The Dose: Zombie Ants
Zombie Ants, Pfizer Didn't Lie, & A Nature Brain Break
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The Serious Stuff
In this section, we share the most important pandemic and science updates.
Did Pfizer lie about the efficacy of Covid-19 vaccines? No! A 2020 video that’s circulating is being weaponized by anti-vaxxers as “proof” that the vaccines don’t work to stop Covid. However, the goals of the vaccine have always been prevention of serious illness, hospitalization, and death. You can read more here, but you should know that there’s a difference between infection and transmission, and this is a sensationalized discussion that’s ignoring the science.
Last week’s episode of the pod went viral! The doctors broke down the latest information on monkeypox virus and poliovirus. The good news is that we’re seeing improvements on both fronts. The unsurprising (but also good!) news is: vaccines work! If you haven’t yet, check out the episode here.
The Beautiful Stuff
In this section, we share pieces at the intersection of science and art that have us obsessed.
Zombie ants? Worm blobs? Yes, you read that correctly. Just in time for Halloween, we’re sharing this article from the National Science Foundation listing off a dozen spooky, icky, creepy, and true wonders of science. Zombie ants are actually tropical carpenter ants that have been infected with a parasitic fungus that forces them to do unnatural things. Check it out, if you dare!
A tropical carpenter ant infected with parasitic fungus.
Credit: David Hughes, Department of Entomology and Biology, Penn State University
Need a brain break? Take a few minutes to watch live jellyfish in California or manatees in Florida. Explore.org offers animal live cams from around the world and aims to help viewers fall in love with nature again.
The It List
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Sound Off
In this new section, we’d like your opinion on current headlines related to health and science.
Soup on Van Gogh’s Sunflowers? Mashed potatoes on a Monet? You’ve likely seen the recent stories with climate activists protesting at museums and defacing famous works of art, all in the name of climate change. Is this beneficial? Do we need shock value to bring a serious issue to light? We want your feedback!
That’s it for this issue!
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