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Workers Could Face Less Concussions Due to Modern Hard Hat Design

Workplace concussions, also referred to as mild brain trauma, may be less common with the introduction of the latest type of hard hats.

The technology built into these hard hats prevents not only the kind of direct collision that might cause a concussion but also the kind that can cause the head to swivel rapidly.

Legacy Biomechanics Lab director Michael Bottlang adds, “The human brain is quickly harmed by a rotational force.” As an illustration, he uses the phrase “drop like a fly” to describe how a boxer will react to a strike to the chin that induces a swift rotation of the head.

As a result, Bottlang and Dr. Steven Madey, an orthopedic surgeon in Portland, have created a hard hat that can deflect rotational stress. WaveCel, a firm the two guys established to produce safer bicycle helmets, manufactures and sells the product.

Experts in the field of brain injuries have long called for an improvement to what is commonly referred to as “industrial safety helmets,” and the WaveCel hard hat is the latest attempt to make that happen.

According to Bottlang, “sadly, today’s more commonly worn hard hats appear similar to the versions from the ’60s.” Alternatively, the Swedish firm MIPS has developed its technology to prevent workers’ brains from spinning suddenly while they’re on the job.

University of Florida Neurosurgeon, Dr. Brandon Lucke-Wold, with no ties to the helmet industry, argues that modern helmets ” manage to keep the brain relatively stationary, so it has a huge amount of potential value.”

Educating Employees About Concussions

Adults sustain around a quarter of all concussions on the job, with most occurring in the construction industry. The most common cause is trauma to the head from falling, which can result in a jarring movement.

The fact that hard hats, unlike sports helmets, haven’t altered much since their creation a century ago may contribute to the prevalence of brain injuries in the workplace. Lucke-Wold uses a cutting-edge bike helmet on his daily commute since he serves patients who have suffered brain injuries.

The hard hats worn by construction workers he saw while bicycling home today, he says, were very identical to those he saw ten to fifteen years ago. The conventional hard hat has a plastic outside and a webbing suspension system inside. A chin strap and foam insulation on the sides are standard features on some models.

If a worker were to drop a hammer from two stories above, for example, this design would do a good job of preventing serious injury to the brain. Standard hard hats, however, perform poorly in the event of an oblique collision.

Researchers hypothesized that this was because an off-center collision could force the helmet to jerk around inside the brain, causing serious injury. The brain, according to a rising number of studies, is particularly susceptible to rotational torque. The brain is similar to the egg yolk in that it is a soft capsule filled with liquid and enclosed in a hard shell.

An egg’s contents may withstand being shaken vigorously without being displaced. However, investigations have shown that if you rotate one vigorously enough, the yolk within will burst even if the shell doesn’t break.

The typical hard helmet provides protection akin to an eggshell. Madey argues that they are useful because “they do a task of lowering force.” If the spin isn’t reduced, though, they aren’t as safe and won’t do as much to avoid injury.

A sand-resistant helmet

WaveCel was originally developed by Bottlang and Madey to create superior sports helmets.

Honeycomb structures are “a light, permeable material that not only can absorb linear stress, but it also breaks that rotation the way sand does,” explains Madey. Several well-known manufacturers have included the WaveCel liner in their sports helmets.

Independent research confirmed that MIPS-equipped and WaveCel bike helmets significantly mitigated rotational force compared to traditional helmets. The research team of Bottlang and Madey revealed that for fall-related head impacts, WaveCel performed better than MIPS.

If Bottlang has one ambition in the coming years, it is to reduce the price which is now between $169 and $189.

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Kissimmee River Restoration Project A Thriving Success

Kelly Taylor

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Florida’s Kissimmee River was once an ecological disaster, but now it’s been transformed into a thriving ecosystem. In the mid-20th century, the river was turned into a straight canal to control flooding and improve navigation, but this destroyed much of the natural habitat and disrupted the river’s natural flow. However, after decades of restoration efforts, the Kissimmee River has been returned to its former glory, with plants and wildlife flourishing in the restored habitat.

