Linus Pauling Day, February 28, 2024
2024-03-11
Linus Pauling (28.Feb.1901-1994) was an influential American chemist, biochemist, and peace activist, renowned for his groundbreaking work in quantum chemistry and molecular biology. He is one of few individuals to have received 2 Nobel Prizes in different fields, and the only one to receive 2 unshared Nobel prizes: Chemistry (1954, nature of the chemical bond and its application to the elucidation of the structure of complex substances) and Peace (1962, efforts against nuclear weapons testing). Pauling's scientific contributions include the concept of electronegativity, the nature of the chemical bond, and the alpha helix structure of proteins. He was a prolific writer, 1,200+ papers and books, including "The Nature of the Chemical Bond", one of the most influential chemistry books ever published. Racy: Theoretical physicist Robert Oppenheimer attempted a rendezvous with Pauling's wife in Mexico. She refused and it ruined their friendship. Pauling was a controversial figure, partly due to his unsupported claim that high doses of Vitamin C are a cure for the common cold and cancer. This is called "Nobel disease" or "Nobelitis", the phenomena when some Nobel Prize laureates, often in their later years, adopt unconventional or scientifically questionable beliefs. He was a critic of the Vietnam War and advocate for nuclear disarmament, giving him a rare blend of brilliance in both science and social activism. https://bit.ly/3Ih9XVs Art&Text🫶ChatGPT.
International Women's Day, March 8, 2024
2024-03-11
International Women's Day (IWD), celebrated on March 8th annually, marks a global observance to honor women's achievements and advocate for gender equality. The day traces its origins to the early 20th century, catalyzed by women's labor movements in North America and Europe. The first National Woman's Day was observed in the US on February 28, 1909, inspired by the Socialist Party of America. In 1910, Clara Zetkin, a German activist, proposed the idea of an international day at the International Socialist Women's Conference, leading to the first IWD in 1911, celebrated in Austria, Denmark, Germany, and Switzerland. A core motive for IWD's inception was advocating for women's suffrage rights. The IWD gained recognition from the United Nations in 1977, which officially invited member states to proclaim March 8 as the UN Day for women's rights and world peace to highlight issues such as gender inequality, violence against women, and the need for gender parity in various sectors. In some countries, IWD is an official holiday, and men honor the women in their lives with flowers and small gifts. While there have been advancements in women's participation in politics and the workforce, significant gaps remain. IWD has mobilized movements, influenced policies, and brought attention to women's rights, showing the power of collective action in driving social change. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Women%27s_Day Art&Text🫶ChatGPT.
Ether crosses $4k on March 11, 2024
2024-03-11
Ether first crossed $4,000 in October 2021, at the time it was near the end of a wild bull run. Today we passed $4k for the second time, nearly 30 months later, with a totally new perspective: this feels more like the beginning of a new bull cycle than the end of one. Congratulations to developers, operators, and community members who worked hard to bring value to Ether. Art by /u/Few-Bake-6463, POAP developed by superphiz.
On National Doctor's Day in Venezuela, March 10th, we celebrate the invaluable contributions of Venezuelan medical professionals who have dedicated their lives to saving lives under very difficult conditions. This day honors Dr. José MarÃa Vargas, a distinguished Venezuelan physician and scientist, who was elected President of Venezuela in 1835. His legacy in medicine and surgery laid the foundation for future generations, emphasizing the importance of medical ethics and education. Venezuelan doctors have made significant contributions to global medicine. A notable Venezuelan contribution to medicine is the work of Dr. Baruj Benacerraf, a Venezuelan-American immunologist. He discovered the Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) genes, which play a crucial role in the immune system's ability to differentiate between self and non-self. This discovery has had profound implications for organ transplantation, autoimmune disease treatment, and vaccine development. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1980. Sara Bendahan was the 1st Venezuelan lady to graduate as Medical Doctor in 1939. Venezuela has approximately 16.6 physicians per 10,000 people​. The medical sector faces severe challenges due to the ongoing political and economic crisis. Hospitals across the country are grappling with shortages of staff, drugs, supplies, and basic services. This is impacting the quality and accessibility of medical care for the Venezuelan population​. Art&Text🫶ChatGPT.
World Rare Disease Day, February 29, 2024
2024-02-29
Rare diseases are defined by their low prevalence in the population, leading to challenges in diagnosis, research, and treatment. Definitions vary; in the US, a disease is rare if it affects fewer than 1:1,500 individuals, Europe 1:2,000, Japan 1:2,500. There are some 7,000 rare diseases, impacting around 6-8% of the world at some point, some 300 million currently. They are incredibly diverse, ranging from genetic disorders to rare cancers, and can be chronic, progressive, debilitating, and often life-threatening. Some well-known rare diseases include cystic fibrosis, Duchenne muscular dystrophy, and Huntington's disease, each with their own unique symptoms, treatment challenges, and research needs. Rare diseases are closely related to orphan diseases, a term that originally referred to diseases neglected by drug developers due to the small market potential. However, the terms are now often used interchangeably. Legislation such as the Orphan Drug Act of 1983 in the U.S. has incentivized pharmaceutical companies to develop treatments for rare (orphan) diseases, offering benefits like tax credits and exclusive marketing rights. The rarity and diversity of these diseases pose significant hurdles for research and clinical trials, Raising awareness and support for those affected are crucial for research funding to develop diagnostics, treatments, and hopefully cures. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rare_disease Art+Text supported by ChatGPT
"Reinventing Organizations" is a book by Frederic Laloux that delves into the evolution of human consciousness and how it has shaped organizational structures through history. Organizations span a range from impulsive (red) to pluralistic (green), and a new, evolutionary level called "teal" introduced. Laloux researched 50+ organizations he considers in the teal stage and describes their management practices. Teal organizations' principles are self-management, wholeness, and evolutionary purpose. Self-management removes traditional hierarchies in favor of decentralized decision-making. Wholeness encourages employees to bring their full selves to work, rather than a professional persona. Evolutionary purpose means the organization adapts and grows, driven by its own inherent direction, not a fixed goal. Laloux's inspiration can be traced back to earlier management thinkers and human development psychologists, such as Ken Wilber's Integral Theory, along with the developmental models of Clare W. Graves and the subsequent Spiral Dynamics of Don Beck and Chris Cowan. They have been criticized, lack mainstream academic support, and compared to a cult. The book has inspired business leaders to rethink traditional management practices and explore more holistic, adaptive, empowering ways to organize work, and influenced small startups to large corporations to adopt more conscious practices. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reinventing_Organizations Art&Text🫶ChatGPT.