Page 15 - The Conversation

Why herd immunity no longer being sold as the path out of the pandemic

circumstances have changed dramatically over the course of the pandemic, with the original SARS-CoV-2 virus superseded by far more infectious variants.

Could one still be infectious after Covid isolation? What does data say

Data on the Omicron outbreak suggests rapid antigen tests (RATs) may not detect Covid until at least two days after exposure to the virus

China population to shrink for 1st time in 60 yrs: What it means for world

After four decades in which China's population has swelled from 660 million to 1.4 billion, its population is on track to turn down this year, for the first time since the great famine of 1959-1961

Euro-Russia Mars mission was suspended due to Ukraine: What to expect next?

The Rosalind Franklin rover is unique among all the rovers planned for Mars as it can drill deeper than any before it - up to 2 metres below the harsh surface

Mastercard's 'smile to pay' raises concerns around face recognition systems

The company argues touch-less technology will help speed up transaction times, shorten lines in shops, heighten security and improve hygiene in businesses

As Covid becomes threat to the economy, how can Chinese leaders rescue it?

More than two years after a deadly strain of coronavirus was first identified in the central city of Wuhan, China remains locked in a COVID crisis

Why Turkey doesn't want Finland, Sweden to join NATO and why it matters

The increasingly autocratic and anti-democratic president of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, has said he will not agree to the entry of Finland and Sweden in NATO

What's it like to be on Venus or Pluto? Sand dunes give some clues

For dunes to even exist, there are a pair of "Goldilocks" criteria that must be satisfied. First is a supply of erodible but durable grains.

5 technologies that will help make the food system carbon neutral

Agriculture is also vulnerable to the effects of climate change and, as the conflict in Ukraine demonstrates, food systems can be exposed to geopolitics

Firms leaving Russia caving to public pressure, not making a difference

Many companies cut ties with Russia in response to the pressure to support Ukraine from governments, investors, consumers, competitors and the general public. Some even made hefty financial sacrifices

Haven't been infected with Covid yet? It could be more than just luck

The simplest explanation is that these people have never come into contact with the virus. This could certainly be the case for people who have been shielding during the pandemic.

Crypto price collapse offers hope for slowing climate change: Here's how

Prices for the largest cryptocurrencies, bitcoin and ethereum, have both dropped by over 55% in six months, leading some to suggest that regulation is needed to contain the turmoil.

WEF 2022: What electric car supplies' shortage mean for net-zero targets

Current supply issues have been brought on in part by Covid-19 affecting global supply chains and a shortage of semiconductors

Wealthy nations carve up space and its riches, leave others behind

In the not-so-distant future, the ability to extract resources from the Moon and asteroids could become a major point of difference between the space haves and have-nots.

Liam Gallagher is 'in pain': Hip arthritis doesn't just affect older adults

Osteoarthritis is common in older people, but it is possible for it to develop in younger people.

Why Bulgaria and Poland can withstand Russia cutting off their gas supply

By cutting off gas supplies, Russia has landed its latest economic blow against Poland and Bulgaria. But with international support, it is a blow that can be withstood.

Elon Musk's plans for Twitter may cause more algorithmic harms than before

Musk's description of a platform free from content moderation issues is troubling in light of the algorithmic harms caused by social media platforms.

No board to watch over Musk when he takes Twitter private. Does it matter?

Musk, who on April 25, 2022, sealed a deal to buy Twitter for $44 billion, criticised board members for owning almost no shares of the company they oversee.

Offers, discounts, impulse: How retailers use psychology to make you shop

Studies suggest that as much as 50% of all groceries are sold because of impulsiveness - and over 87% of shoppers make impulse buys.

Fatigue after Covid is more than just feeling tired. 5 tips on what to do

The term fatigue can mean different things to different people