A tale of blue green algae, attacking birds, Hollywood and dementia
Many listeners especially Australians, would be familiar with “blue-green algae”. In particular, if you have spent any time in South Australia, you may recall periodic government alerts warning against drinking the water or using it for recreation during outbreaks or “blooms”.
The term algal ‘bloom’ describes an increase in the number of algal cells to a point where they can discolour the water, produce unpleasant tastes and odours, affect shellfish and fish populations and seriously reduce the water quality (1). Since many types of algae produce toxins, they can also make you very sick and have been responsible for the deaths of livestock and marine species.
Blue green algae, also known as cyanobacteria, are in fact photosynthesizing bacteria, which are green when metabolising and turn bluish when the scums are dying. Cyanobacteria live in terrestrial, fresh, brackish, or marine water, but can also live as symbiots in the roots of plants.
Algal blooms occur in all types of waterways and water storages, and bloom when nutrients and light are high. Whilst not all species which make up algal booms are toxic, there is no way to know, until you test them, so it is better to steer clear. Toxicity also varies with the seasons and environmental conditions.
The toxins, including domoic acid and BMAA (a neurotoxin) are released as the bloom dies and the cells become ‘leaky’. Domoic acid has been implicated in serious food poisonings, even deaths associated with shellfish and BMAA in neurodegeneration such as Alzheimer’s disease, ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease) and an ALS/Pakinsonism-dementia complex of Guam (Guam’s disease).
Australia – a history of blue green scum
Toxicity associated with blue green algae has been documented as far back as the 1850s, where accounts by European explorers and settlers contain numerous references to scums or discoloured water (2). Some reports also suggest the Australian Aboriginals had been aware of the poisonous nature of blooms as far back as 1850 (3).
The earliest documented scientific evidence was published in Nature in 1878 in a paper called “Poisonous Australian Lake.” The report described “..a bloom of Nodularia spumigera floated to the lake surface and was wafted to the lee shores, forming a scum 2–6 inches thick” (4).
Large numbers of livestock ingested the scum via drinking including horses, sheep and cattle and later died and one woman became seriously ill. The deaths and publication of the Nature paper created a heightened awareness amongst the public, leading to warnings, and police troopers stationed at various points along recreational and drinking water bodies, to warn of approaching blooms.
In the Summer of 1991-1992 an enormous bloom occurred in the Barwon-Darling River System in NSW. This bloom spread over an area spanning 1000 km and remains today the world’s largest Algal Bloom (5).
When birds attack; the Hitchcock connection.
But it’s not only livestock and humans who are at risk of illness when exposed to algal blooms. A very famous case of sea life allegedly falling victim to algal blooms occurred in California, USA.
In the early morning hours of August 17, 1961, residents of Santa Cruz were invaded by a massive flight of sooty shearwaters slamming into their homes and littering the streets and town. The Santa Cruz Sentinel Sentinel reported the incident under the headline; ‘Seabird Invasion Hits Coastal Homes’
‘…When the light of day made the area visible, residents found the streets covered with birds. The birds disgorged bits of fish and fish skeletons over the streets and lawns and housetops, leaving an overpowering fishy stench.’
Several theories exist as to the cause of the mass destruction and death. The first explanation was offered at the time of the incident by museum zoologist at the University of California, Ward Russell, who proposed that the birds were disturbed whilst feeding, became disorientated in the heavy fog that layered the coast that morning and headed for the light of the town, including torches held by curious residents, thus appearing to “attack”.
But scientists now speculate that ingestion of anchovies contaminated with toxic algae may have played a role.
What is known is that the incident sparked the interest of an author across the globe in Cornwall, England whom several years earlier in 1952, had also been attacked by birds, but in a very different scenario. In an autobiography of author Daphne Du Maurier called “The Private World Of Daphne Du Maurier”, author Martyn Shallcross describes Du Maurier was walking her dog by a lake, when two hungry seagulls attacked her dog then her, forcing her to seek shelter under a nearby tree. The result was the 1952 novellete “The Birds”.
Four days after the 1961 sooty shearwaters incident in Santa Cruz, the Santa Cruz Sentinel had another story to report,
“Hollywood mystery producer Alfred Hitchcock phoned The Sentinel Saturday to let us know he is using last Friday’s edition as research material for his latest thriller.” (August 21, 1961; page 4).
