Studies: Bats’ virus tolerance is higher than humans’, hence the massive load of pathogens they traffic
When a host, whether bat or human, is infected with a disease-causing pathogen, the ensuing interaction is often described as a battle: The host’s immune system pulls out the big guns to fight and eradicate the invader. In immunology parlance, this is known as resistance; its end-game is destroying the...
Reworking democracy: Goal of ‘ranked-choice voting’ is to produce winners with a mix of the electorate
Ranked-choice voting (here called instant-runoff voting) can also be used for contests that decide several seats at once, such as races for city councils or school boards. The counting is more involved, but the goal is to produce a slate of winners that roughly matches the partisan makeup of the...
Islamic States militia taking advantage of ethnic hostilities to fan atrocities in Niger Delta – reports
Niger government officials have sought to downplay the ethnic colouration of recent massacres in Niger Delta. Although Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (ISGS) has recruited mostly from Fulani groups, officials point out that ethnic Zarma and members of other communities have also joined them. Still, local analysts and residents...
In ranked-choice voting candidates with lowest totals are ejected, votes reallocated to supporters’ second option
Ranked-choice voting, the option Americans are considering to heal divisions in the country, tries to produce winners who have majority support. If no one wins a majority of the vote outright, then the candidate with the lowest total is eliminated and their votes are reallocated to their supporters’ second choices....
As extremism deepens, Americans consider ‘ranked-choice reforms’ to make politics less toxic
It is arguably the most important single question in US politics today: How can the United States halt its downward spiral into extremism, gridlock and cross-partisan hatred? For many advocates, a critical piece of the answer is the electoral reform known as ranked-choice voting. “It reduces the incentive to be...
Niger Conflict: Poorly armed farmers left to defend themselves against well-equipped terrorist fighters
Editor’s note: A regional franchise of the so-called Islamic State is stepping up attacks against civilians in western Niger. This article is the first of two reports exploring what’s driving the crisis and the limitations of efforts to address it. When a regional franchise of the so-called Islamic State pushed...
Arsenal’s ‘identity crisis’ is reason for their slump and sloppiness in premier league – club legend
Arsenal’s recruitment has been singled out as the biggest reason for the club’s current malaise by Gunners legend and former academy director Liam Brady. The Republic of Ireland great and Serie A legend emerged from Arsenal’s academy after moving to England, becoming one of the club’s most impressive youth products....
Dethroned world heavyweights champion AJ already talking rematch with Ukrainian tormentor
Anthony Joshua is determined to stay positive after his devastating world title defeat to Oleksandr Usyk on Saturday. Usyk turned in a boxing masterclass to take the IBF, WBO and WBA heavyweight titles, dethroning Joshua in his own backyard at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Joshua immediately left the ring after...
Why President Biden’s original $20 billion request for historically Black universities is key to research
It’s a scandal: for decades, more than 400 colleges and universities in the United States that focus on educating students from under-represented communities, including Black, Hispanic and Indigenous Americans, have been underfunded, by both state and federal governments. Efforts are now underway to address some of these historical injustices. Courts...
Historically Black US colleges and universities ready to ramp up funding for scientific research
Historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) in the United States are set to ramp up investments in scientific research and education following a wave of new grants and proceeds from legal settlements. Most of these institutions were created in the nineteenth century to serve students of African descent. They are...
