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Last Notes

2024-11-04 22:04:05

“The planet Jupiter has no solid ground – no surface, like the grass or dirt you tread here on Earth. There’s nothing to walk on, and no place to land a spaceship.
But how can that be?” A physicist explains:
https://theconversation.com/how-can-jupiter-have-no-surface-a-dive-into-a-planet-so-big-it-could-swallow-1-000-earths-231901
#space #jupiter #science

2024-10-22 19:12:33

The popularity of "Black Myth: Wukong" continues a nearly 1000-year-old tradition of retelling the story of Sun Wukong, China’s mischievous monkey king.
https://theconversation.com/a-video-game-based-on-the-chinese-novel-journey-to-the-west-is-the-most-recent-example-of-innovative-retelling-of-this-popular-story-238404
#mythology #gaming

2024-10-21 20:32:52

Leadership turmoil at OpenAI has led to departures of key safety advocates. Former executives warn that product launches are being rushed at the expense of safeguards.
Here’s the latest in OpenAI’s potential shift from nonprofit to for-profit:
https://theconversation.com/as-openai-attracts-billions-in-new-investment-its-goal-of-balancing-profit-with-purpose-is-getting-more-challenging-to-pull-off-240602
#AI #Regulation #ArtificialIntelligence

2024-10-21 19:53:48

Thanks to newly approved at-home rapid tests, you can simultaneously determine whether your symptoms are #COVID-19 or the #flu.
They're called multiplex tests because they can analyze for multiple viruses with just one swab up your nose.
A quick explainer from researchers who test the tests:
https://theconversation.com/is-it-covid-19-flu-at-home-rapid-tests-could-help-you-and-your-doctor-decide-on-a-treatment-plan-231253
#health

2024-10-19 23:17:11

Trump now calls for the U.S. to be a #Bitcoin superpower, while the Biden-Harris administration has imposed regulatory restrictions and vetoed industry-favored legislation.
A researcher of information systems and #AI examines both candidates’ records on #technology regulation –and calls out the important differences:
https://theconversation.com/ai-cryptocurrencies-and-data-privacy-comparing-the-trump-and-harris-records-on-technology-regulation-239676
#cryptocurrency

2024-10-15 20:14:11

New research on kids and attachment: There’s been a long-standing notion held by many psychologists that early attachment behaviors are mainly determined by a child’s temperament.
No: Even children with characteristics of a difficult temperament can benefit from the advantages that come from multiple secure attachments.
https://theconversation.com/difficult-children-are-only-slightly-more-likely-to-have-insecure-attachments-with-parents-236106
#parenting #psychology #research

2024-10-14 21:18:56

Beware of the off-brand weight-loss drugs.
With Ozempic and Zepbound costing up to $1000 monthly, alternatives are flooding the market. But many carry hidden dangers, from stimulants increasing heart attack risk to contaminated peptide products.
https://theconversation.com/buyer-beware-off-brand-ozempic-zepbound-and-other-weight-loss-products-carry-undisclosed-risks-for-consumers-239480
#health #weightloss

2024-10-14 21:04:20

Here’s some food for thought: Grocery prices in the U.S. are the lowest in the world even with inflation.
And by the way, despite the run-up in food prices, there’s little evidence of the price gouging.
https://theconversation.com/if-you-think-grocery-prices-take-a-big-bite-out-of-your-paycheck-in-the-us-check-out-the-rest-of-the-world-240779
#inflation #economy

2024-10-13 15:49:59

*No, it is not just calories in and calories out the right way to track your weight loss. It's actually about your gut microbes and leftovers.*
If you're trying to lose weight, be careful: two foods may have the same number of calories, but other food factors and your microbes influence which calories your body uses more of.
Traditional diets like the Mediterranean and the Okinawan diet are rich in bioactives that support your mitochondrial health and metabolism. (Western diets often lack these crucial compounds).
👉🏽 https://theconversation.com/is-weight-loss-as-simple-as-calories-in-calories-out-in-the-end-its-your-gut-microbes-and-leftovers-that-make-your-calories-count-237629?utm_medium=social&utm_source=nostr #foodstr #health

2024-10-11 19:12:44

Even in cases where tenants resolved their eviction notice in court and saw their case dismissed with a withdrawal or a win – their eviction filings led to immediate and long-term housing instability, income loss and job insecurity.
https://theconversation.com/eviction-filings-can-destabilize-tenants-lives-even-when-they-win-their-case-237386
#law #housing #landlords #homelessness

2024-10-11 16:56:53

Can you go 9 for 9 in today's #news #quiz? It's a hard one. Here's the first question:the Nobel Prize in chemistry was awarded to three scientists who used machine learning to better understand how proteins do what?
A. WashB. RinseC. FoldD. Wrinkle
Check your answer and try the full quiz:https://theconversation.com/the-conversation-u-s-weekly-news-quiz-189437

2024-10-10 21:53:15

Ancient Maya peoples knew that human beings are not independent from nature but part of it.
One of the most powerful beings they worshiped was the creator god whose name is still spoken by millions of people every fall – Huracán, or #Hurricane.
https://theconversation.com/centuries-ago-the-maya-storm-god-huracan-taught-that-when-we-damage-nature-we-damage-ourselves-238180

