Will it be a snowy winter in your neck of the woods? The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration released its annual winter outlook report, offering a prediction of what the upcoming season will look like across the United States. Check out the forecast.
An Influenza Strain Went Extinct in 2020, and the New Flu Shot Reflects That
bymuratdeniz/ iStock
It’s that time of year when you’re likely spotting “free flu shot” signs at pharmacies and clinics. While the signs may look the same as last year, the shot is actually a little different this time around. The Food and Drug Administration hasremoved a strain of influenza that the vaccine’s protected against for over a decade, for the simple reason that it’s not necessary anymore, NPR reports. Here’s why: Ever since the spring of 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, there haven’t been any confirmed flu cases caused by the Influenza B/Yamagata strain. Deeming the virus no longer a threat to human health, scientists made the call to remove it, noting that social distancing and masking during the early days of the pandemic are to thank. “It is such an interesting and unique story,” Rebecca Wurtz, an infectious disease physician, told the outlet, explaining that this is the first documented instance of human behavior driving a virus into extinction. Scientists realized that B/Yamagata was going away and made the decision to cut it from the flu shot relatively quickly, the result of collaboration and data sharing among experts all over the world. “I think the fact that we can do that shows that we can get some things right,” said Kevin R. McCarthy, an assistant professor for vaccine research.
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First Salmon Spotted in Klamath River After Dam Removal Project
Mark Hereford, ODFW
In August, the last of the four dams in the Klamath River along the California-Oregon border was officially removed — a milestone preceded by decades of advocacy efforts by Indigenous communities and conservationists. Already, the completed project is making a splash, as a Chinook salmon was recently spotted swimming upstream in a previously blocked area. That salmon is the first anadromous fish to return to the Klamath Basin in Oregon since 1912, when the initial dam was built, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife announced. The organization said the fish, and others, likely traveled over 200 miles from the Pacific Ocean. “The return of our relatives, the c’iyaal’s [salmon], is overwhelming for our tribe. This is what our members worked for and believed in for so many decades,” Roberta Frost, the Klamath Tribes secretary, said in a statement, adding: “I want to honor that work and thank them for their persistence in the face of what felt like an unmovable obstacle. The salmon are just like our tribal people, and they know where home is and returned as soon as they were able.” Watch the first salmon swim.
Science
Teen Named America’s Top Young Scientist for Pesticide-Detection Tool
3M
Meet Sirish Subash: a ninth grader from Snellville, Georgia, who won the 2024 3M Young Scientist Challenge. Not only did Sirish earn the bragging rights of being America’s Top Young Scientist, but he also received a cash prize of $25,000 for his invention of an at-home, handheld pesticide detector. Called Pestiscand, the tool measures the wavelength of light reflecting off of fruits and veggies and uses machine learning to let you know if your food is pesticide-free. All users have to do is download an app, point the tool at the food in question, and see if another rinse may or may not be necessary. “That’s the main goal of Pestiscand, to help people ensure that they aren’t consuming pesticides used so they can avoid any associated health risks,” Sirish told MPR News. The 14-year-old has long had a passion for science, but got this particular idea from his mom and dad. “My parents always insist that I wash my produce before consuming it. I wondered, how necessary is this really, and how effective is the washing,” he said. “Does it really work to ensure that your produce is clean?” That’s the power of following your curiosity.
In Other News
New York reached a solar energy milestone, a year ahead of schedule (read more)
Medicaid announced a pilot program to cover Indigenous healing methods in four states (read more)
Starting next year,filmmakers in Paris must pledge to tackle sexism on set (read more)
Real-life Wall-E: NASA is testing a novel trash compactor to help astronauts tidy up in orbit (read more)
Oh my gourd! A monkey named Alberto embraced the Halloween spirit with a pumpkin feast (read more)
Something We Love
greyj/ iStock
Magic ToDo by GoblinTools To-do lists can be a good way to break down tasks into manageable steps, but what do you do when even making the list feels overwhelming? Fire up Magic ToDo. GoblinTools’ neat (and free) AI feature does all the work for you: Type in “clean my house” and click “break down item,” and it will come back with a step-by-step plan. If only we could get it to actually do the cleaning. — Rebekah Brandes, Assistant Editor
Across Vermont, David Feurzeig, an award-winning composer, plays free piano concerts for a purpose: to call attention to the climate crisis. The pianist is on a mission to perform in all 250-plus towns in the state — so far he’s hit nearly 70. “Music is a powerful tool in putting strength into social movements and giving people the courage to work together to change things,” Feurzeig said. Watch him perform.
Photo of the Day
Lokman Vural Elibol/Anadolu via Getty Images
Saturday was a big day for dog owners in New York City: the annual Tompkins Square Park Halloween Dog Parade. Pups and their parents dressed in their most creative costumes and gathered at the lower Manhattan park for the yearly tradition — see more of the best looks.
Elf Labs: The Biggest Breakthrough in Next-Gen Tech Since the iPhone
Elf Labs, a next-gen tech company with rights to billion-dollar iconic characters like Cinderella, Little Mermaid, and Snow White, has opened its doors to investors for a limited time. With over100 trademarks, more than 400 copyrights, and 12 revolutionary tech patents, Elf Labs is leading the way in immersive entertainment. But the clock is ticking — be part of the growth and invest in Elf Labs by Oct. 30 before the round closes.
