Question: Passing gas cures cancer? View the following video (*contains explicit language): Scientific Studies: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO)

Then find a recent "news" story where the popular media likely misconstrued the hard science behind the article that it is claiming to be reporting on. Then find the original research article itself, and share both of these with the class. What fantastical claims are the media purporting? In what ways do the media exaggerate the original article in order to make it more "glamorous" or sensational?

Post a response to the video you watched with the link above and addressing the questions above.

create a response to the following two discussion responses:

1. "New Scientific Study Suggests Humans Were Created By Aliens"

The fantastical claims the media are purporting in this particular news report, are human life on Earth is a direct result of alien intervention. This is due to scientists finding a particular signature of the number 37 in our genetic makeup. They suggest something was purposefully sent in a process called panspermia (a theory that life on earth originated from microorganisms or chemical substances of prior life forms in outer space, which then can initiate life when reached a suitable environment). So where does the number 37 come into play? The example the media gives, is the mass of all molecules core shared by 30 amino acids is 74.They figure this number 37 times 2 to equal 74. Therefore, since the number 37 appears in our genetic makeup, is proof enough to suggest human life were created by intelligent aliens from another planet. The original article simply claims to have discovered an "intelligent-like signal" with our genetic makeup. The study respectfully admitted the theory is far fetched. Not quite having solid evidence of what, if any planet released this "chemical life substance" that was transferrable to Earth. The media exaggerated the original article in portraying it to be a direct result of alien intervention, where as the article focused more on the molecular components within the human gene.

2. "No: Smelling fart does not prevent cancer "

This news article was truly absurd and the most twisted thing I had ever heard of. Indicating that smelling fart might prevent cancer. Scientists made no such claims to this statement. The original article from a University of Exeter press release was titled, "Rotten egg gas holds key to healthcare therapies."

It was this one quote that reporters just took out of context. Although hydrogen sulfide is well known as an overpowering, foul-smelling gas in rotten eggs, it is naturally produced in the body and could in fact be a healthcare significance with implications for future therapies for a variety of diseases," said Dr. Mark Wood of the biosciences department at the university, based in the United Kingdom.

The actual journal article in Medicinal Chemistry Communications that motivated the press release was not about smelling farts or preventing any disease. Instead, it discussed the development of a compound, that in laboratory experiments delivered very small amounts of hydrogen sulfide that is the heart of building cells

In none of the research stated individuals should inhale "fart" for any reason.