Ripped from the Headlines: October 2021: This Week in Words: Current Events Vocab for October 9–October 15, 2021

Scientists have discovered a new species of tardigrade, or water bear, in a chunk of amber estimated to be 16 million years old. It's only the third known fossil of the microscopic, eight-legged animal. The ancient amber — a clear, fossilized tree resin — was found in the Dominican Republic. Its clarity made it possible for scientists to identify the details of the water bear trapped inside, including tiny claws "30 times finer than a human hair."

On October 11, the drug company Merck announced it had submitted its antiviral coronavirus pill to the FDA for emergency approval. In contrast to the antibody treatments currently used in serious Covid cases, the new drug, molnupiravir, is inexpensive and convenient. Federal authorization to use the drug with high-risk patients is expected within the next few weeks. Before the 1800s, approvance was used instead of approval.

A new recommendation by health experts advises those at risk of heart disease not to take a daily dose of aspirin, as previously suggested. The update doesn’t apply to those already taking the analgesic on a doctor’s advice. Aspirin was once used as an inexpensive preventative against heart attacks, but possible side effects from taking the medication — including a risk of bleeding — outweigh the benefits. Aspirin comes from Spiraea, its natural plant source,.

A NASA spacecraft is set to embark this week on a 12-year mission to study Jupiter’s Trojan asteroids. The Lucy probe will spend a decade investigating the unusual chunks of space rock. The Trojans are different from most asteroids, as their orbit around the sun mimics Jupiter’s and keeps them close to the gas giant. Studying eight of these rocky bodies up close may reveal new details about the universe's formation. The Greek root of asteroid means "star-like."

The U.S. will reopen its borders with Canada and Mexico to fully vaccinated travelers beginning in November. The news comes several weeks after the Biden administration made a similar announcement about overseas travelers. Opening the land borders separating the United States from its neighboring countries means reuniting family members who have been unable to cross those boundaries since the pandemic began. Proof of vaccination will be required.

Southwest Airlines canceled more than 2,000 flights over the holiday weekend, starting October 8. Four days later, the carrier's CEO said the situation had improved, with only two percent of flights eliminated and 242 delayed. He blamed air traffic control issues in Florida and bad weather for the cancellations, although some experts said pandemic-related staffing shortages were also a factor. Cancel originally meant “cross out with lines,” from a root meaning “lattice."

A report from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration says that in the first nine months of 2021, the U.S. experienced 18 weather and climate disasters costing at least $1 billion. Only 2020 had a higher total number of catastrophic weather events. This year’s climate emergencies have already been the most expensive, costing $104.8 billion worldwide. Disaster derives from the Italian disastro, “ill-starred.”

The Nobel Memorial Prize for Economic Science was awarded on October 11 to three economists who study real-world situations. David Card, Joshua Angrist, and Guido Imbens shared the award for their work observing economic forces in situations in which randomized experiments aren't possible. Card studied the impact of pay on employment, concluding that a higher minimum wage doesn't reduce hiring.

The FBI has charged a Navy engineer and his wife with espionage, alleging that they attempted to share submarine secrets with a foreign country. Authorities haven’t revealed what country Jonathan and Diana Toebbe were communicating with, but they say the couple tried to hand over classified technological information in exchange for cryptocurrency. Espionage derives from the French espion, “a spy,” and a root meaning “to observe or watch.”

This year, President Biden declared October 11, 2021 Indigenous People’s Day, in recognition of the "resilience and strength" of Native Americans. Several states have traded Columbus Day celebrations in favor of honoring Indigenous people, and a bill in Congress would make it a federal holiday. Proponents aim to use the occasion to tell more accurate stories about the continent’s original inhabitants. The root of indigenous means "sprung from the land."

Scientists plan to adapt the same mRNA technology used in several Covid vaccines to more effectively inoculate people against influenza. Three biotech companies have already begun testing new mRNA flu shots, which can be produced faster than the older vaccines and target specific strains more efficiently. Though existing flu vaccines protect thousands from dying of the respiratory virus each year, they are less effective than Covid vaccines.

