NOVEMBER 4, 2008

Full News Archive

• Headline: Vaccine Research Against Dengue Fever. Impact: The quest for a dengue vaccine sparked a global arms race in vaccine research, ultimately leading to your neighbor being that one person who insists on discussing the pros and cons of every vaccine at parties. Thanks, dengue!. Fact: Dengue fever is sometimes called 'breakbone fever' because of the severe pain it causes. So, you know, that's fun at parties too!.
• Headline: Exploring Humor in Politics. Impact: This light-hearted debate about fun and humor among conservatives and liberals somehow transformed into the modern-day 'Who Can Meme Better?' competition, leading to countless hours wasted on social media. Thanks, science!. Fact: Apparently, humor is subjective, just like the way people perceive political debates—which is to say, most people don't enjoy either..
• Headline: Afghan Officials Aided an Attack on U.S. Soldiers. Impact: The collusion between Afghan officials and the Taliban not only deepened mistrust but also inadvertently inspired a new genre of political thrillers where the twist is always, 'It was the guy in uniform all along!'. Fact: Collusion in warfare often leads to more questions than answers—like, how many officials does it take to actually get things done? Spoiler alert: fewer than you'd think..
• Headline: Saving Wild Salmon, in Hopes of Saving the Orca. Impact: In the fight to save wild salmon, a wave of hipster restaurants popped up, serving 'wild-caught' dishes that were, ironically, more expensive than what they were trying to save. Who knew saving the orca could lead to a gourmet revolution?. Fact: Orcas are known as 'killer whales,' but not because they have a taste for fine dining; they're just really good at being top predators. So, let's hope they enjoy their salmon in peace!.