In this conversation, Jason and Mindy discuss various topics including the future of healthcare, the annual flu shot, and unusual Olympic events. They also share their best days ever and answer a random question. The conversation is light-hearted and entertaining.

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MEDICAL REPORT:

❑ The future of healthcare could be as simple as going to your doctor for a checkup and giving a single drop of blood. German researchers have developed a new method that can detect multiple health conditions from a single drop of blood plasma. Their study, published in Cell Reports Medicine, demonstrates how this technique, called infrared molecular fingerprinting, works by shining infrared light through a blood plasma sample and measuring how different molecules absorb the light. By applying advanced machine learning algorithms, the researchers were able to detect various health conditions with impressive accuracy. Experts say this could revolutionize healthcare, making early detection and diagnosis of multiple health conditions more accessible, efficient, and less invasive, with the potential to save countless lives and reduce healthcare costs. (Test-tube makers have already stated their opposition!)

❑ The annual flu shot could soon be a thing of the past. Scientists at Oregon Health & Science University are working on a revolutionary formula that might mean we’d only need one flu shot – ever. That’s right: No annual vaccinations – OR worrying about whether this year’s shot will match the flu strains circulating around the world. Unlike traditional flu shots that target the virus’s outer surface – which constantly changes – this approach focuses on the virus’s internal structure. They compare it to targeting the engine of a car instead of its paint job.

STRANGE SPORTS THAT WERE ONCE PART OF THE SUMMER OLYMPICS:

The 2024 Paris Olympics opening ceremony started on Friday. If you think the new-to-the Olympics sport of breakdancing is odd, check out these events, which were once a part of the proceedings…

☞ Tug of War: It was an event at 5 games between 1900-20. If neither team succeeded to pull the other over the line after 5 minutes, a winner was declared based on who performed the best.

☞ Club Swinging: An event twice, in 1904 and 1932. Participants would perform a routine by swinging clubs that looked like bowling balls.

☞ Running Deer: In the early 1900s, competitors shot at a deer-shaped target which would move, or “run,” a distance of 75 feet.

☞ Dueling Pistols: In 1906, this bizarre event saw competitors shoot wax bullets at human-shaped targets dressed in long coats from a 20 or 30-meter distance.

☞ Fencing With Sticks: A one-time event in 1904, “Singlestick” was similar to fencing, but the weapon was a rounded wooden stick, about 34 inches long. (So – hockey?)

☞ Plunge for Distance: In 1904, this event saw competitors dive into a pool, then try not to move at all until one minute was up, or until they naturally floated to the surface. (It made for an incredible spectator experience…)

☞ Solo Synchronized Swimming: Between 1984-92, the intent was for the swimmer to synchronize their movements to music. The solo Olympic sport has since evolved into a team effort now known as Artistic Swimming. (But the very idea of “solo” synchronized swimming must have raised some eyebrows at the time!)