The world's largest volcano erupts | Top 10

+ genetic variations of modern Jews go back centuries US Edition - Today's top story: Where Mauna Loa’s lava is coming from – and why Hawaii’s volcanoes are different from most [View in browser]( US Edition | 4 December 2022 [The Conversation]( Welcome to Sunday and the best of The Conversation. I raised a son who went through a lava-loving phase, but I just learned that volcanoes “breathe.” The eruption of Mauna Loa, the world’s largest active volcano, in Hawaii last week led to one of our readers’ picks. Gabi Laske, a geophysicist at UC San Diego, describes a variety of methods scientists use to measure and observe volcanoes and predict when they are likely to erupt. “Breathing” is measured by a tiltmeter, which tracks very subtle changes on a volcano slope, Laske explains. She also tells us [where that molten rock comes from](. In editors’ picks, Deion Scott Hawkins, a professor of argumentation and advocacy at Emerson College, explains why the Black community staged [a mock funeral for Black Twitter]( after Elon Musk took over the social media giant – and why the idea of losing this online community concerns him. And Robert Kunzman of Indiana University explains why he teaches a class on failure, centered on [people from different professions sharing their shortcomings](. This week we’ll bring you articles about Ulysses S. Grant’s pending military promotion, the dynamics of gridlock in a divided government and the uncertain future of snow days. Want even more of the best of The Conversation? Try downloading this e-book of [some of our most popular articles of the year](. Emily Costello Managing Editor Readers' picks Magma fountains through a fissure on Mauna Loa, becoming lava, on Nov. 30, 2022. K. Mulliken/USGS [Where Mauna Loa’s lava is coming from – and why Hawaii’s volcanoes are different from most]( Gabi Laske, University of California, San Diego A scientist who led one of the first projects to map the Hawaiian Islands’ deep volcanic plumbing explains what’s going on under the surface as Mauna Loa erupts. - [Fatherhood changes men’s brains, according to before-and-after MRI scans]( Darby Saxbe, USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences; Magdalena Martínez García, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón IiSGM Neuroscientists know that pregnant mothers’ brains change in ways that appear to help with caring for a baby. Now researchers have identified changes in new fathers’ brains, too. - [Ancient DNA from the teeth of 14th-century Ashkenazi Jews in Germany already included genetic variations common in modern Jews]( Shai Carmi, Hebrew University of Jerusalem; David Reich, Harvard University A German town needed to relocate a medieval graveyard to build a parking garage. A positive side effect: Scientists got to sequence the DNA of Ashkenazi Jews who lived more than 600 years ago. - [What’s a polycule? An expert on polyamory explains]( Riki Thompson, University of Washington FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried, his on-and-off girlfriend, Caroline Ellison, and others involved in the company were reportedly in a polycule together. - [We’re decoding ancient hurricanes’ traces on the sea floor – and evidence from millennia of Atlantic storms is not good news for the coast]( Tyler Winkler, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution A look back at hurricane history suggests we may be significantly underestimating future risks. Editors' picks According to the CDC’s latest numbers, 65% of pregancy-related deaths occur in the first year following childbirth. Petri Oeschger/Moment via Getty Images [More than 4 in 5 pregnancy-related deaths are preventable in the US, and mental health is the leading cause]( Rachel Diamond, Adler University Many of the preventable pregnancy-related deaths documented by the CDC are directly attributable to failures and barriers in the maternal care system. - [Black Twitter’s expected demise would make it harder to publicize police brutality and discuss racism]( Deion Scott Hawkins, Emerson College Black Twitter is often the preferred forum for candid and authentic Black-centered discussions on police brutality. Without it, holding police accountable may become even more difficult. - [Protecting 30% of Earth’s surface for nature means thinking about connections near and far]( Veronica Frans, Michigan State University; Jianguo "Jack" Liu, Michigan State University Governments, scientists and conservation groups are working to protect 30% of Earth’s land and water for nature by 2030. Two scientists explain why scale matters for reaching that goal. - [Protests in China are not rare – but the current unrest is significant]( Teresa Wright, California State University, Long Beach Comparisons have been made to the 1989 demonstrations that led to the Tiananmen Square massacre. An expert on Chinese protests explains why that is half right. - [This course takes a broad look at failure – and what we can all learn when it occurs]( Robert Kunzman, Indiana University Avoiding failure by playing it safe may limit opportunities for learning and growth. News Quiz 🧠- [The Conversation U.S. weekly news quiz]( This week: questions on vitamins, hurricane records and Qatar. Like this newsletter? You might be interested in our other weekly emails: [Science Editors' Picks]( • [This Week in Religion]( • [Politics Weekly]( About The Conversation: We're a nonprofit news organization dedicated to [helping academic experts share ideas with the public](. 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