Volcanoes are erupting in The Philippines, but on-fire Australia received some welcome rain. The Iran war cries have been called off and The Donald’s military powers are about to be hamstrung by the Senate. Meanwhile, his impeachment trial is starting, and we’re all on Twitter for a front-row seat.
Article Source: The New York Times
12/28/2021
Omicron Variant Might Help Defend Against Delta, Lab Study Suggests
In the lab, antibodies produced during an Omicron infection protected against Delta. If Omicron dominates in the real world, that could lead to a less dire future.
01/04/2022
Chasing the ‘Ghost Bird’ of Australia’s Outback
An elusive, nocturnal parrot disappeared for more than a century. An unlikely rediscovery led to ornithological scandal — and then hope.
12/28/2021
Chile Writes Its Constitution, Confronting Climate Change Head On
Chile has lots of lithium, which is essential to the world’s transition to green energy. But anger over powerful mining interests, a water crisis and inequality has driven Chile to rethink how it defines itself.
12/30/2021
South Africa says that it has passed its fourth wave of cases, and counts few added deaths.
The South African government said Thursday that data from its health department suggested that the country had passed its Omicron peak without a major spike in deaths, offering cautious hope to other countries grappling with the variant.
01/03/2022
Resolve to Think Bigger in 2022
Why do we make the same New Year’s resolutions year after year? “This will be the year that I will lose 20 pounds and exercise five days a week.” “I resolve to stop being late, again.” “This year I will start volunteering.”
12/29/2021
Ungerrymandered: Michigan’s Maps, Independently Drawn, Set Up Fair Fight
A citizen ballot initiative took redistricting out of the hands of partisan legislators. The result: competitive political districts — and an example of how to push back against hyperpartisanship.
12/27/2021
The 2021 Good Tech Awards
This year, technology companies stepped up on housing and criminal justice — with a dash of whistle-blowers mixed in.
12/24/2021
Opinion: When Do You Know You’ve Done Your Work Here on Earth?
“I feel like I got to do everything I wanted to do,” a friend said to me recently, after receiving a cancer diagnosis. “I don’t really have what you’d call unfinished business.” “Yeah, well, maybe you feel like your work is done,” I replied. “But I am nowhere near being finished with you.”
12/20/2021
Billions in Amtrak Funding Could Modernize Aging Rail System
The $1 trillion infrastructure bill that President Biden signed into law includes money that Amtrak hopes can fix crumbling bridges and tunnels along the Northeast Corridor.
12/16/2021
How to Scare an Invasive Fish? A Menacing Robot Predator.
The mosquitofish is wreaking havoc on native Australian marine life. In a new study, scientists tried to frighten it with a look-alike of its natural foe.
12/16/2021
F.D.A. Will Permanently Allow Abortion Pills by Mail
The decision will broaden access to medication abortion, an increasingly common method, but many conservative states are already mobilizing against it.
12/14/2021