Plastic pollution may have met its match: The saliva of wax worms<\/a> NBC<\/p>\n Thiel, Bezos and Zuckerberg join parade of insiders selling tech stocks<\/a> FT<\/p>\n Climate<\/p>\n Are we all doomed? How to cope with the daunting uncertainties of climate change<\/a> Nature. Probably not (for some definition of \u201cwe all\u201d<\/a>). Nevertheless.<\/p>\n Global Choke Points May Link Sea Level and Human Settlement at the Last Glacial Maximum<\/a> Geographical Review. From 2020, still germane.<\/p>\n Atlantic ocean heat threatens to unleash methane eruptions<\/a> Arctic News<\/p>\n Top geology body denies appeal, rejects Anthropocene proposal<\/a> Climate & Capitalism<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n #COVID19<\/p>\n Thousands of disabled people died after \u2018Covid treatment withheld\u2019, inquiry to probe<\/a> iNews. Commentary:<\/p>\n Handy to have the jargon. I wonder if we have equivalent medical coding?<\/p>\n Neuroimaging findings in children with COVID-19 infection: a systematic review and meta-analysis<\/a> Nature. N = 111. From the Abstract: \u201cThe pooled proportion of pediatric COVID-19 patients with neurological symptoms and exhibiting abnormal neuroimaging findings was 43.74%.\u201d I\u2019m so old I remember when children didn\u2019t get Covid at all!<\/p>\n Wearing masks is easy but taking them off is difficult \u2013 A situation in Japan during COVID-19 pandemic and after<\/a> Dialogues in Health:<\/p>\n In May 2022 just before the 7th surge started, the government slightly relaxed the mask-wearing policy, and mask-wearing outside was not necessary as long as one is two meters apart from others. Unfortunately, this change was not well recognized by the public and as many as 58% answered they were not aware of the relaxed policy in a November 2022 survey . The television news, and newspapers at that time [i.e., official propaganda] were welcoming life without masks again, especially when the notoriously hot and humid summer season in Japan was approaching. The subsequent 7th surge, however, was the most severe surge since the pandemic was declared and Japan had the world\u2019s worst record for 10 consecutive weeks during July and September 2022 according to the WHO report [11]. [My goodness me, why?] <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n And letting the cat out of the bag:<\/p>\n Other than the 7th surge, extreme mask affinity which could be referred [indeed it could, but by whom?} to as developed after 3 years of daily masking practice is also a contributing factor. <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n \u201cSeatbelt dependence,\u201d \u201cwater treatment dependence\u201d, \u201cmanual safety dependence,\u201d \u201ctraffic light dependence\u201d\u2026. <\/p>\n Awaiting a decision on new research regulations, scientists pen dueling articles to shape \u2018gain-of-function\u2019 policies<\/a> Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists. At least for potential airborne pandemics, the best and least risky approach to \u201cpandemic preparedness\u201d would be cleaning shared air. But non-pharmaceutical interventions are ruled out.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n China?<\/p>\n China ready to remove barriers for foreign companies, Premier Li Qiang tells international forum<\/a> South China Morning Post<\/p>\n Constant capital for the win:<\/p>\n Example 2 \u2013 Wire cutter and stripping machine. We use this one for basic wire fab often. Last company I worked at (and many others!) did this by hand. Crazy. pic.twitter.com\/rDXauqjQee<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Cooper (@CooperZurad) March 22, 2024<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n <\/center><\/p>\n In One Key A.I. Metric, China Pulls Ahead of the U.S.: Talent<\/a> NYT<\/p>\n Exploring China\u2019s Water Usage Trends and Sustainability<\/a> (press release) Chinese Academy of Sciences<\/p>\n \u2018Obstetric winter\u2019: Why are China\u2019s hospitals shutting delivery wards? <\/a>Al Jazeera<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Philippines accuses China of new water cannon attacks in South China Sea<\/a> Al Jazeera<\/p>\n Syraqistan<\/p>\n Washington aims to complete Gaza pier to enable maritime aid by May 1, says official<\/a> Times of Israel. Commentary:<\/p>\n Pentagon has no idea how aid would be delivered to Gaza from the pier it pledged to build.