Apparently, the movie version of Du Maurier’s book was already underway under the supervision of Hitchcock, but the Santa Cruz incident may have inspired him to change the location from the quaint hills of Cornwall, England to Bodega Bay California, where his 1963 “The Birds” thriller was eventually set.
Evidence for a role for algal bloom poisoning in a mass disorientation and death of sea birds was presented in 1991, when a similar incident of unusual bird behaviour was observed around Monterey Bay in California. Studies of the dead birds, including brown pelicans and Brandt’s cormorants showed they were poisoned by domoic acid, probably from the anchovies that the birds fed on. Domoic acid is excreted in large quantities during plankton blooms, thus posing a risk for sea creatures that feed on plankton, and larger creatures further up the food chain.
Human poisonings have also been documented, some fatal. In 1987 a hundred people on Prince Edward Island in Canada suffered from dizziness, nausea, and memory loss after consuming contaminated mussels. On this occasion, four people died from the effects of the toxin.
A more recent hypothesis regarding disorientation amongst sea creatures leading to death as a result of acute plankton or cyanobacteria poisoning, is the phenomenom of whales beaching. This does not seem so unreasonable when you consider that algal blooms, occur regularly in the oceans, all over the world some so large, they have been photographed from space.
But it’s natural so it must be good for me!
So we now know that blue green algae can be toxic to both humans and animals, in some cases fatally. Sure it’s natural but this doesn’t necessarily make it safe. Cyanide is derived from the kernels of apricots – it’s completely natural but it will kill you. The Ebola virus is natural, but you will suffer an excrutiating death as your organs slough out your orifices.
As such it puzzles me is that you can buy cyanobacteria from your local health food store in a powder or tablet form marketed as spirulina. Touted as “100% Pure and Natural”, “nature’s superfood” and “Totally natural product” spirulina is nevertheless blue green algae meaning contamination with BMAA and other toxins can not be completely discounted.
Following the publishing of a paper from Cox et al. in 2005 (6) which reported 30 types of cyanobacteria were contaminated with BMAA, the Spirulina industry went into overdrive to ensure their customers that their products were safe. Several issued press releases emphasising (correctly) that the Cox paper did not test spirulina. One company, Cyanotech Corporation apparently approached Cox to test their spirulina for BMAA to which they say “he did not respond”1.
“The Company then enlisted the services of Professor Wayne W. Carmichael, Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at Wright State University and a leading expert in the field of cyanobacterial toxins. On June 3, 2005, Professor Carmichael reported his findings confirming the absence of detection levels of the suspected neurotoxin BMAA in Cyanotech’s Spirulina Pacifica.”
This is good news, for this batch of spirulina and for this company. But what about other producers of Spirulina? As discussed earlier, biological variability dictates that levels of toxins synthesized by cyanobacteria are different from season to season, time and lifecycle at harvest. For some of their lifetime blue-green algae may have no toxins, other times large quantities. If I was a consumer of spirulina (and why would I), I would want every batch tested before I take it.
In another press release from by Earthrise Nutritional they stated;
“It should also be pointed out that the connection between BMAA and Alzheimer’s disease is far from certain. Dr. Paul Alan Cox’s group has not made any definite connection in their report, and other experts in the field have expressed their reservations.”
This cyanobacteria/BMAA hypothesis was first proposed by Cox and colleagues including Dr Oliver Sacks when they found BMAA in the brains of Canadian and Guam Alzheimer’s patients but not in control patients (7) and further evidence has followed (8-9). This hypothesis has been further strengthened with recent findings from scientists at the University of Miami, where BMAA was detected in brain and spinal cords of ALS patients (10).
Similarly, veterans of the Gulf War have increased incidences of ALS at a younger age than the rest of the population. Studies into the cause included analyses of the deserts of Qatar and showed that 56% of the area consists of cyanobacterial crusts and mats which contained BMAA (10).
Further, an elegant “Google Maps” epidemiological study of a cluster of ALS patients in New Hampshire, USA revealed that many had resided by water bodies which had been subject to frequent algal blooms (11).