2024-10-10 16:31:53

What's the possible harm in listening to music all the time?
How dangerous a sound is to your hearing depends on 3 things:
🎵The volume of the sound
🎵The length of time you listen
🎵and how close you are to the sound
And if you listen to music while you work, another thing to consider is the kind of music and how it might be distracting you or affecting your ability to multitask.
https://theconversation.com/is-it-bad-to-listen-to-music-all-the-time-heres-how-tunes-can-help-or-harm-233624
#health #music #hearingloss

2024-10-09 21:08:30

This year’s Nobel Prize in chemistry recognizes 3 researchers for their use of machine learning to tackle one of biology’s biggest challenges: predicting the 3D shape of proteins and designing them from scratch.
A fellow chemist breaks it down for us non-chemists: https://theconversation.com/machine-learning-cracked-the-protein-folding-problem-and-won-the-2024-nobel-prize-in-chemistry-240937
#NobelPrize #science #machinelearning #AI #technology #News #Newstr

2024-10-09 17:29:07

“Minnesota nice, whether represented in policies or in being kind to neighbors, is a worthy ideal,” writes a scholar who has studied the experience of Vietnamese refugees in Minnesota.
But “...the trope of Minnesota nice has a more complex history – especially when it comes to nonwhite people.”
https://theconversation.com/the-contradictions-of-minnesota-nice-236751
#Midwest #Refugees #News

2024-10-09 17:20:18

Public support for unions is near a 50-year high. And unions are mobilizing across industries, from autoworkers to violinists to cannabis drivers.
What’s fueling this new wave of organizing? Job insecurity and lagging wages.
https://theconversation.com/autoworkers-boeing-machinists-cannabis-drivers-labor-unions-are-mobilizing-in-new-and-old-industries-alike-239371
#unions #workerrights #news

2024-10-08 17:24:13

Harris and Trump's records on #abortion policies show stark contrasts.
Harris supports federal abortion rights, while Trump nominated the Supreme Court justices who overturned Roe v. Wade.
The latest from our series comparing the candidates’ records on key issues:
https://theconversation.com/kamala-harris-and-donald-trumps-records-on-abortion-policy-couldnt-be-more-different-heres-what-actions-they-both-have-taken-while-in-office-238172

2024-10-08 17:10:55

“Like the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party and some of the rural activists it produced, Walz is trying to uncouple small-town politics from the politics of fear and cultural isolation.”
https://theconversation.com/who-is-tim-walz-understanding-the-minnesota-democratic-farmer-labor-party-can-help-make-sense-of-the-vp-candidate-239027
#Election2024

2024-10-06 15:36:47

In July, representatives if 14 Palestinian groups, met in Beijing and agreed on a future unity government and elections.
It was the just the latest solution to Palestinian governance to go nowhere, and “72% of Palestinians recently polled said they saw no hope of the provisions agreed to in China being implemented any time soon.”
https://theconversation.com/palestinians-want-to-choose-their-own-leaders-a-year-of-war-has-distanced-them-further-from-this-democratic-goal-239463 #News #Palestine #IsraelPalestineConflict #Oct7

2024-10-06 15:32:36

- reply

GM!

2024-10-03 18:03:32

New technologies have made air travel safer and more efficient, but they’ve also resulted in messy delays and canceled flights.
Consider this a reminder to cope with air travel debacles with old school strategies like purchasing your tickets directly from airlines, having a plan B for your trip and being kind to airline staff who can’t control delays.
https://theconversation.com/if-new-technologies-snarl-your-airline-experience-here-are-old-school-strategies-to-cope-237372

2024-10-02 19:45:08

2024-10-02 19:20:44

The types of smiles that politicians tend to display can give us insights into their personalities and how they'll lead.
From smiles of contempt and insincerity to smiles showcasing discomfort and embarrassment – we have an analysis from an expert in nonverbal communication:
https://theconversation.com/what-the-facial-expressions-of-tim-walz-and-jd-vance-said-about-their-nerves-embarrassment-and-pride-240289
#USPolitics #news #VPDebate2024

2024-10-02 17:27:41

Astronomers have discovered a new class of galaxies called "Little Red Dots" – tiny galaxies that may contain either billions of stars packed incredibly densely or oversized supermassive black holes at their cores.
And they’re challenging the known understanding of the early universe.
https://theconversation.com/tiny-compact-galaxies-are-masters-of-disguise-in-the-distant-universe-searching-for-the-secrets-behind-the-little-red-dots-237273
#astronomy #space #science

2024-10-02 12:32:13

"Although Vance and Walz have each presented themselves as typical 'Midwestern guys', they differ on what that means."
A political communications scholar looks at how the two men presented themselves and their positions at the #vpdebate
https://theconversation.com/americas-dad-vs-the-manosphere-walz-vance-debate-highlights-two-versions-of-masculinity-240319 #News #uspolitics #Newstr

2024-09-30 23:00:41

With more satellites in orbit than ever, companies and government agencies would benefit from looking at companies like Amazon and FedEx who do well managing complex fleets, coordinating operations and dealing with breakdowns.
https://theconversation.com/space-missions-are-getting-more-complex-lessons-from-amazon-and-fedex-can-inform-satellite-and-spacecraft-management-in-orbit-235377
#space #science

2024-09-29 11:11:31

- reply

Sorry for the garble - we meant “… of its longstanding leader, Hassan Nasrallah?”

