Now I’m a competitive so-and-so at the best (or worst) of times. And as with most journalists, I harbor the (mis)belief that I know, well, pretty much everything about everything. So in lieu of a newsletter note today, I’m instead issuing a challenge: The Conversation has just started running a weekly news quiz to test just how closely people are following our stories and what they’ve learned.
I managed a majestic 7 out of 8 in today’s quiz. Can any of you do better? I doubt it, particularly given how challenging this week is. So go on, prove me wrong. A lovely and rare tote bag from The Conversation will go to the first person who replies to this email with a screenshot proving they got all eight questions right! Don’t forget to include your name so that we can include an honor roll in next Friday’s newsletter.
Take the quiz here: theconversation.com/us/quiz
Also today:
And one final, nontrivial question: What happens to a nonprofit news organization when the public doesn’t support it? I’d rather not find out. So please, support us today.
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Matt Williams
Senior Breaking News and International Editor
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The gut microbiome may also play a role in personalized medicine.
nopparit/iStock via Getty Images Plus
Taichi A. Suzuki, Max Planck Institute for Biology; Ruth Ley, Max Planck Institute for Biology
As early modern humans spread across the globe, their gut microbes genetically changed with them. Understanding the origins of gut microbes could improve understanding of their role in human health.
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Politics + Society
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Benjamin Jensen, American University School of International Service
A military strategist breaks down how a smaller Ukraine army has successfully taken back swathes of land from the Russians in the country’s northeast.
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Susan Stokes, University of Chicago
Referendums and citizens initiatives can be a popular way to push politicians to listen to the people – they can also be an exercise in propaganda.
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Gerard Toal, Virginia Tech; Karina Korostelina, George Mason University
An overwhelming majority of Ukrainians are not willing to negotiate over the territorial integrity of the country, even if it means peace.
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Economy + Business
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Jason Miller, Michigan State University
Workers still need to approve the deal, which was brokered by President Biden in 20 hours of last-minute negotiations.
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Science + Technology
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Tong Sun, University of Washington
Renee Wegrzyn will lead the new Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health, which is tasked with speeding up how fast basic science is translated into real-world applications.
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Health + Medicine
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Horacio de la Iglesia, University of Washington
Adolescent biology, early morning classes and too much evening screen time are a few of the key drivers behind teen sleep deprivation.
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Arts + Culture
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Northrop Davis, University of South Carolina
Despite the fact that many of its elements were alien to American audiences, the film became a sensation.
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Ethics + Religion
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Joanne M. Pierce, College of the Holy Cross
Queen Elizabeth II encouraged tolerance in a multifaith United Kingdom. To appreciate the significance of her efforts, it is important to understand the country’s complicated religious history.
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Education
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Andrew Newman, Stony Brook University (The State University of New York)
An English professor takes a critical look at why today’s students are assigned the same books that were assigned decades ago – and why American school curricula are so difficult to change.
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Podcast 🎙️
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Gemma Ware, The Conversation; Daniel Merino, The Conversation
Follow The Conversation Weekly podcast for new episodes every Thursday.
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The Conversation Quiz 🧠
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Quizmaster, The Conversation
Test your knowledge with our weekly quiz. Here's the first question:
Which of the following are the rare exception to soaring inflation?
- A. Smartphones
- B. Eggs
- C. Bicycles
- D. Automobiles
Take the quiz
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From our international editions
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