One irony of international climate change negotiations, like the conference that wrapped up in Bonn, Germany last week, is that delegates generate a lot of greenhouse gas emissions flying in from all over the world. But Deepak Kumar, Stephen Long and Vijay Singh of the University of Illinois are developing a potential solution: bio-based jet fuel made from engineered sugarcane, which could become a lucrative energy crop.
Cult leader and convicted murderer Charles Manson, who died Sunday, was a figure fascinating to many. But psychology professor Lou Manza is most interested in Manson’s followers – the members of his “family” who committed murder at his behest. What do people see in cult leaders that cause them to sever ties with friends and family? What comfort – however illusory – can people like Charles Manson provide?
The Trump administration sparked outrage from many quarters last week when it announced that hunters would be allowed to import into the U.S. trophies – i.e., body parts – from elephants killed in Zambia and Zimbabwe. President Trump quickly put the move on hold, promising a decision this week. For context, we offer a roundup of scientific, ethical and policy views on trophy hunting.
|
A medium-size passenger jet burns roughly 750 gallons of fuel per hour.
www.shutterstock.com
Deepak Kumar, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign; Stephen P. Long, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign; Vijay Singh, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Scientists have engineered sugarcane to increase its oil content and are developing renewable jet aircraft fuel from the oil. The engineered sugarcane could become a valuable energy crop.
|
Charles Manson, pictured during his trial.
AP Photo
Lou Manza, Lebanon Valley College
What makes cults so attractive to their followers?
|
USFWS
Jennifer Weeks, The Conversation
Is trophy hunting wholesome sport or pointless violence? The Trump administration moved last week to allow imports of trophy parts from African elephants, but met heavy protest and is reconsidering.
|
|
|
Politics + Society
|
-
Mary Fisher, University of Washington; Natalie Lowell, University of Washington; Ryan Kelly, University of Washington; Samuel May, University of Washington
One of the best ways to shape public policy is for experts to submit detailed, technical information through the public comment process.
|
|
From our international editions
|
-
Jennifer Gallé, The Conversation
Consistent carbon pricing is a key element in the fight against climate change.
-
Daniel Hough, University of Sussex
German chancellor is running out of options to form a viable government.
-
Roger Southall, University of the Witwatersrand
The unfolding misfortunes of Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe hold key lessons for his South African counterpart Jacob Zuma who faces the possibility of a forced exit.
|
|
Today’s chart
|
-
Jay L. Zagorsky
The Ohio State University
| |