Terrible sense of direction? It may be the way you were raised

+ changing crime reporting practices to give people a second chance US Edition - Today's top story: Kids set free to roam on their own feel more confident navigating in adulthood [View in browser]( US Edition | 29 July 2021 [The Conversation]( Academic rigor, journalistic flair I don’t know about you, but I have a terrible sense of direction. I’m easily lost unless I stick to my usual routes and don’t know north from south to save my life. If research is “me-search,” as they say, then my poor sense of direction must be part of the reason I became interested in studying spatial navigation abilities during my doctoral program in psychology. People use spatial navigation daily to figure out where they are in their environment and where they need to go next. The strategies people use to traverse unfamiliar places – whether they rely on salient landmarks or cardinal directions – vary between individuals as well as between men and women. I am a science communication fellow at The Conversation U.S. this summer, and in a story published today, I discuss how [freedom to roam during childhood may affect how well and how confidently people navigate as adults](. Also today: - [Why Ben & Jerry’s decision to stop selling ice cream in the West Bank drew a fierce reaction]( - [Remembering Bob Moses, founder of The Algebra Project]( - [Lead exposure during childhood may influence adult personality]( Vanessa Vieites Mass Media Science & Engineering Fellow Boys are often allowed to stray farther from home without adult supervision than girls are. Imgorthand/E+ Collection via Getty Images [Kids set free to roam on their own feel more confident navigating in adulthood]( Vanessa Vieites, Rutgers University Although some parents may be reluctant to let their children explore their surroundings alone, allowing kids to wander can help build their sense of direction. Economy + Business - [Why Ben & Jerry’s decision to stop selling ice cream in the West Bank rattled Israel]( Ronnie Olesker, St. Lawrence University Ben Jerry’s decision to no longer sell ice cream in the occupied territories comes as Israel continues to lose the support of a group of Americans who once were stalwart allies. - [4 ways that volunteering can be good for you]( Jennifer A. Jones, University of Florida Volunteering can improve your life physically, mentally and emotionally. And it might help you find your next job. - [What are stablecoins? A blockchain expert explains]( Stephen McKeon, University of Oregon Financial regulators are increasingly concerned about stablecoins, a type of cryptocurrency tied to an asset like the US dollar. Education - [Bob Moses played critical role in civil rights organizing and math literacy for Black students]( Hasan Kwame Jeffries, The Ohio State University The Algebra Project – a long-standing initiative to teach algebra to Black students who might not otherwise take it – sprang from Bob Moses’ work as a civil rights activist, a historian recounts. Health - [Lead exposure during childhood may influence adult personality, and not for the better]( Ted Schwaba, The University of Texas at Austin College of Liberal Arts Early exposure to lead pollution may lead to less mature personality traits as an adult. Politics + Society - [The largest news agency in the US changes crime reporting practices to ‘do less harm and give people second chances’]( Maggie Jones Patterson, Duquesne University ; Romayne Smith Fullerton, Western University The Associated Press will no longer name those arrested in minor crimes when the news service is unlikely to cover the story’s resolution. That’s a major shift in US news culture. Environment + Energy - [Bipartisan infrastructure deal begins to address consequences of a warming planet: 3 essential reads]( Bryan Keogh, The Conversation; Stacy Morford, The Conversation A bipartisan group of senators said it reached a deal on $550 billion in new spending on infrastructure. Science + Technology - [Big tech has a vaccine misinformation problem – here’s what a social media expert recommends]( Anjana Susarla, Michigan State University Combating vaccine misinformation on social media requires blocking sources of misinformation – and giving researchers access to data about how misinformation spreads. Trending on Site - [Swimming gives your brain a boost – but scientists don’t know yet why it’s better than other aerobic activities]( Seena Mathew, University of Mary Hardin-Baylor Mounting research shows that going for a swim can preserve memories, reduce mood disorders and increase mental acuity in all age groups. - [‘Mega sequía’ en la frontera aviva las disputas entre EU y México por desabasto de agua]( Robert Gabriel Varady, University of Arizona; Andrea K. Gerlak, University of Arizona; Stephen Paul Mumme, Colorado State University Calor sin precedentes y lluvias insuficientes están secando las fuentes de agua compartidas por Estados Unidos y el norte de México. - [COVID-19 could cause male infertility and sexual dysfunction – but vaccines do not]( Ranjith Ramasamy, University of Miami New studies show men who have had COVID-19 could face serious reproductive health issues. --------------------------------------------------------------- Today’s graphic [A chart comparing the estimated annual benefits that coral reefs provide for buildings and economic activity in different parts of South Florida.]( You’re receiving this newsletter from [The Conversation](. Not interested anymore? [Unsubscribe](. 303 Wyman Street, Suite 300 Waltham, MA 02451