The Boston Marathon resumed on October 11, nearly 900 days after it was last held. It's one of the most prestigious 26.2 mile runs in the world, and 2021 was the first year it occurred in October. The marathon normally takes place on Patriots' Day in April, but organizers canceled the 2020 event and delayed the 2021 race due to the pandemic. Kenyan runners won both the men’s and women’s events: Benson Kipruto finished in 2:09:51, and Diana Kipyokei's time was 2:24:45.

According to meteorologists, a mysterious boom that was heard and felt in New Hampshire early on October 10 was probably caused by a meteor. People who heard the prolonged, deep sound speculated that it was caused by an earthquake or a jet breaking the sound barrier. Weather satellite evidence, however, suggests a space rock may have exploded over the area and caused the boom. Meteor has a Greek root, meteōron, which means "thing high up."

A British woman who adopted a border collie from an animal shelter lived with the dog for more than nine months before discovering he was blind. The rescue pup, named Dave, was so skilled at navigating around obstacles that neither his owner or vet realized he couldn't see. Dave jumped into cars, played with other dogs, and maneuvered around objects easily. A veterinary specialist eventually confirmed he had been born blind; Dave's vets remain stunned that he rarely bumps into things.

Filming began this week on the International Space Station for the first movie ever shot in orbit. A Russian crew of four, consisting of the director of The Challenge, its star, a camera operator, and an astronaut guide, will spend about two weeks inside the ISS. The film crew will shoot scenes in zero gravity as the space station rotates around the earth. Orbit is derived from the Latin orbis, "circle, ring, or hoop."

Since the Taliban seized power this summer, about half the members of Afghanistan’s all-female Zohra Orchestra have been able to flee the country. The school where the classical musicians practiced has been converted into a military base. On October 3, a group including renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma attempted to evacuate the entire music school, including the orchestra, but about 15 female musicians remain in Afghanistan, which is now ruled by a government that forbids live music.

Environmentalists hoping to eliminate natural gas from all buildings are focusing on the fact that gas stoves pollute indoor air. The stoves, which are popular with home cooks and restaurants, have a significant impact on indoor air quality, creating unhealthy levels of nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, and formaldehyde each time a gas flame is ignited. Experts say the fumes are particularly dangerous for people with asthma and other lung disorders.

Hong Kong has seen a sharp population decrease recently. The number of residents fell 1.2% last year and continues to drop. The exodus is fueled in part by China’s new rules requiring a "patriotic education" for students in the territory. Many of those leaving Hong Kong are parents seeking educational freedom for their children in the face of obligatory lessons on "love of China" in every subject. Hong Kong’s elementary schools have 64 fewer first grade classes in 2021 than in 2020.

Researchers in Tanzania have found that one of the most popular spots for bats to roost is inside a toilet. The spaces beneath pit latrines, which are holes cut in concrete slabs, allowing waste to collect eight feet below, are particularly welcoming to bats settling in for a nap. The area is safe from predators and — though smelly to humans — warm and cozy for resting bats. A study of camp latrines around the country found so-called "toilet bats" roosting in nearly all of them.

Just days after thousands in Oklahoma were left without power following multiple tornadoes, more severe weather affected the area on October 12 and 13. Twisters from the second storm tore through Oklahoma City, ripping roofs off houses. Swirling winds in the small city of Clinton damaged every building and hangar of its airport. Tornado is derived from the Latin tonare, "thunder."

Wildlife officers in Colorado were able to tranquilize a wild elk and remove a car tire that had been stuck around its neck for two years. The officials had spotted the elk many times during that period and repeatedly attempted to sedate the animal. On October 9, a Parks and Wildlife official shot the elk with a tranquilizer gun, sawed off its antlers, and freed it of its heavy rubber necklace. The Latin root of tranquilize is tranquillus, or "calm."

A parliamentary election in Iraq on October 10 that dealt losses to Iran-backed candidates was marked by a historically low turnout. Observers tied the low number of voters to widespread skepticism about the voting process and frustration with government corruption. Most Iraqis chose to stay home from the polls, with only about a quarter of eligible voters participating in the election. The biggest winner was the party of Shiite leader Moqtada al-Sadr.