Engineering the perfect cup of coffee | Top 10

hollowing out of U.S. downtowns US Edition - Today's top story: 'Design of Coffee' course teaches engineering through brewing the perfect cup of coffee [View in browser]( US Edition | 1 October 2023 [The Conversation] [The Conversation]( Happy Sunday − and welcome to the best of The Conversation. Here are a few of our recently published stories: • [Feinstein’s death raises the question: How are vacant Senate seats filled?]( • [Lost in the coffee aisle? Navigating the complex buzzwords behind an ‘ethical’ bag of beans is easier said than done]( Is there a better way to start the day than with a cup of coffee? Or in my case, a cappuccino, brewed with freshly ground beans in my Italian espresso maker. I’m a bit of a coffee snob who loves the aroma, taste and routine of making my morning cup of Joe, especially on a Sunday. But I hadn’t thought much about the chemistry of coffee – nor did I imagine it could help teach chemical engineering. For over a decade, William D. Ristenpart, a chemical engineer at the University of California, Davis, [has done just that](. He teaches his students about energy use, the kinetics of chemical reactions and the principle of mass transfer, all using experiments done with a Mr. Coffee drip brewer. He explained his Uncommon Course – the name of our occasional series on out-of-the-ordinary college classes – for us last week in an article edited by science editor Mary Magnuson, giving me one more reason to appreciate why coffee is extraordinary. Bryan Keogh Managing Editor Readers' picks UC Davis students learn the fundamentals of both engineering and brewing coffee. UC Davis [‘Design of Coffee’ course teaches engineering through brewing the perfect cup of coffee]( William D. Ristenpart, University of California, Davis In an engineering course at UC Davis, students learn all the nuances that go into brewing ‘a truly excellent cup of coffee.’ - [What is an abaya − and why does it cause such controversy in France? A scholar of European studies explains]( Armin Langer, University of Florida In some conservative countries, the abaya is part of expected dress. But in countries where Muslims are in the minority, the abaya can be a way for women to connect with their religious identity. - [Aerobic and strength training exercise combined can be an elixir for better brain health in your 80s and 90s, new study finds]( Brian Ho, University of Florida; Ronald Cohen, University of Florida It’s long been known that exercise helps maintain strength and agility as we age. New research points to the importance of exercise type in supporting cognitive health in the latest decades of life. - [Lithium-ion battery fires are a growing public safety concern − here’s how to reduce the risk]( Apparao Rao, Clemson University ; Bingan Lu, Hunan University; Mihir Parekh, Clemson University ; Morteza Sabet, Clemson University Lithium-ion batteries power many electric cars, bikes and scooters. When they are damaged or overheated, they can ignite or explode. Four engineers explain how to handle these devices safely. - [Azerbaijan’s use of force in Nagorno-Karabakh risks undermining key international norms, signaling to dictators that might makes right]( Nareg Seferian, Virginia Tech Violence has caused thousands to flee the Armenian-populated enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh amid anger over perceived lack of action from Washington or the international community. Editors' picks A sign advertises retail spaces for lease at Union Square in San Francisco on June 21, 2023. AP Photo/Eric Risberg [Traditional downtowns are dead or dying in many US cities − what’s next for these zones?]( John Rennie Short, University of Maryland, Baltimore County Developers have overbuilt office and commercial space in US cities for decades. Now, in the wake of pandemic shutdowns, many downtowns face hard choices about the future. - [Deceit pays dividends: How CEO lies can boost stock ratings and fool even respected financial analysts]( Steven J. Hyde, Boise State University Financial analysts have a gullibility problem − and the better their reputation, the worse it is. - [Government shutdowns hurt federal worker morale, long after paychecks resume − especially for those considered ‘nonessential’]( Susannah Bruns Ali, Florida International University Congress passed a budget on Saturday to avert a shutdown. Research from a scholar of public administration – writing before the stopgap spending bill was announced – shows that the cumulative effect of multiple shutdowns can lead to low worker morale and employee retention problems. - [Loud sounds at movies and concerts can cause hearing loss, but there are ways to protect your ears]( Cory Portnuff, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus About 40 million Americans have hearing problems due to exposure to loud sounds. - [Sen. Dianne Feinstein, a trailblazer from San Francisco’s City Hall to Capitol Hill]( Lincoln Mitchell, Columbia University Most Americans knew the late Dianne Feinstein as a US senator. But for San Francisco voters, she will forever be remembered as the woman who stepped in at a tragic moment to lead the city. News Quiz 🧠- [The Conversation U.S. weekly news quiz]( Fritz Holznagel, The Conversation Test your knowledge with a weekly quiz drawn from some of our favorite stories. Like this newsletter? 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