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Last Notes

2025-09-02 19:58:40 UTC

☕ The EU is about to shake up the global #coffee trade. Beginning on January 1, every coffee bean sold there will need to be certified “deforestation-free,” a rule with far-reaching impacts for farmers and companies that sell you coffee.
https://theconversation.com/how-europes-deforestation-law-could-change-the-global-coffee-trade-264011 #News #FoodStr #CoffeeStr

2025-03-03 20:34:03 UTC

“How are clouds’ shapes made?” asks Amanda, age 5, from Chile.
In our latest Curious Kids column, University of Albany environmental sciences professor Ross Lazear answers this fascinating question.
https://theconversation.com/how-are-clouds-shapes-made-a-scientist-explains-the-different-cloud-types-and-how-they-help-forecast-weather-247682
#curiouskids #weather

2025-02-26 20:56:53 UTC

In 14th-century Avignon, women worked as fruit-sellers, tailoresses, tavern-keepers, butchers, candlemakers, carpenters, and even sword-makers. In “The Manly Priest”, historian Jennifer Thibodeaux reminds us 15% of households were headed by women.
https://theconversation.com/butchers-bakers-candlestick-makers-and-prostitutes-the-women-working-behind-the-scenes-in-papal-avignon-249345
#vatican #womenshistory

2025-02-20 20:23:57 UTC

Traumatic brain injury is a leading cause of death and disability. A new antioxidant material neutralizes brain-damaging molecules in mice, boosting recovery—offering hope for treatment. A materials science engineer explains:
https://theconversation.com/traumatic-brain-injuries-have-toxic-effects-that-last-weeks-after-initial-impact-an-antioxidant-material-reduces-this-damage-in-mice-247655
#BrainInjury #Neuroscience

2025-02-07 20:17:38 UTC

#Happiness is often seen as a U-shaped curve: youthful joy, struggles in early adulthood, and a late-life upswing. But this trend doesn’t hold in low-income, nonindustrialized societies. An #anthropology professor explains:
https://theconversation.com/happiness-in-poorer-countries-does-not-follow-the-typical-u-shaped-curve-people-are-often-happiest-in-middle-age-243648

2025-02-06 23:59:56 UTC

"As a 30-year #cybersecurity veteran, I find the activities of DOGE thus far concerning. Its broad mandate across government, seemingly nonexistent oversight, and the apparent lack of operational competence of its employees have demonstrated that DOGE could create conditions that are ideal for cybersecurity or data privacy incidents that affect the entire nation."
https://theconversation.com/is-doge-a-cybersecurity-threat-a-security-expert-explains-the-dangers-of-violating-protocols-and-regulations-that-protect-government-computer-systems-249111 #News #ElonMusk

2025-01-14 20:58:44 UTC

#PFAS chemicals resist degradation for up to 1,000 years. A group of #chemistry researchers developed a new light-driven technique could transform them into harmless chemicals and ions.
https://theconversation.com/we-developed-a-way-to-use-light-to-dismantle-pfas-forever-chemicals-long-lasting-environmental-pollutants-244263
#science #news #chemistry

2025-01-13 20:47:22 UTC

Frozen CSI: Key bacterial species that can serve as "biomarkers of death" in frigid conditions have been found by researchers, aiding investigators when visual examination falls short.
https://theconversation.com/found-dead-in-the-snow-how-microbes-can-help-pinpoint-time-of-death-for-forensic-investigations-in-frigid-conditions-234889
#science #death #bacteria

