Miniaturization optimized weapon killing power during the social stress of late pre-contact North America (AD 600-1600).

Before Europeans arrived to Eastern North America, prehistoric, indigenous peoples experienced a number of changes that culminated in the development of sedentary, maize agricultural lifeways of varying complexity. Inherent to these lifeways were several triggers of social stress including population nucleation and increase, intergroup conflict (warfare), and increased territoriality. Here, we examine whether this period of social stress co-varied with deadlier weaponry, specifically, the design of the most commonly found prehistoric archery component in late pre-contact North America: triangular stone arrow tips (TSAT). The examination of modern metal or carbon projectiles, arrows, and arrowheads has demonstrated that smaller arrow tips penetrate deeper into a target than do larger ones. We first experimentally confirm that this relationship applies to arrow tips made from stone hafted onto shafts made from wood. We then statistically assess a large sample (n = 742) of late pre-contact TSAT and show that these specimens are extraordinarily small. Thus, by miniaturizing their arrow tips, prehistoric people in Eastern North America optimized their projectile weaponry for maximum penetration and killing power in warfare and hunting. Finally, we verify that these functional advantages were selected across environmental and cultural boundaries. Thus, while we cannot and should not rule out stochastic, production economizing, or non-adaptive cultural processes as an explanation for TSAT, overall our results are consistent with the hypothesis that broad, socially stressful demographic changes in late pre-contact Eastern North America resulted in the miniaturization-and augmented lethality-of stone tools across the region.

Revisiting Desmond Doss (1919-2006): Merging Combat Medicine and Benevolence on the Battlefield.

Conscientious objectors are typically defined only by their unwillingness to serve in the armed forces. Desmond Doss participated in World War II as a combat medic and a conscientious objector by providing emergency medicine on active battlefields while refusing to handle a weapon or harm another human being. Born and raised with humility, Doss developed spiritually as a Seventh Day Adventist. Although fixated on the Ten Commandments and "Thou shall not kill," Doss felt a call to serve and voluntarily enlisted in the U.S. Army with aspirations of becoming a combat medic. Throughout his training he was met with physical, spiritual, and political obstacles as his superiors unsuccessfully tried to convince him and eventually to force him out of the military or to take up arms and fight. Doss was granted his request as a combat medic, was not required to handle a weapon or fight, and was deployed with the 307th Infantry Regiment overseas. His heroism on the battlefield saved hundreds of lives and earned him the Medal of Honor. A thorough yet concise examination of Doss' formative years, the obstacles presented by the country he aimed to serve, how he evolved from a conscientious objector to a combat medic worthy of emulation, and his lasting legacy is a necessary reminder of what we risk when courageous people are limited by outdated and potentially unconstitutional policies and perceptions.

Understanding Interconnectedness From the Military Nurse Perspective.

BACKGROUND: Nurses who serve in the military have a unique perspective on nursing and health care delivery that nurtures wholeness and inspires peace and healing on a global scale. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to explore health promotion and healing from the military nurse perspective. DESIGN: Video-recorded interviews were conducted with 10 military nurses who represented various branches and times of service. Participants were asked to share their experiences as military nurses and discuss the challenges and rewards. FINDINGS: Thematic analysis of the recorded interviews revealed two major themes: interconnectedness and human potential. CONCLUSION: This study showed that military nurses have unique experiences that influenced their way of promoting health and healing. Interconnectedness with family (personal and military) had many positive and negative factors. Interconnectedness with the health care team was more prominent for the nurses during military service than in the civilian arena. Global interconnectedness included working with teams from around the world, helping children of detainees see that Americans were not evil, and caring for international communities. Military service strengthened the three human qualities of mind, body, and spirit, which resulted in increasing each military nurse's human potential by enabling them to serve as instruments of healing on a global scale.