Although the cyanobacteria/BMAA hypothesis is not yet proven, the evidence is compelling enough for me to think twice before I consume spirulina. Especially when one grower has the following listed as “slight side effects”;
- Slight fever due to the body’s need to burn the extra protein from Spirulina
- Slight dizziness. If this occurs, take less of the product. If the symptom does not improve please stop taking Spirulina
- Thirst and constipation. After taking a high volume of Spirulina we recommend at least an extra 1/2 litre of water per day to help our body absorb the Spirulina
- Stomach ache
- Skin itch or slight body rash
(my emphasis)
Remember the 100 people from Prince Edward Island who were poisoned by shellfish? They;
“…suffered from dizziness, nausea, and memory loss after consuming contaminated mussels.”
Correlation does not equal causation but the similarities are interesting nonetheless.
——
Footnotes
1. Strangely I can find no trace of the original Cyanotech press release associated with them, only reports on other websites.
References
(1) http://www.derm.qld.gov.au/water/blue_green/blue_green.html last accessed January 5th
(2) http://www.publish.csiro.au/paper/MF9940731.htm last accessed January 5th 2010.
(3) Francis G. 1878. Poisonous Australian Lake. Nature (London) 18, 11-12.
(4) http://catalogue.nla.gov.au/Record/720907
(5) Cox et al. 2003. PNAS 100:13380-3.
(6) Cox et al. 2005. PNAS 102:5074-8.
(7) Murch et al. 2004. PNAS 101:12228-31.
(8) Murch et al. 2009. Acta Neurol Scand 120:216-225.
(9) Bradley and Nash. 2009. ALS S2:7-20.
(10) Cox et al. 2009 ALS S2:109-117.
(11) Caller et al. 2009 ALS S2:101-108.
Skeptic Zone 2009 Survey – Help Us To Help Our Show!
How did we do in 2009? What can we improve on? What have you liked so far and what would you like to see more of?
We’ve done it before – and we’re doing it again! Please enter in for the Skeptic Zone 2009 Survey.
This fairly basic demographic survey will help us know what segments people prefer, what features we should continue and what you thought of 2009 overall. Let us know – and help us make 2010 even better!
If you have been enjoying our show – check us out on iTunes and consider giving us a nice rating and review? Would be a great 2009 ending for us! 
Richard Saunders in an LA Pub – January, 2010!
- More details and RSVP at Meetup.com!
- From Skeptoid’s own Brian Dunning:
Australian skeptic Richard Saunders, from the Podcast The Skeptic Zone, will be in town early this January and would like to hang out with us in a place of imbibification (that’s fancy talk for “drankin”). Be sure to save the date now. This should be a really great time!
Saturday, January 2, 2010
7:00pm – 11:00pm
Muldoon’s Irish Pub
202 Newport Center Dr
Newport Beach, CA 92660
The Safe Breast Cancer Screening Test Your Doctor Isn’t Telling You About!!!
It’s safe, effective, with no side effects or risks. Sounds too good to be true? it just might be…
Thermography is the topic of this weeks Dr Rachie reports.
I refer to it as “The Safe Breast Cancer Screening Test Your Doctor Isn’t Telling You About” because this was what popped up on Google when I searched for information.
Image taken from www.lorencollins.net/trudeau/
Clued up sceptics would know this is one of the classic red flags to alert you to pseudoscience. In fact it has been used in the title of just about every book written by Kevin Trudeau, the infomerical billionaire from the US, who peddles all kinds of fantastical products and has been fined for doing so.
If you’re not familiar with the seven signs of pseudoscience, then it would be wise to become familiar with them to protect yourself from getting conned.
Dr Robert L Park published an article in the The Chronicle of Higher Education, Jan 31, 2003. in 2003, detailing the red flags to alert you to pseudoscience and the article has since been republished on Quackwatch.
1. The discoverer pitches the claim directly to the media.
2. The discoverer says that a powerful establishment is trying to suppress his or her work.
3. The scientific effect involved is always at the very limit of detection.
4. Evidence for a discovery is anecdotal.
5. The discoverer says a belief is credible because it has endured for centuries.
6. The discoverer has worked in isolation.
7. The discoverer must propose new laws of nature to explain an observation.
A little about breast cancer.
See Breast Cancer Australia for more information.
- 1 in 11 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer before the age of 75.
- Breast cancer is the most common cause of cancer related death in women in Australia.
- The incidence of breast cancer has risen over 18% from 1995 to 2005.
- In Australia in 2005, a total of 12,170 women and 95 men were diagnosed with breast cancer and there were 2,683 deaths.
So, what is thermography?
