scientificamerican--2020-08-08--Blame Poverty, Not the Poor, for COVID-19's Spread in Brazil's Amazon

To judge by popular movies , people who live in the Brazilian Amazon are at constant risk of being attacked by huge tarantulas , squeezed to death by giant anacondas and being eaten alive by voracious piranhas .
In fact , the real dangers have more to do with tropical diseases such as malaria , cholera , dengue , yellow fever and chikungunya .
And while illnesses would be mostly preventable through modern sanitation and hygiene measures , these are mostly unavailable .
Take Porto Velho , for example—a city of half a million people and the capital of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Brazilian Amazon , where fewer than 1 percent of residences have access to treated water and proper sewerage .
And rather than take responsibility for these conditions , TV ads created by the government blame the population itself for disease outbreaks , as if the lack of hygiene were a cultural characteristic and not a matter of failed public policies .
The same sort of abdication of responsibility occurs when nearby farmers outside the city burn the forest to create pastureland for cattle .
Despite the increase in hospital admissions , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ problems caused by the smoke , the official position is that the wildfires are inevitable because of “ development.
” This is technically correct : without the fires , there would be no cattle to export , and without cattle , the ranch owners wouldn ’ t have enough money to donate to the politicians ( or to keep for themselves , because many of the ranch owners are politicians ) .
And now , with the arrival of COVID-19 , we are seeing a similar pattern .
By late July , there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus in Rondônia .
But COVID-19 has become an ideological issue , not just a public health problem .
Whether or not people wear protective masks or practice self-isolation depends on whether they support President Jair Bolsonaro , who has consistently downplayed the dangers of the pandemic .
The official line is that the economic disruption that would result from aggressive measures against the disease would take more lives than the virus itself .
( Bolsonaro tested positive himself recently , although according to an official statement he remained in good condition .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ what we already know about disease in the Brazilian Amazon : the poorest are most at risk .
When we cross-check mobility data provided by Google ; data from the state ’ s Health Department ; and social indicators such as the United Nations Human Development Index ( HDI ) on access to sanitation , education and employment , it becomes clear that areas in Porto Velho where compliance with self-isolation falls below 30 percent are also the poorest ones and those in which there is a greater number of confirmed COVID-19 confirmed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people are the sickest .
We may understand these data in two ways .
The first interpretation , advanced by public administrators at the state level , is that it ’ s their own fault that the poorest people are seeing the most illness .
But poor housing , malnutrition and lack of formal employment are clearly not their fault .
These conditions mean that the poor are unable to isolate themselves socially , wash their hands or buy protective masks .
They have little access to public health resources and social assistance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ structural factors that maintain these inequalities and their consequences for people ’ s health , and to begin to remedy them .
Only then will these communities no longer have to choose between working and putting themselves and their families at risk on one hand , versus self-isolating and starving .

To judge by popular movies, people who live in the Brazilian Amazon are at constant risk of being attacked by huge tarantulas, squeezed to death by giant anacondas and being eaten alive by voracious piranhas. In fact, the real dangers have more to do with tropical diseases such as malaria, cholera, dengue, yellow fever and chikungunya. And while illnesses would be mostly preventable through modern sanitation and hygiene measures, these are mostly unavailable.
Take Porto Velho, for example—a city of half a million people and the capital of the state of Rondônia, in the heart of the Brazilian Amazon, where fewer than 1 percent of residences have access to treated water and proper sewerage. And rather than take responsibility for these conditions, TV ads created by the government blame the population itself for disease outbreaks, as if the lack of hygiene were a cultural characteristic and not a matter of failed public policies.
The same sort of abdication of responsibility occurs when nearby farmers outside the city burn the forest to create pastureland for cattle. Despite the increase in hospital admissions, especially of children, resulting from respiratory problems caused by the smoke, the official position is that the wildfires are inevitable because of “development.” This is technically correct: without the fires, there would be no cattle to export, and without cattle, the ranch owners wouldn’t have enough money to donate to the politicians (or to keep for themselves, because many of the ranch owners are politicians).
And now, with the arrival of COVID-19, we are seeing a similar pattern. By late July, there were more than 800 deaths from the coronavirus in Rondônia. But COVID-19 has become an ideological issue, not just a public health problem. Whether or not people wear protective masks or practice self-isolation depends on whether they support President Jair Bolsonaro, who has consistently downplayed the dangers of the pandemic. The official line is that the economic disruption that would result from aggressive measures against the disease would take more lives than the virus itself. (Bolsonaro tested positive himself recently, although according to an official statement he remained in good condition.)
The illness in Porto Velho reflects what we already know about disease in the Brazilian Amazon: the poorest are most at risk. When we cross-check mobility data provided by Google; data from the state’s Health Department; and social indicators such as the United Nations Human Development Index (HDI) on access to sanitation, education and employment, it becomes clear that areas in Porto Velho where compliance with self-isolation falls below 30 percent are also the poorest ones and those in which there is a greater number of confirmed COVID-19 confirmed cases.
In short, the poorest people are the sickest. We may understand these data in two ways. The first interpretation, advanced by public administrators at the state level, is that it’s their own fault that the poorest people are seeing the most illness. But poor housing, malnutrition and lack of formal employment are clearly not their fault. These conditions mean that the poor are unable to isolate themselves socially, wash their hands or buy protective masks. They have little access to public health resources and social assistance.
