The Circulatory System of a Human Arm

Credit: Parque de las Ciencias Andalucía-Granada

 

In this incredible model, we get an appreciation for the complex circulatory system of a human arm. This particular model shows the arterial system in a right upper limb.

The human circulatory system carries blood around an extensive network of vessels, totalling 100,000 km (62,000 miles) in length, which is equivalent to a journey 2.5 times around Earth!

For those curious, the model was made using Vascular corrosion casting, which uses resin to capture the 3D structure of blood vessels within human and animal tissue. It is widely used in research as a technique for obtaining the volume and surface area of the blood vessel network within an organ. The earliest known use of corrosion casting was by Robert Boyle in 1663. [source]

 

Vascular corrosion casting requires the use of a solidifying material such as a resin. The most common resin used for vascular corrosion casting is Batson’s 17. The process begins with the draining of blood from vessels to prevent blockage from clotting, this can be achieved by perfusing blood vessels with a physiological fluid such as phosphate buffered saline. Subsequently, the blood vessels of interest are filled with resin (or alternative solidifying material). The resin is allowed to cure resulting in the blood vessel network containing a solid plastic material. Surrounding tissue is dissolved away using a corrosive chemical, commonly potassium hydroxide. Corrosion should not affect the resin, only dissolving tissue. The final product is a 3D network of blood vessels. [source]

 

Parque de las Ciencias Andalucía-Granada via confipete on Reddit

 

 

googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-1583941906523-0’); });

Barcelona Opera Reopens to a Packed Crowd of House Plants

Photograph by Emilio Morenatti/AP

 

This past Monday, Barcelona’s Liceu Opera opened to a packed room of house plants. All 2,292 seats were filled with a leafy friend. It was the opera’s first concert since mid-March.

The string quartet serenaded the audience with a stirring performance of Giacomo Puccini’s “Crisantemi” that was also livestreamed to humans around the globe.

 

The plants were donated from local nurseries and were subsequently delivered to 2,292 frontline healthcare professionals, specifically at the Hospital Clínic of Barcelona, accompanied by a certificate from the artist who conceived the project, Eugenio Ampudia. [source]

 

The concert is an initiative of the Liceu and the artist, together with the Max Estrella Gallery and the curator Blanca De La Torre.

 

via NPR

 

 

googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-1583941906523-0’); });

Teacher Fills Hallway with Balloons to Give Students a Lesson on Happiness

 

An anonymous teacher’s lesson to students on happiness has been making the rounds on various Facebook pages. In similar fashion to the story about ‘filling a jar with rocks, pebbles, and sand’ people can draw their own connections to the story like happiness, caring, and teamwork.

 

A wise teacher once brought balloons to school, told her pupils to blow them up and write their name on one. After the children tossed their balloons into the hall, the teacher moved through the hall mixing them all up. The kids were given five minutes to find the balloon with their name on it, but though they searched frantically, no one found their own balloon.
 
Then the teacher told them to take the balloon closest to them and give it to the person whose name was on it. In less than two minutes, everyone was holding their own balloon.
 
The teacher said to the children, “These balloons are like happiness. We won’t find it when we’re only searching for our own. But if we care about someone else’s happiness…it will ultimately help us find our own.”

 

via Facebook

 

 

googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-1583941906523-0’); });

This is What a Sunset on Earth Looks Like From Space

Click here to see full size image

 

ESA astronaut Alexander Gerst, who holds the record for most time in space of any active ESA astronaut (362 days), took this amazing photo of what a sunset on Earth looks like from space.

The photo was taken while Grest was aboard the International Space Station during his ‘Horizons‘ mission (Expedition 56/57)

 

via Alexander Gerst on Twitter

 

 

googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-1583941906523-0’); });

Red Paint Completely Changed This ‘Serve and Protect’ Sculpture During the Protests

 

During the large-scale protests this past weekend in Salt Lake City, Utah, a public artwork had its symbolic meaning completely transformed when demonstrators poured red paint onto the giant hands.