2024-09-29 11:09:39

What is Hezbollah and what exactly is its role in Lebanon? And how big a blow is the Israeli killing of its longstanding leader, Hassan Nasrallah’s death?
The Conversation turned to Mireille Rebeiz, a #Lebanon expert at Dickinson College who is writing her second book on Hezbollah, to give essential background.
https://theconversation.com/does-hezbollah-represent-lebanon-and-what-impact-will-the-death-of-longtime-leader-hassan-nasrallah-have-240062 #News #Newstr

2024-09-27 22:10:19

How playing a record parallels other forms of the sacred in everyday life:
https://theconversation.com/putting-a-spiritual-spin-on-my-love-affair-with-vinyl-226706
#music #nostalgia

2024-09-27 19:13:14

Welcome to this week's #News #quiz – go 8 for 8 and award yourself a gold star ⭐
First question is about current vice-presidential candidate Tim Walz. He was elected governor of Minnesota as a member of what political party?
A. Republican Party
B. Democratic Party
C. Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party
D. Communist-Socialist-Marxist Party
Check your answer (hint: it's not the obvious one) and try the whole quiz:
https://theconversation.com/the-conversation-u-s-weekly-news-quiz-189437
#Newstr #USpolitics

2024-09-24 16:43:14

From Disney’s “Coco” to Nike Day of the Dead shoes, Día de los Muertos is more mainstream than ever.The popularization of this Mexican holiday is giving a new generation a chance to be proud of their culture.
https://theconversation.com/how-commercialization-over-the-centuries-transformed-the-day-of-the-dead-170428
#HispanicHeritageMonth

2024-09-24 16:30:51

Pennsylvania – known since the 1800s as the “Keystone State” – because of its central status has received a lot of love this election cycle.
But why is Pennsylvania so important?
A political scientist breaks down Harris’ and Trump’s possible routes to victory:
https://theconversation.com/why-pennsylvania-is-the-key-to-a-harris-or-trump-electoral-college-victory-238662
#USPolitics #Election2024 #News

2024-09-20 21:52:03

As steel mill after mill shuttered in the last two decades of the 20th century, people began to leave the communities to find new work – mostly service jobs in larger cities. But why did so many others stay even as the local economy collapsed?
https://theconversation.com/why-people-stay-after-local-economies-collapse-a-story-of-home-among-the-ghosts-of-shuttered-steel-mills-231370

2024-09-20 21:18:38

Harris and Trump have starkly contrasting records on #healthcare.
We have an analysis of their differing approaches to Medicare, the ACA, drug prices and other public health efforts:
https://theconversation.com/health-care-under-harris-versus-trump-a-public-health-historian-sizes-up-their-records-237442
#Election2024 #TrumpVance #HarrisWalz

2024-09-18 22:10:40

Chronic drinking by both mice parents before conception has a lasting effect on the next generation, causing a 3x increase in age-related liver scarring in offspring.
https://theconversation.com/drinking-alcohol-before-conceiving-a-child-could-accelerate-their-aging-new-research-in-mice-235762

2024-09-18 21:49:38

With advanced surveillance systems, real-time crime centers are rapidly expanding nationwide and becoming commonplace in urban policing.
Here’s how they work – and what privacy safeguards are available (though sometimes ignored):
https://theconversation.com/real-time-crime-centers-are-transforming-policing-a-criminologist-explains-how-these-advanced-surveillance-systems-work-232468

2024-09-16 22:15:45

#TikTok was in court today to overturn a law that would force the video app to divorce from its China-based parent company or be banned at-large in the U.S.
Lawyers for TikTok warn of ‘staggering’ consequences for #freespeech if ban is allowed to happen. Here’s some analysis from #cybersecurity, #socialmedia and legal experts: https://theconversation.com/tiktok-ban-goes-to-the-court-5-essential-reads-on-the-case-and-its-consequences-239160

2024-09-15 20:58:28

Whether Jane Austen’s books and characters imply criticism of slavery has long been a subject of disagreement among her readers, but new research shows that at least 3 of her 6 brothers were publicly involved in the abolitionist movement.
https://theconversation.com/3-of-jane-austens-6-brothers-engaged-in-antislavery-activism-new-research-offers-more-clues-about-her-own-views-230176

2024-09-13 21:47:49

Gerald Ford’s pardon of Richard Nixon 50 years ago implied that he could be prosecuted.
But a dangerous and radical presidential immunity from criminal prosecution was established this summer when #SCOTUS granted presidents a license to commit Nixonian crimes – or worse – with the powers of their office and without any fear of punishment
Analysis from an expert in abuses of presidential power:
https://theconversation.com/supreme-courts-ruling-in-trump-v-united-states-would-have-given-nixon-immunity-for-watergate-crimes-but-50-years-ago-he-needed-a-presidential-pardon-to-avoid-prison-238664