The challenge becomes to understand the structural factors that maintain these inequalities and their consequences for people’s health, and to begin to remedy them. Only then will these communities no longer have to choose between working and putting themselves and their families at risk on one hand, versus self-isolating and starving.


scientificamerican--2020-08-08--How to Know If It's OK to Visit Your Favorite Store or Restaurant

Just because many businesses are open again doesn ’ t mean the pandemic is over .
The coronavirus is still on the loose — actually surging in many locations — which means people have to make serious choices about their health all day , every day .
Nothing in life is without risk , and decisions ultimately hinge on individual calculations .
But , according to the public health experts we consulted , there are steps you can take — and signs to look for — to make you feel comfortable and help you decide whether to open the door @ @ @ @ @ @ @ may want to opt out .
First and foremost , assess your personal situation .
People with certain health conditions — from heart disease to diabetes or obesity , patients undergoing treatments for cancer , or people who are older or who live with older relatives , for example — should limit their outings to a far greater extent than people not in higher-risk categories .
“ Some people should not take that risk at all , ” said Dr. Georges Benjamin , executive director of the American Public Health Association .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t go outside , or go somewhere where you can chill out and relax .
But do it away from other people.
” The advice you ’ ve heard all along still holds : When you go out , wear a mask , keep your distance from others and avoid crowds .
You should also notice the mask-wearing habits at stores and restaurants you might visit .
In general , the experts agreed : no mask , no customer .
Employees , owners , managers and customers should all have them .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ walk away , experts said , especially in regions mandating face coverings .
Also , look for signs on the door directing people to wear masks .
Here are additional considerations for situations you may encounter : Retail : It ’ s a plus if an employee is checking customers for masks before they enter .
Other things to look for : stores with sanitizer to wipe down baskets , limits on the number of people inside and arrows directing traffic .
“ I find a store that has gone to the trouble @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stand in line 6 feet apart indicate the store is taking it seriously , ” said Dr. Marcus Plescia , chief medical officer for the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials .
Extra credit for stores that say they are taking steps to improve their ventilation and filtration systems .
Large or outdoor areas are a positive sign .
But smaller shops can also arrange displays and merchandise in ways that support social distancing .
Restaurants : Look for tables spaced well apart .
Outdoor trumps indoor .
“ Go to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outside , ” said Benjamin , who said he has recently dined inside , too .
“ But there are issues with airflow , so outside is better.
” Hair salons : Common areas should be cleaned regularly and the number of customers limited .
Select salons that make appointments .
Bonus points if you can wait outside until they call or text you to say it ’ s your turn .
Gyms/pools : Look for facilities with room to space out equipment .
Cleaning supplies should be plentiful .
Mask requirements are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make usage difficult .
Outdoor classes are better than indoor .
Pools should limit the number of people in lanes and instruct swimmers to avoid bunching at the walls or other areas .
Cleaning/home repair : Tara Kirk Sell , a senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security , pointed out that there are differences in considerations for someone , such as repair person , who is an occasional or rare visitor , and someone who comes in regularly , such as a house cleaner .
“ Having an open @ @ @ @ @ @ @ illnesses with someone who is regularly in your house is ideal , ” she said .
A tip for cleaning day : Plan to be out , or move to different parts of the house — perhaps to the second floor while they clean the first — to minimize exposure .
For more occasional situations , such as repairs , workers should wear masks when speaking with you or entering your home .
If all the activity is performed outside , such as gardening or repairing a fence , face coverings are not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s best to ask such questions or state your requirements when scheduling the appointment .
“ If you communicate ahead of time and they show up without a mask , you can say , ‘ We discussed this.
’ ” To ratchet it up a notch , inquire about the worker ’ s health .
Have they been sick ?
How are they feeling ?
Have they tested positive or been around anyone who has ?
It ’ s also important to be courteous , said Sell .
“ The homeowner needs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the same space as the worker .
And obviously , you wouldn ’ t want to arrange for such a visit if you were sick.
” Day care/camp for kids : If the facility is inside , check to see if counselors/caregivers are wearing masks .
While indoors , ideally , the kids should be , too .
Other important questions to ask : Are staffers regularly tested for the coronavirus ?
Ask about sick leave policy .
Do they have one ?
If it ’ s a small place , there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But inquire about workers ’ ability to stay home without losing their jobs if they are sick or test positive , said Sell .
Hotels : Rooms should be cleaned thoroughly and , in the best case , vacated at least several hours before you arrive .
Other tangibles that can add peace of mind : hard-plastic dividers between you and front-desk staff and limits on groups of people gathering in lobbies .
It ’ s even better if they have “ touchless ” check-in .
Once in your room , wipe down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and , especially , the television remote control .
Consider bringing your own pillow .
What to avoid : All three experts said to skip bars , especially indoor settings , as it ’ s almost impossible to properly distance from others or to wear masks .
“ You go to bars because you enjoy the fact there ’ s other people there and , when there are a lot of people , it ’ s hard to keep 6 feet distance , ” said Plescia .
