New treatments for COVID-19 may stave off the worst effects of the virus

Patrick Jackson, University of Virginia

Medications to treat COVID-19 are in no way a substitute for the vaccine. But under the right circumstances, some show great promise for helping patients.

FDA panel recommends limiting Pfizer booster shots to Americans 65 and older, and those at high risk of severe COVID-19

Matthew Woodruff, Emory University

An FDA panel has voted against recommending approval of a booster COVID-19 shot for the general population – disappointing some public health officials.

Are COVID-19 boosters ethical, with half the world waiting for a first shot? A bioethicist weighs in

Nancy S. Jecker, University of Washington

Scientists debate the medical benefits of booster shots. But there’s another aspect to consider: bioethics.

What is the Moon Festival? A scholar of Chinese religions explains

Mario Poceski, University of Florida

The Moon Festival, rooted in China’s long history and rich cultural traditions, will be celebrated on Sept. 21. In China, though, the festival is a three-day public holiday.

‘Tax the rich’? Democrats’ plans to make the wealthy pay a little more will barely dent America’s long slide from progressive taxation

Gabriel Zucman, University of California, Berkeley; Emmanuel Saez, University of California, Berkeley

In 1950, the top 0.01% of earners paid almost 70% of their income in taxes. By 2018, the super-rich paid proportionately less than the average for all other Americans.

A giant space rock demolished an ancient Middle Eastern city and everyone in it – possibly inspiring the Biblical story of Sodom

Christopher R. Moore, University of South Carolina

New research suggests that fire from the sky in the form of a small asteroid annihilated a city near the Dead Sea 3,600 years ago.

Facebook’s algorithms fueled massive foreign propaganda campaigns during the 2020 election – here’s how algorithms can manipulate you

Filippo Menczer, Indiana University

You have evolved to tap into the wisdom of the crowds. But on social media your cognitive biases can lead you astray, something organized disinformation campaigns count on.

How many stars are there in space?

Brian Jackson, Boise State University

Scientists have a good estimate on the staggering number of stars in the universe.

Louisianans’ way of life on the coast is threatened by the very plans meant to save their wetlands and barrier islands from rising seas

Craig E. Colten, Louisiana State University

As the state copes with hurricanes and climate disasters, it is figuring out how to manage the slow-motion loss of its coastal land. But its plans could endanger the cultures that define the region.

Biden urges countries to slash methane emissions 30% – here’s why it’s crucial for protecting climate and health, and how it can pay for itself

Drew Shindell, Duke University

A large amount of methane emissions come from natural gas infrastructure and landfills – all problems companies know how to fix.

Who’s covered by a vaccine mandate? Here’s a quick guide to America’s patchwork of COVID-19 shot requirements

Debbie Kaminer, Baruch College, CUNY

Overlapping vaccine mandates at the federal, state and local levels aims to reduce the number of unvaccinated Americans.

How many satellites are orbiting Earth?

Supriya Chakrabarti, University of Massachusetts Lowell

In the past decade, the number of satellites in orbit has skyrocketed thanks to tiny electronics and cheap launches. The crowded night sky is posing problems for astronomers and astronauts.

Nurses are leaving the profession, and replacing them won’t be easy

Rayna M Letourneau, University of South Florida

Long-term solutions to the nursing shortage call for changes that value nurses and offer them a safe place to work.

“We need to move away from the argument that getting vaccinated or wearing a mask is protective of the self and start to focus on the social responsibility of protecting one’s community. Altruism coupled with concern for the self should be a stronger motivator, especially for those who object on religious grounds...”

– Reader Dan Romer on the story Forceful vaccine messages backfire with holdouts – how can it be done better?