Frozen CSI: Key bacterial species that can serve as "biomarkers of death" in frigid conditions have been found by researchers, aiding investigators when visual examination falls short.
The Conversation
Found dead in the snow − how microbes can help pinpoint time of death for forensic investigations in frigid conditions
An accurate estimate of when someone died is a critical part of forensic investigations. In extremely cold conditions, molecular biology can provid...
 #science #death #bacteria
About one-third of the world’s #population – around 3 billion people – doesn’t have access to the #internet because of #infrastructure limitations, economic disparities or geographic isolation. A new kind of aircraft is being tested to potentially provide easier internet access to rural areas (and disaster zones):
The Conversation
A third of the world’s population lacks internet connectivity − airborne communications stations could change that
Network equipment riding on balloons, airships, gliders and planes could boost internet access, including in disaster zones, and improve scientific...
Cerebrospinal fluid surrounds your brain and spinal cord, and its importance can’t be overstated. And unfortunately, CSF leaks are often misdiagnosed as #migraine, sinus #infections or #allergies.
The Conversation
Fluid keeps your brain from crushing itself and shields your spine from shock – a neurologist explains what happens when it stops working
Cerebrospinal fluid can sometimes leak or collect in the brain without an identifiable cause, leading to symptoms that can be difficult to diagnose.
 #health
#Privacy settings in many apps can make you feel like you have good control over your data, but don’t be so sure. You may be unaware of the additional steps needed to actually secure your data:
The Conversation
Complicated app settings are a threat to user privacy
Knowing you should set your apps’ privacy permissions might not be enough to protect you. A cybersecurity expert explains how complicated privacy...
In two-parent families, mothers not only actually do more of the chores, they shoulder more of the cognitive load of planning, anticipating and delegating the chores. And it all takes a serious toll on moms’ #mentalhealth.
The Conversation
Moms think more about household chores − and this cognitive burden hurts their mental health
Moms execute more household tasks. But they’re also family executives, doing more of the thinking ahead and assigning that are part of all those ...
From new commercial Moon landers to asteroid investigations, an aerospace engineer looks at the most exciting #space missions planned for 2025: https://theconversation.com/from-new-commercial-moon-landers-to-asteroid-investigations-expect-a-slate-of-exciting-space-missions-in-2025-243645  #science #news
With confirmation hearings coming up soon for Trump’s nominees to his cabinet, we’re taking a step back to answer some basic questions. A lot of us haven’t studied civics since 7th grade, so here are some useful refreshers on the process and what these leaders of government departments actually do. First up: why do we even have confirmation? 🧵
The Conversation
Why does the Senate confirm Trump’s picks for key posts — and how? A legal scholar explains the confirmation process and the ‘constitutional loophole’ of recess appointments
Senators have the power to approve or reject a president’s cabinet nominees. A loophole allows presidents to do an end run around the Senate – ...
. Here’s what the Attorney General does:
The Conversation
What does the US attorney general actually do? A law professor explains
The combined political and legal roles and responsibilities of the US attorney general can create conflicts. Some attorneys general yielded to poli...
 Here’s what the Secretary of Education does: #edusky
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US secretary of education helps set national priorities in a system primarily funded and guided by local governments
If Republicans manage to achieve a long-standing goal by getting rid of the Department of Education, there wouldn’t be a secretary of education a...
 Here’s what the Director of National Intelligence does, written by someone who used to work very closely with the DNI:
The Conversation
How a director of national intelligence helps a president stay on top of threats from around the world
The director of national intelligence is the president’s principal adviser on intelligence. A former White House intelligence official explains t...
 The Director of the FBI isn’t a cabinet position, but we thought we’d explain what they do, too:
The Conversation
FBI director guides the agency in confronting complex international threats, investigating federal crimes and running 55 field offices
The FBI investigates everything from terrorist threats to cybercrime to public corruption. What does the presidentially nominated, Senate-confirmed...
 We’ll be publishing a bunch more of these profiles in January, so watch for the links here or subscribe to our free Politics Weekly newsletter:
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Trust in U.S. media hit a record low in 2024. A #journalism professor explains why Black Midwesterners are turning to alternative, trusted messengers for #news:
The Conversation
Trust in U.S. media hit an all-time low in 2024 − a new survey shows Black midwesterners have found other trusted messengers of news
Trust in media is low, and more Americans are avoiding traditional sources of news. Instead, they are turning to social media influencers and trust...
Preventive care is supposed to be free by law for millions of Americans thanks to the Affordable Care Act, but many don’t receive recommended preventive services, and the patients that do receive it spend millions of dollars every year on unexpected bills. The main problem: There’s no specific regulations to determine exactly which services should be free, or for whom, or how often.
The Conversation
Preventive care is free by law, but many Americans get incorrectly billed − especially if you’re poor, a person of color or don’t have a college degree
Patients often bear the cost of unexpected bills for basic preventive services such as wellness visits and cancer screenings.
#Retirement doesn’t just lead to concerns about money. It also raises questions about one’s usefulness in the world. “We should worry, as we think about retirement, more about what the good life for creatures like us – those who are now free from our jobs – should be,” writes a philosopher:
The Conversation
Retirement doesn’t just raise financial concerns – it can also mean feeling unmoored and irrelevant
If you have spent 40 years of your life working 40 hours a week, retirement isn’t just a financial consideration, writes a philosopher.
 #philosophy #bigquestions