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What is in the This Week in Science Podcast?
Interview with JPL Mars Geologist Fred Calef III, Virus Viability, New Reality, COVID-19 Vaccine Trial, Lighten Up Trauma!, Croc Moms Rock, Donation Acceptance, Human Magnetoreception, Anxious Kids?, Legos Live Forever, Some Good COVID News, And Much More…
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Disclaimer, Disclaimer, Disclaimer!!!
If you went outside today…
why?
Maybe you haven’t heard…
we are in the midst of a global pandemic!
A virus has gone viral despite not getting any likes…
So we all need to come together to fight it
by staying as far apart as possible
And while the world is reeling from the reality that nature still exists
That we are still very much connected to nature
And that even the smallest form of life,
A life form that doesn’t even check all the boxes for the normal definition of life,
Can bring about consequences that shut down civilizations the world round,
Remember that one thing that can’t be shut down…
This week in science…
coming up next.
We started with an interview!
Dr. Fred Calef III has a PhD in Mars Geology. According to his Twitter bio, he works with InSight, Mars Science Lab on Curiosity, & Mars2020 at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Lab, mapping landing sites for food.
We discussed the importance of mapping Mars, and a variety of aspects related to Dr. Calef’s job as a geospatial scientist.
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What science news does the second half of the show hold???
Virus Viability
After our conversation last week in which Blair was wondering about the safety of her mail, this study comparing SARS-CoV1 to SARS-CoV2 found that both were longest lived (up to 72 hours) on stainless steel and plastic, survived up to 24 hours on cardboard, and less than 4 hours on copper surfaces. The virus remained aerosolized up to 3 hours, which was the duration of the experimental period. So, if you are worried, let your mail sit overnight before opening it.
New Reality
Researchers from Imperial College London modeled the spread and impact of COVID-19 on healthcare infrastructure using the tactics of mitigation and suppression, finding that only long-term suppression is likely be successful in keeping disease cases from overshooting capacity.
COVID-19 Vaccine Trial
A company is rushing an mRNA vaccine into human testing, and the first trials began this week in Seattle.
LET US KNOW WHAT QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS YOU HAVE, OR INFORM US ON ANY REGIONAL UPDATES, BY EMAILING KIRSTEN@THISWEEKINSCIENCE.COM.
Is it time for Blair’s Animal Corner???
Trying to get over trauma? Turn off the lights!
Long Term Memory in flies could be erased via changes in environmental light. Excuse me while I go huddle in darkness for a while…
Crocs: the ultimate mothering machine.
Crocodilians may outlive us all, as they did the dinosaurs, mainly due ot their careful parenting.
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Let’s finish strong with some quick stories!
Human Magnetoreception
Can humans detect magnetic fields? Looks like our brains can.
Anxious Kids?
Parents, go to therapy.
Legos live forever
At least 1300 years at least.
Some good COVID News
You’ve probably gotten enough bad news at this point, here’s some good stuff.
I'm the host of this little science show. 