The restoration of the Kissimmee River began in the 1990s, with the goal of returning the river to its natural, winding state. The canal was filled in, and the river was allowed to meander through its floodplain once again. This restored the natural flow of the river and created a more diverse habitat for plants and animals.

Today, the Kissimmee River is home to a wide variety of plant and animal species. Waterfowl, raptors, fish, and mammals have all returned to the restored habitat in abundance. The river is now a popular destination for birdwatchers and other wildlife enthusiasts, who come to see the many species that call the river home.

One of the most significant impacts of the restoration of the Kissimmee River has been on the fish populations. Before the restoration, the straight canal prevented the natural flow of nutrients and water, which caused a decline in fish populations. However, now that the river’s natural flow has been restored, fish populations have rebounded. In fact, the river is now known for its large bass and catfish populations, which attract anglers from around the world.

The restoration of the Kissimmee River has also had a positive impact on the surrounding ecosystem. The river’s meandering flow helps to filter and clean the water, which benefits not only the wildlife in the river but also the surrounding wetlands and estuaries. The restored river also helps to prevent erosion and flooding, which can have a significant impact on nearby communities.

The success of the Kissimmee River restoration project serves as an inspiration for other restoration efforts around the world. It shows that with dedication and effort, damaged ecosystems can be restored to their former glory. The restoration of the Kissimmee River was a massive undertaking, but the benefits to the environment and local communities have been well worth the effort.

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Seaweed Plastic Wrap Is A Promising Alternative

Shannon Jackson

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Plastic is an ever-present part of our modern lives. It is used in almost everything, from packaging to electronics, and even in clothing. However, the environmental impact of plastic is becoming increasingly apparent, with its ability to persist in the environment for centuries, causing harm to wildlife and ecosystems. As a result, researchers are looking for alternatives to traditional plastic, and one of the most promising is seaweed-based plastic wrap.

Seaweed-based plastic wrap is made from an invasive seaweed known as Sargassum, which is abundant in the oceans around the world. The seaweed is harvested, cleaned, and processed to create a thin film that is similar in texture to plastic wrap. Unlike traditional plastic, seaweed-based plastic wrap is fully compostable, breaking down in just a few weeks when placed in a composting bin.

This is a significant improvement over traditional plastic, which can take centuries to break down, and often ends up in the ocean, causing harm to marine life. Seaweed-based plastic wrap also has the added benefit of being heat-resistant, which means it can be used for hot food and beverages without melting or releasing harmful chemicals.

The process of creating seaweed-based plastic wrap is also more sustainable than traditional plastic. The seaweed used to make the wrap is an invasive species that grows rapidly and can be harvested without damaging the environment. The seaweed also absorbs carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, making it a carbon-negative material.

In addition to its potential as a sustainable food packaging material, seaweed-based plastic wrap has other possible applications. It can be used in the medical industry as a wound dressing, and in agriculture as a biodegradable mulch.

The development of seaweed-based plastic wrap is a promising step towards a more sustainable future. With the increasing awareness of the environmental impact of plastic, finding alternatives is more important than ever. While seaweed-based plastic wrap is still in the early stages of development, it is an exciting and innovative solution that could have a significant impact on reducing the amount of plastic waste in our environment.

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Vaccine For Bees Could Offer Glimmer of Hope To Declining Bee Populations

Kevin Wells

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In recent years, the world has been grappling with the alarming decline of bee populations. Bees play a crucial role in pollinating crops and contributing to the ecosystem, making their survival critical to our food supply and environment. Unfortunately, diseases, parasites, and climate change have been devastating bee populations, and many beekeepers are losing up to 50-70% of their colonies due to disease. However, a new development could be a game-changer in the fight to save bees.

A biotech company has created the world’s first vaccine for honeybees, offering hope for the survival of bee populations. The vaccine works by vaccinating the queen bee, who then passes on the immunity to millions of offspring that make up the colony. This breakthrough could revolutionize the fight against American foulbrood disease, a bacterial infection that has been decimating bee populations.