2024-09-13 19:33:36

It's time for The Conversation's #news #quiz with lots of talking this week 💬
We've got questions about debates, feuds, pop star announcements and social media yakkers! Go 8 for 8 and be the talk of the town.
Here's the first question: During the U.S. presidential debate, former President Donald Trump made which angry, untrue exclamation about immigrants?
Take the full quiz here: https://theconversation.com/the-conversation-u-s-weekly-news-quiz-189437

2024-09-09 17:03:27

#HBD to Russell M. Nelson, the current president and prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, who is turning 100.
A particularly notable moment in Nelson’s legacy happened in 2018, when he insisted that church members not use the name Mormon or even ‘LDS’ to identify the church or themselves.
The name Mormon comes from the title of the Book of Mormon – a text unique to the faith. Founder Joseph Smith believed he had been instructed by God to restore Jesus’ true church and insisted that in the book’s original language, the word Mormon meant “literally, ‘more good.’”https://theconversation.com/as-russell-m-nelson-turns-100-a-look-back-at-one-of-the-words-that-will-define-his-legacy-and-the-controversial-terms-200-year-history-207190
#religion #LDS #Mormon #News

2024-09-07 14:15:28

A pioneering effort that allowed a paralyzed teenager to play pinball led to today’s vibrant community of esports players with disabilities. And in fact, the world of esports has long been inclusive -- with a lot of accessibility progress over the last 40 years.
https://theconversation.com/how-people-with-disabilities-got-game-the-surprisingly-long-history-of-access-to-arcade-and-video-sports-232363
#gaming #accessibilty #esports

2024-09-07 14:01:08

Your blood sugar affects your mental health.
The latest research suggests that blood sugar fluctuations are partly responsible for the connection between what we eat and how we feel, and that blood sugar levels can be fuel for anxiety and depression.
This doctor and nutritionist has tips and a guide to help stabilize blood sugar levels to decrease sugar and carbohydrate intake:
https://theconversation.com/blood-sugar-fluctuations-after-eating-play-an-important-role-in-anxiety-and-depression-235008
#health #mentalhealth #nutrition

2024-09-07 13:49:26

Using hot lava would be crazy dangerous. But there are ways to tap volcanic heat to make electricity.
To harness the energy, engineers drill wells down into the magma and bring steam to the surface, where it is goes into power plants to spin turbines and generate electricity.
https://theconversation.com/could-we-use-volcanoes-to-make-electricity-234029
#environment #science #energy

2024-09-07 13:36:44

“An update on what to expect from actual science is overdue. I often worry that when the public holds science to unrealistic standards, any scientific claim failing to live up to them arouses suspicion.”
Here’s your reminder that science is a fallible process where disagreement is a necessary feature:
https://theconversation.com/multiple-goals-multiple-solutions-plenty-of-second-guessing-and-revising-heres-how-science-really-works-231249
#science

2024-09-07 13:12:29

Life coaching can provide helpful services for some people, but it can feature untrained people providing advice about health, psychology and nutrition.
Since the world of “coaching” is so poorly regulated, it’s a utopia for scammers. And now that #AI health coaching has entered the chat, these problems are likely to grow.
https://theconversation.com/is-coaching-a-shortcut-to-mental-health-care-not-so-fast-here-are-key-differences-234350
#pyschology #lifecoach #healthcoach #selfimprovement

2024-09-04 20:02:39

When and how people domesticated #horses has long posed an archeological mystery.
Over the past 20 years, it’s been believed that horses were first domesticated in sites of the Botai culture in Kazakhstan. But now, new analyses of bones, teeth, genetics and artifacts suggest it’s time to revise this long-standing hypothesis for how humans domesticated horses.
https://theconversation.com/domesticating-horses-had-a-huge-impact-on-human-society-new-science-rewrites-where-and-when-it-first-happened-226800

2024-09-04 19:33:02

History has seen it happen before – even seemingly small details can play a big part in tiling an election. Late-breaking economic news, international conflicts, personal gaffes or revelations all may be enough to tilt the election.
But the weather and football results could also do it.
https://theconversation.com/policy-shmolicy-election-day-weather-and-football-victories-could-decide-the-election-235819.
#2024Election #USPolitics

2024-08-31 18:17:05

It’s more than shopping and barbecues. The history of today’s holiday is one of a fierce dedication
to the social and economic achievements of American workers.
The holiday began as a strike against excessive workweeks but now bears little resemblance to its worker-centric origins, even as the founders' gains are slowly lost.
https://m.primal.net/KXbl.png
Read more:
https://theconversation.com/have-we-forgotten-the-true-meaning-of-labor-day-64526
#News #LaborDay

2024-08-28 21:06:49

It’s rare to see both at the same time – but August has brought La Niña, which forms in the tropical Pacific, and the less well-known Atlantic Niña.
The Atlantic Niña usually works to reduce hurricane risk. Not this year, though, due to record warm oceans.
https://theconversation.com/what-is-an-atlantic-nina-how-la-ninas-smaller-cousin-could-affect-hurricane-season-237425
#hurricaneseason #climate #science #environment

