TheConversationUS

TheConversationUS, 9 days ago (edited 9 days ago) to random

Today's conviction of Trump won’t end the legal case, which could quickly be appealed and possibly rise to the level of the US Supreme Court.
It's a historic conviction, no doubt.
But practically speaking, the verdict means only that Trump can't possess a firearm – like all other felons.
A felony conviction won’t keep him from running or serving as president.
A law professor explains a few other key points:
https://theconversation.com/trump-found-guilty-5-key-aspects-of-the-trial-explained-by-a-law-professor-231236

TheConversationUS, 9 days ago to random

Researchers are engineering miniature hearts to study birth defects and pregnancy complications – allowing them to avoid both the ethical issues of using human embryos and the imperfections of animal models.
https://theconversation.com/engineering-mini-human-hearts-to-study-pregnancy-complications-and-birth-defects-226883

TheConversationUS, 10 days ago to news

Donald Trump is now the first sitting or former U.S. president to be convicted of a felony.

But in other countries, ex-leaders have been investigated, prosecuted and even jailed – in the interest of protecting the rule of law.

https://theconversation.com/why-many-countries-have-prosecuted-former-leaders-231260

#breakingnews #news #uspolitics #trump

TheConversationUS, 10 days ago to environment

Today, the Greenland ice sheet is melting rapidly, and some scientists worry that the Atlantic current system may be headed for a climate tipping point this century.

New research, published in the journal Science, suggests that the risk is not as imminent as some people fear, because of data gleaned from historic iceberg records.

https://theconversation.com/is-collapse-of-the-atlantic-ocean-circulation-really-imminent-icebergs-history-reveals-some-clues-230534

#environment #science

TheConversationUS, 10 days ago to music

Beethoven is A great composer, but not THE great composer, according to a music professor who believes it’s time to reframe Beethoven’s greatness “within the context of historic ideals of whiteness and patriarchy.”

“If Americans could acknowledge that our music and music education are deeply rooted in these two ideologies, then we could realize that Beethoven, surely a good composer, was simply one of many.”

https://theconversation.com/was-beethoven-truly-the-greatest-229660
#BlackMastodon @blackmastodon #Music

TheConversationUS, 10 days ago to random

More older adults will be at risk of heat stress as global temperatures reach remarkable new highs every summer. And even just from being stuck inside, they may also suffer emotionally or mentally

https://theconversation.com/heat-waves-can-be-deadly-for-older-adults-an-aging-global-population-and-rising-temperatures-mean-millions-are-at-risk-230486
#climagechange

TheConversationUS, 11 days ago to animals

This summer, watch out for the unassuming grass seed pod known as a foxtail. Its segment's stickiness can burrow into the skin, eyes, and ears of pets, be inhaled into the nose or even make its way into the lungs.

Symptoms to look out for:
🌱 Frequent shaking of your pet's head
🌱 Drainage or discharge from the eye
🌱 Sneezing or pawing at the nose
🌱 Coughing or hacking
Learn more from a vet:
https://theconversation.com/little-seed-big-problem-keep-an-eye-out-for-foxtail-seed-pods-that-can-harm-your-pet-this-summer-228833
#CatsOfMastodon #DogsOfMastodon #Pets

TheConversationUS, 11 days ago to news

"In high-stakes situations, it can be morally permissible to choose to peacefully break certain laws in order to raise awareness of greater injustices."
https://theconversation.com/campus-protests-are-part-of-an-enduring-legacy-of-civil-disobedience-improving-american-democracy-230152
#News #CampusProtests #GazaProtests

TheConversationUS, 11 days ago to environment

Mount Everest has a massive trash problem, thanks to the some 400 to 500 climbers that attempt to summit it every year.

New efforts and innovative strategies could solve the sky-high waste management problem.

Story:
https://theconversation.com/climbers-have-turned-mount-everest-into-a-high-altitude-garbage-dump-but-sustainable-solutions-are-within-reach-226073

Photo: Horses grazing through trash in the shadow of Mt Everest 🏔️ Taken by Martin Edström, on Instagram at @martinedstrom.

