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Body proves Bigfoot no myth, hunters say - CNN.com
A policeman and a former corrections officer say that on Friday they will unveil evidence of what they claim is their biggest find ever: the body of Bigfoot.
The thawed body of a creature reputed to be Bigfoot reportedly weighs more than 500 pounds.
Matthew Whitton and Rick Dyer, a pair of Bigfoot-hunting hobbyists from north Georgia, say they found the creature's body in a wooded area and spotted several similar creatures that were still alive.
The carcass of the furry half-man, half-ape is 7 feet, 7 inches tall and weighs more than 500 pounds, they say. However, the two are not disclosing the exact location of their discovery to protect the remaining creatures.
Tom Nelson, chairman of the biology department at North Georgia College and State University in Dahlonega, said he's "pretty skeptical" the world will feast its eyes on a new species Friday.
"That would certainly rock mammalogy," joked Nelson, who specializes in the study of mammals. "I see a research grant in my future."
Whitton and Dyer plan to unveil what they say is DNA and photo evidence of the discovery in Palo Alto, California, in conjunction with a group called Searching for Bigfoot Inc.
A photograph on that group's Web site shows what appears to be the body of a large, hairy creature with an ape-like face, stuffed into a large freezer.
According to a written release, the two announced the discovery on an Internet radio show, "Squatch Detective," several weeks ago. iReport.com: Do you believe in Bigfoot?
"The only person we would allow to come down and verify the body was 'the Real Bigfoot Hunter,' Tom Biscardi," Dyer said, referring to Searching for Bigfoot's CEO, who has been looking for the elusive, legendary creature in the United States and Canada since 1971.
Whitton is a Georgia police officer who is on administrative leave after being shot in the wrist during a pursuit. Dyer is a former prison guard.
DNA tests on the body have begun, said the statement, and "extensive scientific studies" will be done on the body by scientists, including a molecular biologist, an anthropologist and a paleontologist.
Nelson, the university professor, acknowledged that new species of animals have been discovered in recent decades and that, in science, "we always acknowledge the possibility of something new."
But he said that even in north Georgia, home to the Blue Ridge Mountains and the foot of the Appalachian Trail, it stretches the imagination to think a family of 7-foot-tall creatures could have eluded hunters, hikers and creeping development until now.
"To the average person, these places just seem like extreme wilderness where you'll find lions and tigers and bears," he said. "The reality is that you're never more than a mile from a road."
The group says the animal is male, has reddish hair and "blackish-gray" eyes and human-like feet, hands and teeth. A policeman and a former corrections officer say that on Friday they will unveil evidence of what they claim is their biggest find eve... more -
The Obama Muslim myth
ANP takes a look at the Obama Muslim myth as reflected in the media.
On August 16, Barack Obama will be speaking at reverend Rick Warren's Saddleback church about his Christian faith. Media outlets continue to perpetuate myths about Obama being a Muslim. Recently, Jerome Corsi alleged on The Alex Jones Show that he received Islamic instruction as a child. A new national study by the Pew Research Center shows that 12 percent of the country still believes Obama is a Muslim. ANP takes a look at this recurring theme as reflected in the media. ANP takes a look at the Obama Muslim myth as reflected in the media. ... more -
Women are bitches and guys are pigs...
British scientists have uncovered the truth behind one of modern culture’s greatest mysteries: why little girls play with pink toys. Is it because toy companies flood whole store aisles with the color? Or because well-meaning relatives shower girl babies with pink blankets and clothing? Nope. According to the men in lab coats, it’s purely biological.
Apparently, women are hardwired to like pink because our cavewoman foremothers spent their days gathering red leaves and berries amongst the trees while their husbands were out hunting. Later, women needed to notice red-faced babies and blushing boyfriends. And why do men like blue? Because it’s the color of the sky.
This evolutionary just-so story takes up three pages of a 2007 issue of Current Biology. To back up the assertion that pink is a universal girly preference worth examining, the authors refer to a 1985 study finding that little girls use more pink and red crayons in their drawings than little boys do.
