SSE’s March Babies are in Good Company

• March 14, 1879: Albert Einstein was born. Albert Einstein reshaped modern physics with his theories of relativity, fundamentally altering our understanding of space, time, and motion. His work displaced earlier concepts like the “luminiferous ether,” which had been widely assumed to fill space and serve as a medium for light propagation.

However, the story may not be so settled.

In Volume 28, No. 4 of the Journal of Scientific Exploration, James DeMeo revisits a series of historical and modern experiments—most notably those of Dayton Miller—which reported positive evidence for a cosmic ether and measurable ether-drift. These findings, long overshadowed by the dominant interpretation of the Michelson–Morley experiment as a “null result,” suggest that the question of an ether may not be fully resolved.

Notably, Einstein himself acknowledged that if Miller’s results were valid, relativity could face serious challenges.

As we move into spring and look ahead to the Society for Scientific Exploration’s annual conference this June, I want to extend a heartfelt invitation to join us for what promises to be one of our most energizing gatherings in years. Each SSE meeting is a reminder of why this community exists: to bring together curious, rigorous, open‑minded explorers who are willing to follow evidence wherever it leads—and to do so in a spirit of collegiality, creativity, and shared purpose.

This year’s conference theme highlights something at the core of the SSE mission: the fertile space where hard data and subjective experience meet. Many of the most intriguing scientific frontiers live in that intersection—where measurement pushes against the limits of instrumentation, where personal experience challenges conventional models, and where new methodologies invite us to rethink what counts as evidence. Our presenters will be sharing work that spans this entire spectrum, from quantitative analyses and novel experimental designs to phenomenological reports and theoretical frameworks that help make sense of them.

But the true value of the conference goes far beyond the formal program. In‑person interaction remains irreplaceable, especially in a field like ours where cross‑disciplinary insight is essential. Conversations over coffee often spark collaborations that no amount of email or online discussion can replicate. A question raised during a Q&A session can open a new line of inquiry. A chance encounter at lunch can turn into a long‑term friendship. These human connections—spontaneous, unplanned, and deeply generative—are part of what makes our SSE community so special.

If you’ve attended before, you know the inspired feeling it brings… the sense of being surrounded by people who are genuinely listening, genuinely thinking, and genuinely invested in pushing the boundaries of knowledge. If you’re considering attending for the first time, I encourage you to take the leap. You’ll find a welcoming environment, a diversity of perspectives, and a shared commitment to exploring questions that matter.

I look forward to seeing many of you in June—renewing old connections, forging new ones, and continuing the work that defines our Society. Until then, I wish you a productive and inspiring spring season.

Warmly,

James Houran, Ph.D.

Interim-President, SSE
Editor-in-Chief, JSE

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Journal of Scientific Exploration—Spring Issue Preview

The next issue of JSE offers a dynamic blend of empirical inquiry, conceptual innovation, and reflective scholarship—an edition that exemplifies a commitment to integrative, boundary-crossing science.

The issue opens with a joint editorial by James Houran and Bruce Champagne, “Rediscovering Cryptozoology as an Integrative Science,” which proposes a unifying framework that bridges biological, psychological, and cultural perspectives in a fresh re-examination of cryptid reports. Their call for synthesis sets the tone for an issue that moves fluidly across disciplines and methods.

Several research articles advance methodological rigor and empirical exploration. One contribution presents best-practice guidelines designed to strengthen reliability and protocol standards in expert remote viewing research. Another investigates how UFO sightings can catalyze meaningful prosocial and personal transformation, suggesting that anomalous encounters may leave constructive as well as disruptive legacies. A further study examines the elusive, sometimes “trickster-like” dynamics that arise in the very act of writing about anomalous phenomena, highlighting the complex interplay between experience and interpretation. Experimental work probing possible mind–matter correlations reports new findings from controlled random number generator studies, while the latest installment in an ongoing series on vapor phase electrochemistry explores unconventional electrochemical behavior at the frontiers of materials science.

A brief report presents preliminary data indicating that specific pure-tone frequencies may modulate skin conductivity, pointing to subtle links between auditory stimulation and physiological response. Complementing the empirical work, an essay titled “Toward a Natural History of Psi” sketches a conceptual roadmap for understanding psi phenomena through evolutionary and ecological lenses.

The issue also features thoughtful book reviews involving recently accessible materials from the U.S. government’s remote viewing program collected in Star Gate Archives, fresh perspectives on the enduring Shakespeare Authorship Question, and reflections on the latest volume of Jacques Vallée’s journals in Forbidden Science, with its implications for contemporary UAP research.

Altogether, this issue captures the methodological innovation, empirical curiosity, and integrative vision that continue to define scientific exploration at its boldest edges.

June SSE Conference

Registration and hotel reservations are now open!

