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Edition: US - Today's top story: Why is sarcasm so difficult to detect in texts and emails? [Click here to view this message in your web-browser](. Edition: US 10 March 2018 [[The Conversation]Academic rigor, journalistic flair]( Editor's note If you thought we were serious (and not sarcastic), you’re probably not alone. People often take a stab at sarcasm in texts and emails, only to end up sending mixed messages. That’s because in order for sarcasm to resonate – and not be misconstrued – context, facial expression and tone of voice all play a role. Psychologist Sara Peters [explores the role of sarcasm in the digital age](, pointing to some new tools texters and tweeters have to ensure their sarcastic barbs aren’t misconstrued. Fish farming has a spotty reputation among many Western social scientists and development advocates, who view it as mainly producing high-value species like shrimp for export to wealthy nations. But new research shows that in fact, aquaculture is [an increasingly important food source]( in the global south, where it is widely accessible to poorer consumers. In Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein” published 200 years ago, the title scientist was bioengineering life by stitching together body parts he’d recovered from the graveyard. Rereading the book, University of Washington biochemistry Ph.D. student Ian Haydon realized that if Shelley wrote the book today, Dr. Frankenstein “[would surely be a synthetic biologist](,” working instead with the molecules of life. Luckily, scientific ethics have advanced along with the high-tech equipment and ingredients. Nick Lehr Arts + Culture Editor Top Stories Because you’ve never seen it before, right? Heather [Why is sarcasm so difficult to detect in texts and emails?]( Sara Peters, Newberry College Sarcasm thrives in ambiguous situations, which makes it especially ripe for misinterpretation. Farmed fish like these carp now make an important contribution to global food security. Ben Belton [Let them eat carp: Fish farms are helping to fight hunger]( Ben Belton, Michigan State University; Dave Little, University of Stirling; Simon Bush, Wageningen University Many critics say that fish farms mainly sell their output to wealthy countries and don't provide much benefit to poor people in producing countries. Three aquaculture experts show why this view is wrong. Victor Frankenstein’s mistakes serve as cautionary lessons. Etienne Marais/Pexels [Bioengineers today emphasize the crucial ingredient Dr. Frankenstein forgot – responsibility]( Ian Haydon, University of Washington If Mary Shelley wrote the book today, Victor would surely be a synthetic biologist. But those fiddling with living things in 2018 have hopefully learned from her cautionary tale. Politics + Society [What makes Kim Jong Un tick?]( Stephen Benedict Dyson, University of Connecticut A scholar who has profiled leaders like Saddam Hussein and Vladimir Putin says there is a method to understanding the madness. [Trump meets Kim Jong Un: 5 essential reads]( Naomi Schalit, The Conversation What scholars know about the past, present and future of the US' relationship with North Korea, as the two country's leaders prepare to meet. [School shooters: What can law enforcement do to stop them?]( James Jacobs, New York University Florida does not have a 'red flag' law that would have let police seize Nikolas Cruz's guns before he killed. But there are actions law enforcement could have taken to address his murderous impulses. [While Mexico plays politics with its water, some cities flood and others go dry]( Veronica Herrera, University of Connecticut In many Mexican cities, water is treated as a political bargaining chip – a favor that public officials can trade for votes, bribes or power. Economy + Business [Very few women oversee US companies. Here's how to change that]( Yannick Thams, Suffolk University; Bari Bendell, Suffolk University; Siri Terjesen, American University The share of board seats held by women varies dramatically across the country, from none in Alaska to close to half in New Mexico. A few key policies may make all the difference. [Most panhandling laws are unconstitutional since there's no freedom from speech]( Joseph W. Mead, Cleveland State University The First Amendment protects everything from porn to hateful signs outside military funerals. That includes fundraising pitches of all kinds. [Italy’s economy has 'cronyism disease,' but will its next government treat it?]