Given the ongoing outbreak of H7N9 flu in China (and, now, also Taiwan), this is a good time to listen to a fascinating podcast discussion with David Quammen. Quammen recently published a FANTASTIC book, Spillover, about zoonoses — the diseases that humans contract from animals. This includes bird flus like H7N9. It also includes AIDS and a whole host of familiar viruses and bacteria. Bonus: Scary disease girl Maryn McKenna has a cameo in the podcast, discussing the way news media (in China and the US) are covering H7N9 and what you can do to better understand what's happening.
How animals pass disease to humans
- COMMENTS
- animals
- bacteria
- diseases
- flu
- H7N9
- News
- Science
- viruses
World's deadliest spot: the horror of Lake Karachay
Standing for just one hour at the shore of Russia's Lake Karachay ("black water") in 1990 would have killed you. Before it was buried beneath concrete and stone, the lake… READ THE REST
This Victorian ghost book exposed spiritualist frauds with cool optical illusions
In 1864, a peculiar book called "Spectropia" offered Victorian readers a scientific way to summon ghosts. As the Smithsonian reports, author J.H. Brown created this "toy book" to combat what… READ THE REST
Resarch platform FLIP Ship to be refitted instead of scrapped
The R/P FLIP (Research Platform FLoating Instrument Platform) was built in 1962 by the US Navy and operated by the Scripps Institution of Oceanography. It features the unique ability to… READ THE REST
Stop renting your productivity apps when you get Microsoft Office 2021 for life!
TL;DR: Upgrade your productivity suite to Microsoft Office 2021, available for Windows for $69.97 (reg. $219) for just two more days. While the modern age is full of awesome tech innovations, one… READ THE REST
You won't believe what people are using in their scrapbooks now
TL;DR: Junk journalers love this Kodak instant photo printer—check out now to save 30%. It's garbage. Yup. Everywhere these new scrapbookers go, they collect pieces of trash like raccoons — train tickets,… READ THE REST
Are your knives ready for holiday meal prep? Get 'em ready with this knife sharpener
TL;DR: Bring your dull knives back to life with this professional-grade knife sharpener, now $49.99 (reg. $199) for only two more days. Be honest: when was the last time you sharpened your… READ THE REST