Dig further, however, and the story completely falls apart. British women do prefer pink, but the author’s claim of a “robust, cross-cultural sex difference” turns out to be neither. The scientists compared British natives with Chinese immigrants to Britain, and glossed over the differences. For example: The girliest color in the British results, a purplish-pink, was in fact the Chinese men’s favorite.
Nowhere do scientific findings get more mangled than when they’re about the differences between men and women. According to the science pages, women aren’t just biologically hardwired to prefer pink to blue. We’re also predisposed to backstab one another in the workplace, cry in the boardroom, and have both lower iqs and less of a sense of humor than men.
Some misleading stories come from bad science, where the study authors’ conclusions aren’t supported by their own data. Others are well-conducted studies whose conclusions mutate upon contact with the mainstream media. Newspapers and websites are prone to playing fast and loose with their reports on studies, often neglecting to reveal salient facts about a study’s sample group or methodology.
The fact is that science articles aren’t designed to be read by non-scientists. College and grad students in the sciences are trained in how to do it: They review papers and discuss them in journal clubs; learn how to question methodologies (Is that sample really big enough? Was that the right test to use?); and learn how to be critical of authors’ interpretations (Do the results really mean what they say they mean?). Students also know to look at context for each study, looking up previous papers on the subject, reviewing the authors’ previous work, and searching out any evidence of bias that might color a study’s findings
< I read this article a while ago and did not notice how long it was until i printed it because i devoured it. to all my fellow girls out there, read and remember the next time a crappy article surfaces explaining, scientifically of course, the differences between the sexes > British scientists have uncovered the truth behind one of modern culture’s greatest mysteries: why little girls play with pink toys. I... more -
Marihuana Myths and Facts
Myths and Facts About Marijuana
(*go to link and read, the video is no substitute, just a plus)
This collection of myths and facts is based on the book Marijuana Myths, Marijuana Facts: A Review of the Scientific Evidence . A decade after the book was published, the latest scientific evidence continues to support the original findings.
Top Five Marijuana Myths
Marijuana Can Cause Permanent Mental Illness
Marijuana Is Highly Addictive
Marijuana Is More Potent Today Than In The Past
Marijuana Offenses Are Not Severely Punished
Marijuana Is More Damaging to the Lungs Than Tobacco
Or click to read other common myths.
Myth: Marijuana Can Cause Permanent Mental Illness. Among adolescents, even occasional marijuana use may cause psychological damage. During intoxication, marijuana users become irrational and often behave erratically.
Fact: There is no convincing scientific evidence that marijuana causes psychological damage or mental illness in either teenagers or adults. Some marijuana users experience psychological distress following marijuana ingestion, which may include feelings of panic, anxiety, and paranoia. Such experiences can be frightening, but the effects are temporary. With very large doses, marijuana can cause temporary toxic psychosis. This occurs rarely, and almost always when marijuana is eaten rather than smoked. Marijuana does not cause profound changes in people's behavior.
Iverson, Leslie. “Long-term effects of exposure to cannabis.” Current Opinion in Pharmacology 5(2005): 69-72.
Weiser and Noy. “Interpreting the association between cannabis use and increased risk of schizophrenia.” Dialogues in Clincal Neuroscience 1(2005): 81-85.
"Cannabis use will impair but not damage mental health." London Telegraph. 23 January 2006.
Andreasson, S. et al. “Cannabis and Schizophrenia: A Longitudinal study of Swedish Conscripts,” The Lancet 2 (1987): 1483-86.
Degenhardt, Louisa, Wayne Hall and Michael Lynskey. “Testing hypotheses about the relationship between cannabis use and psychosis,” Drug and Alcohol Dependence 71 (2003): 42-4.
Weil, A. “Adverse Reactions to Marijuana: Classification and Suggested Treatment.” New England Journal of Medicine 282 (1970): 997-1000. Myths and Facts About Marijuana (*go to link and read, the video is no substitute, just a plus) ... more -
Top 10 food myths revealed
Our mums are always telling us fresh is best, our friends insist carbs are evil and our boyfriends say oysters are an aphrodisiac. They're all wrong, writes Shelly Horton.
