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+ why Biden is targeting 'ghost guns' US Edition - Today's top story: What are 'ghost guns,' a target of Biden's anti-crime effort? [View in browser]( US Edition | 11 June 2021 [The Conversation]( Academic rigor, journalistic flair Millions of people have turned to The Conversation in the past year, and our readership has doubled. They read articles with the latest research on SARS-CoV-2 and vaccines, fact-based election coverage, analyses of racial disparities in our society and answers to the questions of curious kids. All of them written by experts, and expertly edited by our team. To launch us into our next fiscal year in good financial health, we’re asking for your support. And we’d especially appreciate it if you could commit to a sustaining gift to provide reliable income through the next 12 months. [Donate]( We’re a nonprofit organization and every gift, no matter how small, goes toward creating independent, research-based journalism. Thank you in advance. And if you need any evidence for the quality and value of what we do, look at these articles we’ve published today: - [Sports writers and their 'clown questions']( - [Middle-aged Americans are totally stressed out]( - [‘In the Heights’ celebrates Manhattan neighborhood’s resilience]( Beth Daley Editor and General Manager Today's newsletter supported by [MarketWatch]( A San Franciso police officer displays several ‘ghost guns’ – untraceable firearms with no serial numbers or manufacturing marks. AP Photo/Haven Daley [What are ‘ghost guns,’ a target of Biden’s anti-crime effort?]( Garen Wintemute, University of California, Davis A scholar of untraceable firearms explains what they are and why President Joe Biden's administration is seeking to restrict their manufacture and use. Arts + Culture - [‘In the Heights’ celebrates the resilience Washington Heights has used to fight the COVID-19 pandemic]( Robert W. Snyder, Rutgers University - Newark Local institutions and community bonds forged during the turmoil of the 1970s and 1980s helped a vulnerable neighborhood walloped by the pandemic endure. Politics + Society - [Sports writers could ditch the ‘clown questions’ and do better when it comes to press conferences]( Nicole Kraft, The Ohio State University Athletes no longer need the press to communicate with fans. They can do that directly through social channels – and unless sports reporters do a better job asking questions, they may become obsolete. - [Historic change: Arab political parties are now legitimate partners in Israel’s politics and government]( Morad Elsana, American University An unwritten rule in Israeli politics kept Arab political parties out of ruling government coalitions – until the latest election. Education - [Tribal colleges empower Native students with an affordable, culturally relevant education – but need more funding]( Susan C. Faircloth, Colorado State University President Biden wants more funding for Tribal Colleges and Universities. An Indigenous scholar and professor of education explains why that's critical for these schools to survive and thrive. Ethics + Religion - [From abortion and porn to women and race: How Southern Baptist Convention resolutions have evolved]( Ryan Burge, Eastern Illinois University A religion data analyst scraped the texts of all Southern Baptist resolutions over the last 150 years. Here's what he found. - [Why the legacy of Billy Graham continues to endure: 3 essential reads]( Kalpana Jain, The Conversation A PBS documentary has reinitiated conversations about the influence of Billy Graham. Here are three articles that describe the impact and the enduring legacy of the famed preacher. Environment + Energy - [Shipping is tough on the climate and hard to clean up – these innovations can help cut emissions]( Jing Sun, University of Michigan If shipping were a country, it would rank between Japan and Germany as the sixth-largest contributor to global carbon dioxide emissions. Health - [Middle-aged Americans are stressed and struggle with physical and mental health – other nations do better]( Frank J. Infurna, Arizona State University Adults in Germany, South Korea and Mexico reported improvements in health, well-being and memory. - [Over half of adults unvaccinated for COVID-19 fear needles – here’s what’s proven to help]( Amy Baxter, Augusta University Free doughnuts and lotteries may drive some people to get their COVID-19 vaccine. But for those who are afraid of needles, other interventions may be necessary. Podcast - [Why so many Iranians plan not to vote this month]( Gemma Ware, The Conversation; Daniel Merino, The Conversation Plus, why fireflies need dark nights and what you can do about it. Listen to episode 19 of The Conversation Weekly. From our International Editions - [‘My life flashed before my eyes’: a psychologist’s take on what might be happening]( Steve Taylor, Leeds Beckett University A different interpretation of time might explain why people see their whole lives replayed to them in a split second. - [G7 summit: there’s a big agenda, but the group’s world-beating influence is much diminished]( Steve Schifferes, City, University of London After the acrimony of the Trump years, we can expect a very different feel to the latest G7 summit. - [Nigeria: a deleted tweet, a Twitter ban and Biafran wounds that have never healed]( Benjamin Maiangwa, Durham University; Oluchi Gloria Ogbu, University of Manitoba Until the conditions that led to the Nigeria-Biafra war are resolved, the debate on the viability of one Nigeria will continue to arise. --------------------------------------------------------------- Today’s graphic [A bar graph showing transportation fuels' emission per gallon for different kinds of fuel.]( You’re receiving this newsletter from [The Conversation](. 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