“ When people drink , they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ likely to let their guard down.
” Sporting events , where people “ are right on top of each other , ” is another taboo , said Benjamin .
Sell recommended against house parties or other large gatherings .
KHN ( Kaiser Health News ) is a nonprofit news service covering health issues .
It is an editorially independent program of KFF ( Kaiser Family Foundation ) that is not affiliated with Kaiser Permanente .
Read more about the coronavirus outbreak from Scientific American here .
And read coverage from our international network @ @ @ @

Just because many businesses are open again doesn’t mean the pandemic is over. The coronavirus is still on the loose — actually surging in many locations — which means people have to make serious choices about their health all day, every day.
Nothing in life is without risk, and decisions ultimately hinge on individual calculations. But, according to the public health experts we consulted, there are steps you can take — and signs to look for — to make you feel comfortable and help you decide whether to open the door and walk in. Sometimes, you may want to opt out.
First and foremost, assess your personal situation.
People with certain health conditions — from heart disease to diabetes or obesity, patients undergoing treatments for cancer, or people who are older or who live with older relatives, for example — should limit their outings to a far greater extent than people not in higher-risk categories.
“Some people should not take that risk at all,” said Dr. Georges Benjamin, executive director of the American Public Health Association. “It doesn’t mean you can’t go outside, or go somewhere where you can chill out and relax. But do it away from other people.”
The advice you’ve heard all along still holds: When you go out, wear a mask, keep your distance from others and avoid crowds.
You should also notice the mask-wearing habits at stores and restaurants you might visit. In general, the experts agreed: no mask, no customer. Employees, owners, managers and customers should all have them. If they are not being used, walk away, experts said, especially in regions mandating face coverings. Also, look for signs on the door directing people to wear masks.
Here are additional considerations for situations you may encounter:
Retail: It’s a plus if an employee is checking customers for masks before they enter. Other things to look for: stores with sanitizer to wipe down baskets, limits on the number of people inside and arrows directing traffic.
“I find a store that has gone to the trouble to mark out places for people to stand in line 6 feet apart indicate the store is taking it seriously,” said Dr. Marcus Plescia, chief medical officer for the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials.
Extra credit for stores that say they are taking steps to improve their ventilation and filtration systems. Large or outdoor areas are a positive sign. But smaller shops can also arrange displays and merchandise in ways that support social distancing.
Restaurants: Look for tables spaced well apart. Outdoor trumps indoor. “Go to a place where you can make a reservation outside,” said Benjamin, who said he has recently dined inside, too. “But there are issues with airflow, so outside is better.”
Hair salons: Common areas should be cleaned regularly and the number of customers limited. Select salons that make appointments. Bonus points if you can wait outside until they call or text you to say it’s your turn.
Gyms/pools: Look for facilities with room to space out equipment. Cleaning supplies should be plentiful. Mask requirements are better than not, but some activities make usage difficult. Outdoor classes are better than indoor. Pools should limit the number of people in lanes and instruct swimmers to avoid bunching at the walls or other areas.
Cleaning/home repair: Tara Kirk Sell, a senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, pointed out that there are differences in considerations for someone, such as repair person, who is an occasional or rare visitor, and someone who comes in regularly, such as a house cleaner. “Having an open dialogue about practices to follow and potential illnesses with someone who is regularly in your house is ideal,” she said.
A tip for cleaning day: Plan to be out, or move to different parts of the house — perhaps to the second floor while they clean the first — to minimize exposure.
For more occasional situations, such as repairs, workers should wear masks when speaking with you or entering your home. If all the activity is performed outside, such as gardening or repairing a fence, face coverings are not such a concern.
Plescia said it’s best to ask such questions or state your requirements when scheduling the appointment. “If you communicate ahead of time and they show up without a mask, you can say, ‘We discussed this.’” To ratchet it up a notch, inquire about the worker’s health. Have they been sick? How are they feeling? Have they tested positive or been around anyone who has?
It’s also important to be courteous, said Sell. “The homeowner needs to wear a mask as well when in the same space as the worker. And obviously, you wouldn’t want to arrange for such a visit if you were sick.”
Day care/camp for kids: If the facility is inside, check to see if counselors/caregivers are wearing masks. While indoors, ideally, the kids should be, too. Other important questions to ask: Are staffers regularly tested for the coronavirus? Ask about sick leave policy. Do they have one? If it’s a small place, there may not be a formal policy. But inquire about workers’ ability to stay home without losing their jobs if they are sick or test positive, said Sell.
Hotels: Rooms should be cleaned thoroughly and, in the best case, vacated at least several hours before you arrive. Other tangibles that can add peace of mind: hard-plastic dividers between you and front-desk staff and limits on groups of people gathering in lobbies. It’s even better if they have “touchless” check-in. Once in your room, wipe down surface areas — tables, light switches and, especially, the television remote control. Consider bringing your own pillow.
What to avoid: All three experts said to skip bars, especially indoor settings, as it’s almost impossible to properly distance from others or to wear masks. “You go to bars because you enjoy the fact there’s other people there and, when there are a lot of people, it’s hard to keep 6 feet distance,” said Plescia. “When people drink, they do lose some judgment and are more likely to let their guard down.” Sporting events, where people “are right on top of each other,” is another taboo, said Benjamin. Sell recommended against house parties or other large gatherings.