“Serve and Protect” is a large bronze sculpture by artist Gregory Ragland depicting two hands side-by-side with their palms facing upward, demonstrating the sign language, ‘to serve’. The public art commission was completed in 2013 and measures 20′ x 20′ x 38″ and is located outside of the Public Safety Building.

The striking symbolism of the bright red paint pooling like blood has sparked debate online. From cries of vandalism to being a powerful political/protest statement, the opinions on such an act span the spectrum. What’s clear is that art matters, and can be a powerful form of expression and frustration.

 

via PhoenixFlamebird on reddit

 

 

googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-1583941906523-0’); });

The Progression is Incredible

 

In this amazing comparison picture, we see the incredible tech progression from 1967 to this past weekend’s launch that saw SpaceX make its first launch of humans into orbit with its Crew Dragon spacecraft.

The flight marked the first time astronauts have launched into orbit from American soil in nearly a decade, and SpaceX is now the first company to send passengers to orbit on a privately made vehicle. [source]

The two NASA astronauts, whom have now arrived to the International Space Station, are Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley.

 

via Ktastrophe420 on reddit

 

 

googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-1583941906523-0’); });

Hilarious Home Owners Create Survey to Help Choose Next House Color

Photograph by USMCFoto on reddit

 

Home owners in Portland, Oregon decided to utilize the ‘wisdom of crowds‘ to help them choose their next house color. Fellow residents walking by their house were greeted with a friendly lawn sign asking for help via a digital survey they could access by scanning a QR code.

For those curious, the QR code indeed works and takes you to this survey on Google Forms. Colors include: rocky mountain; wild orchid; in good taste; blessed blue; and it’s well.

After a fellow Portland resident and redditor snapped the above pic and shared it online, the survey has surely reached farther than they ever imagined.

I’ll be sure to post a follow-up when they decide on which color to paint their house!

 

via USMCFoto on reddit

 

 

googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-1583941906523-0’); });

Nurse Who Got Coronavirus Shares Startling Photo After 6 Weeks in Hospital

Photograph by Mike Schultz

 

Mike Schultz recently shared a shocking before and after selfie after his six-week battle with COVID-19. The 43-year-old nurse from San Francisco had no underlying health conditions. He normally worked out six or seven times a week. He weighed about 190 pounds. When he spoke with BuzzFeed News on Tuesday, weeks after he’d been able to start eating foods again, he weighed just 140 pounds. His lung capacity is only now starting to slowly come back.

In a viral Instagram post, Schultz added:

I wanted to show everyone how badly being sedated for 6 weeks on a ventilator or intubated can be. Amongst other things, covid19 reduced my lung capacity with pneumonia. Over 8 weeks I’ve been away from family and friends Getting stronger everyday and working to increase my lung capacity. I’ll get back to where I was in healthier ways this time….maybe even do cardio 😱.

 

“I knew what I thought going in [about the coronavirus]. I didn’t think it was as serious as it was until after things started happening,” he said. “I thought I was young enough for it not to affect me, and I know a lot of people think that.

“I wanted to show it can happen to anyone. It doesn’t matter if you’re young or old, have preexisting conditions or not. It can affect you.” You can read Mike’s full story and interview with BuzzFeed News here.

 

via Mike Schultz on Instagram

 

 

googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-1583941906523-0’); });

Teacher Shares 4th Grader’s Funny Attempt at Skipping Zoom Class

Photograph by reddericks on reddit

 

A 4th grade teacher recently shared one his student’s funny attempts at skipping zoom class by saying he was ‘having Internet issues’ and changing his screen name to ‘Reconecting …’

Unfortunately by incorrectly spelling ‘reconnecting’ his attempt was pretty easily foiled.

 

via reddericks on reddit

 

 

googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-1583941906523-0’); });

Banksy Adds a New Superhero to the Mix

Artwork by Banksy

 

Feels like an appropriate time to once again send our love, gratitude, and respect to all of the healthcare professionals around the world battling this pandemic. Thank you.

 

via Banksy on Instagram

 

 

googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-1583941906523-0’); });