the conversation
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Does Australia Really Have the Deadliest Snakes? We Debunk 6 Common Myths
As we settle into summer and temperatures rise, snakes are emerging from their winter hideouts to bask in the sun. But don’t be alarmed if you spot one, it’s hard to imagine a more misunderstood group of animals than snakes. Our interactions with snakes are conversation starters, with yarns told and retold. But knowing what’s…
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A Universal Influenza Vaccine May Bring Long-Lasting Protection against The Flu
A bad year for flu can mean tens of thousands of deaths in the U.S. Getting vaccinated can protect you from influenza, but you have to get the shot every year to catch up with the changing virus and to top up the short-lived immunity the vaccine provides. The vaccine’s effectiveness also depends on correct…
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Death: Can Our Final Moment Be Euphoric?
People often look like they are sleeping just after dying, having a neutral facial expression. But one of my relatives, who had intense pain the hours leading up to his death and lacked access to medical care, had a radiant, ecstatic expression. For decades, I have wondered whether the last minutes of life can be…
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Not Sure About the Pfizer Vaccine? You Can Scratch These Concerns off Your List
The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has provisionally approved Australia’s first COVID vaccine, the Pfizer vaccine, paving the way for its rollout to begin in mid-to-late February among high-risk groups. Two doses will be required, at least three weeks apart. The vaccine can be given to people 16 years and older. The Pfizer vaccine is based…