Tech for hands-free driving ≠ safe

+ political divides around transgender and nonbinary identity US Edition - Today's top story: Even hands-free, phones and their apps cause dangerously distracted driving [View in browser]( US Edition | 3 April 2024 [The Conversation] [The Conversation]( Top headlines - [Co-sleeping with dog could be hurting your sleep]( - [Maya astronomers saw divine messages in solar eclipses]( - [Beyoncé recalls legacy of Black artists with ‘Blackbiird’]( Lead story If many states allow you to use your phone hands-free while driving, and carmakers are adding apps and driver-assist systems, then those technologies must be safe, right? They are better than looking down at your phone while driving, but that doesn’t make them safe. Those technologies make it easier for you to take your attention off the road, and distracted driving kills thousands of people in the U.S. each year. April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month, and UMass Amherst human factors engineer Shannon Roberts explains [why you should heed]( the government’s new public service announcements telling you to “put the phone away or pay.” [ [Science from the scientists themselves. Sign up for our weekly science email newsletter.]( ] Eric Smalley Science + Technology Editor Car infotainment systems are getting ever more sophisticated. AP Photo/Ryan Sun [Even hands-free, phones and their apps cause dangerously distracted driving]( Shannon Roberts, UMass Amherst Technology has made driving safer in many ways, but also provided more opportunities for drivers to distract themselves. Politics + Society - [Nex Benedict’s suicide coincides with a wave of anti-LGBTQ+ laws – and some people’s misunderstanding about transgender and nonbinary individuals]( Marie-Amelie George, Wake Forest University As states and local school boards in some places continue to pass anti-LGBTQ+ rights legislation and policies, hate crimes against young LGBTQ+ people have also increased. - [Military personnel swear allegiance to the Constitution and serve the American people – not one leader or party]( Joseph G. Amoroso, United States Military Academy West Point; Lee Robinson, United States Military Academy West Point Members of the military take an oath before service, but it’s to the Constitution, not a specific person. West Point professors explain how young officers learn the importance of their allegiance. Health + Medicine - [A century after the EEG was discovered, it remains a crucial tool for understanding the brain]( Giridhar Kalamangalam, University of Florida Some scientists theorize that artificial intelligence may be able to deduce thoughts from EEGs. - [Could sharing a bedroom with your pets be keeping you from getting a good night’s sleep?]( Brian N. Chin, Trinity College Pets provide a source of comfort and intimacy for many owners drifting off to sleep. But according to new research, they may also disrupt your ability to fall or stay asleep. Arts + Culture - [Beyoncé’s ‘Blackbiird’ breathes new life into a symbol that has inspired centuries of Black artists, musicians and storytellers]( Katie Kapurch, Texas State University; Jon Marc Smith, Texas State University To truly appreciate the track, it’s important to go beyond the long shadow of the Beatles’ version. Ethics + Religion - [For the Maya, solar eclipses were a sign of heavenly clashes − and their astronomers kept sophisticated records to predict them]( Kimberly H. Breuer, University of Texas at Arlington The skies and the gods were inseparable in Maya culture. Astronomers kept careful track of events like eclipses in order to perform the renewal ceremonies to continue the world’s cycles of rebirth. International - [Taiwan earthquake: an earthquake scientist on what we know so far and what may happen next]( Dee Ninis, Monash University Strong aftershocks may cause the collapse of buildings that were only damaged in the main shock. - [The Gambia may allow female genital mutilation again – another sign of a global trend eroding women’s rights]( Satang Nabaneh, University of Dayton The potential repeal of the ban on female genital mutilation poses a threat to the well-being of girls in The Gambia. Trending on site - [Why aren’t there solar-powered cars?]( - [The roots of the Easter story: Where did Christian beliefs about Jesus’ resurrection come from?]( - [How Trump’s lawyers would fail my constitutional law class with their Supreme Court brief on criminal immunity]( Today's graphic 📈 [A chart showing the US apparel imports by region from 1989 to 2021. The share of U.S. apparel imports coming from Central America started falling in the late 1990s and has since remained stagnant.]( From the story, [Tweaking US trade policy could hold the key to reducing migration from Central America]( - - More of The Conversation Like this newsletter? You might be interested in our weekly and biweekly emails: • [Weekly Highlights]( • [Science Editors' Picks]( • [Giving Today]( [New!] • [This Week in Religion]( • [Politics Weekly]( • [Global Perspectives]( • [Global Economy & Business]( Follow us on social media: • [Threads]( • [Bluesky]( • [Mastodon]( • [Post.news]( • [LinkedIn]( • [Instagram]( • [Facebook]( • Or [get a daily text from us]( - - About The Conversation We're a nonprofit news organization dedicated to [helping academic experts share ideas with the public](. We can give away our articles thanks to the help of foundations, universities and readers like you. [Donate now to support research-based journalism]( [The Conversation]( You’re receiving this newsletter from [The Conversation]( 303 Wyman Street, Suite 300 Waltham, MA 02451 [Forward to a friend]( • [Unsubscribe](