Yesterday, I had the opportunity to attend a magical school bus Christmas event. It was a truly enchanting experience. The event took place at a local elementary school and was organized to bring joy and excitement to the children before their holiday break. As soon as I entered the school premises, I could feel the Christmas spirit in the air. The school was adorned with festive decorations, including twinkling lights, colorful ornaments, and beautifully decorated Christmas trees. The atmosphere was buzzing with anticipation and laughter.
To survive through these long periods of waiting, the microbes must enter a vegetative state that persists until they are in contact with their hosts once more. For Aspergillus, this would be in the form of spores.
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The atmosphere was buzzing with anticipation and laughter. The main highlight of the event was the appearance of a magical school bus. The bus was transformed into a winter wonderland on wheels.
King Tutankhamun and the Mummy's Curse That Killed Nine Explorers
One hundred years after its discovery, the tomb of Tutankhamun remains one of the most famous archaeological finds of all time. Surrounding this fame is a mystery that has gripped the public imagination for decades and transformed the boy king into a pop culture icon: The curse of the mummy.
On November 4, 1922, in Egypt's Valley of the Kings, British Egyptologist Howard Carter stumbled across a crumbling step, half hidden beneath the debris from the tomb of Ramesses IV. Digging further, he discovered more steps, leading to a sealed stone door.
Carter called on his sponsor, Lord Carnarvon, to join him at the site, and together they uncovered one of the most impressive finds in the history of Egyptology.
A file photo of the burial mask of Tutankhamun. Many believe the archaeologists who discovered the boy king's tomb also released a deadly curse. hayley/Getty
The tomb contained over 5,000 artifacts: gold, jewelry, food offerings and ornate statues. But treasure wasn't the only thing that the archaeologists unearthed.
Five months after the excavation, Lord Carnarvon died, supposedly due to pneumonia and blood poisoning brought on by an infected mosquito bite. A month later, George Jay Gould, a wealthy American financier who had visited the tomb, died from the same affliction.
In 1924, British archaeologist Hugh Evelyn-White hanged himself, allegedly leaving a note that read: "I have succumbed to the mummy's curse." Later that year, the radiologist who x-rayed the mummy before it was given to museum authorities, died of an unidentifiable illness.
Within a decade, at least nine people with connections to the excavation had died. Many were convinced that this was evidence for the rumors of the mummy's curse. But could there be another explanation?
Read more- Queen Nefertiti's Mummy May Have Been Found, Says Leading Archaeologist
- King Tut: The mysteries still surrounding Ancient Egypt's boy pharoah
- 50 of the Greatest Archaeological Discoveries of All Time
In the 1970s, the 500-year-old tomb of a Polish King, Casimir IV Jagiellon, was opened for the first time at Wawel cathedral in Krakow. Within a few days of the excavation, four of the 12 researchers had died, and several others died in the months that followed.
Despite rumors of an ancient curse, scientists were quick to find an alternative explanation. Samples taken from the dead king's corpse revealed that he had been riddled with the fungal spores of Aspergillus flavus.
"Most people breathe in Aspergillus spores every day without getting sick," Tom Chiller, chief of the Mycotic Diseases Branch of the CDC, told Newsweek. "However, for people who have weakened immune systems, breathing in Aspergillus spores can cause an infection in the lungs or sinuses which can spread to other parts of the body."
The resulting condition is called aspergillosis. "There are different types of aspergillosis," Chiller said. "Some types are mild, but some of them are very serious and may be deadly."
While Aspergillus fumigatus is the most common species of Aspergillus fungi in the U.S., Aspergillus flavus is more commonly found in Asia. As well as causing aspergillosis, this species has another nasty trick up its sleeve.
"A. flavus produces a toxin, flavitoxin, on stored grain," Chiller said. "This toxin can be harmful or fatal to humans and animals and is a major source of crop spoilage."
Among the treasures in Tutankhamun's tomb were bags of bread and raw grain, which may have supported the growth of this fungus. But, if Aspergillus flavus was really responsible for the mummy's curse, it would have had to lie waiting inside the boy king's tomb for a very long time.
A file photo of the sign for Tutankhamun's tomb in the Valley of the Kings. Aspergillus fungus may have been lying dormant in the boy king's tomb for millennia. standby/Getty
"Aspergillus are spore formers and, while preferring carbon rich substrates, [like] rotting logs, and damp conditions. they can survive in nutrient poor conditions with minimal water," Michael Wise, a computer scientist from the University of Western Australia who studies microbial informatics, told Newsweek.