( Bruno Pellegrino, University of California, Los Angeles Italy has stagnated for more than two decades, yet its politicians seem hardly aware of the source of the problem, let alone how to fix it. [George W. Bush tried steel tariffs. It didn't work]( William Hauk, University of South Carolina President Trump slapped steep tariffs on steel imports, echoing protectionist measures taken by Bush in 2002. Education [Why child care costs more than college tuition - and how to make it more affordable]( Taryn Morrissey, American University Even though child care costs more than college tuition in many states, college affordability seems to get more attention. Here's why that needs to change. [West Virginia teachers win raise – but nation's rural teachers are still underpaid]( Erin McHenry-Sorber, West Virginia University The recent strike by teachers in West Virginia demonstrates larger issues with pay disparities for rural teachers. Arts + Culture [Why it's so important for kids to see diverse TV and movie characters]( Julie Dobrow, Tufts University; Calvin Gidney, Tufts University; Jennifer Burton, Tufts University It's not just how characters look. How they talk and the role they play have a profound impact on kids, who are quick to categorize characters as 'good' or 'bad' based on superficial qualities. [100 years later, the madness of daylight saving time endures]( Michael Downing, Tufts University The original arguments Congress made for 'springing ahead' have been thoroughly debunked. So why are they still being used by legislators today? Health + Medicine [Why are we so sleep deprived, and why does it matter?]( Michael S. Jaffee, University of Florida Few things seem to matter to our health as much as a good night’s sleep, but fewer and fewer of Americans are getting it. A neurologist explains why sleep is so important. [The dark side of daylight saving time]( David Wagner, University of Oregon Most Americans dread the time switch to daylight saving time, which results in a loss of an hour's sleep. The downside is more serious than that – it can lead to workplace injuries and traffic fatalities. [Want better sex? Try getting better sleep]( Laurie Mintz, University of Florida Research demonstrates a two-way relationship between sleep problems and sexual problems, as well as between satisfying sex and sound sleep. If you want better sex, you need better sleep. [Republicans attacking Obamacare, one more time]( Simon F. Haeder, West Virginia University; Valarie Blake, West Virginia University The Affordable Care Act has been under siege since it became law eight years ago. What impact will the latest lawsuit against it have? Environment + Energy [Trophy hunting and wildlife conservation: 5 essential reads]( Jennifer Weeks, The Conversation The Trump administration is considering requests from hunters to import wildlife trophies (body parts) on a case-by-case basis. Does this approach promote conservation or threaten endangered species? [There are dozens of sea snake species in the Indian and Pacific oceans, but none in the Atlantic or Caribbean. Why?]( Harvey Lillywhite, University of Florida Sea snakes spend their lives in the water, giving birth to live young at sea, so why are they only found in some of the world's oceans? The answer lies in a combination of climate and geography. [Cutting pollution in the Chesapeake Bay has helped underwater grasses rebound]( Bill Dennison, University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science; Robert J. Orth, Virginia Institute of Marine Science An ambitious plan to cut the flow of nutrients into the Chesapeake Bay has produced historic regrowth of underwater seagrasses. These results offer hope for other polluted water bodies. [The Cold War's toxic legacy: Costly, dangerous cleanups at atomic bomb production sites]( William J. Kinsella, North Carolina State University During the Cold War, the US built nuclear weapons at a network of secretive sites across the nation. Some are still heavily polluted and threaten public health today. Science + Technology [Perish not publish? New study quantifies the lack of female authors in scientific journals]( Ione Fine, University of Washington; Alicia Shen, University of Washington Women are underrepresented in academic science. New research finds the problem is even worse in terms of who authors high-profile journal articles – bad news for women's career advancement. [For tech giants, a cautionary tale from 19th century railroads on the limits of competition]( Richard White, Stanford University Efforts to curb railroads' monopoly power in the 19th century hold lessons for 21st-century policymakers and internet giants alike. [Using blockchain to secure the 'internet of things']( Nir Kshetri, University of North Carolina – Greensboro More connected devices means more vulnerability to cyberattacks. Is there a cheap, easy and secure way to protect the internet and the world? [When can you buy a gun, vote or be sentenced to death? Science suggests US should revise legal age limits]( Laurence Steinberg, Temple University Teens' brains develop different skills along a predictable timeline. These milestones should influence the legal age boundaries for voting, buying guns and being put to death. [Follow us on Twitter.]( [Join us on Facebook.]( You’re receiving this newsletter from [The Conversation](. Not interested anymore? [Unsubscribe instantly](. 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