Week in Science: The measles outbreak in Texas is why vaccines matter

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February 28—This week, how to protect your mental health from overwhelming news cycles. Plus, the evolution of curly hair, and astronomers peer at the far side of the Milky Way. Enjoy and have a great weekend! --Andrea Gawrylewski, Chief Newsletter Editor

Top Stories

Why the News Feels Overwhelming—And How to Cope An explanation of the science behind news fatigue, plus expert advice to take control and protect your well-being while staying engaged Meghan Bartels

What's on the Milky Way's Far Side? With radio and infrared telescopes, astronomers can pierce the dusty veil of our galaxy and map its farthest reaches Phil Plait

Where Did Curly Hair Come From? Biological Anthropology May Provide Insights Humans have a surprising lack of hair for mammals. Biological anthropology may provide insights into why the hair we have sometimes comes out curly. Rachel Feltman; Jeffery DelViscio, staff editor

The Measles Outbreak in Texas Is Why Vaccines Matter Opting against vaccines may uphold ideas of personal freedom, but it has doomed the county at the center of the Texas measles outbreak Megha Satyanarayana, staff editor

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'Stand Up for Science' Rallies Will Protest Trump Attacks on Research Amid President Donald Trump's attacks on government scientists and science funding, researchers are arranging rallies to "Stand Up for Science" in Washington, D.C., and nationwide on March 7 Meghan Bartels

Widening Highways Doesn't Fix Traffic. Here's What Can Highway widening projects usually don't solve congestion, but less expensive toll programs known as congestion pricing can. Here's why Allison Parshall

Why Temperatures Swung by 90 Degrees F in Parts of U.S. Much of the U.S. has swung from temperatures in the –30s and –40s Fahrenheit to balmy weather in the 60s and 70s F Andrea Thompson, staff editor

Why Is the Trump Administration Villainizing Mental Health Meds for Kids? A federal commission to examine U.S. chronic disease could undercut real treatment for kids with depression, ADHD and other mental health challenges Megha Satyanarayana, staff editor

A Derecho Damaged Skyscrapers More Than a Hurricane Did A powerful derecho last year caused more damage to Houston's tallest buildings than Hurricane Beryl. Scientists wanted to know why Chelsea Harvey; E&E News

Genetic Discoveries Could Reduce Black Women's Higher Breast Cancer Death Risk Women with African ancestry have often been left out of breast cancer studies. Now scientists are catching up Leah Small

Private Space Stations of the Future Promise Luxury. But Can They Deliver? Several companies have contracts with NASA to design private space habitats to replace the International Space Station once it's gone Sarah Scoles

The Latest on Bird Flu's Hits to Egg Supplies, Rats and Cats Avian influenza continues to fuel egg shortages. Plus, a delayed CDC study on household cats reveals concerning human exposure routes Lauren J. Young

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