Supernova discovered 130 days before its end
For the first time astronomers have detected a red supergiant star before it turns into an explosive super nova. Typically, supernova’s are only detected following their explosion. However, scientists were able to find this one about 130 days before its end.
Astrophysicist Wynn Jacobson-Galán stated, “Although the star was in a galaxy about 120 million light-years away — both the star and the galaxy are too faint to be seen by the naked eye — the data from Pan-STARRS showed the star had become much brighter than usual.” According to NBC News, following the explosion, evidence showed that the star was 10 times larger than our sun.
Puerto Rico mandates booster shots for public school students
The governor of Puerto Rico announced that the country will require students age 12 and older to be vaccinated. The U.S. territory is battling a surge of COVID-19 cases and has made various efforts in attempt to contain the virus. According to NBC News, “Puerto Rico had reported a test positivity rate of below 5% late last year, but it shot up to 36% this month, a change officials blame on the omicron variant.” In addition to the vaccination mandate, the governor also put a 75% capacity on all public and private places that serve clients.
Three middle schoolers hospitalized after exposure to fentanyl
Three seventh graders at Sport and Medical Sciences Academy in Connecticut had been exposed to fentanyl. One 13-year-old boy was pronounced to be in grave condition after an overdose. When the police arrived at the school, drug dogs found several bags of fentanyl. Though officials believe the drugs may have been taken off campus, the 13-year-old boy collapsed in the school gym and two other seventh graders were hospitalized. It is unclear what the method of ingestion was. Besides the students, the teacher of the class who had suffered a panic attack had been offered support by medical staff. Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin said, “Our entire community is praying for this child in the hospital and for his family. And again [I] make an ask of every parent to talk with your kids and make sure they know how serious and how dangerous any unknown substance can be and any drug can be.”
At home COVID-19 tests raise questions with omicron variant
As omicron cases continue to rise in the U.S., the Food and Drug Administration is gathering more information about at home COVID-19 tests and their ability to detect the new variant. According to NBC News, new evidence shows that the omicron variant may appear in the throat before the nose. This has raised conversation as many of the at-home tests available are not designed for throat swabbing, but for nasal swabbing. FDA officials are continuing to investigate to confirm the accuracy of at home test and whether or not they can be used for both throat and nasal swabbing.
