Biggest Ever Yellowstone Eruption Revealed

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June 15, 2020

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Scientists have begun to understand a mystery of climate change: the effects of smoke from forest and agricultural fires on the future warming of the Earth and how it influences the behavior of clouds. In coronavirus news, researchers say that smell loss may predict less severe disease less likely to require hospitalization. However, the small number of subjects who were hospitalized and for whom smell data were collected in the study suggests that little can yet be concluded regarding prognosis from smell loss alone. On a more positive note, the sudden loss of smell in COVID-19 may help us understand how SARS-CoV-2 works. And lastly, our lead story is about new research that indicates the eruption of the supervolcano in Yellowstone National Park was even more violent than geologists had thought, but there are hints the hotspot could be waning in intensity.

Environment

Biggest Ever Yellowstone Eruption Revealed

The ancient supervolcano under the national park was much more explosive in its early history and could be slowing down, a new study suggests

By Shannon Hall

Neuroscience

Switch in Mouse Brain Induces a Deep Slumber Similar to Hibernation

If such a snooze button exists in humans, it could protect against strokes, heart attacks and trauma

By Simon Makin

The Body

Why COVID-19 Makes People Lose Their Sense of Smell

We're beginning to understand the mechanism behind this relatively common symptom

By Leslie Kay

EARTH

A Screen of 'Old Smoke' Hangs Around in the Atmosphere

How this thin layer of aerosol particles might impact global climate remains to be seen

By John Fialka,E&E News

Public Health

A Crucial Step Toward Preventing Wildlife-Related Pandemics

We need to reform the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)
By Dan Ashe,John E. Scanlon

Policy & Ethics

Keeping Schools Closed Next Fall Could Worsen Science's Diversity Problem

But a number of new initiatives might mitigate the damage

By Lala Tanmoy Das,Briana Christophers,Robert Romanzi

Natural Disasters

Tougher Building Codes Would Avert Major Losses, FEMA Study Shows

In California and Florida alone, such codes have prevented $1 billion a year in structural damage
By Thomas Frank,E&E News

Engineering

50, 100 & 150 Years Ago: June 2020  

Building bridges: stone, iron, steel

By Daniel C. Schlenoff
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FROM THE ARCHIVE

'Air Towel' Ends Public Health Menace

Originally published in July 1914

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