Tag: truth

• Human Growth Plants and Zen and the Art of Lying

  In an effort to combat global hunger, scientists are attempting to create crops with a higher yield without enlarging their footprint. Researchers have even transferred a human protein into plants to supersize them, with results that are surprising even them. Jeff and Anthony discuss this bizarre and promising method and what it might mean for the world. Then, how do we know when someone is lying? A new study shows that our instincts for determining the honesty in other might be completely skewed. Anthony and Jeff lie to each other to find out. [more]

  September 10, 2021Episodes

• Creating Tears and Encouraging Truth

  Scientists have created groupings of cells that can cry. Jeff and Anthony debate whether this creates incredible new frontiers, or is a nightmare from which we will never awaken. Then, a new study suggests that shifting reader attention online can help combat the spread of inaccurate information. Adding a request to rate information accuracy can actually change the quality of information they share online. Anthony and Jeff discuss how effective this approach might be on social media channels. [more]

  March 31, 2021Episodes

• Cheaters, Liars, and Ignoble Prize Winners

  In a new paper, a team of researchers in Spain have identified three different profiles of dishonesty and cheating, and within each profile, two distinct types. Jeff and Anthony discuss the science of lying and cheating, apropos of nothing in particular that might be happening in the news every single damn day. Then, the Ig Nobel Prize has been given out for 30 years, celebrating under-appreciated pioneers in many fields. Have Anthony and Jeff finally found the perfect award? [more]

  October 2, 2020Episodes