January 10

Stranded since their ship Aurora was lost in May 1915, the Ross Sea party endured extreme cold, hunger, and treacherous sea ice to lay supply depots for Shackleton's expedition. The party completed vital depot work despite injuries, scurvy, and the deaths of several men. On January 10, 1917, a relief vessel finally reached their remote camp and evacuated the remaining survivors. Their survival became a testament to human endurance and the perils of Antarctic exploration. The rescue highlighted the dedication and risks involved in early 20th-century polar science and exploration.

On January 10, 1946, engineers from the U.S. Army Signal Corps at Fort Monmouth transmitted radio pulses toward the Moon and successfully received the reflected signals. Project Diana demonstrated that radio waves could penetrate the ionosphere and travel through space, opening new paths for radar astronomy and space communication. The team used a modified SCR-271 radar set and precise tracking to align the antenna with the lunar orbit. This milestone provided the first experimental proof that the Earth–Moon path could support radio communication. Project Diana influenced the development of satellite tracking and laid the foundation for future space exploration missions and deep-space communication networks.

Published on January 10, 1980, the letter 'Addiction Rare in Patients Treated with Narcotics' consisted of just 71 words and reported low addiction rates among hospitalized patients. Despite its limited scope and anecdotal nature, the letter was widely cited by pharmaceutical companies and prescribers to promote opioid safety. This misapplication fueled an increase in opioid prescriptions and contributed significantly to the global opioid crisis. Subsequent research revealed much higher addiction rates, leading to revised guidelines and stricter regulations. The event highlights the impact of scientific communication on public health policy and prescription practices.