For most disease-causing organisms, killing their host is not beneficial as it prevents their transmission. However, if an organism was able to survive for long periods of time outside of their host, they could potentially evolve to be more lethal. This theory has become known as the sit-and-wait hypothesis.
In 2017, Wise and his team found genetic evidence that microbes with the potential to use this tactic tend to be more durable and more virulent than other species, providing support for the theory. The study was conducted in bacteria, but it's likely that similar principles apply to fungi, like Aspergillus.
"The sit-and-wait tactic is beneficial any time a microbe is likely to be exposed to the environment, where it needs to persist until the next host encounter," Wise said. "This is in contrast to obligate pathogens, like SARS-CoV2, which must be passed from host to host, and will perish if exposed to the environment."
To survive through these long periods of waiting, the microbes must enter a vegetative state that persists until they are in contact with their hosts once more. For Aspergillus, this would be in the form of spores.
Aspergillus fungi are known to live on dead bodies and decaying matter and have been detected on other Ancient Egyptian mummies. Aspergillus poisoning also fits as a contributing factor to the deaths of at least three of the victims of the so-called mummy's curse. Therefore, while it is impossible to know for sure, Aspergillus infection may be science's answer to the curse of Tutankhamun.
"It is plausible," Wise said. "[And] modern environmental metagenomics is getting to the point of being able to resolve the question."
Its exterior was covered in wintry scenes, complete with snowflakes and Santa Claus flying in his sleigh. It was a sight to behold. Inside the bus, everything was equally mesmerizing. The seats were adorned with sparkling tinsel and twinkling fairy lights. There were also plush cushions and cozy blankets for the children. It truly felt like stepping into a magical world. Throughout the event, the children had various activities to enjoy on the bus. There were interactive games, such as guessing the number of ornaments on a tree or solving Christmas-themed riddles. The children were fully engaged and excitedly participated in every activity. The bus also had a mini stage where the children could showcase their talents. Some students performed Christmas carols, while others put on small skits and dances. It was heartwarming to see these young performers shine with confidence and joy. Santa Claus himself made a special appearance during the event. He greeted the children with a jolly "Ho ho ho!" and handed out small gifts to each child. The excitement and happiness on their faces were priceless. Overall, the magical school bus Christmas event was a true success. It brought together the school community and filled everyone's hearts with joy and wonder. It was a reminder of the magic and happiness that the holiday season brings. The event concluded with a chorus of Christmas carols sung by the children and a heartfelt thank you to all the organizers. As I left the school, I couldn't help but feel grateful for having witnessed such a magical and memorable event. It was a perfect way to kickstart the Christmas festivities..
Reviews for "A Magical Christmas Party on the School Bus"
1. Ben - 1 out of 5 stars
I was really disappointed with "Magic School Bus Christmas." The animation quality was subpar, with choppy movements and poorly drawn characters. The plot was also lackluster, failing to capture the magic and excitement of the original series. The incorporation of Christmas elements felt forced and gimmicky, and the educational aspect of the show seemed to take a backseat. Overall, I would not recommend this special to any fans of the original Magic School Bus series.
2. Emily - 2 out of 5 stars
As a longtime fan of the Magic School Bus, I was excited to watch "Magic School Bus Christmas." However, I found it to be quite underwhelming. The storyline felt rushed and convoluted, and the characters lacked their usual charm and depth. Additionally, the educational elements were not as prominent as in previous episodes, which was disappointing. The holiday theme seemed forced and detracted from the overall appeal of the show. I would suggest rewatching the original episodes instead of wasting time on this Christmas special.
3. Alex - 1 out of 5 stars
"Magic School Bus Christmas" was a major disappointment for me. The animation quality was abysmal, with poorly designed characters that barely resembled their original counterparts. The plot was weak and predictable, lacking the educational value that made the original series so great. The incorporation of Christmas elements felt forced and not seamlessly integrated into the storyline. Overall, this special failed to capture the essence of the Magic School Bus brand and left me with a feeling of regret for even watching it.
4. Lisa - 2 out of 5 stars
I had high expectations for "Magic School Bus Christmas," but unfortunately, it fell short. The animation quality was subpar, with stiff movements and unimpressive visuals. The plot was uninspiring and lacked the educational aspect that the original series was known for. The Christmas theme felt forced and added little value to the overall storyline. While I appreciate the effort to create a festive special, I would have appreciated a more engaging and well-executed production instead.