"The Dogs Who Saved Nome

Описание: In 1925, the children of Nome, Alaska, were dying. A massive outbreak of diphtheria had struck the isolated town, and the only life-saving serum was 1,000 miles away in Anchorage. With the harbor frozen and planes grounded by sub-zero blizzards, the town’s only hope was the "Great Race of Mercy"—a relay of dog sled teams.
​The Science: Heat Exchange and Endurance
​While humans would freeze in minutes, the Siberian Huskies, led by dogs like Balto and Togo, were biological marvels of Arctic physics. They utilize a Countercurrent Heat Exchange system in their paws.
​As warm blood flows down to the paws, it passes closely by the cold blood returning to the heart. This transfers heat, keeping the paws just above freezing while preventing the core body temperature from dropping. Furthermore, their "double coat" provides nearly perfect Thermal Insulation, trapping a layer of warm air against the skin that even 100 mph winds cannot penetrate.
​The Result
​The teams covered 674 miles in just five and a half days in temperatures reaching -85°F. Togo, the unsung hero, ran the longest and most dangerous leg (261 miles), while Balto led the final 55 miles into Nome through a total "whiteout."
​The serum arrived in time, and the epidemic was halted. The race didn't just save Nome; it proved that biological adaptation, forged over thousands of years, could sometimes outperform the best technology of the modern world.