Is Rio’s nasty wastewater situation so unusual?

Edition: US - Today's top story: As Rio bay waters show, we badly need innovation in treating human wastes [Click here to view this message in your browser]. Edition: US 15 August 2016 [[The Conversation]Academic rigor, journalistic flair] Editor's note Among the worrying stories to come out of the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro are the reports of sewage in Guanabara Bay where a number of athletic events take place. But the poor sanitation in Rio is quite common around the world, says Daniele Lantagne of Tufts University. She traces the [history of sewage treatment in North America] – which arrived surprisingly recently – and explains why many places need fundamentally new technology. If a female athlete has high levels of testosterone, does that mean she has an [unfair competitive advantage]? Then again, if it does, so what? Elite athletics are not a level playing field. In fact, scientists have identified more than 20 genetic variations associated with athletic advantage. Jaime Schultz, a professor of kinesiology at Penn State argues that “Unless athletic authorities want to take on all conditions that might result in an unfair advantage... it seems arbitrary to focus on testosterone in female athletes.” Martin LaMonica Deputy Editor, Environment & Energy Editor Top story Olympic rowers train in waters near Rio. The lack of sufficient treatment has raised health concerns for athletes. Carlos Barria/Reuters [As Rio bay waters show, we badly need innovation in treating human wastes] Daniele Lantagne, Tufts University Expecting the rest of the world to adopt expensive, centralized sewage treatments systems common in the U.S. is not realistic. Election 2016 - [Is the US electoral system really 'rigged'?] Timothy Frye, Columbia University These charges by Trump are more than just campaign rhetoric. They raise a central issue for democracy: the willingness of losers to comply with a decision reached via free and fair elections. Health + Medicine - [Why get a liberal education? It is the life and breath of medicine] Leslie Henderson, Dartmouth College; Glenda Shoop, Dartmouth College; Lisa Adams, Dartmouth College The sustainability of academic medical centers and the value of a liberal education have both been under attack. Both are essential and integrated components of our best U.S. institutions. - [So what if some female Olympians have high testosterone?] Jaime Schultz, Pennsylvania State University Some women naturally produce high levels of testosterone. Why is this innate condition treated differently from other conditions that potentially enhance athletic performance? Education - [Why science and engineering need to remind students of forgotten lessons from history] Muhammad H. Zaman, Boston University Research shows that students feel motivated when they learn more about the struggles and failures of the world's greatest scientists. Science + Technology - [Dusty plasma in the universe and in the laboratory] Augusto Carballido, Baylor University; Jorge Carmona-Reyes, Baylor University; Truell Hyde, Baylor University The vast majority of matter in the universe is plasma: electrically charged gas. Scientists are untangling how dust interacts with plasma both in space and experimentally closer to home. - [Breaking the fourth wall in human-computer interaction: Really talking to each other] Iván Gris, University of Texas at El Paso Computers can become virtual companions, teachers, coaches and therapists. They can incorporate awareness of physical surroundings with human needs, preferences and even personality. Arts + Culture - [How the IOC effectively maintains a gag order on nonsponsors of the Olympics] Shontavia Johnson, Drake University Olympic organizers are known for fiercely protecting their many related trademarks. It helps maintain their value – but to whose advantage? Rest of the World - United Kingdom [The maths behind the fastest person on Earth (and no it’s not Usain Bolt)] Christian Yates, University of Bath ... and how wind played its part. - Australia [What makes a winning sprinter?] Anthony Blazevich, Edith Cowan University The fastest male and female sprinters attain incredible top running speeds with peaks in excess of 44km per hour and 38km per hour, respectively, in the men's and women's 100m races. - Africa [Why the Oromo protests mark a change in Ethiopia’s political landscape] Asafa Jalata, University of Tennessee For the first time, all Oromo branches have come together to fight for their national self-determination and democracy [The Conversation on Twitter] [The Conversation on Facebook] 3.3 million unique visitors a month You’re receiving this newsletter from [The Conversation]. Not interested anymore? [Unsubscribe instantly]. We’ll miss you. 745 Atlantic Ave. 8th Floor Boston, MA 02111