1 Oysters are an aphrodisiac
Say it's not true! Everyone says oysters have aphrodisiac powers. However, oysters don't have a secret chemical agent that boosts your sex drive. Sure, they contain zinc, which is great for men (a bit of lead in the pencil) but will not make him toey. Sydney-based dietitian Susie Burrell says: "Zinc is linked to the sexual hormone but does not have an effect on libido. However, some people say oysters are an aphrodisiac because they look like parts of the female anatomy." Libido is mostly in the mind so maybe it's the romantic restaurant that's doing more work than the oyster entree.
2 Long-life milk is full of chemicals
It makes sense to think if milk can sit on a cupboard shelf for months it would need preservatives but it's not true. The secret lies in the application of high-temperature technologies. Karen Fischer, nutritionist and author of The Healthy Skin Diet says, "Milk is heated to 135 degrees then quickly cooled. That makes 'bad' bacteria perish, but all the minerals are retained. So long life milk is great as a stand by if you run out of fresh milk."
3 Light olive oil is "light" on calories
The "light" refers to the colour, not the fat content. "Shoppers are tricked into thinking light olive oil is better for you. That's impossible: it's still oil, it's simply lighter in colour. This is a case of really having to check the labels," Fischer says.
4 It is not safe to refreeze meat after it has thawed
Most mums have trotted out this myth ... however, it is actually safe to thaw and refreeze meat. But you do have to be very careful. The meat must be thawed in a fridge at five degrees or less. At this temperature, most bacteria responsible for food poisoning cannot grow and those that can, do so very slowly and are killed by subsequent cooking. "Keeping it cold will keep it safer. I actually do this myself," Burrell says. So no defrosting on the kitchen sink then chucking it back in the freezer or you'll be driving the porcelain bus. And just a warning, thawing and refreezing meat makes it lose its juices and go tough. Our mums are always telling us fresh is best, our friends insist carbs are evil and our boyfriends say oysters are an aphrodisiac. The... more -
A Unicorn In Tuscany
A young deer was born in an animal shelter and has a single horn bang in the middle of his forehead. The speculation is that since this anomaly, although rare, is not unknown, deer with a single horn on their forehead may be at the origin of the "Unicorn Myths". Some years ago, there were a couple or so white goats with a single horn sprouting from their forehead. It seems that their two horns welded and spiraled around each other. There again, the classical morphology of the unicorn depicts a white animal about the size of a large goat or a small deer, with a goat's "goatee" (hence the origin of that word), although it has a horse-like head and a mane. Its hooves are cleft like those of sheep, goats, deer, cattle, etc., and its tail is long and rather like a lion's tail.
There is no smoke without fire, they say, and many myths are born from unusual events and individuals, animals included. They have a basis in reality, and the mythification process embroiders and magnifies the original event and character.
Click on the above unicorn to see the video. A young deer was born in an animal shelter and has a single horn bang in the middle of his forehead. The speculation is that since thi... more -
Unicorns are REAL!
The one-year-old Roe Deer - nicknamed 'Unicorn' - was born in captivity in the research center's park in the Tuscan town of Prato, near Florence, Gilberto Tozzi, director of the Center of Natural Sciences, said. He is believed to have been born with a genetic flaw; his twin has two horns The one-year-old Roe Deer - nicknamed 'Unicorn' - was born in captivity in the research center's park in the Tuscan tow... more
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Scott McClellan on the "liberal media" - Glenn Greenwald - Salon.com
In a minimally rational world, this extraordinary passage, from the new book by Scott McClellan, would forever slay the single most ludicrous myth in our political culture: The "Liberal Media":
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"If anything, the national press corps was probably too deferential to the White House and to the administration in regard to the most important decision facing the nation during my years in Washington, the choice over whether to go to war in Iraq.
The collapse of the administration's rationales for war, which became apparent months after our invasion, should never have come as such a surprise. . . . In this case, the "liberal media" didn't live up to its reputation. If it had, the country would have been better served."
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Just consider how remarkable that is. George Bush's own Press Secretary criticizes the American media for being "too deferential" to the Government. He lays the blame for Bush's ability to propagandize the nation on the media's uncritical dissemination of the Republican administration's falsehoods. And most notably of all, McClellan actually uses cynical scare quotes when invoking the phrase which, in conventional political discourse, is deemed the most unassailable truth of all: The Liberal Media. In a minimally rational world, this extraordinary passage, from the new book by Scott McClellan, would forever slay the single most lu... more -
Cultucide song is part of an illegal art exhibit
Interesting article about Culturcide and, more importantly, a discussion board that clears up some of the urban music myths about this wonderfully experimental cult punk band....jump in and set the record straight, no pun intended. Or don't.
