The Dose: Mapping Whale Superhighways
Lifting mask mandates, your brain in love, and mapping whale superhighways
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The Serious Stuff
In this section, we share the most important pandemic and science updates.
🦠 Omicron updates. A recent Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report by the CDC reveals to us that while Omicron appears to present with milder symptoms compared to other variants, it is far more infectious. The Omicron period spanning Dec 2020 to Jan 2022 saw the highest number of COVID-19-associated emergency department visits, hospital admissions and some of the highest daily counts since the pandemic started. Our healthcare systems were stretched beyond belief, which contributed to the substantial increase in deaths- primarily among unvaccinated people. It is also important to note that Omicron’s reduced severity is also related to the increase in vaccination and booster campaigns. Read more
💉 Moderna delays. Submission of Moderna’s safety data for kids and teens in the US has been delayed for several reasons. One, the participant pool for 6 months to 11 years was expanded to obtain more clinical trial data last June. Two, the firm started testing lower dosages and booster doses last December. While those of us with young children are disappointed that the vaccines will not be available just yet, all of these tweaks will generate more data that will inform vaccine strategies for our children. In the meantime, we can keep our eyes out for Moderna’s submission of safety data for 2-5 year olds to the FDA by March 2022. Read more
😷 Lifting mask mandates. There have been mixed messages from local, state, and federal authorities about whether it’s safe to lift mask mandates. There are also concerns about how our most vulnerable will be impacted, so here’s how to protect yourself and your community. First, there are still benefits to wearing a mask even when others do not. Second, wear high-quality and better-fitting masks. If you have children, the fit of a mask is particularly critical. Third, try to hang out in spaces that are open and well-ventilated. Since many states are intending to lift mask mandates in the coming weeks, we summarize the changes in mask mandates by state in this post. Read more
The Beautiful Stuff
In this section, we share pieces at the intersection of science and art that have us obsessed.
🎨 Play, enchant, teach. Rachel Ignotofsky is an author and illustrator based in California. Deeply inspired by history and science, art is her way of making science fun and accessible. Science books are her bread and butter- and her illustrations bring science to life like no other. Her color palettes are spell-binding, her typography sophisticated, and her brush strokes bring to life science in a tasteful, polished way that leaves you wanting more.
She has written and illustrated books titled, Women in Science, The Wondrous Workings of Planet Earth, What’s Inside A Flower and is taking pre-orders for The History of the Computer. Beyond having a gift for breaking down the technically intricate, Ignotofsky effortlessly sprinkles play and enchantment into her works- a mesmerizing element that grabs the attention of both children and adults alike.
Check out these two pieces released recently in celebration of Valentine’s Day. One takes us on a whole ride through our brains when we’re in love, and another anatomically correct illustration, decked out in the right, soft shades of red. Check out more of her work here.
🍒 What makes a tomato a fruit? And did you know that fruits can be grouped into four general types? This intuitive and delicious infographic tells us how and why. The raspberry is an ‘aggregate fruit’, which means it grows from an individual flower and multiple ovaries that have fused together. Interestingly, a pineapple turns out to belong to the ‘multiple fruits’ group because it forms when several flowers and ovaries fuse together! And a tomato, well, it is a simple fruit. Find out why here.
🏡 The magic of community. Why does a sense of community protect our health? When we feel connected to someone, specific parts of our brain become stimulated: those that promote feelings of safety, and those that reinforce us to take care of one another. Connection and community lower our body’s feelings of threat and harm, giving rise to feel-good emotions that protect us, physically and mentally. The holidays might be over, but this adorable animation carries a warm message that rings as true as ever. Community can exist across different facets of our lives- where do you find yours? Watch here
👀 Putting life into perspective. Which animal group contributes the most of all animal biomass on earth? First place goes to a group you may not expect- the group housing crabs, lobsters, shrimps and barnacles! That’s right, marine arthropods, or invertebrates that live under the sea, contribute the largest proportion of carbon weight in the Animal Kingdom. To find out which group forms the majority of all biomass on the planet, check out the full graphic here.
🐋 The first map of whale superhighways. This map visualizes the satellite tracks of more than 1000 migratory whales from around the globe. The amalgamation of 30 years of scientific data and the toil of more than 50 research groups, this study reveals things we never knew about whales’ migratory routes- otherwise known as blue corridors. Not only is this guide visually compelling, it reveals to us critical information about how human activities such as industrial fishing, pollution, habitat loss and climate change interfere and endanger our planet’s beloved giants. Check out the full map and full visual guide here.
The Personal Stuff
❤️ The Intern Corner
This week, we asked our team the question, "Is there something that you've dreamed of doing for a long time? Why haven't you done it?"
April English: “Over the last couple of years, I've dreamt of becoming an Airbnb host, to meet unique individuals from across the world. I haven't done it yet because of $$, but my partner and I are currently working on that so our dream will come true!”
Ilze Abersone: “I have always wanted to hike to Everest Base Camp. For a long time I thought that I could not do it physically, but I have recently been on some high altitude trips and hikes so I know that I can do it. Now it's just down to the logistics saving up and finding the time. Fingers crossed 🤞”
Maria Victoria Dreher: “I think that for me is definitely travel more, I had multiple trips planned, especially around Europe, but since COVID hit I couldn't go anywhere. I dream on taking my mom to Italy because she LOVES everything about the country and think it would be amazing to enjoy it with her. In the long run, Iwould say definitely buying a house but the house market in Toronto is wild.
He Shiying: “For me, I really want to co-author a piece, maybe even a book with Maria Popova. She's the author of the famous Brain Pickings, now known as The Marginalian. Her writing inspires me to no end in my own search for meaning in science and art. I haven't done it yet because l don't think I've created an ouvre good enough to approach her. One day I will!”
Is there something that you've dreamed of doing for a long time but haven’t done? Hit reply and let us know!
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