Day: March 11, 2025

Dinosaur Dandruff?

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Imagine a feathered dinosaur strutting through a 125-million-year-old forest, shaking off pesky skin flakes like a bird with a bad hair day. Sounds wild, right? Well, researchers studying some of the oldest dinosaur fossils ever found have uncovered evidence that these ancient creatures might’ve dealt with their own version of dandruff.

In a fascinating discovery, paleontologists looked at incredibly well-preserved fossils (think Microraptor or Beipiaosaurus) and spotted tiny traces of corneocytes, the dead skin cells that make up dandruff in modern birds. These flaky clues, locked in stone for over a hundred million years, suggest that feathered dinosaurs had skin shedding habits not so different from today’s pigeons or parrots.

Why does this matter? It’s a window into how dinosaur skin evolved alongside their feathers. Dandruff might’ve helped them keep their plumage clean, ditch parasites, or even stay aerodynamic. Unlike scaly reptiles that shed their skin in big patches, these dinosaurs flaked off bits at a time. This is even more proof they were closer to birds than we might’ve thought.

So next time you brush some dandruff off your shoulder, just picture a dinosaur doing the same millions of years ago. Who knew grooming could connect us to the Cretaceous?

Allergic To Everything?

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Well, almost everything.

Caroline Cray, a woman from Boston has gained attention for her extremely limited diet due to a rare condition called Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS). Based on the reports, Caroline can only safely consume two foods (oatmeal and hypoallergenic baby formula) because her immune system reacts severely to almost everything else. Her condition causes her mast cells to overreact, releasing chemicals that trigger allergic responses, including anaphylaxis, to a wide range of foods and even environmental factors.

Her journey started with allergies as a young child, but things escalated dramatically in 2017 when she had a severe reaction to an ice cream sandwich during her first week of college. After months of tests and recurring reactions, she was diagnosed with MCAS in 2018. By spring 2019, her diet had narrowed to just oatmeal and baby formula after a hospitalization revealed these were the only things she could tolerate. She mixes the formula into her oats to meet her nutritional needs (three cups for breakfast, two for lunch, and three for dinner) since the formula provides essential proteins, fats, carbs, and vitamins that oatmeal alone can’t supply.

Caroline’s case is extreme even among MCAS patients, as the condition varies widely in severity. While MCAS is considered rare, its true prevalence might be underreported due to diagnostic challenges. For her, everyday triggers like fish, nuts, sesame, mustard and even the act of digesting food can be dangerous. Despite this, she adapts by bringing her own food to social events and maintains a positive outlook, working with specialists to slowly reintroduce foods like broccoli or boiled chicken.

STORY IS HERE

A Forgotten Story?

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A forgotten story about a woman who invented the dishwasher centers on Josephine Cochrane, a remarkable figure whose ingenuity transformed household chores.

Born on March 8, 1839, in Ashtabula County, Ohio, Josephine grew up in a family with a legacy of innovation as her father, John Garis, was a civil engineer, and her grandfather, John Fitch, had worked on steamboat technology.

She later moved to Shelbyville, Illinois, where she married William Cochran, a merchant and politician, in 1858. The couple lived a comfortable life, hosting frequent dinner parties with their prized 17th-century heirloom China dishes.

However, Josephine became frustrated when her servants chipped the delicate dishes during handwashing. Determined to find a solution, she initially took on the task herself but quickly grew tired of it, famously declaring, “If nobody else is going to invent a dishwashing machine, I’ll do it myself.”

FULL STORY HERE

It’s A Full Moon!

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This week, the Worm Moon (the full moon of March) will transform into a striking “blood moon” due to a total lunar eclipse. On the nights of March 13th and 14th, 2025, the moon will pass through Earth’s shadow, reaching peak illumination at 2:55 A.M. ET on Friday, March 14th. During the eclipse, the moon will take on a reddish hue for about 65 minutes, from 2:26 A.M. to 3:31 A.M. ET, as sunlight filters through Earth’s atmosphere, casting a spooky, warm glow. This event, often called a “Blood Worm Moon,” will be visible across North America and parts of South America, western Europe, and western Africa, weather permitting.

The “Worm Moon” name comes from Native American traditions, tied to the emergence of earthworms or beetle larvae as spring nears, signaling the end of winter. The blood red color during the eclipse adds a dramatic twist, making it a captivating celestial event. You can catch the moon looking especially large near the horizon on Thursday evening as it rises, thanks to the “Moon illusion,” or watch the eclipse unfold overnight. If there’s light rain, you might even spot a rare moonbow (a lunar rainbow) adding to the spectacle!

STORY IS HERE

Is This True?

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Sarah Wynn-Williams, a former New Zealand diplomat who worked at Facebook for over six years, has published a book titled Careless People. In it, she claims she faced sexual harassment from her boss, Joel Kaplan (then a vice president for global public policy, now Meta’s chief global affairs officer) and alleges the company retaliated against her by firing her after she reported it. She also accuses Facebook of ignoring internal warnings about its impact on human rights and democracy, particularly during its pursuit of growth in places like China.

Meta, which owns Facebook, has pushed back hard, calling her allegations a mix of outdated claims and false accusations. They say an investigation in 2017 cleared Kaplan of any wrongdoing and that Wynn-Williams was let go for “poor performance and toxic behavior,” not retaliation. Her former supervisor, Elliot Schrage, backed this up, citing her repeated failures in her role. Meanwhile, Wynn-Williams stands by her story, saying Meta’s trying to discredit her because she’s exposing uncomfortable truths about their culture and decisions.

STORY IS HERE

Actual Factual Pie – March 11th!

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The year is 1888, a monstrous blizzard slammed into the northeastern US, unleashing chaos. Dubbed the “Great White Hurricane,” it buried cities in snowdrifts up to 50 feet high. Around 400 souls perished, mostly from exposure, as the storm raged for days. A brutal reminder of nature’s raw power.

In 1930, William Howard Taft, the 27th U.S. President, became the first president to be laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia. Taft, who also served as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, left a lasting legacy in American history.

In 1969, fashion took a groovy turn as Levi-Strauss began selling bell-bottomed jeans. These iconic flared pants, wider from the knee down, became a symbol of the counterculture era. They were perfect for free spirits and disco dancers alike. Levi’s stitched itself into history with this bold style move!

In 1973, tensions boiled over at Wounded Knee, South Dakota, during a 71 day standoff between Native American activists and federal authorities. Amid the chaos, an FBI agent was shot, escalating an already volatile situation. The occupation, rooted in demands for tribal sovereignty and justice, marked a pivotal moment in Indigenous resistance.

In 1990, Lithuania boldly declared its independence from the Soviet Union, becoming the first Soviet republic to do so. This historic act, led by the Sąjūdis movement, marked a pivotal step toward the Baltic state’s sovereignty and inspired others in the USSR to follow suit. Freedom rang loud that day!

Music History Tuesday!

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The Year: 2006

The High School Musical soundtrack reaches #1 on the US albums chart, the first TV soundtrack album to top the tally since the Miami Vice soundtrack, which was #1 for eight weeks in 1985 and another three in 1986. Nine songs from the album make the Hot 100, led by “Breaking Free,” sung by Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens, which reaches #4.

Bonus Slice +++

The Year: 1972

Neil Young’s album Harvest hits #1 in America, supplanting Don McLean’s American Pie, which has been on top for seven weeks.