Why monkeypox is unlikely to cause a pandemic

+ the lowdown on psychotherapy models; hits and misses in Great Lakes cleanup US Edition - Today's top story: What is monkeypox? A microbiologist explains what's known about this smallpox cousin [View in browser]( US Edition | 25 May 2022 [The Conversation]( The spread of monkeypox has many people concerned, which is understandable given how another viral disease – COVID-19 – upended the globe after early reports of apparent community spread. Microbiologist Rodney Rohde from Texas State University, who works in the area of diseases with animal origins, provides a picture of [this smallpox cousin, with some reassuring context]( on transmission. As anyone living in the western part of the U.S. knows all too well, a drought has persisted since 2020. But even parts of the U.S. that are projected to see a net increase in annual precipitation are not immune to droughts, writes University of Colorado Boulder research scientist Imtiaz Rangwala, who [describes the effects of our “hotter, thirstier atmosphere.”]( “As humanity enters a hotter future, prolonged periods of weeks to months of below-normal precipitation are going to be of a greater concern almost everywhere,” he writes. If you’ve ever been curious about intermittent fasting to lose weight, nutritional scientist McKale Montgomery from Oklahoma State University gives you a scientific explanation, starting with how body metabolism works. She also reviews the literature that shows the [effectiveness of fasting for reducing weight and disease risk](, even while noting that results from standard calorie-restricted diets are not significantly different. Also in this week’s science news: - [A lesson on immortality from the Voyager spacecraft]( - [How to grow food in space? Research from Antarctica provides a road map]( - [Research to develop a drug to improve the success of skin grafts]( If there’s a subject you’d like our team of science editors to investigate, please reply to this email. Martin La Monica Director of Editorial Projects and Newsletters Monkeypox causes lesions that resemble pus-filled blisters, which eventually scab over. CDC/Getty Images [What is monkeypox? A microbiologist explains what’s known about this smallpox cousin]( Rodney E. Rohde, Texas State University Monkeypox has been spreading in humans since as early as 1970. While most monkeypox infections are mild, some can be fatal. Farmers in some regions are being encouraged to preserve and establish grasslands that can survive drought and protect the soil. AP Photo/Mark Rogers [Grim 2022 drought outlook for Western US offers warnings for the future as climate change brings a hotter, thirstier atmosphere]( Imtiaz Rangwala, University of Colorado Boulder La Niña is only part of the problem. The long-term driver of increasing drought – even in areas getting more rainfall overall – is the rapidly warming climate. Intermittent fasting could have an array of health benefits, but as of yet there are no long-term studies into its effects. neirfy/iStock via Getty Images Plus [Is intermittent fasting the diet for you? Here’s what the science says]( McKale Montgomery, Oklahoma State University Proponents of intermittent fasting say the clock can help you win the battle of the bulge. But the science behind it is a little more complicated. - [CBT? DBT? Psychodynamic? What type of therapy is right for me?]( Sourav Sengupta, University at Buffalo Psychotherapy is not one size fits all. From behavioral to gestalt therapies, which approach will work best for you depends on your needs and goals. - [Restoring the Great Lakes: After 50 years of US-Canada joint efforts, some success and lots of unfinished business]( Daniel Macfarlane, Western Michigan University Cleaning up the Great Lakes was a big job when the US and Canada undertook it in 1972. Today it’s far more challenging. - [Skin grafts for burns injuries can lead to crippling scars – a drug that blocks the skin’s ability to respond to physical stimuli could promote healing, new research in pigs finds]( Kellen Chen, University of Arizona Skin grafts for severe burn injuries may require multiple operations over the course of a lifetime to address crippling scars. - [Over 100 years of Antarctic agriculture is helping scientists grow food in space]( Daniella McCahey, Texas Tech University Scientists just grew plants in soil from the Moon, but Antarctica has long provided researchers with the perfect place to test their agricultural techniques for a future in space. - [Nuclear isomers were discovered 100 years ago, and physicists are still unraveling their mysteries]( Artemis Spyrou, Michigan State University; Dennis Mücher, University of Guelph Nuclear isomers are rare versions of elements with properties that mystified physicists when first discovered. Isomers are now used in medicine and astronomy, and researchers are set to discover thousands more of them. - [Scientists at Work: How pharmacists and community health workers build trust with Cambodian genocide survivors]( Christina Polomoff, University of Connecticut Studying medication use in a traumatized population of immigrants required pharmacists to listen to and learn from trusted community health workers. - [What the Voyager space probes can teach humanity about immortality and legacy as they sail through space for trillions of years]( James Edward Huchingson, Florida International University A professor of religion and science explains different views on immortality, from the religious perspective of President Jimmy Carter to the scientific, secular take of Carl Sagan. - [Dangerous counterfeit drugs are putting millions of US consumers at risk, according to a new study]( C. Michael White, University of Connecticut Prescription opiods, stimulants such as those used to treat ADHD and the ingredients found in sexual dysfunction drugs like Viagra are some of the drugs that are being marketed to US consumers. - Like this newsletter? You might be interested in our weekly emails: [Politics Weekly]( • [This Week in Religion]( • [Weekly Highlights]( • [Global Economy & Business]( - - About The Conversation: We're a nonprofit news organization dedicated to [helping academic experts share ideas with the public](. We can give away our articles thanks to the help of foundations, universities and readers like you. [Donate now to support research-based journalism]( [The Conversation]( You’re receiving this newsletter from [The Conversation]( 303 Wyman Street, Suite 300 Waltham, MA 02451 [Forward to a friend]( • [Unsubscribe](