This technology was originally designed for US military use in night vision but also has many applications in medicine (Arora N. et al., 2008). The principle of medical thermography is the detection of small temperature differences in the body which are then transformed into thermal images that the practitioner interprets. The theory is that abnormalities such as malignancies, inflammation and infection emit increased heat that will appear as hot spots on images.
Breast thermography, also known as thermal breast imaging, is a technique that produces “heat pictures” of the breast, by measuring the temperature of the skin of the breast. The rationale for thermography in breast imaging is that the skin overlying a breast cancer can be warmer than that of surrounding areas.
Limits of thermography
Thermography was approved by the FDA in 1982 as an adjuct tool for breast cancer detection. Its applicability, however, was limited by the temperature resolution capability of earlier imaging technology, the bulky equipment necessary to perform procedures, and the general lack of computer analytical tools (Arora N. et al., 2008). Thermography is also limited in that it only indicates if a difference in temperature exists. The diagnostic significance of this information remains unclear. It has not been proven that performing thermography eliminates the need for other diagnostic studies, nor has it been demonstrated that any additional diagnostic value is provided by thermography.
Although thermography is a noninvasive low-risk procedure (i.e., no harmful rays are emitted), several disadvantages have prevented its widespread use. It requires a tightly controlled environment free from draft, temperature fluctuation, and humidity. It also requires a 20-minute to two-hour acclimatization period.
Does thermography detect breast cancer?
In 2004, the New Zealand Health Technology Assessment conducted a review of the scientific literature to establish the efficacy of thermography as a screening tool and adjunctive diagnostic tool. They scoured Pub Med, turning up 1,154 abstracts which matched their search criteria, from which 85 were selected for full text and three were used in the review. They reported;
“The evidence that is currently available does not provide enough support for the role of infrared thermography for either population screening or adjuvant diagnostic testing of breast cancer.”
Whilst there are studies demonstrating that thermography can be useful as an adjunct tool in breast screening (see Arora et al., 2008), this evidence is sparse and likely explains why cancer bodies and governments remains cautious about recommending the procedure.
BreastScreen SA has this information about thermography:
“According to several reviews there is no current scientific evidence to support the use of thermography in the early detection of breast cancer or in the reduction of mortality from breast cancer. The results of thermography in various studies are inconsistent, but overall, thermography produces an abnormal result in too many women who do not have cancer, and it misses cancers that are known to be present in other women.”
The scientific, peer-reviewed literature and professional societies do not support the use of thermography as a reliable indicator for the presence of breast cancer (Hayes, 2006).
And this also from the BreastScreen SA website; “There is a high level of consistency in the approach of numerous medical organizations from Australia and abroad in warning against the use of thermography for breast cancer detection. The following organisations support the use of mammography and do not support the use of thermography for breast cancer detection (valid as at May 2007):”
Excerpted from BreastScreen SA newsletter the GPs number 12, November 2007
Not that this prevents the alt med guys from spruiking it anyway, never mind the pesky evidence. One such case occurred recently when Mike Adams from the website Natural News reported on new findings about the risks associated with mammograms. No medical intervention is without risk and mammograms are no exception since small doses of radiation are used to image the breast tissue.
Several recent studies have shown that for women at high risk for breast cancer, getting early scans, beginning before the age of thirty, can increase the risk of getting the disease between 1.5 and 2.5 times. For this reason The US Department of Health and Human Services changed the recommendations for mammograms on November 19th 2009, advising that they should now be started at age 50 and performed bi-annually, up from 40 years of age.
Excerpted from BreastScreen SA newsletter the GPs number 12, November 2007
Among women who have BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations, the lifetime risk of breast cancer is 36% to 85%, and the lifetime risk of ovarian cancer is 16% to 60% (Jantoi et al., 2008) therefore, regular screening from a young age is important. The BRCA1/2 genes are known as “tumour suppression genes” and as such are responsible for correcting DNA mutations; mutations that may well result from radiation damage (Kennedy D.A., et al., 2009). As such, is it important for women with these mutations to discuss the risks of mammograms with their doctor and consider alternatives, such as MRI and ultrasound.
Mike Adams on Natural News reported findings from a recent study about the risks of mammography as “Study verifies mammography screenings cause cancer!” which is a completely misleading interpretation of the findings. To reiterate, they may increase the risk by a much as 2.5 fold, but they do not cause cancer. So if you are unlucky enough to have the double mutation and have a 60% chance of getting cancer, with the increased risk of 2.5 fold, you then you have a 120% chance. Not very good odds, which is why many such women who have this mutation get double mastectomies.