American foulbrood disease is a severe bacterial disease that affects honeybee larvae, causing them to die rapidly and emit a foul odor. When a colony is infected, all equipment and infected bees must be burned and buried, making the disease a significant threat to the beekeeping industry. The vaccine could help prevent the spread of the disease by providing colonies with immunity to the bacteria.

The vaccine is still in the early stages of development and requires further testing, but it has already shown promising results in trials. If successful, the vaccine could be a game-changer in the fight to save bees and protect our food supply. Bees are responsible for pollinating a third of the food produced in the United States, and their role in the ecosystem is worth an estimated $15 billion annually.

The decline of bee populations has become a global concern, and scientists and beekeepers have been working tirelessly to find solutions. The development of the bee vaccine could be a significant step forward in protecting these essential creatures. With the vaccine, beekeepers can help reduce the impact of diseases on their colonies and keep their bees healthy and thriving.

The creation of a vaccine for honeybees offers a glimmer of hope in the fight against the decline of bee populations. While the vaccine is not a silver bullet, it could be an essential tool in reducing the impact of diseases on bee populations. As research continues, we can only hope that this development will lead to a brighter future for bees and the important role they play in our ecosystem.

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Stranded Californian Cows Are Airdropped Hay Bales

Shannon Jackson

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In recent weeks, California has been hit with an unexpected amount of snowfall, causing chaos and disruption for many local farmers and ranchers. Springtime is typically a joyous season for these individuals, as it marks the start of calving season and the abundant growth of grass to feed the newborns. However, this year’s snowfall has left over seven feet of snow covering the grass, causing cows to become stranded and starving for weeks.

As the situation worsened, authorities in Humboldt County came together to create Operation Hay Drop, an emergency response plan aimed at delivering bales of hay to hungry and stranded cattle. This effort echoes a similar operation that was conducted in 1989 when cows were stranded by snow.

The process for Operation Hay Drop begins with authorities identifying the approximate location of stranded herds. Pilots then fly out, scanning the snowy terrain for any signs of life, essentially searching for tracks in the snow. Once located, bales of hay are airdropped in the general area where the cows are, and the pilots then quickly take off. Amazingly, the cows start coming out from under the trees and heading towards the hay almost immediately, a testament to the success of the operation.

As of today, Operation Hay Drop has helped over 2500 cows, providing them with the necessary sustenance to survive until the snow melts and grass starts to grow again. This has been a vital operation in ensuring the well-being of local farmers and ranchers and their livelihoods. Without this intervention, the situation would have been dire, with many cows perishing due to starvation.

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214 Year Old Clam Found On Florida Beach

Renee Yates

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In a remarkable discovery, a man from Florida found a giant clam that has been estimated to be 214 years old. The enormous and old clam was found on Alligator Point, a beach located on the Gulf of Mexico. Blaine Parker, a local resident, was taking a stroll on the beach when he stumbled upon the clam, which turned out to be a rare quahog clam.

Quahog clams are a species of hard-shell clams that are commonly found in the waters along the East Coast of the United States, ranging from Canada to Florida. They are usually between 2.8 to 4.3 inches in size, making the clam found by Parker an exceptionally large specimen. The clam was six inches long and weighed 2.6 pounds, which is almost twice the average weight of a quahog clam.

Quahog clams are known for their concentric growth rings that can be used to estimate their age. The clam that Parker found had a staggering 214 rings, making it one of the oldest clams ever found. To put this in perspective, the clam was born in the same year as Abraham Lincoln, which is a remarkable fact that has captured the attention of many people.

Given the age and rarity of the clam, Parker and his family decided to name it the “Abrer-clam Lincoln” as a nod to its historical significance. The discovery of this clam has generated a lot of interest from scientists and researchers, who are studying it to learn more about the history of the Gulf of Mexico and the environment in which the clam lived.

The discovery of the Abrer-clam Lincoln is not only significant from a scientific perspective but also highlights the importance of preserving the natural habitats of these creatures. Clams like the quahog play an essential role in the ecosystem of our oceans, and their decline can have a significant impact on the food chain and the overall health of our oceans.

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