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Omicron in children: Cases remain mild despite rise in hospitalisations

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By Michael Le Page More school-aged children are being infected by omicron, but findings suggest it causes less severe disease than previous variants Dan Kitwood/Getty Images Several countries are reporting record numbers of children being hospitalised as omicron spreads, with babies especially likely to be admitted. While this has led to claims that omicron is … Read more

As Biden Sets Ambitious Climate Agenda, U.S. Emissions Rise

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America went backward on climate in 2021. U.S. emissions rose 7 percent through the end of October, according to Carbon Monitor, an academic group that tracks emissions. The finding was echoed by the U.S. Energy Information Administration, which is also projecting a 7 percent increase in energy-related emissions. The increase puts the United States on a steep … Read more

What Antarctica’s ‘Doomsday’ Glacier Could Mean For The World

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The massive Thwaites glacier in West Antarctica contains enough ice to raise global sea levels by 65cm if it were to completely collapse. And, worryingly, recent research suggests that its long-term stability is doubtful as the glacier hemorrhages more and more ice.   Adding 65cm to global sea levels would be coastline-changing amounts. For context, … Read more

With COVID-19 on the rise again, ‘Super Bowl of astronomy’ next month canceled

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As COVID-19 infection rates rise once again, the leaders of the American Astronomical Society (AAS) have canceled the major conference scheduled for early January, sometimes nicknamed the “Super Bowl of astronomy” by space fans. The Board of Trustees of the AAS voted to cancel the conference’s in-person events, which were scheduled to take place in … Read more

A Common Sugar Additive Could Be Driving The Rise of One of The Most Aggressive Superbugs

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A sugar additive used in several foods could have helped spread a seriously dangerous superbug around the US, according to a 2018 study. The finger of blame is pointed squarely at the sugar trehalose, found in foods such as nutrition bars and chewing gum.   If the findings are confirmed, it’s a stark warning that … Read more

Glimpse of The Future as La Niña Raises Sea Levels in Western Pacific by Up to 20 cm

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Severe coastal flooding inundated islands and atolls across the western equatorial Pacific last week, with widespread damage to buildings and food crops in the Federated States of Micronesia, Marshall Islands, Papua New Guinea, and Solomon Islands.   On one level, very high tides are normal at this time of year in the western Pacific, and … Read more

Are Our Diets Contributing to The Rise in Angry Rhetoric?

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Emotional, non-rational, even explosive remarks in public discourse have escalated in recent years. Politicians endure insults during legislative discussions; scientists receive emails and tweets containing verbal abuse and threats.   What’s going on? This escalation in angry rhetoric is sometimes attributed to social media. But are there other influences altering communication styles? As researchers in … Read more