What is in the This Week in Science Podcast?

2019 Novel Coronavirus (nCoV) Update, Speaking of Snakes, Fly Brain Map, Breathy Butterfly Wings, Forest Fashion Sense?, Bacteria Gonna Share, Trash To Flash?, Melting Faster, Jane Austen Sex Pheromone, Drug Lord Hippo Havoc, Wasp Face Buzz, Music Master, And Much More…

Want to listen to a particular story from TWIS, the This Week in Science podcast? You can do that here. Just look for the time-code link in the description.

DISCLAIMER, DISCLAIMER, DISCLAIMER!!!

At the time of this disclaimer

the world reeling from the threat of a growing pandemic

A new virus, the likes of which we’ve seen before,

Is spreading across the planet like the common cold.

Scientists are watching closely, looking for the source

Is it bats? Snakes? Something else?

Nations are taking drastic actions out of an abundance of precaution;

Recalling citizens from hot spots,

Airlines are cancelling flights,

Passengers that do fly are being quarantined.

Hand sanitizer sales often go hand in hand with such news.

This is a good time to be in the face mask business.

And while the world braces for the worst,

It is important to note that this is nothing new.

Mankind has been facing novel threats from our environment

Since the birth of agriculture and animal domestication.

Since the beginning of civilization.

When we first began to live together in large groups,

We exposed ourselves to an environment our evolutionary biology had not prepared us for.

Ever more so in this age of technology and globalization.

While lacking a current specific entry on the subject,

The words of the standard guide to all knowledge and wisdom come to mind:

“Don’t Panic!”

But, maybe keep your towel over your mouth for the duration of

This Week in Science,

Coming Up Next…

Let’s start with an UPDATE!