KHN (Kaiser Health News) is a nonprofit news service covering health issues. It is an editorially independent program of KFF (Kaiser Family Foundation) that is not affiliated with Kaiser Permanente.
Read more about the coronavirus outbreak from Scientific American here. And read coverage from our international network of magazines here.


scientificamerican--2020-08-07--Inside Joe Biden's Network of Climate Advisers

Former Vice President Joe Biden had already assembled a task force of activists and liberal officials to rewrite his climate plan .
But there was a problem : Organized labor had n't been invited to the weekly Zoom calls .
Biden had tailored his presidential campaign to accommodate the unions that build and maintain natural gas projects , and unions had returned the favor by boosting Biden 's candidacy during his lowest points in the Democratic primary .
They were unhappy about being shut out from drafting his new energy plan .
So the campaign quietly added a member to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Conor Lamb , whose gas-heavy Pennsylvania district had voted for Donald Trump in 2016 .
Lamb had already distinguished himself as a defender of Biden 's support for hydraulic fracturing .
`` They came to me , and I think it was mostly about my connection with the labor unions and the fact that western Pennsylvania is , you know — this is a major issue there , '' Lamb told E & E News .
Since he became the presumptive Democratic nominee , Biden has rolled out more than 100 pages of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ announced task forces , an unusual level of transparency for a presidential campaign .
But his team has been tight-lipped about Biden 's sprawling circle of formal and informal advisers .
Both the left and right have hammered Biden when some of his advisers have been revealed — treating them as a proxy for future staffing and policy decisions .
That 's been especially true for climate issues , on which Biden is being pulled in several directions at once .
He faces the demands of progressives who view him with suspicion ; @ @ @ @ @ @ @ blue-collar base ; and a Republican campaign apparatus attacking his plans as job killers , sometimes relying on falsehoods to do so .
That ruthless dynamic drove former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers yesterday to disavow any interest in returning to the federal government .
News earlier this year that he had been advising Biden led progressives to organize a weekslong campaign against him , in part due to his centrist climate record .
Biden is navigating those crosscurrents with advice from several former Obama administration officials — including some who have cultivated ties @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rivals , activists and union leaders .
Some of them , like environmental justice advocates , say it 's the first presidential campaign to take them seriously .
Cecilia Martinez , co-founder of the Center for Earth , Energy and Democracy , said environmental justice leaders have gotten a level of access to the presumptive Democratic nominee 's policy aides that 's almost unheard of .
`` It 's the first time in [ the environmental justice ] world that the candidate has reached out so early , '' she said .
Rub @ @ @ @ @ @ @ climate plan outlined a range of environmental justice problems , but it included few specific policies to address the disproportionate effects that climate change will have on people of color .
Biden 's new plan , released last month , calls for creating a White House council on environmental justice , revamping EPA 's civil rights office and directing more pollution monitoring resources to frontline communities — all priorities of environmental justice advocates .
The campaign also elevated Martinez and another environmental justice leader , Harold Mitchell Jr. , to Biden 's Climate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on mobilizing voters , but it also includes figures who have played a significant role in fine-tuning Biden 's climate posture , like Lonnie Stephenson , president of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers , who had been one of the loudest voices in the party opposing the Green New Deal .
Since the early days of the campaign , Stephenson has pushed Biden to support nuclear power and natural gas , two big sources of union jobs , as well as carbon capture and sequestration , a developing technology that may give @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
So even as some activists have called Biden 's plan a Green New Deal in all but name , Stephenson said it has key differences that stem from unions being at the table .
`` I 've got to tell you , I 've gotten pushback from some of my members that come from that coal industry .
But this is different than what it was four years ago , because we are having some input , '' he said .
`` They 're not just hearing the Democratic Party say they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ softened the talk .
[ Workers ] all know in reality where it 's going to go , but it 's not like a rub-it-in-your-face-type conversation . ''
Jamal Raad , co-founder of the climate group Evergreen Action , said the campaign 's new plans speak to Biden 's talent as a coalition builder .
`` One of Biden 's great strengths is listening , '' said Raad , who worked on Washington Gov .
Jay Inslee 's ( D ) climate-oriented presidential campaign .
`` It was a pretty difficult thing to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ environmental justice leaders and climate advocates happy .
And the Biden team pretty nimbly and creatively found a way to do that , '' he added .
Stef Feldman , Biden 's policy director , has played a major role in shaping his climate plans .
She worked on energy and environment issues for Biden when he was vice president .
After the Obama administration , she stayed in his orbit by working as the policy director of the University of Delaware 's Biden Institute .
She wrote her senior thesis at Duke @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the influence of local agencies as well as the feelings of abandonment that rural officials felt about the concentration of federal and state spending in cities .
Another person involved is Ali Zaidi , a former Obama White House official who held several climate-related roles , including the Office of Management and Budget 's associate director for natural resources , energy and science .
He also worked in the Energy Department and on the Domestic Policy Council .
Since the Obama administration ended , he 's taught at Stanford University and held senior @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Andrew Cuomo ( D ) .