2024-08-27 17:18:17

From Thomas Jefferson flip-flopping on presidential power to George HW Bush flip-flopping on taxes to today, accusations of inconsistency are nothing new in American politics.
A scholar of the presidency reminds us: "People evolve. Information changes. Hard choices have to be made for the good of the country. I think that we should all reserve the right to get smarter and, hopefully, better."
https://theconversation.com/all-politicians-change-their-minds-and-have-been-flip-flopping-on-positions-for-hundreds-of-years-237302
#USPolitics #Election2024 #Politics

2024-08-27 17:03:41

China’s ambitions in artificial intelligence stand out – not just for the scale but for a strategic approach, finely tuned to serve the Communist Party’s efforts to maintain social order and prevent dissent. One chatbot was trained to deliver answers based on “Xi Jinping Thought”.
https://theconversation.com/china-leans-into-using-ai-even-as-the-us-leads-in-developing-it-236557
#AI #Technology #China

2024-08-26 21:23:42

From glacial ice cores extracted from the Tibetan Plateau, scientists decoded the equivalent of 1,705 virus genomes.
The brand new research leads to new insights into how viral communities change through colder and warmer climatic periods, and how they interact with bacteria.
Reading their genomes tells the story of adaptation to 41,000 years of #climatechange.
https://theconversation.com/ancient-viral-genomes-preserved-in-glaciers-reveal-the-history-of-earths-climate-and-how-viruses-adapt-to-climate-change-237367

2024-08-26 14:09:27

We forgot to end last week with our #News #quiz, so we'll start the week with it instead😅
Fill in the blank from our actual headline: "Does Democratic VP candidate Tim Walz ____"
A. Dare stand up to China
B. Swear too damn much?
C. Have a 'Minnesota toupee'?
D. Know that 'brat' is not a sausage?
Answer here: https://theconversation.com/the-conversation-u-s-weekly-news-quiz-189437 #newstr #Uspolitics #Walz

2024-08-23 19:16:15

All for free speech – but not on THAT topic.
Research shows that large majorities of Americans passionately uphold free speech as a cornerstone of democracy, but fewer of them are supportive of free speech when asked about specific controversial speakers or topics. That has been the pattern for decades.
https://theconversation.com/americans-love-free-speech-survey-finds-until-they-realize-everyone-else-has-it-too-234884

2024-08-23 19:04:01

No credit score needed. Your shopping patterns at the grocery store can predict whether you pay your credit card bills on time, new research suggests – and that opens the door to extending credit to billions of ‘unbanked’ people worldwide.
https://theconversation.com/no-credit-score-a-grocery-list-could-be-the-next-best-thing-234887

2024-08-23 01:39:30

Be careful out there in the heat – it’s not just a hot day that can be dangerous, but the temperature variation. So, if the temperature swings a lot within a day, that itself poses health risks.
https://theconversation.com/heat-risk-isnt-just-about-the-highs-large-daily-temperature-swings-can-harm-human-health-maps-show-who-is-affected-most-235085

2024-08-20 20:16:00

From Charli XCX to Hulk Hogan to Cher and Spike Lee, do celebrity endorsements of a political candidate make much of a difference?
No, in the sense that voters aren’t waiting for their favorite celebrity to tell them who to vote for.
But yes, in the sense that every bit of buzz and pocket change a candidate gets can make a big difference in a tight election.
https://theconversation.com/do-charli-xcxs-and-kid-rocks-endorsements-make-a-difference-19-of-young-people-admit-they-might-236284
#Election2024

2024-08-19 21:50:11

Cloning the same kind of banana over and over is part of the reason for the resurgence of a fungal infection that’s once again threatening banana production.
Yep, we could lose the bananas we have now just like we lost the completely different kind that people were eating just a few generations ago.
New research and what 🍌lovers can do:
https://theconversation.com/banana-apocalypse-part-2-a-genomicist-explains-the-tricky-genetics-of-the-fungus-devastating-bananas-worldwide-236770

2024-08-16 15:50:27

We called in Nick, The Conversation U.S.’s Arts and Culture editor, off the bench to sub for usual quizmaster Fritz, who’s on vacation this week.
Here's the first question of Nick's #news #quiz:
Which potential treatment for PTSD did the FDA reject last Friday?
A. Turmeric
B. Zyn
C. Ketamine
D. MDMA
Fritz tried it from the beach and only got 6 out of 8 on the quiz - can you do better?
https://theconversation.com/the-conversation-u-s-weekly-news-quiz-189437 #Newstr

2024-08-15 00:17:54

Someone around the world develops dementia approximately every 3 seconds, shortening their life expectancy and stealing quality of life from both them and their loved ones.
Recent research adds vision loss and "bad" cholesterol as risk factors.
But an encouraging new report shows how addressing the total 14 risk factors across a lifespan could potentially prevent about 45% of dementia cases from occurring.
https://theconversation.com/dementia-risk-factors-identified-in-new-global-report-are-all-preventable-addressing-them-could-reduce-dementia-rates-by-45-236290
#health #news

2024-08-15 00:11:25

Ready or not, back-to-school season is here, and kids will be bringing home more than homework. Here are some ways to minimize illness transmission from school to home:
https://theconversation.com/infectious-diseases-spike-when-kids-return-to-school-heres-what-you-can-do-about-it-235169
#health #news #backtoschool #school