#environment #mountains

TheConversationUS, 11 days ago to random

Most Americans, including those enacting 6-week #abortionbans, don’t actually understand how the timing or dating of pregnancy works. Many women don't know yet they are pregnant at 6 weeks.

Scholars explain how research on what Americans understand about #abortion raises “serious questions about whether Americans without medical training – much like those in our state legislatures – have the necessary knowledge needed to regulate abortion access.”

https://theconversation.com/confusion-over-how-pregnancy-dates-are-measured-is-widespread-and-makes-for-uninformed-debate-over-abortion-limits-229167
#abortionrights

TheConversationUS, 12 days ago to climate

Weather forecasters talk about wind shear a lot during hurricane season, but what exactly is it?

Here’s a quick look at one of the key forces that can determine whether a storm will become a destructive hurricane:
https://theconversation.com/what-is-wind-shear-an-atmospheric-scientist-explains-how-it-can-tear-down-hurricanes-213527
PS: Atlantic hurricane season starts on June 1
#climatechange #weather #hurricanes

TheConversationUS, 12 days ago to internet

TikTok users worry about losing their social media platform, but First Amendment rights are on the line, too. There's a good argument for free speech protection of TikTok and its owners in this case, writes 2 law professors.
Imagine if the government told Jeff Bezos that he had to sell The Washington Post because it was worried that he might push a particular agenda.
Courts have long ruled that that sort of worry about future problems is unconstitutional:
https://theconversation.com/tiktok-law-threatening-a-ban-if-the-app-isnt-sold-raises-first-amendment-concerns-229879
#socialmedia

TheConversationUS, 12 days ago to news

Worried about bird flu?

Listeriosis (a disease that can cause flu-like symptoms, miscarriages and even death in extreme cases)?

E. coli?

Campylobacter?

Salmonella?

There is a proven and safe way to prevent it, backed by nearly two centuries of science and #publichealth success: pasteurization.

Here’s how it works, and why you shouldn’t gamble on raw milk:
https://theconversation.com/what-is-pasteurization-a-dairy-expert-explains-how-it-protects-against-foodborne-illness-including-avian-flu-229335

#News #Health

TheConversationUS, 12 days ago (edited 12 days ago) to news

Closing arguments in #Trump’s felony trial are set for this morning.

We asked a professor of criminal law to explain what the prosecution and the defense will be trying to do in their final attempt to persuade the jury
#News #USPolitics #lawstodon https://theconversation.com/what-to-watch-for-in-trump-trials-closing-arguments-from-a-law-school-professor-who-teaches-and-studies-them-230747

TheConversationUS, 14 days ago to music

In the 1970s and 1980s, bands made money from album sales and concerts just promoted the album.

In the 2020s, bands make pennies from streams and rely on concerts to make money.

A #music industry scholar and former drummer looks at how this plays into the government’s antitrust lawsuit: https://theconversation.com/why-the-us-government-is-trying-to-break-up-live-nation-entertainment-a-music-industry-scholar-explains-230832
#News

TheConversationUS, 15 days ago to USpolitics

Facebook just took down roughly 100 pages and profiles for violating the site's rules that prohibit “militarized social movement,” including militia groups that take personal responsibility for defending their communities from a variety of perceived threats.

These 100 pages are just a tiny fraction of the thousands of militia groups Facebook has previously kicked off the site, supposedly permanently.

https://theconversation.com/militia-extremists-kicked-off-facebook-again-are-regaining-comfort-in-public-view-230356
#USPolitics #extremism #socialmedia

TheConversationUS, 15 days ago to USpolitics

There’s nothing groundbreaking about protesters’ tactics of taking over university buildings or erecting encampments on college lawns.