What a boob.
Mike then proposed that women get MRIs or thermography instead. Thanks for the medical advice Mike.
In line with the unreliability of thermography, BreastScreen Australia has published a position statement on their website stating; “ The National Advisory Committee to the BreastScreen Australia Program does not recommend the use of thermography for the early detection of breast cancer” for the following reasons;
Studies have shown that a tumour has to be large (several centimetres in diameter) before it can be detected by thermography (Homer 1985). Screening mammograms have the ability to detect breast cancer at a much smaller size, and therefore to reduce deaths from breast cancer. Less than 50% of breast cancers detected by mammography screening have an abnormal thermogram (Martin 1983).
Excerpted from BreastScreen SA newsletter the GPs number 12, November 2007
Thermography was also cited in a recent parliamentary enquiry in South Australia into what the AMA called “bogus” therapies, along with colonic irrigation, claims made by some chiropractors about “subluxation”, cures for cancer, and some erectile dysfunction treatments. The AMA has concerns about “quackery”, telling the inquiry that unregulated practitioners are a “relative risk to patient health and have enjoyed immunity and lack of scrutiny from the legal and regulatory authorities which apply to the medical profession”.
Take home message
The take home message is that thermography is unreliable – missing known cancers and diagnosing non-existent cancers – and also expensive at around $200 US dollars. But don’t take my advice or that of Mike Adams from Natural News, talk to your doctor.
———
References
Arora N., et al. Effectiveness of noninvasive digital infrared thermal imaging system in the detection of breast cancer. The American Journal of Surgery. 2008; 196: 523-526.
Hayes Search and Summary™. Digital infrared imaging (thermography) for detection of breast cancer. Lansdale, PA: HAYES, Inc.; ©2006 Winifred S. Hayes, Inc. 2006 Apr 2.
Homer MJ. Breast Imaging: Pitfalls, controversies and some practical thoughts. Radiological Clinics of North America 1985; 23: 459-471
Jatoi I. and Anderson W.F., Management of women who have a genetic predisposition to breast cancer. Surgical Clinics of North America. 2008; 88: 845 – 861.
Kennedy DA, Lee T, Seely D. A comparative review of thermography as a breast cancer screening technique. Integrative Cancer Therapies. 2009; 8: 9-16.
Martin JE. Breast imaging techniques, mammography, ultrasonography, computed tomography, thermography and transillumination. Radiological Clinics of North America 1983; 21: 149-153
The brains behind science & art
In this week’s Dr Rachie Reports for the Zone #60, I interview Dr Adam Hamlin from the Queensland Brain Institute at the University of Queensland about his work in neurodegeneration, especially Alzheimer’s disease.
During the segment, Adam shows me around the microscope room where we talk about the beautiful pictures he takes of brain slices using fluorescent imaging techniques.
Using mice as a model for Alzheimer’s disease, Adam can monitor the effect of a protein knows as beta-amyloid on the function of the brain. The technique he uses is called histology, which involves the removal of the brains, fixing them in wax or formaldehyde and then slicing them very finely with a very sharp blade contained in a machine called a “microtome”. Adam can then examine certain parts of the brain by staining or “decorating” them with antibodies which show up in different colours (you will see what I mean by decorate if you look below). The antibodies recognise specific proteins in the brain and allow him to monitor how treatment with drugs can modify the health of the brain.
Well like they say, a picture is worth a thousand words, so here with permission is a selection of Adam’s histology reproduced for you to enjoy.
If you would like to know more about any of the work shown here, please feel free to email Adam at a.hamlin [at] uq.edu.au with your questions. Click on the images for a larger view.
Darwin’s Bulldogs At Dragon*Con
The episode out today on the Skeptic Zone podcast features a panel discussion from the Science Track at Dragon*Con – called “Darwin’s Bulldogs, Teachers on the Front Lines”.
This panel was proposed by the moderator Matt Lowry, who is a high school physics teacher and a part-time Physics and Astronomy college professor. Joining him was myself, C. Kevin Barrett (a writer and biological anthropologist), Martin Bridgstock of Griffith University and author of the forthcoming book ‘Beyond Belief: Skepticism, Science and the Paranormal‘, Barbara Drescher, a cognitive psychologist and lecturer at California State University, Northridge, and our guest of honor, Dr. Eugenie Scott of the National Center for Science Education.
