Could vampires exist, mathematically speaking? Plus, an update on COVID variants of concern as we head into winter. And the United Kingdom has ruled that GIFs are still relevant and Meta can’t hog them all.Sponsor:Shopify, Get a 14-day free trial at shopify.com/coolLinks:Here's How Long it Would Take for Vampires to Annihilate Humanity (Atlas Obscura)The transylvanian problem of renewable resources (RAIRO) Cinema Fiction vs Physics Reality: Ghosts, Vampires, and Zombies (Skeptical Inquirer) Mathematical Models of Interactions between Species: Peaceful Co-existence of Vampires and Humans Based on the Models Derived from Fiction Literature and Films (Applied Mathematical Sciences) Trick or Treat Month: Gourds with Jackson Bird (SciShow Tangents)New COVID variant BQ.1 now makes up 1 in 10 cases nationwide, CDC estimates (CBS News)BA.5 is finally fading—sublineages BQ.1 and BQ.1.1 rise from variant stew (Ars Technica)XBB, BQ.1.1, BA.2.75.2 — a variant swarm could fuel a winter surge (Washington Post)What to Know About COVID-19 Variants BQ.1 and BQ.1.1 (TIME)Meta Forced to Sell Giphy in UK Antitrust Case (Gizmodo) Jackson Bird on TwitterSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.