Zaidi also advised the presidential campaign of Beto O'Rourke ( D ) , who was among the first 2020 candidates to release a climate plan .
O'Rourke , a former congressman from Texas , proposed spending $ 5 trillion over a decade — a rate Biden has roughly adopted in his new plan by pledging to spend $ 2 trillion in his first term .
Also in the mix is David Kieve , who has been tasked with outreach to green groups and environmental justice leaders .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hilltop Public Solutions , he 's worked with several campaigns , including Bill de Blasio 's successful 2013 race to be mayor of New York .
Last week , Kieve and Zaidi gave an hourlong presentation on Biden 's energy plans to Clean Energy for Biden , a group that has raised more than a half-million dollars for the campaign , according to a Facebook post by the Democratic Party of Lorain County , Ohio .
An official with the county party declined to comment on the event .
Cristóbal Alex , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's immigration task force , has been involved in climate policy , too .
He was among the staffers who met with climate activists after Biden clinched the nomination .
In the past , he was a board member for the League of Conservation Voters .
Symone Sanders , another senior adviser , has been handling outreach to youth and progressive groups — a portfolio that has come to include climate .
And Erika Dinkel-Smith , Biden 's director of labor engagement , has also taken a significant role in climate policy .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the climate task force Biden established with former supporters of Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders ' presidential bid .
That task force included former Secretary of State John Kerry ; Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez ( D-N.Y. ) , Donald McEachin ( D-Va. ) and Kathy Castor ( D-Fla. ) ; former EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy ; longtime Biden adviser Kerry Duggan ; Sunrise Movement co-founder Varshini Prakash ; environmental justice advocate Catherine Flowers ; and , eventually , Lamb .
Biden has amassed a sprawling personal network during his nearly five decades in Washington .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ formal advisers and his informal contacts .
For instance , Biden 's campaign weathered criticism last year after Heather Zichal , climate czar in the Obama White House , who later sat on the board of a natural gas company , described Biden as seeking a `` middle ground '' on climate .
Reuters quoted Zichal as part of a group advising Biden on climate change , but the Biden team has said she was n't part of the campaign .
Biden 's campaign has also drawn advice from an informal network of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a source familiar with the campaign 's outreach .
Former Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz has been involved with the Biden campaign , according to another source .
Moniz helped craft the Paris climate agreement .
He also sits on the board of Southern Co. , a utility that generates 77 % of its energy from fossil fuels ; by comparison , the national energy mix is closer to 63 % fossil fuels .
Moniz also spearheaded the `` Green Real Deal , '' a centrist rejoinder to the Green New Deal that he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and unveiled at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce ( Energywire , Aug. 1 , 2019 ) .
Brian Deese , a former senior adviser to Obama on energy and climate , has also been working with the campaign .
Deese is now global head of sustainable investing at BlackRock Inc. , the world 's largest investment firm .
Some activists have bristled at the Biden campaign for taking advice from officials who are now affiliated with Wall Street or polluting industries .
Jason Bordoff , a former White House energy adviser who advocated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Department official Amos Hochstein , who has since worked for a natural gas firm , are also in activists ' crosshairs , according to Bloomberg .
But others have seen something different in the variety of people influencing Biden 's climate plan : a broad , durable coalition that 's balancing traditional powers with the rising influence of Black and grassroots organizers .
`` By no means is it easy .
This has been 200 years in the making , '' Martinez said .
Reprinted from Climatewire with permission from E & E @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coverage of essential energy and environmental news at www.eenews.net .

Former Vice President Joe Biden had already assembled a task force of activists and liberal officials to rewrite his climate plan. But there was a problem: Organized labor hadn't been invited to the weekly Zoom calls.
Biden had tailored his presidential campaign to accommodate the unions that build and maintain natural gas projects, and unions had returned the favor by boosting Biden's candidacy during his lowest points in the Democratic primary.
They were unhappy about being shut out from drafting his new energy plan.
So the campaign quietly added a member to its climate task force: Democratic Rep. Conor Lamb, whose gas-heavy Pennsylvania district had voted for Donald Trump in 2016. Lamb had already distinguished himself as a defender of Biden's support for hydraulic fracturing.
"They came to me, and I think it was mostly about my connection with the labor unions and the fact that western Pennsylvania is, you know — this is a major issue there," Lamb told E&E News.
Since he became the presumptive Democratic nominee, Biden has rolled out more than 100 pages of new policy under the auspices of publicly announced task forces, an unusual level of transparency for a presidential campaign. But his team has been tight-lipped about Biden's sprawling circle of formal and informal advisers.
Both the left and right have hammered Biden when some of his advisers have been revealed — treating them as a proxy for future staffing and policy decisions.
That's been especially true for climate issues, on which Biden is being pulled in several directions at once. He faces the demands of progressives who view him with suspicion; the economic concerns of his moderate and blue-collar base; and a Republican campaign apparatus attacking his plans as job killers, sometimes relying on falsehoods to do so.
That ruthless dynamic drove former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers yesterday to disavow any interest in returning to the federal government. News earlier this year that he had been advising Biden led progressives to organize a weekslong campaign against him, in part due to his centrist climate record.