I took a little video footage during the presentation – you can see that here:
During the show, you can hear us discuss our experiences with creationists and how to effectively counter their pseudoscientific nonsense while also promoting good science education.
Please pop in a review at iTunes and leave some comments at the official site at www.skepticzone.tv!
Skeptic Zone Live! 2GB Radio, Tune In For The Saturday Show!
Yes, there’s a new video on the Skeptic Zone page – and you can hear presenters Richard Saunders and Dr Rachie on Sydney Radio! Here’s the details, which you can catch world-wide: www.2GB.com – Sydney Talkback Radio!
8pm – 9pm on Saturday nights Sydney time – here’s the live web-cam for the studio they’ll be recording in. Expect to see Richard be particularly flamboyant (has he packed his feather boa?) and Rachie laughing her laugh for the sake of science and reason.
Here’s the equivalent times, world-wide for Saturday 8pm -
Melbourne time: 8pm
Saturday Perth time: 5pm
Saturday Adelaide: 7.30pm
Saturday LA time: 2am Saturday (sorry!!)
Denver time: 3am (sorry!!)
Atlanta time: 5am (sorry!!)
New York time: 5am (sorry!!)
London time: 10am
Toronto time: 5am (sorry!!)
Auckland time: 10pm Saturday
For the really-early birds, hope you can catch us especially!! We’ll be Twittering to alert you and hope you send in some feedback to support Skepticism on radio!
Facebook Page Fun And Help Us Help You in this Halloween Season!
Our Facebook Page!
Hello to all our listeners and thanks so much for being a part of making the show fun and informative! By the way – seen all the vodcast films we’ve got on the Facebook page? Go check out Dr Rachie standing on George Hrab and Richard Saunders helping out with the ‘Twitter Song’ at Dragon*Con! 
Recently we’ve done two great episodes, #50 and #51 – with insights and information on a number of pro-skeptic activist groups. They’ve included skeptic-parents, skeptics in the pub (both new and established, world-wide), teachers, blog-groups and radio shows… and much more! If you’d like to have your group, blog, idea promoted – DO let us know!
There’s more time left in the year to get your message out. There may be another survey for our listeners on the way, to check that we’re still getting you the interviews and programming that you want.
Speaking of which – send in feedback, pop in a review on iTunes and let us know what else you’d like us to tackle. There’s a great many forthcoming interviews from Dr Rachie’s travels (she’s heading back to the USA in November, so do keep in touch!) and the ever-refreshing Think Tank for your listening palate. There’ll also be Skeptic Zone members on other podcast interview shows, so here’s hoping you enjoy supporting other programs too.
(P.S – The Australian National Skeptics Convention… not long now! See you there!!)
Skeptic Zone’s Token Skeptic Blog /Pod /Con Round-Up!
Firstly, Skeptic North is the first blog to have a truly pan-Canadian scope. They have a great team of Canadian skeptic authors from across the country and from a wide-range of backgrounds, both academic and professional. Their site is skepticnorth.com and you should check out the blog interview with Junior Skeptic’s Daniel Loxton, by Skeptically Speaking host Desiree Schell.
The Skeptic Zone is a big supporter of the Parsec award winning 365 Days of Astronomy. Reports include May 14th with Tiffany Day, Kylie Sturgess on July 1st and now Richard Saunders has contributed an episode for September 23rd. The 365 Days of astronomy podcast hope to continue the show in 2010. Head to their site at 365daysofastronomy.org, for more news about donating and contributing further content.
Right now TAM London is happening – and the Rise of Atheism is on the horizon. The Global Convention is held in Melbourne from 12-14 March 2010 and tickets are now selling at atheistconvention.org.au. It will feature Richard Dawkins, PZ Myers, Robyn Williams, Phillip Adams and many more. The Australian Skeptics National convention is happening even sooner, in Brisbane at the University of Queensland from November 27-29. The Australian skeptics website at skeptics.com.au has further details.
The New York Skeptics, who just held the NECCSS conference where Dr Rachie presented, now has a blog too. The Gotham Skeptics Blog is found at nycskeptics.org/blog – and anyone around the world can be a supporter of the New York City skeptics.
Finally, Grassroots Skeptics at ohioskeptic.com/grassrootsskeptics/ – they’re all about activism and also looking for contributing writers. Sign up for news and information on their site.
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