<\/p>\n “In terms of how the distribution of aid is going to happen once it gets into Gaza, that’s not something that we’re handling\u2026I just don’t have that for you right now.” pic.twitter.com\/1FISXdpcmP<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Ken Klippenstein (@kenklippenstein) March 22, 2024<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n <\/center><\/p>\n US\u2019 Blinken meets Netanyahu in Tel Aviv, holds talks with Israeli Security Cabinet<\/a> and Israel seizes 8 square km of land in West Bank\u2019s Jordan Valley region<\/a> Anadolu Agency. Translation: \u201cF___ y__, Tony.\u201d And the horse you rode in on.<\/p>\n The threat to Netanyahu from Israel\u2019s ultraorthodox army exemption<\/a> FT<\/p>\n Undoing Oslo<\/a> New Left Review<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n European Disunion<\/p>\n The lessons from Europe\u2019s banking drama<\/a> FT<\/p>\n Germany approves partial legalization of cannabis from April<\/a> Deutsche Welle<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Dear Old Blighty<\/p>\n Sick people leaving workforce at record highs<\/a> BBC. But why? \u2018Tis a mystery! And the same story\u2013<\/p>\n Britain is suffering its longest sick note epidemic for 25 years as 2.7MILLION people claim they are too ill to work and holding back the country\u2019s economic growth in the process<\/a> Daily Mail. At least they mention Covid!<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n New Not-So-Cold War<\/p>\n \u201cCrocus City Hall\u201d attack in Moscow suburb and other important Russian news<\/a> and Update on the \u2018Crocus City Hall\u2019 massacre<\/a> Gilbert Doctorow<\/p>\n Putin says gunmen who raided Moscow concert hall tried to escape to Ukraine. Kyiv denies involvement<\/a> AP<\/p>\n Arab countries condemn Moscow attack, declare solidarity with Russia<\/a> Anadolu Agency<\/p>\n ISIS claims responsibility in deadly attack on Russia\u2019s Crocus City Hall<\/a> ABC<\/p>\n Now the truth emerges: how the US fuelled the rise of Isis in Syria and Iraq<\/a> Guardian. From 2015, possibly germane; there are a lot of ISIS variants (although none, AFAIK, have ever attacked Israel, oddly).<\/p>\n Ukraine war: Kyiv hit by multiple explosions in Russian bombardment<\/a> BBC<\/p>\n Ukraine rejects claims of Western pressure over attacks on Russian oil facilities<\/a> Politico. \u201cNice little election you\u2019ve got there, Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n Russia says it is pushing Ukrainian forces back, will create two new armies<\/a> Reuters<\/p>\n Ukraine\u2019s European allies are either broke, small or irresolute<\/a> The Economist<\/p>\n Russia is winning the global grain war<\/a> Politico<\/p>\n Europe\u2019s Biggest Salt Mine Is Now in Minecraft, and It\u2019s Helping Ukraine Rebuild<\/a> Wired<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Institutionalizing BRICS: A Treacherous Path<\/a> Infobrics<\/p>\n Global Election Year<\/p>\n \u2018Democracy Frozen\u2019 Says Congress, Calls Action on Accounts Bid to Cripple it Financially<\/a> The Wire<\/p>\n Supporters of Modi opponent Kejriwal protest his arrest ahead of Indian election<\/a> France24<\/p>\n Judge rules Gaetz, Greene can sue after California cities cancel their rallies over their \u2018political views\u2019<\/a> The Hill<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Biden Adminstration<\/p>\n Senate passes $1.2 trillion funding package in early morning vote, ending threat of partial shutdown<\/a> AP. Commentary:<\/p>\n There were many deeply shameful episodes in