The Dose: Earliest Known Amputation
Polio emergency, underwater ambience, & earliest known amputation
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The Serious Stuff
In this section, we share the most important pandemic and science updates.
Polio Emergency. On September 9, 2022, New York State declared a state of emergency as a response to the emerging poliovirus outbreak. The emergency order allocates resources and funds to address the situation. It now authorizes EMS workers, certified nurse midwives, and pharmacists to administer polio vaccines. Read More.
Boosters and Flu Shots. Yes, you can get your Covid-19 booster at the same time as your flu shot! It doesn’t impact the protection you would receive from either, and for many people, it’s more convenient than scheduling multiple shot appointments. U.S. officials are expecting an early and difficult flu season, so don’t wait to get yours! Read More.
The Beautiful Stuff
In this section, we share pieces at the intersection of science and art that have us obsessed.
Interested in some underwater ambience? Then you’ll love this YouTube video from Nature Relaxation Films. It contains 11 hours of underwater footage, set to soothing music. Bright, colorful, magical, and relaxing. Take 5 minutes to yourself today and check this out.
In the U.S., football season has kicked off (we won’t get into the soccer/futbol debate!), and folks are donning their favorite jerseys and prepping the hot wings. But did you know there’s actually a lot of physics involved in football? This article from HowStuffWorks breaks down the science behind throwing the ball, tackling and blocking, and punting. If you find yourself bored during the next half time break, this should fill your time!
Shortly before borders began closing in March 2020 because of the pandemic, a team of Indonesian and Australian researchers discovered something pretty remarkable- the earliest known evidence of amputation. Even in the age of modern medicine, it’s notoriously difficult to prevent infection from surgical amputations. But somehow, at least 31,000 years ago, a successful amputation of a partial leg and a foot were performed on a young adult, who not only survived, but went on to live another 6-9 years.
The Personal Stuff
❤️ The Intern Corner
This week, we asked our team the question, “Did you ever participate in a science fair as a child? If so, what was your project or experiment?”
Ilze, R&C and Design- There weren’t science fairs in Latvia in the 90s, but we did find the weirdest veggies in our parents’ gardens and bring those in! It was always the 5-legged carrots and potatoes that have all kinds of growths and look like ‘human’ heads.
Jarrod, Design- Tornadoes- I had a plastic piece that would let you attach two 2-liter soda bottles together and you could start a "tornado" (made of water, with added debris lol) in one bottle and watch it spin until it all drained down to the other bottle.
Brandi, Design- The one I did the most work on was what type of soil held into water the longest when I was in like, 6th grade. I did another one of microwave interference that my dad helped me on, but I honestly didn't understand a thing I was doing and my dad is a mechanical engineer who wasn't great at explaining things to children (sorry for the call out, Brandi’s dad!)
Montana, Producer- I once did a blind taste test with soda. Maybe 2nd or 3rd grade? Needless to say, it was pretty popular because I had free soda for children!
That’s it for this issue!
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