Biden is navigating those crosscurrents with advice from several former Obama administration officials — including some who have cultivated ties to industry — as well as former rivals, activists and union leaders. Some of them, like environmental justice advocates, say it's the first presidential campaign to take them seriously.
Cecilia Martinez, co-founder of the Center for Earth, Energy and Democracy, said environmental justice leaders have gotten a level of access to the presumptive Democratic nominee's policy aides that's almost unheard of.
"It's the first time in [the environmental justice] world that the candidate has reached out so early," she said.
Rub it in your face
Biden's first climate plan outlined a range of environmental justice problems, but it included few specific policies to address the disproportionate effects that climate change will have on people of color.
Biden's new plan, released last month, calls for creating a White House council on environmental justice, revamping EPA's civil rights office and directing more pollution monitoring resources to frontline communities — all priorities of environmental justice advocates.
The campaign also elevated Martinez and another environmental justice leader, Harold Mitchell Jr., to Biden's Climate Engagement Advisory Council. The group focuses on mobilizing voters, but it also includes figures who have played a significant role in fine-tuning Biden's climate posture, like Lonnie Stephenson, president of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, who had been one of the loudest voices in the party opposing the Green New Deal.
Since the early days of the campaign, Stephenson has pushed Biden to support nuclear power and natural gas, two big sources of union jobs, as well as carbon capture and sequestration, a developing technology that may give a second life to fossil fuel-generated power.
So even as some activists have called Biden's plan a Green New Deal in all but name, Stephenson said it has key differences that stem from unions being at the table.
"I've got to tell you, I've gotten pushback from some of my members that come from that coal industry. But this is different than what it was four years ago, because we are having some input," he said.
"They're not just hearing the Democratic Party say they're going after coal. They've softened the talk. [Workers] all know in reality where it's going to go, but it's not like a rub-it-in-your-face-type conversation."
Jamal Raad, co-founder of the climate group Evergreen Action, said the campaign's new plans speak to Biden's talent as a coalition builder.
"One of Biden's great strengths is listening," said Raad, who worked on Washington Gov. Jay Inslee's (D) climate-oriented presidential campaign.
"It was a pretty difficult thing to do, to make labor advocates, environmental justice leaders and climate advocates happy. And the Biden team pretty nimbly and creatively found a way to do that," he added.
Echoes of Obama
Stef Feldman, Biden's policy director, has played a major role in shaping his climate plans. She worked on energy and environment issues for Biden when he was vice president. After the Obama administration, she stayed in his orbit by working as the policy director of the University of Delaware's Biden Institute.
She wrote her senior thesis at Duke University on Appalachian economic development, tracing the influence of local agencies as well as the feelings of abandonment that rural officials felt about the concentration of federal and state spending in cities.
Another person involved is Ali Zaidi, a former Obama White House official who held several climate-related roles, including the Office of Management and Budget's associate director for natural resources, energy and science. He also worked in the Energy Department and on the Domestic Policy Council. Since the Obama administration ended, he's taught at Stanford University and held senior climate roles under New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D).
Zaidi also advised the presidential campaign of Beto O'Rourke (D), who was among the first 2020 candidates to release a climate plan. O'Rourke, a former congressman from Texas, proposed spending $5 trillion over a decade — a rate Biden has roughly adopted in his new plan by pledging to spend $2 trillion in his first term.
Also in the mix is David Kieve, who has been tasked with outreach to green groups and environmental justice leaders. A founder of the political consulting firm Hilltop Public Solutions, he's worked with several campaigns, including Bill de Blasio's successful 2013 race to be mayor of New York.
Last week, Kieve and Zaidi gave an hourlong presentation on Biden's energy plans to Clean Energy for Biden, a group that has raised more than a half-million dollars for the campaign, according to a Facebook post by the Democratic Party of Lorain County, Ohio. An official with the county party declined to comment on the event.
Cristóbal Alex, a senior campaign adviser who served on Biden's immigration task force, has been involved in climate policy, too. He was among the staffers who met with climate activists after Biden clinched the nomination. In the past, he was a board member for the League of Conservation Voters.
Symone Sanders, another senior adviser, has been handling outreach to youth and progressive groups — a portfolio that has come to include climate.
And Erika Dinkel-Smith, Biden's director of labor engagement, has also taken a significant role in climate policy.
Biden campaign staffers guided the work of the climate task force Biden established with former supporters of Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders' presidential bid.
That task force included former Secretary of State John Kerry; Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), Donald McEachin (D-Va.) and Kathy Castor (D-Fla.); former EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy; longtime Biden adviser Kerry Duggan; Sunrise Movement co-founder Varshini Prakash; environmental justice advocate Catherine Flowers; and, eventually, Lamb.
Tensions bubble
Biden has amassed a sprawling personal network during his nearly five decades in Washington. That can blur the lines between his formal advisers and his informal contacts.
For instance, Biden's campaign weathered criticism last year after Heather Zichal, climate czar in the Obama White House, who later sat on the board of a natural gas company, described Biden as seeking a "middle ground" on climate.
Reuters quoted Zichal as part of a group advising Biden on climate change, but the Biden team has said she wasn't part of the campaign.
Biden's campaign has also drawn advice from an informal network of Obama Energy Department alumni, according to a source familiar with the campaign's outreach.
