Welcome to Science Saturday, where the Overnight News Digest crew informs and entertains you with this week's news about science, space, and the environment. In keeping with the theme of the past five months, Overnight News Digest: Science Saturday is featuring science and other news from the major public research universities in the midwestern states where Republican governors and legislatures are threatening the collective bargaining rights of public employees.
In keeping with the both the general theme of the year so far as well as the theme for this weekend, here are stories about how scientists at these midwestern universities are informing the general public about the Independence Day weekend.
University of Wisconsin: UW experts available to media regarding Independence Day
June 28, 2011
As the United States marks its 235th birthday, the University of Wisconsin-Madison has a number of experts who can discuss fireworks, safety, the history behind it and why Independence Day is least likely to rank as your pet's favorite holiday.
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Safety First
In 2009, U.S. hospital emergency rooms treated an estimated 8,800 people for fireworks related injuries and more than one-fourth of those were to the eyes. Heather Potter, a comprehensive ophthalmologist with UW Health, can discuss the types of injuries fireworks cause.
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Unintentional injuries are the leading cause of death and disability among children ages 1-14. Nicole Vesely, coordinator for Madison Area Safe Kids Coalition at American Family Children's Hospital can discuss tips for keeping sparklers, firecrackers and other amusements from leading to a trip to the emergency room.
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Fido's Fears
While the snap, crackle and pop of Independence Day leaves people oohing and aahhing, it scares the wits out of some household pets. Dogs, on hearing fireworks, can tear up a room beyond recognition. Worse, frightened pets may get lost or get hit by a car if they run into the street. UW-Madison veterinarian Sandi Sawchuck, an expert in small animal behavior, can discuss this phenomenon.
University of Wisconsin: Fireworks show a backdrop for fabulous science lessons
by David Tenenbaum
June 29, 2011
Renowned science educator Bassam Shakhashiri will take the stage on the Memorial Union Terrace Saturday, July 2 to give his annual "The Science of Fireworks" presentation.Shakhashiri, the William T. Evjue Distinguished Chair for the Wisconsin Idea and a professor of chemistry, plans to use the universal wonderment with fireworks as a platform to share the joy of chemistry.
"It's fascinating how human beings are attracted to rapid color changes and loud noises, even though animals are usually adversely affected, frightened, by them. Rhythm and Booms, which we'll watch across the lake after the talk, is a marvelous opportunity for people to gather and enjoy a vivid display of colors and sounds, and learn about chemistry," he says.
The technology of fireworks, pioneered in China, contributed to the development of the science of chemistry, Shakhashiri says.
Wayne State University: Wayne State University researcher offers tips for 4th of July picnics
Keep it safe and make it healthy
June 30, 2011
Tonia Reinhard, director of Wayne State University's Coordinated Program in Dietetics in the Department of Nutrition & Food Science in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, offers the following suggestions for keeping 4th of July picnics safe and healthy.Here's to a safe and healthy 4th of July!
More after the jump.