November 27, 2024: Below, the science of Thanksgiving. Plus, why walking pneumonia cases are surging in kids and what's causing the drought in the Northeast. —Andrea Gawrylewski, Chief Newsletter Editor | | | Goodboy Picture Company/Getty Images | | | • Walking pneumonia, a relatively mild form of pneumonia, is unusually common in young children this year. Here's why. | 6 min read | | | The Science of Thanksgiving | What does Thanksgiving mean to you? Perhaps it's your favorite holiday–a time to be with loved ones and enjoy special foods or family rituals. For some it might mark the start of a stressful holiday season–the busy schedules, strapped wallets and sleep deprivation. Loneliness, depression and anxiety seem to surge this time of year. And sentiments from our polarized society can filter into conversations around the dinner table. We at Scientific American like to say that "every story is a science story," and I'm happy to report that science has a lot to say about our Thanksgiving experiences. Read on for fascinating research relating to the holiday. The history: The first Thanksgiving was a three-day feast, attended by a small group of pilgrims of the Plymouth Colony and the neighboring Wampanoag people. It was likely not a carefree event. The Pilgrims had experienced a rough first year since they landed in 1620 in what is now Cape Cod, and fewer than 50 people had survived. Distrust and suspicion ran high between the Pilgrims and the native Wampanoag people. And violence would continue between Indigenous people and colonial settlers in the coming decades. At that first feast, the Pilgrims and Native people enjoyed corn, deer, turkeys and other local foods. Early colonists in America enjoyed the benefits of living in an area whose ecosystem likely had been substantially engineered by the Indigenous people, according to historical records and environmental scientists.
The food: Between Labor Day and Thanksgiving pumpkins and pumpkin spice products surge in popularity. Where did the cultural affinity for the staple fall seasoning come from? An anthropologist investigates.
Food myth: Turkey makes you sleepy. In fact, tryptophan, a naturally occurring protein in many meat sources, does not not boost serotonin or melatonin production in the brain. Other factors are at play (booze and lots of food).
Wild cranberries are native to North America. They were an important food source for Native American people and have been cultivated in the U.S. since the early 1800s. And scientists have investigated the plant's genome to devise adaptable and desirable varieties. Fresh cranberries are ready to harvest from mid-September through mid-November, so they are a natural fit for Thanksgiving tables. | | | Martine Severin/Getty Images |
The mood: Food anxiety can peak during the holidays. With so many special dishes, desserts and snacks around, many people worry about overindulging. But stressing about weight gain or unhealthy eating this time of year can…cause you to gain weight: stress raises cortisol levels. Scientific American spoke to a dietician about ways people can fret less about their eating and enjoy.
Inevitably, people with opposing political views will gather to share a meal this time of year. "There are ways to discuss politics without the shouting and angst," writes James M. Honeycutt, a professor emeritus of communication studies. Our ability to discuss important topics has degraded in the last several years. This is one of my favorite articles that discusses how we can disagree more productively.
| | | • Only 57 percent of respondents to a recent survey view science as more positive than negative for society, the Pew Research Center reported. "I believe that's in part due to flagrant overinflation of scientific results," writes Paul Sutter, an astrophysicist at The Ohio State University. Overblown headlines or exaggerated findings that are quickly contradicted make the public less likely to believe the next finding, he says. Most scientific discovery happens in small, incremental steps, rather than as a sudden rush with dramatic fanfare. "The best approach to take with science results, news, and headlines is the same approach scientists use themselves: healthy skepticism." | 5 min read | | | • How selective breeding and careful training can help dogs adapt to indoor life. | New Scientist | | | • Will AI soon become powerful enough to carry out research on itself and build better AI? | Forbes | | | It is such an honor for me to be on this journey of discovery with you every day. Thank you for being a part of our community of science loving readers! Today in Science will return on Monday with science news, insight and awe. | —Andrea Gawrylewski, Chief Newsletter Editor | | Subscribe to this and all of our newsletters . | | | | Scientific American
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