The APRIL 2016 SKEPTICAL CROSSWORD is about Homeopathy
APRIL 2016 LOGIC & MATHS PROBLEMS
is our 45th Logic & Maths set. Our L&M sets commenced in August 2012; (see PUZZLES ARCHIVE 3 .)
Seven new Picture Puzzles and twenty more “Mixed Bag” Trivia Questions are at the top of the PUZZLES PAGE
Enjoy!
The MARCH 2016 Skeptical Crossword returns to the theme of General Skeptical Issues.
MARCH 2016 LOGIC & MATHS PROBLEMS is the 44th such set. If you wish, you can search for all our other monthly L&M sets starting from August 2012 Maths & Logic Puzzles in PUZZLES ARCHIVE 3 .
Seven new Picture Puzzles and twenty more “Mixed Bag” Trivia Questions are at the top of the PUZZLES PAGE
Enjoy!
For the fifth year in a row, Australia’s favourite low-key, grassroots skeptical event will run at the Aireys Inlet Community Hall on Saturday 27 February 2016. View More SURFCOAST SUMMER SKEPTICAMP V
We are proud to announce that Melbourne will host the annual Convention in 2016.
November 25-27
The main venue will be the Carillo Gantner Theatre in the University of Melbourne’s Asia Centre.
http://lostoncampus.com.au/25270
http://lostoncampus.com.au/25270/map
Lawrence Krauss and Edzard Ernst have accepted our invitations to head up a great range of speakers.
We will be setting up a dedicated website for this event: More details soon!
This month as a bonus we’ve given ten pre-loved code-type puzzles for you to solve (see left)
You’ll find the answers HERE
The JANUARY 2016 SKEPTICAL CROSSWORD is about job titles and descriptions. It features job titles related to the paranormal, high-falutin’ job titles found on the internet and other interesting, lesser-known job titles.
There’s the JANUARY 2016 LOGIC & MATHS PROBLEMS
and new sets of Picture Puzzles and “Mixed Bag” questions have found their way to the top of the PUZZLES PAGE
Enjoy!
We seem to be riding a wave of mainstream support for a Skeptical / rational view of health policy. The following is an editorial from The Age Newspaper of 22/12/15. The highlights are entirely down to us!
Well done, THE AGE !
______
You cannot argue against the science
The science is clear. It is beyond argument. It is accepted. For hepatitis C sufferers, there is no dispute, only relief. The federal government announced yesterday that drugs to combat the disease will be placed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. The drugs can cost a patient $100,000 but, for Australia’s 230,000 sufferers, they will now be accessible for the PBS co-payment cost of $37.70, or $6.10 for concession.
According to Health Minister Sussan Ley, 10,000 new cases are diagnosed each year. She hopes that the drugs will not only halt the spread of Hep C, an infectious virus that attacks the liver, but in the long term eradicate it.
It is a welcome, and enlightened, move to alleviate suffering.
And then we move, in a historical paradox, from the enlightenment to the dark ages. The science is still clear. It is still beyond argument. It cannot be repudiated. And yet it is. The subject, of course, is the vaccination of children.
We’re pleased to re-post, with the kind permission of the authors, the following letter. It was published in The Australian newspaper on 18/12/15.
[We note with interest that at the time of posting The Australian is running with this issue on the front page.]
The government is struggling to find savings and about to make real inroads into pathology services, prescriptions and other valuable medical benefits of proven effectiveness. The Treasurer asks for suggestions as to where alternative savings might be made, so here are three. View More “Letter to the Editor…”
Ross Balch BAppSc(MedSc) BAppSc(Microbiol) is a medical researcher, currently studying genetic diversity in dengue virus.
A skeptical activist, Ross is President of the Brisbane Skeptic Society. He is also a Science Populariser, Podcaster, Musician and Photographer.
Vic Skeptics will host Ross at a Dinner where he will speak and perform. His topic will be Emerging Viruses.
“Emerging viruses continue to be a significant challenge for health authorities around the world. In this presentation I examine 3 case studies of emerging viruses; Ebola, Dengue and SARS. I will describe the circumstances that contribute to the spread of each virus, what we can do to limit future out break and what features make a virus more likely to be emergent than others. If you would like some more skepticism I can also discuss some of the pseudoscience that has followed these outbreaks.”
Monday 14th December
La Notte Restaurant, 140 Lygon Street Carlton,
The Club Room, 6:30 for 7:00 pm
$10 entry at the door then meal and drinks at normal prices.
You can see and hear Ross at https://www.youtube.com/user/rossbalch
The
DECEMBER 2015 SKEPTICAL CROSSWORD PUZZLE
has CHARLES DARWIN as its theme, and is an early reminder of the celebrations that usually occur on and around February 12 each year.
Click here for
DECEMBER 2015 LOGIC & MATHS PROBLEMS
with more PICTURE PUZZLES and MIXED BAG (trivia) QUESTIONS at the top of the PUZZLES PAGE
Enjoy!
The
NOVEMBER 2015 SKEPTICAL CROSSWORD PUZZLE
has ASTROLOGY as its theme
Click here for NOVEMBER 2015 LOGIC & MATHS PROBLEMS
with new PICTURE PUZZLES and MIXED BAG QUESTIONS at the top of the PUZZLES PAGE
Enjoy!