June 28, 2024: Science stories for the fairest season, what it's like to work on a research boat in Antarctica, and how to prevent falling in old age. —Andrea Gawrylewski, Chief Newsletter Editor | | | We're in the throes of the fairest season here in the Northern Hemisphere–late nights glittering with lightning bugs, the unparalleled heat quench from a bite of ice cream, lazy days taking in a sea breeze. It has its challenges, too, from more frequent heat waves to risky hurricanes to high air conditioning bills. Whether you want to revel in its charms or escape the woe, I've got the tonic: This is your feel-good summer science reading list (and there's plenty more to come–I'll keep flagging stories like this for you as the summer goes on).
Happy Body and Mind: - Time spent outdoors can improve mental health, immune function and reduce stress. Now is the time to get out into nature (if it's not too hot), and science proves it's good for you! | 4 min read
- Afternoon rests become vital when the temps peak. And research shows that daytime naps for adults can improve mood and focus. The key is to get the timing right. | 11 min listen
- The human mind is wired to make sense of the world through storytelling. Scientists have found that people who think of their own life as a "hero's journey" report a better sense of self, stronger connections with others and more resilience when faced with challenges. | 5 min read
Wonderful World of Animals: | | | Native to South America, Monk Parakeets have made themselves at home in a number of U.S. cities. Credit: Ali Cherkis | - Today, at least 60 of the world's 380 or so parrot species have a breeding population in a country outside their natural geographical range. This is the story of what makes parrots so successful around the world. | 12 min read
- What do our pets dream about? The so-called continuity hypothesis for dreaming might apply to dogs and cats, so whatever happens to them during the day likely shows up during REM sleep. | 3 min read
- "If you've ever had an interest in birds, consider joining a community of people who love to share their knowledge of these incredible animals. There has never been a better time to be (or become) a birder," writes evolution editor Kate Wong. She has practical tips for getting started as a birder this summer. | 10 min read
How Cool is That:
| | | The Gauss-Bonnet formula relates two very different quantities: the curvature of the surface on the one hand and the topology of the surface on the other hand.Ailana Fraser |
- We asked nine mathematicians to pick out their favorite equations and explain why they love them. To those who understand numbers, equations are beautiful. | 8 min read
| | | At the Ends of the Earth Follow award-winning Brazilian journalist Sofia Moutinho as she travels on the Nathaniel B. Palmer, a U.S. icebreaker on a mission to Antarctica to help scientists understand how the climate crisis will unfold. This four-part podcast joins her onboard as she and her fellow passengers encounter the fastest-melting glaciers and ice shelves on the continent. What is it like working in such a harsh environment? How do the researchers cope with the isolation? Plus, the team will encounter some fun wildlife along the way. Listen here or wherever you get your podcasts. | | | • Tai Chi, yoga, water exercises and other low-impact workouts may help prevent severe falls among older adults. | 4 min read | | | • Each year in the U.S., lightning strikes 37 million times and kills 21 people on average. Stay safe this summer. | 4 min read | | | • Do stars in the universe outnumber all the grains of sand on all the beaches on Earth? Here's the rough math to figure it out. | 5 min read | | | • As researchers, Black scientists must constantly defend both their research and their presence in the field, and many young scientists of color drop out of the field early in their careers. "Without community, scientists suffer, and so does their work," write Malique Bowen and Molly Herring, two graduate school researchers who attended a weeklong conference in spring held by the nonprofit Black in Marine Science (BIMS). Launched by marine ecologist Tiara Moore, BIMS is one example (along other groups like the Black Microbiologists Association and Black Women in Ecology, Evolution, and Marine Science) of Black scientists creating supportive communities. | 4 min read | | | MOST POPULAR STORIES OF THE WEEK | | | • Giant Viruses Discovered in Arctic Ice Could Slow Sea-Level Rise | 3 min read | | | • No, Fake Meat Wasn't Found to Cause Heart Disease, as Some Headlines Suggest | 3 min read | | | • Keep Mosquitoes Away with These Tried-and-True Repellents | 6 min read | | | Summer is a great time to read. On a beach, on a plane heading for vacation, on the back porch until well past 8 P. M., leisure time is easier to come by and extra daylight infuses energy into the evening hours. Research shows that children who read demonstrate better cognition and academic performance in adolescence. Literacy sharpens cognition and may even stave off dementia. Dig into my reading list above and feel your brain come alive. | Thank you for reading Today in Science. Email me anytime and let me know what you think of this newsletter: newsletters@sciam.com. Have a wonderful weekend! | —Andrea Gawrylewski, Chief Newsletter Editor | | Subscribe to this and all of our newsletters . | | | | Scientific American
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