2024-08-12 22:22:18

Here’s some tips to manage anxiety around political news and the upcoming #election, starting with #1: Resist tribalism. “Remember that when terrified of the other side, your primitive instincts take over, leaving your critical thinking skills behind”
https://theconversation.com/dealing-with-election-anxiety-a-psychiatrist-explains-how-to-channel-your-fears-and-break-out-of-tribal-thinking-235623

2024-08-12 21:44:20

🐘 African elephants have individual name-like calls for each other, similar to human names 🐘
https://theconversation.com/african-elephants-address-one-another-with-name-like-calls-similar-to-humans-232096
#NationalElephantDay

2024-08-12 15:13:26

CAPTCHAs are a key part of the arms race between AI deceivers and AI deception detectors.
And AI is getting better and better at learning how to solve them.
A computer scientist explains how CAPTCHAs work:
https://theconversation.com/captchas-the-struggle-to-tell-real-humans-from-fake-232369

2024-08-09 19:17:33

The #Olympics breakdancing debut is underway 🎉
The sport has come a long way from its origins in the Bronx. We asked an expert: How do these dancers do such body-contouring, mind-boggling moves without getting hurt?
https://theconversation.com/how-do-breakdancers-avoid-breaking-their-necks-231579

2024-08-09 16:59:38

It's time for this week's #News #quiz!
Democrat Kamala Harris has chosen Minnesota Gov. Tim #Walz as her running mate for 2024. Walz has been a congressman, a teacher and a command sergeant major in the National Guard. What other job has he also held?
A. Puppeteer
B. Smoke jumper
C. HVAC installer
D. Football coach
Try the rest of the quiz (and the other, harder questions) here:
https://theconversation.com/the-conversation-u-s-weekly-news-quiz-189437
#Newstr

2024-08-07 22:24:06

What does it take to tell a story from the relics left behind by the family members who have gone before us?
Here's some tips to think like a historian and make your own "investigative memoir" (from the great-granddaughter of this bride):
https://theconversation.com/filling-the-silences-in-family-stories-how-to-think-like-a-historian-to-uncover-your-familys-narrative-234341

2024-08-07 21:11:59

The #Olympics have a “tortured history of sex testing,” a professor of kinesiology writes.
And debates over the supposed advantages of Olympic boxers Imane Khelif and Lin Yu-ting aren’t fair, and don’t make a lot of sense as one could argue obvious physical advantages, unrelated to sex, provide advantages to other medalists:
https://theconversation.com/imane-khelif-controversy-at-paris-olympics-shows-how-sex-testing-in-womens-sports-puts-regulators-in-an-impossible-bind-236211

2024-08-06 14:48:21

What can #Trump do for #Bitcoin?
Here's a look at the promises he has made on #crypto and whether he could keep them
(This article is from our sister site in the UK)
https://theconversation.com/make-bitcoin-great-again-what-donald-trumps-backing-of-crypto-could-mean-for-the-industry-235988?utm_medium=Social&utm_campaign=links&utm_source=nostr
#News

2024-08-03 20:22:53

It's time for our weekly #news #quiz (and sorry I didn't get to it on Friday - we took an early summer weekend). This week's first question is an easy one (some of the others are a bit harder, I promise):
On July 29, President Joe Biden proposed what surprise reform for the U.S. #SupremeCourt?
A. Motor home tracking devices
B. Random drug testing
C. 18-year term limits
D. Sale of naming rights to Bud Light
Take the rest of the quiz here: https://theconversation.com/the-conversation-u-s-weekly-news-quiz-189437?utm_medium=Social&utm_campaign=links&utm_source=nostr

2024-08-02 19:53:44

Sadly, it’s impossible to remove caffeine without sacrificing a bit of aroma and flavor from other chemical compounds that get removed along with it. A chemist explains the 3 methods used:
1. High-pressure CO₂ taking the caffeine from moistened beans
2. The swiss water process: cooking batches and using activated charcoal
3. Solvents: either soaking the moist beans directly in the solvent or in a water solution containing the solvent
https://theconversation.com/retaining-flavor-while-removing-caffeine-a-chemist-explains-the-chemistry-behind-decaf-coffee-233196
#food #foodstr

2024-07-31 21:49:52

Iceland's latest volcanoes are the result of magma pooling just under the island’s surface for up to a year, before the explosive eruption.
New research out today:
https://theconversation.com/icelands-recent-volcanic-eruptions-driven-by-pooling-magma-are-set-to-last-centuries-into-the-future-234988

2024-07-29 23:25:28

Given the ages of the current Supreme Court justices, it's quite possible that the next president, Harris or Trump, won't get a pick. Jimmy Carter was the only single-term president with no picks. Trump, however, got 3. President Biden hopes to change that by instituting term limits.
In this article, a political scientist who studies Supreme Court history looks at the proposal:
https://theconversation.com/a-president-harris-might-not-get-any-supreme-court-picks-biden-proposes-term-limits-to-make-sure-all-future-presidents-get-two-235742
#news #newstr #scotus #USpoli

