+ the biology of aging; gender fluidity in rabbinic literature US Edition - Today's top story: Kakhovka Dam breach in Ukraine caused economic, agricultural and ecological devastation that will last for years [View in browser]( US Edition | 8 July 2023 [The Conversation]
[The Conversation]( It can be hard to keep up with developments in Russiaâs war on Ukraine as cities come under fire, Western nations ship increasingly sophisticated weapons to Ukrainian forces, and other nations maneuver for economic and political advantages. But the destruction of the Kakhovka Dam and its reservoir, which was the size of the Great Salt Lake, could alter Ukraineâs southeast region for many years. Political scientist Susanne Wengle and Ukrainian agricultural economist Vitalii Dankevych argue that breaching the dam â[has all the hallmarks of a scorched-earth strategy](, intended to destroy anything that might be useful to the enemy.â They describe how the damage will affect agricultural production, the environment and thousands of Ukrainiansâ lives well into the future. Itâs a vivid example of the kind of major rebuilding that will be required in Ukraine as soon as hostilities end. This week we also liked stories about [chatbots giving sermons](, the [rise of political activism among scientists](, and countries of the [âGlobal Southâ]( flexing their political and economic muscles. Jennifer Weeks Senior Environment + Cities Editor
A well in Afanasyeva village, Mykolaiv region, damaged by flooding after the Kakhovka Dam breach. Anatolii Stepanov /AFP via Getty Images
[Kakhovka Dam breach in Ukraine caused economic, agricultural and ecological devastation that will last for years]( Susanne Wengle, University of Notre Dame; Vitalii Dankevych, Polissia National University Breaching the Kakhovka Dam and reservoir had all the hallmarks of a scorched-earth strategy. Two expert observers of the Russia-Ukraine war explain this eventâs destructive long-term effects.
While some people may be older in chronological age, their biological age might be much younger. FangXiaNuo/E+ via Getty Images
[Aging is complicated â a biologist explains why no two people or cells age the same way, and what this means for anti-aging interventions]( Ellen Quarles, University of Michigan Aging is a culmination of factors spanning from your cells to your environment. A number of interconnected processes determine how quickly your body is able to repair and recover from damage.
Low-income residents are among those most likely to lose cooling in their homes because they canât pay their bills. Solidcolours/iStock/Getty Images Plus
[America faces a power disconnection crisis amid rising heat: In 31 states, utilities can shut off electricity for nonpayment in a heat wave]( Sanya Carley, University of Pennsylvania; David Konisky, Indiana University One in 4 American households are at risk of losing power because of the high cost of energy. Over 30% of those disconnections are in summer, when heat gets dangerous. -
[Nonbinary genders beyond âmaleâ and âfemaleâ would have been no surprise to ancient rabbis, who acknowledged tumtums, androgynos and aylonot]( Sarah Imhoff, Indiana University People sometimes assume religious traditionsâ ideas about gender have always been conservative and unchanging. -
[There is no legal reason the US canât supply cluster bombs to Ukraine â but that doesnât make Biden decision to do so morally right]( Robert Goldman, American University The US administration said that it had received âwritten assurancesâ from Ukraine that it would use cluster bombs carefully. Nonetheless, the munition will provide an additional risk to civilians. -
[Chinaâs ties to Cuba and growing presence in Latin America raise security concerns in Washington, even as leaders try to ease tensions]( Leland Lazarus, Florida International University The US and China are talking again, but security issues between the two countries linger. -
[Why putting off college math can be a good idea]( Forrest Lane, Sam Houston State University College students can benefit from not taking math courses in their freshman year, new research shows. -
[The Global South is on the rise â but what exactly is the Global South?]( -
[Visual misinformation is widespread on Facebook â and often undercounted by researchers]( -
[Science activism is surging â which marks a culture shift among scientists]( -
[Prigozhin revolt raised fears of Putinâs toppling â and a nuclear Russia in chaos]( -
[Can chatbots write inspirational and wise sermons?]( The Conversation Quiz ð§ - Hereâs the first question of [this weekâs edition:]( On July 3, Israeli forces began a military operation in which West Bank town that has "long been seen as the capital of Palestinian resistance and militancy"? - A. Jeddah
- B. Jenin
- C. Jericho
- D. Jerusalem [Test your knowledge]( -
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