Some schools may soon be too hot to learn in

+ paying for Biden's massive solar expansion US Edition - Today's top story: As heat waves intensify, tens of thousands of US classrooms will be too hot for students to learn in [View in browser]( US Edition | 30 September 2021 [The Conversation]( Many of America’s schools are so old and dilapidated that they may not be able to withstand the rising heat that results from climate change. That’s according to a new study from Paul Chinowsky, a professor of environmental design at the University of Colorado Boulder, [who found that nearly a third of U.S. schools]( will need new or upgraded air conditioning in the coming years. Without these measures, he writes, American students may soon be forced to go to school in classrooms where it’s simply too hot to concentrate or learn. Also today: - [The CT scanner turns 50]( - [Chopin is helping proteins create music]( - [What’s behind ‘Havana syndrome’]( Jamaal Abdul-Alim Education Editor Climate change means more schools will need to install or upgrade cooling systems. Bill Uhrich/MediaNews Group/Reading Eagle via Getty Images [As heat waves intensify, tens of thousands of US classrooms will be too hot for students to learn in]( Paul Chinowsky, University of Colorado Boulder America’s public schools, which are over 40 years old on average, are not equipped to handle rising temperatures due to climate change, a new study reveals. Health - [Havana syndrome fits the pattern of psychosomatic illness – but that doesn’t mean the symptoms aren’t real]( Robert Baloh, University of California, Los Angeles Havana syndrome has spread to government officials around the world and stumped doctors for years. Despite news of mysterious attacks, evidence suggests mass psychogenic illness may be the true cause. Science + Technology - [50 years ago, the first CT scan let doctors see inside a living skull – thanks to an eccentric engineer at the Beatles’ record company]( Edmund S. Higgins, Medical University of South Carolina On Oct. 1, 1971, Godfrey Hounsfield’s invention took its first pictures of a human brain, using X-rays and an ingenious algorithm to identify a woman’s tumor from outside of her skull. - [The music of proteins is made audible through a computer program that learns from Chopin]( Peng Zhang, The Rockefeller University; Yuzong Chen, National University of Singapore Many features of proteins are analogous to music. Mapping these features together creates new musical compositions that help researchers learn about proteins. - [Combining an HIV vaccine with immunotherapy may reduce the need for daily medication]( Sheikh Abdul Rahman, Emory University; Bhrugu Yagnik, Emory University; Rama Rao Amara, Emory University People with HIV need to take daily medication to keep the virus at bay. A study has found that a new treatment combination could boost immunity and control virus levels even after stopping medication. Education - [Why charter schools are not as ‘public’ as they claim to be]( Kevin Welner, University of Colorado Boulder Charter school enrollment grew during the pandemic. But behind these schools’ rising popularity is a history of harsh discipline, inaccessibility and targeted marketing. Economy + Business - [SNAP benefits are rising for millions of Americans, thanks to a long-overdue ‘Thrifty Food Plan’ update]( Tracy Roof, University of Richmond Long-term increases like this are unusual. So is the fact that this increased governmental generosity began with a measure approved by Congress when Republicans held majorities in both chambers. - [What happened during the last government shutdown: 4 essential reads]( Matt Williams, The Conversation Congress is working on a spending bill to avert another government shutdown. Scholars explain what’s in store if they fail. Environment + Energy - [Who pays and who benefits from a massive expansion of solar power?]( Felix Mormann, Texas A&M University President Biden’s proposed solar power expansion would cost $350 billion in federal support over the coming decade. An energy expert explains where that money would come from and who it would help. Trending on Site - [Big fires demand a big response: How 1910’s Big Burn can help us think smarter about fighting wildfires and living with fire]( William Deverell, USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences; Elizabeth A. Logan, USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences The US has learned that it cannot suppress its way to a healthy relationship with fire in the West. That strategy failed, even before climate change proved it to be no strategy at all. - [How a team of musicologists and computer scientists completed Beethoven’s unfinished 10th Symphony]( Ahmed Elgammal, Rutgers University When Beethoven died, all he left behind were some sketches for his 10th Symphony. Now, thanks to the help of artificial intelligence, the composer’s vision is coming to life. - [Global shortage of shipping containers highlights their importance in getting goods to Amazon warehouses, store shelves and your door in time for Christmas]( Anna Nagurney, University of Massachusetts Amherst Before the container was standardized, loading and unloading goods was very labor-intensive, inefficient and costly. Today's Graphic - [A]( From the story, [Avoiding water bankruptcy in the drought-troubled Southwest: What the US and Iran can learn from each other]( [The Conversation]( You’re receiving this newsletter from [The Conversation]( 303 Wyman Street, Suite 300 Waltham, MA 02451 [Forward to a friend]( • [Unsubscribe](