2024-07-27 14:03:11

How do some state governments without an income tax?
A tax expert explains how the states balance their budgets with other trade-offs (Sometimes, they just spend less on public services, and others boost other taxes).
The states we’re talking about, by the way, are: Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington and Wyoming.
https://theconversation.com/how-do-9-states-get-by-with-no-income-tax-a-tax-expert-explains-the-trade-offs-they-choose-230181

2024-07-26 19:47:43

Big stars can earn six-figure paychecks these days for their work in videogames – but the starting rate is $902. And earning even that 3-figure paycheck is endangered by #AI.
SAG-AFTRA is now on strike against the major #gaming studios over these issues
https://theconversation.com/video-game-performers-are-becoming-hollywood-stars-in-their-own-right-and-are-on-strike-to-be-paid-and-protected-accordingly-235574
#news #newstr

2024-07-26 18:14:00

The #Olympics are going all in on renewable energy, recycled materials and more to shrink their carbon footprint. They’re a test bed for how big events can do better for the environment.
https://theconversation.com/paris-olympics-promote-sustainability-for-good-reason-climate-change-is-putting-athletes-and-their-sports-at-risk-235075
#Olympics2024 #sustainability #climatechange

2024-07-23 20:44:10

𝘛𝘰𝘹𝘰𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘴𝘮𝘢 𝘨𝘰𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘪 is a common parasite and easily tested for. And if it infects a pregnant woman, it can cause miscarriage or serious birth abnormalities.
It can be picked up anywhere an infected cat has defecated, such as the litter box, sandbox, garden or yard. The good news is that there’s a test for it and a treatment to counter the worst fetal effects.
Know the risk factors:
https://theconversation.com/toxoplasma-is-a-common-parasite-that-causes-birth-defects-but-the-us-doesnt-screen-for-it-during-pregnancy-232936
#pregnancy #health #cats

2024-07-23 20:29:58

Although setting strict limits on internet use is a popular strategy for parents, a group of research scientists have discovered that more restrictive monitoring is significantly associated with problematic internet use, in a small study of middle-school families.
Family closeness is a strong predictor of healthy social technology use. Open and honest conversations about risky online content and social media situations are key.
https://theconversation.com/stricter-monitoring-of-tween-and-teen-internet-use-may-not-always-be-better-227654
#parenting #technology #socialmedia

2024-07-23 20:05:44

Research finds that women move more quickly from opioid prescriptions to addictive misuse.
One factor: the role that estrogen, progesterone and testosterone play in opioid addiction.
https://theconversation.com/new-research-suggests-estrogen-and-progesterone-could-play-role-in-opioid-addiction-and-relapse-229589
#health #news

2024-07-23 19:39:02

Even short trips, like a weekend getaway to space, will be associated with changes in chromosomes.
https://theconversation.com/even-short-trips-to-space-can-change-an-astronauts-biology-a-new-set-of-studies-offers-the-most-comprehensive-look-at-spaceflight-health-since-nasas-twins-study-232967

2024-07-22 22:02:06

The entire Summer Olympics have echoes of religious devotion to the nation-state, with a global congregation.
A quick explainer on what this “civil religion” means:
https://theconversation.com/why-the-olympic-games-are-a-civil-religious-ceremony-with-a-global-congregation-233605
#Olympics #Religion

2024-07-21 19:11:24

- reply

Oops, that link should be:
https://theconversation.com/by-bidens-withdrawal-from-race-235082

2024-07-21 19:08:49

Do Democrats have enough time to find a different path to victory? It's actually not an unusual concept. Until 1968, presidential candidates were always picked by party conventions.
And that process, though providing less public input, also produced some great nominees
#Biden #Election2024 #News #Newstr #USPolitics
https://thrconversation.com/by-bidens-withdrawal-from-race-235082

2024-07-19 20:54:33

It’s not just the eyes of the world that will be watching this year’s #Olympics – an extensive #AI-powered surveillance system will be watching, too.
France's surveillance plans are so extensive that the country had to change its laws to make it all legal.
https://theconversation.com/ai-mass-surveillance-at-paris-olympics-a-legal-scholar-on-the-security-boon-and-privacy-nightmare-233321

2024-07-19 20:11:07

Back to the good ol’ days?
What does Trump's nostalgic campaign really mean?
Nostalgia is not merely about the past four years or even the Reagan-era 1980s – it harks back to an era before civil rights and women's rights.
https://theconversation.com/how-trumps-appeal-to-nostalgia-deliberately-evokes-americas-more-racist-more-sexist-past-227207
#Politics #Nostalgia #SocialJustice #Trump #USElections

2024-07-17 21:14:53

Tight security may be the reason that the GOP Convention isn’t filled with the homemade, and often wacky, stuff that’s usually gathered by Smithsonian political curators at the event to save for posterity.
Still, notable finds include plastic totes, ‘MAGA BLACK’ hats and Trump kippahs (from the Republican Jewish Coalition)
#News #RNC #GOP
https://theconversation.com/maga-black-hats-clear-swag-bags-the-first-trump-vance-signs-highlights-of-what-the-smithsonian-is-archiving-from-the-republican-convention-234968
https://m.primal.net/JUTg.png

