Olivia L. Dobbs
Bio
Science Enthusiast, Naturalist, Dreamer, Nerd.
I crosspost my Medium articles here :)
You can find my main account on Medium: https://medium.com/@oliviadobbs13
Check out my science! -> bit.ly/DobbsEtAl
Stories (108)
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We Just Had the Hottest Summer on Record in the Northern Hemisphere
Los Angeles isn’t exactly known for its mild summers. Growing up in The Valley (San Fernando), those fateful months of every childhood year were spent hiding in neighborhood pools, running through summer camp sprinklers, and sitting in the back of minivans in bumper-to-bumper traffic trekking towards sandy shores along the coast. As a young kid, I lamented the thermostat reporting a balmy 90° Fahrenheit ( 32° C) day — or god-forbid the temperature climbed up to 100° F (38° C).
By Olivia L. Dobbsabout a year ago in Earth
20 of the Most Spectacular Species Discoveries in 2024
There’s so much of the world yet to discover, and so many remarkable things within it. With so much of Earth mapped and so much of it navigable with modern technology, it can feel like the days of discovery and pioneering are behind us. That is most certainly not the case, however. So many hidden fascinations lurk on and within the lovely, blue planet we call Earth. Even this year, we are discovering more about life and what comprises it as we continue research at a break-neck pace.
By Olivia L. Dobbsabout a year ago in Earth
Why Geomagnetic Storms Are Increasing: The Science Behind Solar Activity
“Sorry, it’s going to be a bit before your card goes through,” said a young, stressed-out shopkeep atop Mount Hood, Oregon in May, “The aurora is killing our internet today.” The customer ahead of me tapped on the counter impatiently as the card reader slowly attempted to connect. “Any chance you have cash on you?”
By Olivia L. Dobbsabout a year ago in Earth
Underconsumption: A Quiet Rebellion Against Consumer Culture
“We’ve been saving this for you,” said Mama with a beaming smile as my Pop gently placed a hefty box at the center of my teenage bedroom. The outside was dusty and scratched up from moving a dozen times but, when they popped the lid open, it was clear the outside of the plastic container shielded the content within from every last scratch. “You’ll finally fit into these.”
By Olivia L. Dobbsabout a year ago in Earth
I Bought The Trashie Take Back Bag — Is it Worth it?
My algorithms have me nailed down. Pretty much everywhere I ‘travel’ on the internet is funded by a wide variety of eco-friendly brands. A digital footprint of looking up science communication content for a blog has made me the perfect target audience for every single green solution, whether it’s greenwashing or not. In the past few weeks, I have been inundated by a brand called Trashie, a clothing recycling service who have been suddenly in my inbox, my search engine ads, YouTube, and all about social media.
By Olivia L. Dobbsabout a year ago in Styled
No, Your Brain Doesn’t Stop Growing at 25
Growing up, there was always an idea of a race to 25. It was commonly believed that that was when it would become harder to learn. Many pressured moments before that fateful date were spent cramming my head with knowledge before that dreaded “deadline”. It was an unending marathon to compile soft skills and hard skills — and all the skills in between — otherwise, they said, the back portion of my life wouldn’t be fulfilling. I wanted to prepare for a meaningful life — a successful one, too.
By Olivia L. Dobbsabout a year ago in Humans
Ozempic Explained: What You Need to Know About Pop Culture’s New Favorite Weight Loss Drug
Disclaimer: I am not a medical practitioner. This article is for entertainment and educational purposes only. If you are interested in semaglutide as a medical option, please consult a qualified health practitioner to determine if this option is right for you. Always approach online medical information with skepticism.
By Olivia L. Dobbsabout a year ago in Earth
AI-Generated Content and the Dead Internet Theory
It’s weird and confusing to live through a major technological revolution. The sudden economic changes permeate all aspects of society: careers, culture, relationships, family life, purchases, and even leisure. Since the 90s, we’ve been subject to several life-altering, major technological shifts. From the internet to cell phones, to social media, our general rate of advancement has increased fast enough to give even the most tech-savvy folk a fair bit of whiplash as they navigate through all the changes. As time has marched on, our ability to innovate has picked up pace, making for some strange culture shocks and, not surprisingly, a general rise in dread about the future.
By Olivia L. Dobbs2 years ago in 01
Boquila trifoliolata: Nature’s Master of Disguise
In the temperate rainforests of southern Chile and Argentina hides a peculiar species of vine. Discovered early in the 2010s, this strange species called Boquila trifoliolata (locally titled the pilpil), has the incredible ability to mimic the leaves of other plant species it grows upon. The leaves of the pilpil, though naturally stubby and lobed, grow to nearly perfectly match the leaves of multiple other species near it, showcasing one of the most incredible feats of camouflage ever found in the plant kingdom.
By Olivia L. Dobbs2 years ago in Earth
Opinion: Not Investing in Lab-Grown Meat is a Massive Mistake
On May 1st, 2024, infamous Governor Ron DeSantis signed a contentious bill into law: the banning of lab-grown meat in Florida. Only six days later, Governor Kay Ivey signed Alabama’s version into law to follow Desantis’ lead. Claimed to be a protection of the beef industry in Florida and Alabama, the proponents of the law believe that the use of cultured meat is against nature and could result in harm to ranching as a livelihood. Notably, both states have also shared an undertone of anti-authoritarianism in their reasoning, stating concern over the federal government having jurisdiction over what is and isn’t allowed in stores. Though these states are the first to take action, there are several other measures across the United States close to passing similar bills, namely in Arizona and Tennessee.
By Olivia L. Dobbs2 years ago in Feast
Is it Actually Good for the Planet Or Is It Just Greenwashing?
Being a modern consumer is a nightmare. It often feels like every purchase is a moral choice where you’re forced to choose between which ethical nightmare you’re willing to put your money towards. Thankfully, there’s been quite the movement recently in the world of products, with more and more companies transitioning towards better ingredients and more ethical, Earth-friendly practices.
By Olivia L. Dobbs2 years ago in Earth
Celebrating Neurodiversity: Study Showcases a New Perspective on The Evolutionary Advantage of ADHD
On February 21st, 2024, a research article on ADHD was published in The Proceedings of the Royal Society B by a global team of biologists and neuroscientists. The article in question, titled “Attention deficits linked with a proclivity to explore while foraging”, highlighted an incredible trend: participants in their study who screened positively for ADHD were more likely to explore an environment when foraging, instead of exploiting a single source of a resource like their neurotypical counterparts.
By Olivia L. Dobbs2 years ago in Humans
