Today’s top news
British health officials say an “explosive” and “unprecedented” meningitis outbreak has struck a university in Kent, England, killing two young people and affecting 13 more. [BBC]
The outbreak appears to have started in a university dormitory and has been identified as meningitis B (MenB), a type of disease caused by Neisseria meningitidis. These bacteria usually live harmlessly in your throat, but if they get into your spinal fluid or blood, they can cause life-threatening illnesses. MenB is transmitted through close, long-term contact and is usually treated with antibiotics.
Although the MenB vaccine exists as part of the UK’s childhood vaccine schedule, it has only been introduced since 2015, meaning the pupils involved in the current outbreak were not protected. [The Guardian]
trend
Oil and gas prices soared as Iran tried to effectively close the Strait of Hormuz, the world’s most important oil shipping chokepoint, in response to a war between the United States and Israel and the Middle Eastern country.
However, while much of the commentary focuses on the immediate effects of supply shocks to these fossil fuels, one of the most serious effects is overlooked: the immediate threat to global food production.
That’s because urea, an important fertilizer, is made primarily from liquefied natural gas, and the Strait is a conduit for about one-fifth of the world’s supply. This means that disruptions to gas supplies threaten an agricultural shock that could push prices of basic staple foods beyond affordability for millions of people around the world.
3 books to read
Scientists say marijuana does not alleviate anxiety or other mental health conditions [CNN]Colorectal cancer is now the most common cause of cancer death for people under age 50 in the United States. [Live Science]Study finds that Brazil’s poorly protected Cerrado savannas store staggering amounts of carbon [Live Science]
said, said
Word of the day: Adlocutio — Latin for “to speak” or “to address” — was used in ancient Rome to refer to a general’s speech. In sculpture, he is often depicted in the typical pose with his arms outstretched to address the troops.
A famous example is the equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius in the Capitoline Museums in Rome. This is the only surviving equestrian statue of a pagan Roman emperor.
Quote of the Day: “If a bird flew into your backyard and offered to change your life in a beneficial way, would you pay enough attention to notice it?”
Rob Dunn, a professor of applied ecology at North Carolina State University, talks about what honeyguides, African birds that evolved to guide humans to bee hives, can tell us about mutualism.
fun and games
If all that news isn’t enough to exercise your brain, why not flex that gray part of your brain with a daily Sudoku puzzle?
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