2024-07-16 17:06:08

"There was an obvious security failure, and you don’t need my background to know that.
How did it happen, why did it happen, and how do you prevent it from happening again?"
A conversation with a scholar of counter-terrorism:
https://theconversation.com/trumps-assassination-attempt-reveals-a-major-security-breakdown-but-doesnt-necessarily-heighten-the-risk-for-political-violence-a-former-fbi-official-explains-234764
#Newstr #News #TrumpShot

2024-07-14 14:37:05

The clenched fist – raised by Donald #Trump as he was rushed off a stage after an assassination attempt – is a gesture used by a fascinating range of people, from fascists to communists to Black Power advocates and athletes like Tiger Woods https://m.primal.net/JQdQ.png
https://theconversation.com/trumps-raised-fist-is-a-go-to-gesture-with-a-long-history-of-different-meanings-232382
#News #BreakingNews #TrumpShot

2024-07-14 11:04:01

Assassination is often an attempt to bypass the long process of politically defeating one’s opponents.
A researcher who studies political violence and extremism says the attack on Trump comes after a long period where “people are delegitimizing their political rivals. They transform a political disagreement into a war in which there is no space for working together”
https://theconversation.com/one-inch-from-a-potential-civil-war-near-miss-in-trump-shooting-is-also-a-close-call-for-american-democracy-234628 #breakingnews #trumpshot #News

2024-07-13 16:42:46

Happy National Mac and Cheese Day! Here’s a brief history of this classic American food
https://theconversation.com/an-ode-to-mac-and-cheese-the-poster-child-for-processed-food-137973
#news #foodstr

2024-07-12 17:08:13

Not a shining moment for scientific integrity:
A recent study shows how research citation statistics can be manipulated through spam references hidden in metadata.
This artificially inflates the numbers for certain researchers and scientific journals, and overall undermines the credibility of academic publishing.
https://theconversation.com/when-scientific-citations-go-rogue-uncovering-sneaked-references-233858

2024-07-10 21:51:56

Basque immigrant sheepherders left their mark on aspen trees, making carvings to express their thoughts, dreams, wishes and challenges.
A century later, researchers are cataloging these astroglyphs and making 3D models to preserve the legacy.
https://theconversation.com/arborglyphs-basque-immigrant-sheepherders-left-their-marks-on-aspen-trees-in-the-american-west-225423

2024-07-09 21:38:01

Creativity, personality, technique, variety, performativity and musicality will be judged in the newest sport at the Paris #Olympics: breakdancing. The dancers’ success will depend on the execution of these 3 basic moves:
1. Top rock
2. Down rock
3. Freeze pose
And success in all of these requires #physics. Really.
https://theconversation.com/paris-2024-olympics-to-debut-high-level-breakdancing-and-physics-in-action-230752

2024-07-09 21:18:38

Human fear of sharks has deep roots. Written works and art from the ancient world contain references to sharks preying on sailors as early as the eighth century B.C.E. – and the book (published 50 years ago) and then movie "Jaws" terrified the public.
But the movie did bring shark research into the scientific mainstream.
Some numbers to set the record straight about sharks:
🦈 64: Five-year global average of shark bites
🦈 You are 200x more likely to drown than to die from a white shark bite
🦈There are 548 known shark species but only 13 species have bitten humans 10 or more confirmed times
https://theconversation.com/jaws-portrayed-sharks-as-monsters-50-years-ago-but-it-also-inspired-a-generation-of-shark-scientists-220629
#SharkWeek

2024-07-08 00:03:25

Y'all as a second-person plural pronoun is not just “the quintessential Southern pronoun.”
A linguist has found uses going back to 1631 in England, hundreds of years before the more recent usages cited by the Oxford English Dictionary.
And its inclusiveness is also gaining new respect, you hear?
https://theconversation.com/yall-that-most-southern-of-southernisms-is-going-mainstream-and-its-about-time-193265
#language #interesting

2024-07-06 23:48:02

Exciting new science: Part algae, part red blood cell, these microrobots can travel to hard-to-reach tumors deep in the lungs. https://theconversation.com/microrobots-made-of-algae-carry-chemo-directly-to-lung-tumors-improving-cancer-treatment-232136?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=bluesky
#medstr #cancer #sciencestr

2024-07-03 20:53:30

For you, #fireworks might be this brilliant symphony of colors that fill up the night sky. For chemists, they’re demonstrating a lot of the basic principles of reactions.
Learn the science behind fireworks, before you watch a display this weekend 🇺🇸 #FourthofJuly
https://theconversation.com/how-do-fireworks-work-a-pyrotechnics-chemist-explains-the-science-behind-the-brilliant-colors-and-sounds-173576

2024-07-02 17:27:50

Service dogs are good little workers – providing less severe symptoms and better quality of life for their handlers. These dogs are trained to try to interrupt panic attacks and provide deep calming pressure to the people they’re matched with #PTSD
https://theconversation.com/service-dogs-can-reduce-the-severity-of-ptsd-for-veterans-new-research-231912

2024-07-01 21:54:27

It’s a conundrum: While vaping can help some adults stop cigarette smoking, it also appeals to young people who may take up the habit
https://theconversation.com/fda-authorized-the-sale-of-menthol-flavored-e-cigarettes-a-health-policy-expert-explains-how-the-benefits-may-outweigh-the-risks-233057
#health #news #vapes