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Edition: US
16 January 2020
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[Bryan Keogh]
A note from...
Bryan Keogh
Senior Editor, Economy + Business
The U.S. and China have finally declared a truce in their two-year trade war. The countries yesterday signed what they dubbed the first phrase of a broader trade pact. The U.S. offered to ease some punitive tariffs. China agreed to go on a $200 billion American buying spree and do more to crack down on Chinese theft of U.S. companies’ trade secrets.
Great news, right? Not so fast, argues Penelope Prime, an economist at Georgia State University. She [highlights three fundamental issues]( the deal fails to resolve – all of which make getting a more comprehensive accord difficult.
Also today:
- [Russia’s cabinet resigns](
- [Are screens really the enemy?](
- [Why you need more Vitamin D in the winter](
Top story
President Donald Trump shakes hands with Chinese Vice Premier Liu He after signing the trade agreement. AP Photo/Evan Vucci
[US-China trade pact President Trump just signed fails to resolve 3 fundamental issues](
Penelope B. Prime, Georgia State University
The deal represents a trade war truce but doesn't resolve the underlying tensions that led to the two-year-old conflict.
Politics + Society
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[Russia’s cabinet resigns and it’s all part of Putin’s plan](
Regina Smyth, Indiana University
Russia's cabinet resigned Wednesday, and it looked like an unexpected move. But a Russia scholar says it is part of a plan by leader Vladimir Putin to maintain power after he leaves office.
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[Could a woman defeat Donald Trump? What political science research says](
Nathaniel Swigger, The Ohio State University
Predictions about how a woman presidential candidate might fare in 2020 are largely speculation, writes a political scientist, because there isn't enough experience to base those predictions on.
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[What do we want? Unbiased reporting! When do we want it? During protests!](
Danielle K. Kilgo, Indiana University
From anti-war demonstrations to the latest women's march, 2020 is already shaping up to be a big year for protests in the US. Journalists will pick which messages get heard.
Science + Technology
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[Screen time: Conclusions about the effects of digital media are often incomplete, irrelevant or wrong](
Byron Reeves, Stanford University; Nilam Ram, Pennsylvania State University; Thomas N. Robinson, Stanford University
Most of us spend hours each day glued to some type of screen for work or play. But is that a bad thing? Has anyone got the data to figure it out? Now is the time for 'The Human Screenome Project.'
Economy + Business
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[Why saying ‘OK boomer’ at work is considered age discrimination – but millennial put-downs aren’t](
Elizabeth C. Tippett, University of Oregon
An employment law expert explains why you shouldn't use an age-related insult at work to demean an older colleague – an issue even the Supreme Court is now talking about.
Health + Medicine
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[Why you need more Vitamin D in the winter](
Margherita T. Cantorna, Pennsylvania State University
Vitamin D is essential for good health and particularly for fighting infections and keeping the microbes in the human gut healthy. But in winter it can be difficult to get enough.
Environment + Energy
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[Worst marine heatwave on record killed one million seabirds in North Pacific Ocean](
Tim Birkhead, University of Sheffield
As well as a stark warning about climate change, the disaster underlines the importance of wildlife monitoring.
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[Why do onions make you cry?](
Minda Daughtry, North Carolina State University
Like many plants, onions have defenses to ward off creatures that may want to eat them. Their secret weapon is a kind of natural tear gas.
Most read on site
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[A new solution for America’s empty churches: A change of faith](
Ashima Krishna, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York
In up-and-coming neighborhoods, old churches are often converted to apartments or offices. But what about the vacant or underused churches in areas that aren't attractive to developers?
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[Earthquake forecast for Puerto Rico: Dozens more large aftershocks are likely](
Richard Aster, Colorado State University
Puerto Rico's January earthquakes came after many foreshocks and have been followed by numerous aftershocks. Scientists are studying these sequences to improve earthquake forecasting.
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[Your blood type may influence your vulnerability to norovirus, the winter vomiting virus](
Patricia L. Foster, Indiana University
Norovirus, the winter vomiting bug, is highly infectious among people in confined places – like cruise ships. But not everyone is equally vulnerable. Your blood type may determine if you get sick.
Today’s chart
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From the article: [Want to know what will happen in 2020? Look to state polls for the answer](
[Daniel R. Birdsong] Daniel R. Birdsong
University of Dayton
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