Former Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz has been involved with the Biden campaign, according to another source. Moniz helped craft the Paris climate agreement. He also sits on the board of Southern Co., a utility that generates 77% of its energy from fossil fuels; by comparison, the national energy mix is closer to 63% fossil fuels.
Moniz also spearheaded the "Green Real Deal," a centrist rejoinder to the Green New Deal that he formulated last year with input from unions and unveiled at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce (Energywire, Aug. 1, 2019).
Brian Deese, a former senior adviser to Obama on energy and climate, has also been working with the campaign. Deese is now global head of sustainable investing at BlackRock Inc., the world's largest investment firm.
Some activists have bristled at the Biden campaign for taking advice from officials who are now affiliated with Wall Street or polluting industries.
Jason Bordoff, a former White House energy adviser who advocated exporting fossil fuels, and former State Department official Amos Hochstein, who has since worked for a natural gas firm, are also in activists' crosshairs, according to Bloomberg.
But others have seen something different in the variety of people influencing Biden's climate plan: a broad, durable coalition that's balancing traditional powers with the rising influence of Black and grassroots organizers.
"By no means is it easy. This has been 200 years in the making," Martinez said.
Reprinted from Climatewire with permission from E&E News. E&E provides daily coverage of essential energy and environmental news at www.eenews.net.


scientificamerican--2020-08-07--Coronavirus News Roundup: August 1-August 7

The items below are highlights from the free newsletter , “ Smart , useful , science stuff about COVID-19.
” To receive newsletter issues daily in your inbox , sign-up here .
Please consider a monthly contribution to support this newsletter .
The role that symptom-free ( “ asymptomatic ” ) people infected with the new coronavirus play in spreading it grew more clear with a study published 8/6/20 and covered the same day by Apoorva Mandavilli at The New York Times .
The study , published in JAMA Internal Medicine , “ offers more definitive proof [ than past @ @ @ @ @ @ @ carry just as much virus in their nose , throat , and lungs as those with symptoms , and for almost as long , ” Mandavilli reports .
Questions about asymptomatic transmission remain , however , because the researchers did not trace transmission by asymptomatic people , nor did they grow live virus from samples taken from infected asymptomatic people , “ which might have more directly confirmed active infections , ” the story states .
And it ’ s notable that asymptomatic people have no need to cough or sneeze more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ efficient at expelling the virus than those who are clearly unwell , ” says a University of Hong Kong epidemiologist mentioned and quoted in the story .
The researchers estimate that 30 percent of people infected with SARS-CoV-2 never develop symptoms , which is similar to previous estimates of this value , the story states .
“ This study underscores the importance of everyone wearing masks and maintaining physical distance , even if they feel perfectly fine , ” Mandavilli tweeted about the story .
For Kaiser Health News , Liz Szabo has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stand with vaccine development efforts to protect us from SARS-CoV-2 ( 8/3/20 ) .
The story notes various concerns that you ’ ve probably seen elsewhere — 1 ) dwindling antibodies in COVID-19 survivors , 2 ) the relatively new and unproven approaches being used by some of the leading vaccine development efforts ( ones by Moderna , by Pfizer with BioNTech , and by Oxford University with AstraZeneca ) , and 3 ) uncertainty as to whether vaccines will truly end the pandemic or just protect us from severe cases of COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ influenza ) .
The story overall takes a positive view of those issues , quoting Dr. Anthony Fauci , director of the U.S. National Allergy and Infectious Diseases Institute .
“ He 's 'cautiously optimistic ' that researchers will overcome such obstacles , ” the story states .
The story includes some of the clearest writing I ’ ve seen to explain the science driving the Moderna and the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine candidates .
The story also nicely explains how memory T-cells contribute to immunity when antibodies are diminished in number .
“ The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ symphony , ” a University of California , Los Angeles , infectious diseases researcher is quoted as saying .
“ These multiple , complementary arms of the immune system work together like a symphony to control infection.
” An opinion essay at STAT by Karen Mulligan and Karen Van Nuys , both at the University of Southern California Center for Health Policy and Economics ( CHPE ) , lays out several reasons to prioritize the development of COVID-19 treatments in parallel with vaccines .
Their bottom line , based on a model described @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a preventive treatment something like Tamiflu but for this new virus could not only save lives and relieve the pressure of COVID-19 cases and surges on hospitals .
It could also put a dent in the $ 7.9 trillion negative impact COVID-19 is projected to have on the U.S. economy over an 11-year horizon , per the U.S. Congressional Budget Office .
Such a treatment also could backstop vaccines , which are “ notoriously difficult to make and distribute , ” Mulligan and Van Nuys write .
Direct and indirect savings would be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , at least , the essay states .
Such a treatment also could “ increase people ’ s willingness to return to more normal levels of economic activity , ” the authors write ( 8/5/20 ) .
An interview by Scott Hershberger at Scientific American with Carl Bergstrom , a biologist at the University of Washington ( UW ) , offers tips from a new book , “ Calling Bullshit : The Art of Skepticism in a Data-Driven World , ” co-authored by Bergstrom and Jevin West , a UW associate professor who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
This topic remains highly relevant during the COVID-19 pandemic .
