How COVID-19 is Changing the English Language
From ‘social distancing’ to ‘self-quarantining,’ the pandemic is leaving a lasting impact on the English lexicon
Stories by The Conversation US
What’s in Wildfire Smoke, and Why Is It So Bad for Your Lungs?
An environmental toxicologist explains the factors involved
Hurricanes and Wildfires Are Compounding COVID-19 Risks
Crowded grocery stores and emergency shelters are potential concerns
What Is Ammonium Nitrate, the Chemical That Exploded in Beirut?
The blast injured thousands and killed at least 78 people
Wildfires Can Poison Drinking Water—Here’s How Communities Can Better Prepare
Using less plastic in water meters and other building code changes could help prevent contamination
Coronavirus Responses Highlight How Humans Have Evolved to Dismiss Facts That Don’t Fit Their Worldview
Science denialism is not just a simple matter of logic or ignorance
Could Chloroquine Treat Coronavirus?
Five questions are answered about a promising yet problematic and unproved use for an antimalarial drug
How COVID-19 Drug Hunters Spot Virus-Fighting Compounds
A big project looks at “doorways” the coronavirus uses to get into cells—and finds drugs that could block them
How Does the Coronavirus Test Work? 5 Questions Answered
A molecular biologist explains how the kits function, and why the U.S. has faced problems
Hackers Could Shut Down Satellites—or Turn Them into Weapons
The use of off-the-shelf components means bad actors can easily look for vulnerabilities
Snakes Could Be the Original Source of the New Coronavirus Outbreak in China
A study of the virus’s genetic sequence suggests similarities to that seen in snakes, but the origin must still be verified
Why New Zealand’s White Island Erupted Without Warning
Steam volcanic eruptions like this one can only be detected seconds or minutes in advance
British Columbia’s Vaping Crackdown Could Offer a Roadmap for the Rest of the World
The provincial government has an expansive plan that ranges from limiting nicotine to raising taxes on the products
Destructive Amazon Fires Do Not Threaten Earth’s Oxygen, Expert Says
There is enough oxygen in the air to last for millions of years
Blood Tests for Alzheimer’s: Two Experts on Why New Studies Are Encouraging
Diagnoses could be made of individuals with AD pathology years before the first symptoms
Meet the Eye Microbiome
Bacteria live on our eyeballs, and understanding their role could help treat common eye diseases
Climate Change Sends Great Lakes Water Levels Seesawing
Six years ago, lake levels were low, now lakeside communities face widespread flooding
Why Giant Human-Sized Beavers Died Out 10,000 Years Ago
The now-extinct animals once lived from Florida to Alaska, and weighed as up to 100 kilograms
El Niño Is Now Stronger and Stranger, Coral Records Show
Changes to El Niño influence precipitation and temperature patterns around the globe
Why the “Child of Krakatau” Volcano Is Still Dangerous
The Dec. 22 landslide at the Indonesian volcano led to a predictable tsunami in the area