American history, but this will surely be remembered as one of the most depraved: the US is confirming they’re de-funding UNRWA \u2013 the main humanitarian agency in Gaza \u2013 until 2025.https:\/\/t.co\/5VqN24SHkk<\/a><\/p>\n This is just 4 days after\u2026<\/p>\n \u2014 Arnaud Bertrand (@RnaudBertrand) March 23, 2024<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n <\/center><\/p>\n American Military-Civil Fusion at Risk With the Loss of the Shift Fellowship<\/a> War on the Rocks<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Spook Country<\/p>\n A survey of expert views on misinformation: Definitions, determinants, solutions, and future of the field<\/a> (PDF) Harvard Kennedy School Misinformation Review. Appendix A: Demographics: \u201cThe sample of participants covers a large number of countries with a bias towards Western liberal democratic countries\u2026. Experts leaned strongly toward the left of the political spectrum: very right-wing (0), fairly right-wing (0), slightly right-of-center (7), center (15), slightly left-of-center (43), fairly left-wing (62), very left-wing (21).\u201d Whatever this crowd conceives of as \u201cleft wing.\u201d I would guess that control of the means of production does not figure largely in their discourse.<\/p>\n Contest: Make Your Own \u201cThe Deep State is Actually Kind of Awesome\u201d Video<\/a> Matt Taibbi, Racket News. There\u2019s a prize!<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n 2024<\/p>\n Truth Social SPAC could pay Trump\u2019s astronomical legal bills \u2013 if board OKs it<\/a> TechCrunch<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Antitrust<\/p>\n Ghost of Microsoft Stalks Apple as DOJ Takes Its Shot<\/a> WSJ<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Digital Watch<\/p>\n Instagram users fume as app begins limiting political content<\/a> FOX. If I understand this correctly, Instagram is turning off the recommendation algorithm for \u201cpolitical\u201d content (however defined). That\u2019s what Meta should do for all<\/em> content. It\u2019s hardly \u201climitation,\u201d let alone censorship.<\/p>\n God Chatbots Offer Spiritual Insights on Demand. What Could Go Wrong?<\/a> Scientific American<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Healthcare<\/p>\n The durability of vaccine-induced protection: an overview<\/a> Expert Review of Vaccines. From the Abstract: \u201cTo sustain public trust in vaccines, lasting vaccines must be developed.\u201d <\/p>\n Blood test could identify millions of people unknowingly spreading tuberculosis<\/a> Sky News. Right, and who wants that?<\/p>\n Florida measles outbreak is a warning on how, and how not to, handle infectious disease<\/a> Kavita Patel, Eric Feigl-Ding and Yaneer Bar-Yam, Miami Herald<\/p>\n Medicaid offices sue for dead people\u2019s homes to cover health care costs without warning, critics say<\/a> FOX. We can\u2019t even fix this<\/em>; NC first posted on Medicaid \u201cestate recovery\u201d in 2014<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Book Nook<\/p>\n Laurent de Brunhoff, \u2018Babar\u2019 heir and author, dies at age 98<\/a> AP. On Babar<\/a>, from a time when The New Yorker still had good days, and Adam Gopnik hadn\u2019t lost his mind.<\/p>\n Class Warfare<\/p>\n Secret RCMP report warns Canadians may revolt once they realize how broke they are<\/a> National Post. <\/p>\n The town that can\u2019t live without migrants, but isn\u2019t sure it wants to live with them<\/a> NBC<\/p>\n \u2018Organising is the best kind of antidepressant\u2019: Astra Taylor and Leah Hunt-Hendrix on solidarity<\/a> Guardian<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Ancient switch to soft food gave us an overbite\u2014and the ability to pronounce \u2018f\u2019s and \u2018v\u2019s<\/a> Nature<\/p>\n Antidote du jour (via<\/a>):<\/p>\n See yesterday\u2019s Links and Antidote du Jour here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n
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