The Society for Scientific Exploration (SSE) invites you to join us in Westminster, Colorado—located between Denver and Boulder—for our 44th Annual Conference. This year’s theme, Evidence & Encounters, explores two complementary approaches to frontier science:

• Evidence – grounded in empirical data, rigorous analysis, and theoretical insight
• Encounters – based on personal experiences that challenge conventional scientific paradigms

Together, these tracks aim to deepen our understanding of anomalous phenomena, their cross-disciplinary relevance, and their potential real-world impact.

Upcoming MAVERICK Talks: Interactive Virtual Chats about Bold Ideas

MAVERICK = Monthly Adventures Via Exploration, Revealing Inquiry, Curiosity, and Knowledge. Help us shape the future of scientific exploration - one bold idea at a time!

SSE's monthly virtual forum, where members can share works-in-progress, spark fresh inquiry, and receive thoughtful feedback from fellow explorers. Whether you're refining a method, testing a hypothesis, or navigating a controversial topic, this is your space to engage, reflect, and grow. 

When & Where: Second Sunday of each month (unless a quarterly webinar is scheduled) 1-hour Zoom sessions at 5 PM ET | 4 PM CT | 3 PM MT| 2 PM PT

More Information and Upcoming talks: 

• April 12, 2026 (Debra Katz)

• May 10, 2026 (Olga Strashun)

• June 14, 2026 (Gregg Korbon)

• July 12, 2026 (Marcie Dean)

SSE’s April “Encounters” Webinar

Biofields and Energy Work

Join Garret Yount, Ph.D. for this exclusive SSE Live Event: 11:00 AM Central Time, April 21, 2026

Molecular neurobiologist at the Institute of Noetic Sciences (IONS) where his research focuses on laboratory-based models of exceptional human abilities. Author: “Why Vibes Matter: Understand Your Energy and Learn How to Use it Wisely.

Why Attend?

• Learn about science’s current understanding of biofields

• Discover where energy “vibes” come from and how they affect us 

• Gain practical tools and techniques to help you attune to your own bioenergies and vibes and how to influence them in the wisest possible way

Join us for an “energizing” interactive presentation on the frontier science and application of biofields.

About Your Presenter: 

Garret Yount, PhD, is a molecular neurobiologist at the Institute of Noetic Sciences (IONS) where his research focuses on laboratory-based models of exceptional human abilities. He obtained his BS from the Department of Molecular & Cell Biology at the Pennsylvania State University and his PhD from the Department of Neurobiology & Behavior at the State University of New York at Stony Brook. He began his formal studies in consciousness research with a small grant from the Institute of Noetic Sciences in 1995, which allowed him to work with biofield practitioners and spiritual healers in the laboratory. Since then, Dr. Yount has conducted carefully controlled laboratory experiments with spiritual healers and biofield practitioners from around the world, including China, Brazil, Canada, USA, Japan, India, Russia, Hungary, and Sri Lanka, and was fortunate to be among the first scientists to be awarded a Research Project Grant (R01) from the National Institutes of Health to study energy healing. He is the author of Why Vibes Matter: Understand Your Energy and Learn How to Use it Wisely. 

Stay Connected

Want to go deeper?

Follow us on Substack and YouTube for expanded content that goes beyond what you’ll find here.

On Substack, we’re building a space for deeper exploration—featuring:

• Extended materials and insights from our MAVERICK Talk presenters

• Curated pieces from the Edge Science archive

• Additional commentary, context, and ongoing conversations you won’t see anywhere else

And on YouTube, you can watch talks, presentations, and discussions that bring these ideas to life.

If you’re drawn to the edges of science, Substack is where the conversation continues.

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Ripped From the Headlines!

Bigfoot Sightings Surge in Ohio

A cluster of recent Bigfoot sightings in northeast Ohio has reignited national attention—and curiosity—around one of North America’s most enduring cryptids.

In early March 2026, multiple witnesses across Portage County—including Mantua, Garrettsville, and surrounding wooded areas—reported encounters with a large, human-like creature described as 6 to 10 feet tall, covered in dark or reddish-brown hair.

What makes this wave particularly interesting is its density. Reports were logged within just a few days of each other, a phenomenon cryptozoologists refer to as a “flap”—a sudden spike in sightings concentrated in a specific region.

Witness accounts share striking similarities:

• A strong, musky or ammonia-like odor

• Silent or unusually fast movement through wooded areas

• Startled animals, including dogs reacting with fear

• Brief but vivid visual encounters before the figure disappears

Some researchers speculate that if such a creature exists, it may be using greenbelt corridors and forested trail systems to move undetected—what enthusiasts sometimes call a “natural highway.”

Despite the number of reports, there is still no physical evidence—no clear photographs, no verified tracks, and no biological samples.

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A Farewell Funny

A statistician is someone who tells you, when you've got your head in the fridge and your feet in the oven, that you're – on average - very comfortable.