Moths actually aren't drawn to flames | Top 10

+ when is criticism of Israel antisemitic? US Edition - Today's top story: The surprising reason why insects circle lights at night: They lose track of the sky [View in browser]( US Edition | 4 February 2024 [The Conversation] [The Conversation]( Happy Sunday − and welcome to the best of The Conversation U.S. Here are a few of our recently published stories: - [US launches retaliatory strikes in Iraq and Syria − a national security expert explains the message they send]( - [How retaliatory airstrikes affect network of Iran-backed militias]( - [Billy Joel is back for an encore − but why did he wait so long to turn the lights back on?]( If you’ve ever sat by a campfire or on your front porch after dark, you’ve likely seen moths and other insects erratically circle the source of light. I’ve often wondered what draws them in – imagining something akin to getting caught in a spaceship’s “tractor beam.” Other less sci-fi-oriented explanations for this hypnotic behavior include that insects are simply drawn to the heat or are trying to perform celestial navigation, mistaking the light for the Moon. But the actual reason is even more surprising, as senior environment and cities editor Jennifer Weeks learned after spotting a journal article on the topic. A team of researchers from the U.K. and the U.S. used high-speed cameras to record insects flying around several light sources in labs and outdoors to determine precise flight paths and body postures. Normally, insects point their backs toward the night sky – which is lighter than the ground – to orient themselves as they fly; the researchers found that artificial light at night alters insects' flight paths, cuing them to orbit the light source. “Although insects circling around a light are a fascinating spectacle, it is certainly better for the insects and the benefits they provide to humans when we leave the night unlit and let them go about the activities they so masterfully perform under the night sky,” they write in [one of last week’s most popular stories](. Bryan Keogh Managing Editor Readers' picks A multiple-exposure photograph of insects circling a light at night. Samuel Fabian [The surprising reason why insects circle lights at night: They lose track of the sky]( Samuel Fabian, Imperial College London; Jamie Theobald, Florida International University; Yash Sondhi, University of Florida A new study shows how artificial light at night scrambles insects’ normal flight patterns, pulling them off course into orbit around the light. - [When is criticism of Israel antisemitic? A scholar of modern Jewish history explains]( Joshua Shanes, College of Charleston In recent years, the relationship between antisemitism and anti-Zionism has taken on renewed importance and competing definitions of antisemitism have emerged. What is antisemitism? - [Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces a dilemma: Free the hostages or continue the war in Gaza?]( Dov Waxman, University of California, Los Angeles A scholar of Israeli politics explains why Israelis are increasingly turning against Netanyahu and his promise that Israel can quickly defeat Hamas and bring Israeli hostages home. - [Why Trump’s control of the Republican Party is bad for democracy]( Erica Frantz, Michigan State University; Andrea Kendall-Taylor, Yale University; Joseph Wright, Penn State A second Trump presidency may be a danger to democracy, but that’s more to do with the Republican Party than Trump himself, researchers of authoritarianism explain. - [What latest polling says about the mood in Ukraine – and the desire to remain optimistic amid the suffering]( Gerard Toal, Virginia Tech As war drags on, more Ukrainians say that they are prepared to negotiate – but the majority still reject any deal with Russia. Editors' picks Travis Kelce celebrates with Taylor Swift on Jan. 28, 2024, after the Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC championship game. Patrick Smith/Getty Images [Why Taylor Swift is an antihero to the GOP − but Democrats should know all too well that her endorsement won’t mean it’s all over now]( Matt Harris, Park University The idea that the Swift-Kelce romance is some sort of deep-state plot is perhaps gaining traction in far-right circles because it lines up with the political right’s broader agenda and beliefs. - [Are social media apps ‘dangerous products’? 2 scholars explain how the companies rely on young users but fail to protect them]( Joan Donovan, Boston University; Sara Parker, McGill University As legislators rail against social media companies, the companies continue to put millions of young people at risk. Here’s how − and what can be done about it. - [Sleep can give athletes an edge over competitors − but few recognize how fundamental sleep is to performance]( Joanna Fong-Isariyawongse, University of Pittsburgh Studies show college athletes sleeping less than 7 hours per night are almost twice as likely to be injured when compared with athletes sleeping more than 8 hours. - [Drone attack on American troops risks widening Middle East conflict – and drawing in Iran-US tensions]( Sara Harmouch, American University Three American troops were killed and dozens more injured in an attack on a base in Jordan. How the Biden administration responds could determine if conflict in the Middle East widens. - [Nonprofit hospitals have an obligation to help their communities, but the people who live nearby may see little benefit]( Jonathan Wynn, UMass Amherst; Daniel Skinner, Ohio University Standards are vague, and the IRS, which is tasked with enforcement, hasn’t provided much oversight. 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. This week, questions on the drone attacks, dogs, drugs and Danish royalty 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](. 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](