Ancient fix for Peru's climate change problem

Plus: Menstruation Movie; Tea Crushes Parasites; YouTube Global Hits [NPR] editor's note It's a question that every parent thinks about: How do I teach my kids to be honest? A school in India came up with a simple method: [an honesty shop.]( They buy snacks for each class -- muffins, peanut brittle, samosas. And they put a money box on the table. It's up to the kids whether to pay. And nobody's watching. [Read the story here.]( When the school tallies up the amount they spent on snacks and the money in the box -- what do they find? P.S. We have an honesty shop at NPR, too! Well, actually it's an honesty drawer. Science desk editor Gisele Grayson keeps a drawer full of candy. We can help ourselves (even though we know candy isn't exactly the best snack)! But sometimes you just need a chocolate boost. I asked Grayson if she breaks even. "I have no idea!" she said with a laugh. And then said, yeah, pretty much. What's even more impressive is that the money sits in the drawer, where anyone could take it. But she can only remember one time, about five years ago, when the cash disappeared. Mmm, now I'm dreaming of an honesty drawer Mounds bar. And I just happen to have a quarter burning a hole in my pocket! All best, Marc Silver Editor, Goats and Soda looking back at 2018 [YouTube's Global Hits: From Obama's Dancing Step-Grandma To A Beat Beyonce Loves]( The most popular videos around the globe include silly human tricks, stark crime re-creations, cheery revenge songs -- and the inevitable dancing politician (who busts a move with his step-grandmother). [The Health Of The World, By The Numbers]( There is cause for optimism -- and for despair. One statistic is so distressing that the Red Cross calls it "a hideous milestone for the 21st century." [7 Of Our Most Popular Goats And Soda Stories]( From the 392 stories posted on our blog in 2018, here are seven of our most popular, ranked by page views. The topics range from how to sit without causing back pain to the real story of Queen Elizabeth II's dance in Ghana (which was re-created in The Crown) to the amazing rescue of two stranded goats. [6 Fearless Women Who Were An Inspiration]( They broke taboos and stereotypes around the world. They include the co-recipient of this year's Nobel Peace Prize, a disability activist -- and a 101-year-old runner. climate change [Climate Change Is Bad For Peru's Pastures ... But There's A 1,200-Year-Old Fix]( The wetlands in the Andes where livestock graze are shrinking. Could reviving ancient water systems bring back the grass? quote of the week ["I'm like, you're kidding me, because I can't stand it."]( Pam Weathers, biologist at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, who ran a trial to see if wormwood tea did a better job than drugs at curing the parasitic disease schistosomiasis, caused by flatworms. To her surprise, the tea does have its fans despite its bitter taste. Oscar buzz [A movie about menstruation]( is on the short list for an Oscar nomination for documentary short. Black Panther is likely to earn a number of nominations -- in addition to spurring [lots of conversation among development thinkers about Wakanda.]( We catch up with Khaled Khatib, [a past winner for cinematography]( for the documentary The White Helmets, about volunteer rescue workers in Syria. You received this message because you're subscribed to our Goats and Soda emails. | [Unsubscribe]( | [Privacy Policy]( | NPR 1111 N. CAPITOL ST. NE WASHINGTON DC 20002 [NPR]