When the rest of the world danced into happy post punk disco, chemically induced and carefree. Culturcide assaulted tradition, tried new things, wore unusual trousers and proved that an experimental punk band from Houston was not to be taken lightly.
I had coffee with one of the lads this morning, and at no point did he attempt to bite me. They are generallly agreeable fellows and many own their own homes. Interesting article about Culturcide and, more importantly, a discussion board that clears up some of the urban music myths about this... more -
6 Intelligence Myths Exposed
1.Playing Brain Age
Many users start with little gaming experience, so it's not surprising that their scores improve — a phenomenon known as the practice effect. Sadly, there's no evidence that in-game gains translate to the real world. — Greta Lorge
2.Doing Crosswords
Some studies have reported that mental exercise can slow or reverse cognitive decline. But aging expert Timothy Salthouse of the University of Virginia says the evidence is all correlational, not causal: The respondents who were most drawn to mental exercise or pursued brain-intensive professions probably had greater cognitive reserves to begin with. So no, crossword puzzles probably won't fend off senility. What's a four-letter word for "commonly held but unproven belief"? Oh, right: myth. — G.L.
3.Eating Fish
before you take the bait, consider: Those studies trusted subjects to remember and report their dietary habits — a fishy procedure. A test of mice found that an omega-3-rich diet had no impact on cognitive function. And cold-water fish that are high in omega-3s are also likely to have elevated levels of methylmercury and PCBs, both known neurotoxins. It would be great if fish really were brain food. Unfortunately, we've got to throw this one back. — G.L.
4.Chewing Gum
The rationale: Chewing increases blood flow to the motor cortex and can trick the brain into expecting a meal. This triggers an increase in insulin production that could boost cerebral glucose levels — and thus smarts. Too bad a 2004 study found gum chewers to be less attentive than a control group. Looks like Mrs. Snodgrass was right after all. — G.L.
5.Listening to Music
In a recent study at Oregon Health and Science University, subjects exposed to a binaural pulse in the 3- to 8-Hz theta band (which is linked to working memory) showed no change in brain wave activity as measured by EEG. What's more, they actually became depressed and forgetful. If you wanted that, you'd just listen to Celine Dion. — G.L.
6.Taking Supplements
The supplements industry claims its products can boost your intelligence. Intelligent enough to check out the scientific basis for those claims? Pill purveyors better hope not. Here's how a few remedies rate on our snake oil scale. — Mathew Honan 1.Playing Brain Age ... more -
The 5 most ridiculous lies you were taught In history class
High school was hard enough, what with all the video games and boobies to distract us from our homework. What makes it even harder is having to unlearn all of the stuff they taught us in elementary school that turned out to be utter bullshit.
To this day you can even hear some adults repeating these "amazing" historical tales that, years ago, somebody just pulled out of their ass:
#5.
Columbus Discovered the Earth is Round
#4.
Einstein Flunked Math
#3.
Newton and the Apple
#2.
Washington and the Cherry Tree
#1.
Benjamin Franklin, the Kite and the Thunderstorm High school was hard enough, what with all the video games and boobies to distract us from our homework. What makes it even harder is ... more -
Top 10 myths keeping Hillary in the race
By: Chip Collis - - I have noted a number of myths amongst the comments here as to why Hillary should stay in the race. Here are ten enduring, kudzu-like myths, with the debunking they sorely need . . .
