your science briefing for 03.28.2025

Yet another way Mars can kill you, making a mockery of vaccine research, why owning a car can make you happy and miserable at the same time, and more...

When we talk about the challenges of humans living of Mars, we talk about the lack of a magnetic field, the constant radiation, the frequent meteorite impacts thanks to the thin atmosphere, and the electrostatic dust storms. Which are, yes, all true and all real problems. Another hurdle for Martian astronauts? Breathing. Since the dust on the red planet is so fine, dry, and toxic, it’s like a rocket fuel doused talcum powder, it’s certain to get into explorers’ lungs, doing all sorts of damage in the process. Worse yet, there isn’t a good solution to the problem as of right now… (CNN)

Look, just because the link between vaccines and autism has been debunked a dozen times, including by anti-vaxxers own studies, doesn’t mean that America’s brand new Secretary of Plagues and Science Denial can’t go out and hire an infamous nepo baby crank whose father was barred from practicing medicine for experimenting on autistic children, and have said crank cook the books to get the results he wants… (WaPo)

People like owning cars. The like the freedom to go where they want, scenic drives on their own pace, and creature comforts of newer and luxury models. Or, at least, they like the occasional road trip and the idea of freedom in driving. They don’t actually like having to drive everywhere or being stuck in traffic. In fact, once they have to drive to do their errands more than half the time vs. walking or public transportation, they will report a lower quality of life. After all, there is a reason why people do like the idea of walkable cities no matter how many conspiracy theorists try to derail such projects at the behest of predatory far right grifters… (The Guardian)

Most people don’t like the idea of being the targets of gossip. After all, who wants to have people shit-talking them, or spreading rumors? Narcissists, that’s who. As far as they’re concerned, any attention is good attention. Since they usually believe they’re destined for great things, as long as someone, anyone is talking about them, that’s all that really matters… (Self And Identity)

While night owls — like yours truly — were asleep, morning people took over and set a big stretch of the world to work on their favorite schedule. That means that the more or less half of the population who aren’t early risers now have to wake up against their will and struggle to go to bed and fall asleep despite their body wanting to be awake, creating a permanent state of jet lag that leads to a notably higher risk of depression, negative rumination, and frustration… (ScienceAlert)