Plastic particles in ocean are making seabirds sick

+ disrupting the status quo on climate; Trump's autocratic populism US Edition - Today's top story: Seabirds that swallow ocean plastic waste have scarring in their stomachs – scientists have named this disease 'plasticosis' [View in browser]( US Edition | 21 March 2023 [The Conversation] [The Conversation]( Top headlines - [Climate report underscores need for speed and innovation]( - [How public schools are recognizing Ramadan]( - [Inside a contested Roman villa with rarely seen Caravaggio]( Lead story The world’s oceans are permeated with plastic waste, from surface waters to some of their deepest reaches. And we know from numerous studies that fish, turtles, seabirds and smaller sea creatures are ingesting bits of plastic when they feed. Now, scientists are [starting to pin down the effects of a plastic diet](. Marine scientist Matthew Savoca explains findings from a recent study that identified a new illness, which the authors call plasticosis, in seabirds. Scarring in the birds’ digestive tracts resembles effects in humans who are longtime smokers or have been exposed to asbestos. As Savoca sees it, plasticosis “could be a sign that a new age of disease is upon us because of human overuse of plastics and other long-lasting contaminants, and their leakage into the environment.” [[Sign up here to our topic-specific weekly emails.](] Jennifer Weeks Senior Environment + Energy Editor Scientists have identified a condition they call plasticosis, caused by ingesting plastic waste, in flesh-footed shearwaters. Patrick Kavanagh/Wikipedia [Seabirds that swallow ocean plastic waste have scarring in their stomachs – scientists have named this disease ‘plasticosis’]( Matthew Savoca, Stanford University Many marine animals, birds and fish are ingesting plastic. New research identifies the first named health effect from it. Politics + Society - [Trump’s unprecedented call for protests is the latest sign of his aim to degrade America’s institutions]( Shelley Inglis, University of Dayton When former President Donald Trump summoned his fans to protest over what he called his imminent indictment, a scholar of democracy saw it as an autocratic move. - [A string of assassinations in Afghanistan point to ISIS-K resurgence – and US officials warn of possible attacks on American interests in next 6 months]( Andrew Mines, George Washington University; Amira Jadoon, Clemson University ISIS-K’s recent killings of Taliban brass are part of the extremist group’s long-term strategy. Will Taliban leaders contain the resurgence of violence? Economy + Business - [What does ‘moral hazard’ mean? A scholar of financial regulation explains why it’s risky for the government to rescue banks]( Cassandra Jones Havard, University of South Carolina The failure of Silicon Valley Bank has raised questions about some of the consequences when the government steps in to protect the depositors of troubled banks. Education - [Ramadan finds greater recognition in America’s public schools]( Amaarah DeCuir, American University Federal law protects students’ rights to request some religious accommodations, including during the month of Ramadan Science + Technology - [A friend who’s more boss than BFF may be harmful for teens’ mental health]( Hannah L. Schacter, Wayne State University; Adam Hoffman, Cornell University; Alexandra Ehrhardt, Wayne State University Friendships are important, but are they always healthy? New research finds that teens who feel dominated by their friends experience lower self-esteem and more symptoms of anxiety and depression. - [Poisons are a potent tool for murder in fiction – a toxicologist explains how some dangerous chemicals kill]( Brad Reisfeld, Colorado State University From ‘Breaking Bad’ to James Bond, certain chemicals are popular options for characters looking to achieve nefarious ends. Health + Medicine - [Increases in opioid overdoses in Pennsylvania varied by county during the COVID-19 pandemic]( Brian King, Penn State; Andrea Rishworth, University of Toronto; Louisa M. Holmes, Penn State; Ruchi Patel, Penn State Pennsylvania has long had one of the highest death rates from drug overdose in the US. But new studies suggest counties throughout the state have different rates of opioid deaths. Environment + Energy - [IPCC report: Climate solutions exist, but humanity has to break from the status quo and embrace innovation]( Robert Lempert, Pardee RAND Graduate School; Elisabeth Gilmore, Carleton University Two experts in policy and technology who were also co-authors of an international climate assessment see reasons for optimism. Arts + Culture - [In a Roman villa at the center of a nasty inheritance dispute, a Caravaggio masterpiece is hidden from the public]( Monika Schmitter, UMass Amherst What will happen to this villa and its unique collection of 16th- and 17th-century ceiling paintings? From our international editions - [‘It can be done. It must be done’: IPCC delivers definitive report on climate change, and where to now]( - [The AI arms race highlights the urgent need for responsible innovation]( - [The limits of expert judgment: Lessons from social science forecasting during the pandemic]( Today's graphic [A chart showing the drought conditions (moderate, severe, extreme, exceptional) in the Western US from January 2000 to March 2023.]( From the story, [Is the Western drought finally ending? That depends on where you look]( - - More of The Conversation We'd love your feedback on our tweaks to this newsletter! Please reply to this email to tell us what you think. Like this newsletter? You might be interested in our weekly and biweekly emails: • [Weekly Highlights]( • [Science Editors' Picks]( • [This Week in Religion]( • [Politics Weekly]( • [Global Perspectives]( • [Global Economy & Business]( Trying out new social media? 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