1. Myth: This race is tied.
No, actually, it's not. Obama has the lead in number of states won, in pledged delegates and in overall delegates. Nothing will happen in the remaining primaries to substantially change that. As to the one thing Hillary does lead in, superdelegates, her quickly shrinking margin is among DNC personnel only. When you look at the elected superdelegates, Congressman, Senators and Governors (i.e. people who actually work with both Obama and Clinton) Obama leads there, too. By: Chip Collis - - I have noted a number of myths amongst the comments here as to why Hillary should stay in the race. Here are ten e... more -
Goldfish memory myth busted by 15-year-old scientist
Be nice to your goldfish because it likely WILL remember what you do to it. The commonly held belief that goldfish have less short-term memory than a teenage pothead has been debunked. The 15-year-old scientist in Australia used a beacon during feeding time (Pavlov anyone?) to demonstrate that his goldfish have a memory of "at least six days." Be nice to your goldfish because it likely WILL remember what you do to it. The commonly held belief that goldfish have less short-ter... more
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The Curse of Pablito
A funny film a friend of mine made:
"this is what happens when an old Mexican myth is brought to life. Two straight unsuspecting teens call out to a gay troll and wake up to find out that they've been turned gay. 24 hours later, they have to fight for their lives before Pablito the gay troll kills them"
Make sure to watch part two: http://www.youtube.com/v/3aXwf22qQDY&rel=1 A funny film a friend of mine made: ... more -
It's the year of the rat, but what's a rat king?
Behold the legend of the rat king, a giant rat beast created when a load of rats get their tails tangled together. Fable has it that the rats then grow together into a single creepy, dirty, squeaking entity. Behold the legend of the rat king, a giant rat beast created when a load of rats get their tails tangled together. Fable has it that t... more
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The Google generation isn't that web-savvy
Kids today have a reputation for being these super-savvy internet geniuses that know far more about computers and the interweb than their parents ever will. But, like with so many stereotypes, there's more myth than truth to this one.
"It's true that young people prefer interactive systems to passive ones and that they are generally competent with technology, but it's not true that students today are 'expert searchers.' In fact, the report calls this 'a dangerous myth.' Knowing how to use Facebook doesn't make one an Internet search god, and the report concludes that a literature review shows no movement (either good or bad) in young people's information skills over the last several decades. Choosing good search terms is a special problem for younger users." Kids today have a reputation for being these super-savvy internet geniuses that know far more about computers and the interweb than th... more -
Medical Myths Your Doctor Probably Believes
We don't need to drink 8 glasses of water a day and turkey doesn't make you drowsy! Two US researchers scoured the medical literature for evidence to support seven widely held beliefs, and found little hard medical evidence to back them up. Some of the beliefs have been disproved. We don't need to drink 8 glasses of water a day and turkey doesn't make you drowsy! Two US researchers scoured the medical l... more
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7 Medical Myths Even Doctors Believe
This was quite intriguing.
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Words Of Wisdom That Are Actually...Wrong
We've all heard that reading in low light will ruin our eye sight, or that we're supposed to drink eight glasses of water a day, or that turkey makes us drowsy. All believable if we only are able to use 10% of our brains. But that's a myth too! Take a look at this list of those wise words we all swear by for no apparent reason. We've all heard that reading in low light will ruin our eye sight, or that we're supposed to drink eight glasses of water a ... more
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Sanctuary of Rome's "founder" revealed
For those who have not yet read the accounting of Romulus and Remus and their founding of Rome it is a very interesting read. To think it may be real is even more fascinating. /////
By ARIEL DAVID, Associated Press Writer
Tue Nov 20, 6:14 PM ET/////
ROME - Archaeologists on Tuesday unveiled an underground grotto believed to have been revered by ancient Romans as the place where a wolf nursed the city's legendary founder Romulus and his twin brother Remus. /////
Decorated with seashells and colored marble, the vaulted sanctuary is buried 52 feet inside the Palatine hill, the palatial center of power in imperial Rome, the archaeologists said at a news conference.////
In the past two years, experts have been probing the space with endoscopes and laser scanners, fearing that the fragile grotto, already partially caved-in, would not survive a full-scale dig, said Giorgio Croci, an engineer who worked on the site./////
The archaeologists are convinced that they have found the place of worship where Romans believed a she-wolf suckled Romulus and Remus, the twin sons of the god of war Mars who were abandoned in a basket and left adrift on the Tiber./////
Thanks to the wolf, a symbol of Rome to this day, the twins survived, and Romulus founded the city, becoming its first king after killing Remus in a power struggle.////end of excerpt For those who have not yet read the accounting of Romulus and Remus and their founding of Rome it is a very interesting read. To think... more
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Myths
