In 1885 the first seatbelt patent was granted to Edward Claghorn, as a way to keep tourists safe in New York City as they rode in taxis. In 1961, Wisconsin became the first state to require seatbelts in new cars. In 1968, both lap and shoulder belts were mandated in all new automobiles. However, it…
One of the hottest media topics (pun intended) over the last few years has been the effects of climate change on earth, the potential causes of those changes, and what we can do about them. Climate change traditionally has been assessed by taking specimens from the earth. A hollow tube is sunk deep into glacial ice…
During both brain and spine surgery, we use electrocautery to control bleeding. Bipolar cautery creates a circuit between the forcep tips, and the electric current flows smoothly between the active and return electrode. Only minimal and focal patient tissue, in between the tips, is exposed to the current. Monopolar cautery, however, creates a circuit between…
The ubiquitous ability of duct tape to fix anything has been common knowledge since World War II. It was originally made of cotton duck fabric (not from real ducks) and repelled water like a duck’s feathers, so it nicely fits its moniker. Duct tape was easy to apply and remove by hand, making it extraordinarily…
Whaaaat??? What on earth is this blog going to be about? Recently in baseball, there’s been a lot of talk about cheating, and specifically, pitchers using “different” materials on the ball. Sitting on every baseball mound is a rosin bag, historically filled with rosin powder, which is a sticky substance extracted from the sap of…
Chiari I malformation is a complex brain disorder, which is still poorly understood and controversial. There are numerous types of Chiari, however Chiari I is most commonly found in kids and young adults. Many people haven’t heard of Chiari I, although nearly 1 in 1,000 may have the diagnosis. In comparison, multiple sclerosis (MS) affects…
If you’ve ever watched the Olympics, you may think, as I did, that the minimal splash signifies the body cutting through the water like a knife through butter. While a professional slices the H20 better than my belly-flop, it turns out there are pretty incredible velocities and impact forces even with a 10.0 dive. Competitive…
Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) shunts are a challenging aspect of neurosurgery. Shunts are placed for numerous indications, however the most common cause is hydrocephalus. CSF is a shock absorber for the neural structures, transmits nutrients, and helps regulate pressure. It is produced in the brain’s ventricles by the choroid plexus, and circulates through and out the…
Taylor Swift’s first verse lyrics in “Shake It Off” read: “Got nothing in my brain… That’s what people say, mm, mm…” The chorus soon chimes: “I shake it off, I shake it off (Whoo-hoo-hoo) I’ll be the first to say that I’m not a Taylor Swift fan and I don’t expect her to reappear in…
Many of the most famous painters of all time have come from the Netherlands. Rembrandt, Vermeer… and of course Vincent Van Gogh. Having started painting at the age of 27, Van Gogh died at 37 years old. He created about 2,100 works, with most in the last two years of his life. Possibly his most…