End of Semester 4 Finale: Part I - Lab 083

About this Lab

Sad news, friends. We’re reaching the end of semester 4, and this lab is a series of updates from some of our favorites over the past 50 weeks or so.

Drs. Gale Sinatra and Barbara Hofer share an update on what we can do about science denial today.

Vote for candidates who support science and who base policy decisions on the relevant scientific evidence
Enhance your own digital literacy and make sure you are not spreading misinformation
Talk to people with differing views, practice listening and communication skills

Christopher Mims shares an update on current supply chains:

Since Lab 039, so much material has flowed through the world's supply chains that there is now an oversupply at stores

While this might mean some sales for consumers, it also means shipping and trucking prices have crashed, resulting in layoffs

“This will be an ongoing story. We can't forget where everything that we buy and everything that we rely on actually comes from.”
- Christopher Mims

Christina Morillo shares an update on what we can do about cybersecurity today:

Educate ourselves and understand what is at risk.
Protect your online accounts and your digital identity with resources like DuckDuckGo

Dr. Jordan Bimm shares an update on what’s new in space exploration:

“Some really important history in diversifying our human presence in space has just taken place.”
- Dr. Jordan Bimm

Space X launched Crew-5, the first commercial spaceflight commanded by a woman
NASA astronaut Nicole Mann is also the first Indigenous woman in space as a member of the Wailacki tribe

* If you search “NASA dart mission” on Google, the page does something fun *

Kenyon Farrow shares an update on the monkeypox outbreak in the United States:

Monkeypox infections have declined around the country, but there is still a large population who may be at risk from monkeypox who have yet to be vaccinated.
Farrow say we need Congress to fund monkeypox treatment, vaccine access, and research
This is another reminder of how infectious disease tends to follow lines of structural oppression, and how important it is for resources to be funneled into the right places and communities

Special thank you to all of our guest experts for joining us again!