Must reopening come with congested streets?

+ why scientists do ‘gain-of-function’ research US Edition - Today's top story: As urban life resumes, can US cities avert gridlock? [View in browser]( US Edition | 21 June 2021 [The Conversation]( Academic rigor, journalistic flair As cities and states drop pandemic restrictions, Americans are filling stadiums and embarking on long-postponed vacations. But that welcome freedom comes at a cost: Traffic is rebounding to pre-COVID levels across the nation. University of Maryland Baltimore County urban policy scholar John Rennie Short sees the coming months as a key inflection point. In his view, curbing gridlock will require a financial rescue for public transit and action to [lock in people-centered street measures that cities tested out during the pandemic](. Also today: - [Climate-drive ‘managed retreat' is hard but can benefit cities]( - [Tips for good news consumption hygiene]( - [Learn about Mandaeism, an ancient Gnostic religion]( And for Pride Month we’ve put together a series of email newsletters on transgender young people. The four emails, delivered over about a week, recap [a series of articles]( written by leading academics exploring the history, medical care and conflicts, such as youth sports, caused by the rising visibility of transgender teens in society. You can [sign up for the newsletters here]( or click the button below. [Subscribe]( Jennifer Weeks Senior Environment + Energy Editor It’s back: Rush-hour traffic in Los Angeles on June 15, 2021. Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images [As urban life resumes, can US cities avert gridlock?]( John Rennie Short, University of Maryland, Baltimore County The pandemic offered a tantalizing look at city life with fewer cars in the picture. But with traffic rebounding, there's limited time to lock in policies that make streets more people-friendly. Science + Technology - [Why gain-of-function research matters]( David Gillum, Arizona State University; Rebecca Moritz, Colorado State University The research community is taking a closer look at the lab-leak hypothesis for the origin of COVID-19, prompting discussion about the risks and benefits of engineering viruses. - [Does outer space end – or go on forever?]( Jack Singal, University of Richmond Astronomers know a lot about what's in outer space – and think it's possible it never ends. Health - [What’s next for health care reform after the Supreme Court rejects ACA’s most recent challenge]( Zack Buck, University of Tennessee Support for the Affordable Care Act is at an all-time high. Environment + Energy - [‘Managed retreat’ can reinvent cities while protecting lives when climate change floods, burns or bakes the land]( A.R. Siders, University of Delaware; Katharine Mach, University of Miami Managed retreat doesn't always mean leaving. It's about preserving the essential while redesigning communities to be better for everyone. Here's what that can look like. Politics + Society - [The dip in the US birthrate isn’t a crisis, but the fall in immigration may be]( Adrian Raftery, University of Washington Immigration has historically offset America's low fertility rate, but the recent dramatic drop in immigration threatens that trend. - [How to consume news while maintaining your sanity]( Aly Colón, Washington and Lee University The daily deluge of information produced by the news media can drown consumers in confusion and anxiety, but there are steps you can take to filter out the noise and remain enlightened. Arts + Culture - [What’s behind the rising profile of transgender kids? 3 essential reads]( Nick Lehr, The Conversation Some skeptics say that the growing prevalence of transgender teens is a fad. But history and some recent research show it's not so simple. Ethics + Religion - [This tiny minority of Iraqis follows an ancient Gnostic religion – and there’s a chance they could be your neighbors too]( James F. McGrath, Butler University Mandaeans are followers of ancient Gnostic religion, whose traditional homeland was the region of Iraq and Iran. Today, this small minority lives in many parts of the world, including the US. Education - [4 ways to get more Black and Latino teachers in K-12 public schools]( Travis Bristol, University of California, Berkeley Teacher turnover is higher among Black and Latino teachers than white teachers. An education policy expert explains what schools can do to reverse the trend. Trending on Site - [Middle-aged Americans in US 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. - [Why do cats knead with their paws?]( Julia Albright, University of Tennessee According to a veterinarian, the behavior some people call 'kneading the dough' or 'making biscuits' is a clue your cat feels comfortable around you. - [Lighter pavement really does cool cities when it’s done right]( Hessam AzariJafari, Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Randolph E. Kirchain, Massachusetts Institute of Technology Here’s how reflective pavement works and what cities need to think about. --------------------------------------------------------------- Today’s graphic [Aging US population compared to other countries]( You’re receiving this newsletter from [The Conversation](. Not interested anymore? [Unsubscribe](. 303 Wyman Street, Suite 300 Waltham, MA 02451