2024-12-27 15:00:39 UTC

With confirmation hearings coming up soon for Trump’s nominees to his cabinet, we’re taking a step back to answer some basic questions.
A lot of us haven’t studied civics since 7th grade, so here are some useful refreshers on the process and what these leaders of government departments actually do.
First up: why do we even have confirmation? 🧵
https://theconversation.com/why-does-the-senate-confirm-trumps-picks-for-key-posts-and-how-a-legal-scholar-explains-the-confirmation-process-and-the-constitutional-loophole-of-recess-appointments-243646?notice=Article+has+been+updated.
Here’s what the Attorney General does:
https://theconversation.com/what-does-the-us-attorney-general-actually-do-a-law-professor-explains-245117
Here’s what the Secretary of Education does: #edusky
https://theconversation.com/us-secretary-of-education-helps-set-national-priorities-in-a-system-primarily-funded-and-guided-by-local-governments-245139
Here’s what the Director of National Intelligence does, written by someone who used to work very closely with the DNI:
https://theconversation.com/how-a-director-of-national-intelligence-helps-a-president-stay-on-top-of-threats-from-around-the-world-245138
The Director of the FBI isn’t a cabinet position, but we thought we’d explain what they do, too:
https://theconversation.com/fbi-director-guides-the-agency-in-confronting-complex-international-threats-investigating-federal-crimes-and-running-55-field-offices-245506
We’ll be publishing a bunch more of these profiles in January, so watch for the links here or subscribe to our free Politics Weekly newsletter:
https://theconversation.com/us/newsletters/subscribe/?promoted=politics-weekly-74

2024-12-10 22:48:06 UTC

The DEA is considering reclassifying marijuana as a schedule III drug, on a par with Tylenol 3.
We had a drug policy expert weigh the pros and cons:
https://theconversation.com/dea-could-reclassify-marijuana-to-a-less-restrictive-category-a-drug-policy-expert-weighs-the-pros-and-cons-237199
#health

2024-12-06 19:06:22 UTC

Talk about a fascinating role: Astronomer Chris Impey is part of an international advisory council designing messages for advanced alien civilizations—just in case they’re out there.
https://theconversation.com/what-does-the-nasa-administrator-do-the-agencys-leader-reaches-for-the-stars-while-navigating-budgets-and-politics-back-on-earth-245353?utm_medium=Social&utm_campaign=links&utm_source=nostr
#News #Science #Astronomy #Space #ETPhoneHome #SETI

2024-12-02 01:10:59 UTC

Robots can now flip burgers, fry chicken, create pizzas, make sushi, prepare salads, serve ramen, bake bread, mix cocktails and do much more.
AI can invent recipes based on the molecular compatibility of ingredients or whatever a kitchen has in stock.
And more advanced concepts are in the works to automate the entire kitchen for fine dining.
https://theconversation.com/robots-are-coming-to-the-kitchen-what-that-could-mean-for-society-and-culture-237000
#news #technology #restaurantindustry #AI #food #robots

2024-11-20 20:45:44 UTC

Some people can visualize things perfectly in their mind’s eye, while others can’t.
Here’s how your brain visualizes scenarios that you’re not actually looking at with your eyes, and why it can be so helpful to improve this skill:
https://theconversation.com/what-is-mental-imagery-brain-researchers-explain-the-pictures-in-your-mind-and-why-theyre-useful-233766
#science #neuroscience #psychology

2024-10-29 22:31:20 UTC

This year, Americans will spend about $11 billion on #Halloween—about half the amount spent annually on dental care for children under age 17.
Besides #inflation, costs are also rising as people buy more candy, more pet costumes, and more pumpkins:
https://theconversation.com/why-is-halloween-spending-growing-when-americans-are-supposedly-cutting-back-242101
#economy

2024-10-19 23:17:11 UTC

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

2024-10-14 21:18:56 UTC

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

2024-10-09 17:29:07 UTC

“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

2024-10-08 17:24:13 UTC

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 UTC

“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 15:32:36 UTC

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GM!

2024-10-03 18:03:32 UTC

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

2024-10-01 15:38:05 UTC

#HBD / Happy Birthday to Jimmy Carter, who turns 100 today.
Whether you liked his presidency or took issue with it, one thing is certain, according to the people who knew him best: His Christian faith is real to him, and his presidency embodied a commitment to a vision of the nation that aligned with his views of Jesus’ teachings on human rights and public service.
https://theconversation.com/how-jimmy-carter-integrated-his-evangelical-christian-faith-into-his-political-work-despite-mockery-and-misunderstanding-200412

2024-09-24 16:43:14 UTC

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

2024-09-20 21:52:03 UTC

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

2024-09-18 22:10:40 UTC

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