+ what to expect from the big IPCC climate report US Edition - Today's top story: Moon lacked a magnetic field for nearly all its history â new research resolves mystery sparked by rocks brought back on Apollo [View in browser]( US Edition | 5 August 2021 [The Conversation](
Academic rigor, journalistic flair The Apollo missions that put astronauts on the surface of the Moon were â and still are â a triumph of technology and human spirit. But perhaps just as important as those footprints left on the Moon are the samples of lunar rock and soil the astronauts brought back to Earth. Geophysicists have learned a lot studying those rocks over the years, including that the Moon once had a magnetic field. But the enduring mystery of why it no longer has one remained. Until now. John Tarduno, a geophysicist at the University of Rochester, reexamined the Apollo rocks with a new technique that can detect even the faintest signs of magnetism. His results not only have major scientific implications for the study of the ancient Sun and Earth, but also can tell us [whether the Moon may be hiding a precious stash of resources]( vital for space exploration. Also today: - [Scientists get some of their best ideas from nature](
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- [Olympians seeking edge turn to cupping and cryotherapy]( Daniel Merino Assistant Science Editor & Co-Host of The Conversation Weekly Podcast
Scientists have been studying lunar samples brought back from Apollo missions to understand the geologic history of the Moon. NASA
[Moon lacked a magnetic field for nearly all its history â new research resolves mystery sparked by rocks brought back on Apollo]( John Tarduno, University of Rochester Without a magnetic field, the Moonâs surface is exposed to solar wind. These could have been depositing resources like water and potential rocket fuel on the Moonâs surface for billions of years. Ethics + Religion -
[What is a cult?]( Mathew Schmalz, College of the Holy Cross A religion scholar explains why the label of âcultâ gets in the way of understanding new religions and political movements. Education -
[Change to college application represents a step forward in how colleges can better support trans students]( Genny Beemyn, University of Massachusetts Amherst The Common Application now lets students indicate their gender identities and pronouns when applying to college. But is that enough to make trans students feel welcome? A scholar weighs in. Environment + Energy -
[234 scientists read 14,000+ research papers to write the upcoming IPCC climate report â hereâs what you need to know and why itâs a big deal]( Stephanie Spera, University of Richmond These international climate assessments are used by governments worldwide as they weigh future risks and climate policies. -
[Giant sea bass are thriving in Mexican waters â scientific research that found them to be critically endangered stopped at the US-Mexico border]( Arturo RamÃrez-Valdez, University of California San Diego The giant sea bass fishery collapsed long ago in the US, but that didnât mean the species was endangered. New research shows these iconic fish have been thriving south of the border. Health -
[Olympic athletes excel at their sports but are susceptible to unproven alternative therapies]( Nicholas B. Tiller, University of California, Los Angeles Many elite athletes turn to alternative therapies to improve performance and enhance recovery. But are these treatments helping or hindering their quest for sporting success? Economy + Business -
[What is decentralized finance? An expert on bitcoins and blockchains explains the risks and rewards of DeFi]( Kevin Werbach, University of Pennsylvania Decentralized finance makes it easier for virtually anyone to take advantage of financial markets without the need for a bank, but there are new risks as well. -
[3 takeaways from Melinda French Gates and MacKenzie Scott teaming up to fund womenâs and girlsâ causes]( Tessa Skidmore, IUPUI; Jacqueline Ackerman, IUPUI Winners of a new gender-equity contest do an array of work that includes helping caregivers and trying to reduce intimate-partner violence. Politics + Society -
[Tracking anniversaries of Black deaths isnât memorializing victims â itâs objectifying them]( Lee M. Pierce, State University of New York, College at Geneseo When there is nothing new to say, pegging news stories to the anniversaries of the deaths of Black Americans objectifies the victims and helps make violence ordinary. Science + Technology -
[From CRISPR to glowing proteins to optogenetics â scientistsâ most powerful technologies have been borrowed from nature]( Marc Zimmer, Connecticut College Three pioneering technologies have forever altered how researchers do their work and promise to revolutionize medicine, from correcting genetic disorders to treating degenerative brain diseases. Trending on Site -
[Declined invitations go over more graciously when lack of money is cited instead of lack of time â new research]( Grant Donnelly, The Ohio State University; Ashley Whillans, Harvard Business School Several studies found that using the excuse âI donât have timeâ when declining an invitation harmed the relationship with the person who extended it. -
[Hereâs why the CDC recommends wearing masks indoors even if youâve been fully vaccinated against COVID-19]( Peter Chin-Hong, University of California, San Francisco The CDC guidance applies to areas with high coronavirus transmission rates â which on the day of the announcement covered 63% of US counties. -
[How effective is the first shot of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine?]( William Petri, University of Virginia An immunologist explains that you get some protection from the first dose of the mRNA vaccines but you need two to build up strong immunity, particularly to newer coronavirus variants. Youâre receiving this newsletter from [The Conversation](.
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