These students – knowingly or unknowingly – are part of a long history of radical student organizing. There are echoes of both the protests against the Vietnam War in the 1960s and 70s and more recently, of South African apartheid in the 1980s.

https://theconversation.com/calls-for-divestment-from-apartheid-south-africa-gave-todays-pro-palestinian-student-activists-a-blueprint-to-follow-229591
#USPolitics #CampusProtests #History #Histodons @histodons

TheConversationUS, 16 days ago to news

Louisiana’s new bill, once signed, would reclassify two #abortion pills (mifepristone and misoprostol) as Schedule IV controlled substances, like valium, and making it a crime to possess them without a valid in-state prescription.

Surgical and medication abortions are already banned in Louisiana, with few exceptions.

An obstetrician and a law professor explain more about the law and the lack of evidence supporting it:
https://theconversation.com/louisiana-set-to-reclassify-abortion-pills-as-controlled-dangerous-substances-heres-what-that-means-230848
#news #breakingnews #health

TheConversationUS, 16 days ago to random

Nearly half of U.S. Jews ages 18-34 say Israel’s response to Hamas’ attack has been “unacceptable.” While most traditional Jewish organizations have lined up strongly behind Israel, many young activists say they are inspired to protest against Israel because of their Jewish identity and values, not in spite of them

https://theconversation.com/for-many-american-jews-protesting-for-palestinians-activism-is-a-journey-rooted-in-their-jewish-values-229228

TheConversationUS, 16 days ago to random

Parks that are built in such a way to be welcoming and inclusive to all
Parks that host events celebrating diversity
Parks that offer safety services (like lifeguards)

^ These types of parks take active management, but are beloved and improve city life
https://theconversation.com/successful-city-parks-make-diverse-communities-feel-safe-and-welcome-this-minnesota-park-is-an-example-226869

TheConversationUS, 16 days ago to history

How do you get cargo and supplies to a shoreline where there are no ports or piers?

That’s the problem the relief effort faced in Gaza, and one that military forces and humanitarian groups have faced countless times in #history.
During World War 2, a navy engineer figured out a solution, using this model of cigar boxes as the prototype to show how a steel pontoon causeway could be made.

https://theconversation.com/how-the-gaza-humanitarian-aid-pier-traces-its-origins-to-discarded-cigar-boxes-before-world-war-ii-230267
#Histodons @histodons

TheConversationUS, 17 days ago (edited 17 days ago) to random

9,988 people will get notified when our weekly news quiz goes live tomorrow - will you help us get to 10,000?

It's a witty and enjoyable look at what's happened in the world and been explained on our site by experts, written by a Jeopardy! champion.

https://theconversation.com/us/newsletters/subscribe/?promoted=news-quiz-117

We'll mail a sticker to the 10,000th subscriber!

TheConversationUS, 17 days ago to Unions

UAW’s recent loss at a plant in Alabama shows how difficult labor organizing in the South can be – especially against the established anti-union politics, and the “union avoidance playbook” that automotive executives have developed over 40 years

https://theconversation.com/united-auto-workers-defeat-at-mercedes-alabama-plants-underscores-challenges-for-organized-labor-in-southern-states-230382
#unions #UAW

TheConversationUS, 17 days ago to Weather

NOAA just released its forecast for the 2024 Atlantic #hurricane season and everything points to a lot of storms, with 4-7 of them becoming major storms.

An expert on extreme weather explains what has led to the high accumulated cyclone energy that has meteorologists concerned:
https://theconversation.com/hurricane-forecast-points-to-a-dangerous-2024-atlantic-season-with-la-nina-and-a-persistently-warm-ocean-teaming-up-to-power-fierce-storms-228351 #weather #climatechage #news #breakingnews

TheConversationUS, 17 days ago to random

A moment of appreciation for roads!

They require a host of engineering feats. The better they’re built, the longer they last. And engineers are working to develop materials that can make roads stronger and last longer.

https://theconversation.com/what-are-roads-made-of-a-pavement-materials-engineer-explains-the-science-behind-the-asphalt-you-drive-on-224588