results are equally infuriating and disheartening. Among other dubious, implausible propositions, NIH funded research of whether distant prayer can remedy the … Continue reading →

Posted in General, Lawsuits, Politics, Pseudoscience, Science | 55 Comments

Carl Zimmer Profiles Neil deGrasse Tyson

Posted on January 6, 2012 by Hemant Mehta

Carl Zimmer wrote a wonderful profile of Neil deGrasse Tyson for the January edition of Playboy… but in case you don’t get that, there’s a perfectly SFW version of the piece here A short excerpt: For most of the people … Continue reading →

Posted in General, Science | 7 Comments