Friday, July 19, 2024

Week in Science: Why Does COVID Spread So Well in the Summer?

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July 19—This week, COVID rates are rising again, prompting questions about why the virus spreads so effectively during the summer. A defective Crowdstrike update to Microsoft Windows caused a worldwide tech outage. Plus, a professional storm chaser shares his experience advising on the new film Twisters.

Sunya Bhutta, Chief Audience Engagement Editor

COVID Rates Are Rising Again. Why Does It Spread So Well in the Summer?

A combination of human behavior and immunity, the environment, and SARS-CoV-2 itself explains why the virus surges during both hotter and colder months

Worldwide Tech Outage Started with Defective Crowdstrike Update to Microsoft Windows

An issue with a commonly used security software called Crowdstrike shuttered large technology systems around the globe, including airlines, transit systems and stock exchanges

Meet the Real-Life Storm Chaser behind Twisters

Sean Waugh, a professional storm chaser and meteorologist, talks about his role in advising Hollywood on tornado science and the awe-inspiring experience of chasing twisters

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See Why Everyone Gets the Monty Hall Puzzle Wrong

How to finally wrap your mind around the uniquely counterintuitive Monty Hall dilemma

Professional Poker Players Know the Optimal Strategy but Don't Always Use It

Poker players can now employ AI to find the optimal playing strategy, but they often don't use it. Here's why

Europe Announces New Mission to Infamous Asteroid Apophis

ESA's Ramses spacecraft will scout out Apophis before and after the asteroid's super-close flyby of Earth in 2029

Why We Can't Rule Out Alien Spaceships in Earth's Atmosphere (Yet)

We can and should look harder for evidence of alien visitors to our solar system

How Does the World's Largest Library Decide What Becomes History?

From ancient clay tablets to TV shows to video games, the U.S. Library of Congress preserves far more than just books

ChatGPT Isn't 'Hallucinating'—It's Bullshitting!

It's important that we use accurate terminology when discussing how AI chatbots make up information

These Animals are Physics Whizzes

How falling cats, slithering snakes, burrowing prairie dogs and more exploit the laws of physics

What to Know about Project 2025's Dangers to Science

Project 2025 would jeopardize federal scientists' independence and undermine their influence

Scientist Pankaj

Today in Science: Humans think unbelievably slowly

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