🦌 Zombie deer disease threat escalates over human infection risk

Plus: Future of wildlife, NASA space fire experiments, and Dentist malpractice                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 December 27, 2023 | [Read Online]( Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), a fatal prion ailment that affects wildlife, has penetrated the core of Yellowstone National Park. News reports are sparking concerns about who might be affected. Dubbed 'Zombie Deer Disease,' this illness not only endangers the park's ecosystem but also prompts concerns about breaching species’ barriers, reminiscent of the 'mad cow disease' outbreak. This raises questions about what impacts it may have beyond wildlife. In response to these worries, experts stress the urgency of vigilance and the necessity for preventive actions. This disease originated from a mule deer buck's demise within the park. It is caused by abnormal transmissible agents called prions, quietly spreading across North America and drawing attention to its impact on wildlife. In today’s [Must read](, this prompts questions about where it might spread next and how it will affect other regions. According to yesterday's polls, it seems most of you are betting on Asia to be the tech innovation powerhouse of 2024! Additionally, we're amazed by how many of you are aware of our insightful newsletters. Please check and subscribe to IE’s Mechanical newsletter [here](. I'm Shubhangi, the editorial assistant at IE. This is Blueprint. Let’s get into it! Reading Time: 7 minutes Did a friend forward this e-mail to you? [Subscribe ✉](  VIDEO OF THE DAY What’s hidden in the seed vault in Svalbard? Svalbard Global Seed Vault, the "Noah's Ark of Seeds," protects our planet's plant diversity for just $8.8 million. IE+ SUPPORT INTERESTING ENGINEERING Invest In Science And Engineering Insider access to exclusive content, featuring riveting stories that take you right to the heart of the action. Engage with our thriving online community, dive into captivating science discoveries, and stay informed with our enlightening weekly premium newsletters. With IE+, quality reporting is more than just news - and it is Ad-Free. [Subscribe]( HOT TOPICS - IE+ [The future of wildfires: Navigating climate, tradition, and technology]( From the ancient wisdom of indigenous fire stewardship to the urgent need for modern solutions, we look at how people are navigating the future of fighting wildfires. - 🐒 [Monkeys used stone tools during COVID lockdown in Thailand, finds study]( Is this the beginning of the rise of the primates or just a response to the changed circumstances brought on by the pandemic? - 🪖 [Boeing's first 'Orca' extra-large underwater drone has been delivered]( Boeing has announced that, following acceptance testing, it has successfully delivered the first of five planned "Orca" drones to the Navy. MUST READ 🦌 [Zombie deer disease threat escalates over human infection risk]( Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), known as 'Zombie Deer Disease,' devastates wildlife in Yellowstone National Park. Experts fear its spread to humans due to its impact on hosts' brains and the absence of a species barrier. Professionals are calling for urgent attention to prevent its lethal spread in animals and the environment, similar to the 'mad cow disease' outbreak. Dr. Thomas Roffe, a former chief of animal health for the US Fish & Wildlife Service, stresses the ecological implications, emphasizing the urgent need for public attention. Yellowstone, boasting a diverse array of wild mammals, serves as a laboratory to observe the havoc Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) wreaks within an intact ecosystem. Epidemiologist Dr. Michael Osterholm, known for his research on 'mad cow disease,' labels CWD as a "slow-moving disaster." Its relentless spread, marked by fatal, incurable, and highly contagious characteristics, raises apprehensions regarding the challenges of eradicating the disease from infected animals and contaminated environments. [Read more >]( INNOVATION 🔥 [NASA explains fire experiments on the ISS and why they matter]( In space, fire poses a grave threat, where even a tiny spark can turn catastrophic. This drove scientists to explore fire dynamics aboard the International Space Station (ISS) to comprehend its behavior in diverse settings and devise strategies to prevent and put out fires in space. Their studies not only bolster the safety of astronauts, equipment, and spacecraft, but also contribute to fire safety on Earth and deepen our understanding of Combustion for various purposes. [Read more >]( HEALTH 🦷 [Dentist sued over 8 crowns, 4 root canals, 20 fillings in single visit]( Minneapolis resident Kathleen Wilson has taken legal action against Dr. Kevin Molldrem, filing a lawsuit in Hennepin County District Court. The lawsuit accuses Molldrem of negligence and malpractice for performing an intense dental procedure, alleging that he conducted eight dental crowns, four root canals, and 20 fillings in a single session in July 2020. Wilson's legal representatives from Tewksbury & Kerfeld in Minneapolis assert that the treatment resulted in severe injuries, necessitating additional care from other providers to address the alleged negligent work. The lawsuit also claims that Molldrem administered an unsafe anesthesia dosage and falsified medical records to conceal it. [Read more >]( In this section you’ll find the latest jobs as featured on: [jobs.interestingengineering.com]( [Senior Security Engineer (DevOps)]( at PODS Clearwater (US) [Associate Principal, Software Engineering: Risk Analytics]( at Options Clearing Corporation Chicago (US) [Senior Software Engineer]( at TRISTAR Bloomington (US) [ISD Engineer III- Oracle Security Administrator]( at Navy Federal Credit Union Vienna (US) [See More Jobs >]( Question of the day How do you think will the 'Zombie Deer Disease' impact both wildlife and humans? 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