Science question of the day

Ok suppose two identical twins have sex with a woman only hours apart, and she becomes pregnant, is there a way to trace the father? Obviously the standard DNA tests will not work, but are there any epigenetic alternatives? One of the problems is that methylation of the genome is reset at an early embryonic stage. While there may be imprinting, is it possible to match it to the father's "consensus" sperm imprinting, or is it sperm cell specific? Any ideas?

Bayblab podcast Episode8

Episode 8 is now available (rss on the right)! It's a special podcast live from space with Stephen Hawking, as we discuss how you can make sperm cells from bone marrow, how plasma gasification may be useful for waste disposal, we expose a cancer quack and much more...Special thanks to Jaime Corinaldi for his most excellent music. MC Hawking better beware of this new scientist on the block. And a guest star appearance by Leigh Miller!

This may be the best one so far, lets see what the critics have to say: "The bayblab is so much better [than Science Friday]. It even has Stephen Hawking. All Ira Flatow can claim is that he’s interrupted people who are talking about Stephen Hawking." Ben Ferguson

Shrinking Penis

Koro ("head of turtle" in Malay) is a type of mass hysteria (which is greek for uterus) , particularly prevalent in Asia and Africa, where men panic about their genitals retracting into their abdomen and subsequent death. Often people will be accused of witchcraft and the afflicted individual may attempt desperate measures to stop the shrinkage, by tying rocks of heavy objects on the pecker. This is a surprisingly well-studied phenomenon with over 130 publications on the subject on pubmed. There has even been documented "epidemics" of Koro. In the west, koro is rarely observed, but can be induced as a consequence of marijuana intoxication. However these drugs may also cause you to grow giant balls and rescue drowning people. I'm just saying. While there are no "cures" for koro, psychological treatment is very effective. Hypnosis might also be worth a try, since it can cure woman of sperm phobia...