Week in Science: Can hantavirus spread through the air?

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May 15—Below are a few articles that should get you up to speed on the latest science behind hantavirus—what we do and don't know about how it spreads, how long it takes for symptoms to show and more. Also, the Pentagon's new UFO image release (experts aren't impressed), and an unusual finding from leftovers of the Trinity nuclear bomb test. —Emma Gometz, Newsletter Editor Have thoughts? Email newsletters@sciam.com anytime.

Top Stories

Hantavirus outbreak occurs at sea, microplastics may contribute to warming, and Alaska landslide sparks tsunami A deadly hantavirus outbreak occurs on a cruise ship, scientists warn that microplastics may be contributing to climate warming, and a retreating-glacier‑triggered landslide unleashed a massive Alaska tsunami Rachel Feltman, Tanya Lewis, Andrea Gawrylewski, Fonda Mwangi, Alex Sugiura

See the Pentagon’s new UFO image release The Pentagon has started releasing files related to unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAP), also called UFOs. Here are the images released so far Jeanna Bryner

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Strange crystals found inside wreckage from the first nuclear bomb test The Trinity bomb test left behind a unique form of matter, and now, scientists have discovered a new chemical structure inside it Clara Moskowitz

Mathematicians uncover ‘golden rule’ in abstract art A mathematical ratio could explain why AI-generated art doesn’t evoke awe from viewers Stephanie Pappas

‘PCOS is inaccurate’—why scientists renamed polycystic ovary syndrome A multiyear effort to rename polycystic ovary syndrome finally revealed the condition’s new name: polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome Claire Cameron

Can hantavirus spread through the air? What we do and don’t know The Andes type of the hantavirus is spread by “close contact,” but it’s unclear how much of that transmission occurs by inhaling airborne droplets or other means Tanya Lewis

Is testosterone therapy safe and effective? What we know Some clinicians are pushing to broaden testosterone use, but there is debate about its benefits and risks Mariana Lenharo, Nature magazine

Each atom in the universe might be unique Long-held assumptions tell us that atoms with the same number of protons, neutrons and electrons are indistinguishable, but one physicist wants to put this idea to the test K. R. Callaway

A massive neutrino experiment is taking shape in an abandoned gold mine The Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment will study nature’s most mysterious particle a mile beneath South Dakota’s Black Hills and will potentially reveal the origins of matter Joseph Howlett

Inside NASA’s ‘very ambitious’ moon base plan NASA’s moon exploration plans call for nearly 80 launches, nearly 75 landers, 10 moon buggies and one nuclear reactor Dan Vergano

Math reveals the one game of chance you should always accept Probability theory and the Saint Petersburg paradox can help you determine whether the stakes of a game are too great Manon Bischoff

Why hantavirus takes so long to show symptoms and what that means for containment People exposed to the Andes strain of the hantavirus may not develop symptoms for up to 42 days, a delay that makes tracing infections more difficult Lauren J. Young

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