Bergstrom ’ s advice in the interview includes relying on “ trusted , traditional media sources rather than turning to Twitter or Facebook or WhatsApp , because when you do that , you get information that ’ s a little bit more recent , but the quality of that information is far , far lower.
” And rather than dismissing an authority or a professional because their advice has changed over time , he recommends trusting those authorities , because “ the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ advice , based on evidence , are the ones who are doing science and the ones who are giving good recommendations.
” He adds : “ The people you can ’ t trust are the ones who have not changed their views and advice , despite having enormously more evidence ” ( emphasis in original ; 8/3/20 ) .
Ventilation has gone unmentioned or is under-discussed in public-health messages about reducing the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection , which of course can cause severe respiratory illness , writes University of North Carolina sociologist Zeynep @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The piece gets especially interesting in the last 15 paragraphs , starting with “ All this has many practical consequences.
” Given the findings on short-range small-droplet transmission in the air ( or “ aerosol transmission ” ) to date , we should “ focus as much on ventilation as we do on distancing , masks , and hand-washing , ” Tufekci writes .
Masks should be mandatory indoors “ regardless of distancing , but not necessarily outdoors , ” she writes .
At televised indoor events , “ the person who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the speaker , not the listeners , ” she writes .
And “ when a masked person is speaking , the least safe location might be beside them or behind them , where the aerosols can escape from the mask , though ordinary , under a [ large ] droplet regime , we would consider the risk to only be in front of them , ” she writes .
Implications for reopening schools include teaching outdoors when possible , opening windows , installing portable , inexpensive HEPA filters , and upgrading filters in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ higher.
” It ’ s well-known by now that COVID-19 can cause weeks and months of long-term complications .
Those conditions can include “ fatigue , a racing heartbeat , shortness of breath , achy joints , foggy thinking , a persistent sense of smell , and damage to the heart , lungs , kidneys , and brain , ” reports Jennifer Couzin-Frankel at Science ( 7/31/20 ) .
A young neuroscientist at University College London who herself is suffering from long-term COVID-19 effects collaborated with Body Politic , a group of COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than 600 people with enduring symptoms — “ she logged 62 different symptoms , ” Couzin-Frankel writes .
In some cases , people ’ s experience is in a gray zone — neither recovered from COVID-19 nor sick enough for hospitalization in an intensive care unit .
The prevalence of these lingering symptoms among survivors is unclear , Couzin-Frankel reports , but some long-term studies are under way .
This 6/18/20 “ minute physics ” video provides an accessible explanation of how N95 masks work—like more like a spider ’ s web @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as the video states .
The video explains how these masks filter particles smaller than the holes in the mask material .

The items below are highlights from the free newsletter, “Smart, useful, science stuff about COVID-19.” To receive newsletter issues daily in your inbox, sign-up here. Please consider a monthly contribution to support this newsletter.
The role that symptom-free (“asymptomatic”) people infected with the new coronavirus play in spreading it grew more clear with a study published 8/6/20 and covered the same day by Apoorva Mandavilli at The New York Times. The study, published in JAMA Internal Medicine, “offers more definitive proof [than past studies did] that people without symptoms carry just as much virus in their nose, throat, and lungs as those with symptoms, and for almost as long,” Mandavilli reports. Questions about asymptomatic transmission remain, however, because the researchers did not trace transmission by asymptomatic people, nor did they grow live virus from samples taken from infected asymptomatic people, “which might have more directly confirmed active infections,” the story states. And it’s notable that asymptomatic people have no need to cough or sneeze more than usual, so “they are less efficient at expelling the virus than those who are clearly unwell,” says a University of Hong Kong epidemiologist mentioned and quoted in the story. The researchers estimate that 30 percent of people infected with SARS-CoV-2 never develop symptoms, which is similar to previous estimates of this value, the story states. “This study underscores the importance of everyone wearing masks and maintaining physical distance, even if they feel perfectly fine,” Mandavilli tweeted about the story.
For Kaiser Health News, Liz Szabo has written a clear summary of where things stand with vaccine development efforts to protect us from SARS-CoV-2 (8/3/20). The story notes various concerns that you’ve probably seen elsewhere — 1) dwindling antibodies in COVID-19 survivors, 2) the relatively new and unproven approaches being used by some of the leading vaccine development efforts (ones by Moderna, by Pfizer with BioNTech, and by Oxford University with AstraZeneca), and 3) uncertainty as to whether vaccines will truly end the pandemic or just protect us from severe cases of COVID-19 (like the flu vaccine does with influenza). The story overall takes a positive view of those issues, quoting Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the U.S. National Allergy and Infectious Diseases Institute. “He's 'cautiously optimistic' that researchers will overcome such obstacles,” the story states. The story includes some of the clearest writing I’ve seen to explain the science driving the Moderna and the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine candidates. The story also nicely explains how memory T-cells contribute to immunity when antibodies are diminished in number. “The T-cells are like the conductors of a symphony,” a University of California, Los Angeles, infectious diseases researcher is quoted as saying. “These multiple, complementary arms of the immune system work together like a symphony to control infection.”
An opinion essay at STAT by Karen Mulligan and Karen Van Nuys, both at the University of Southern California Center for Health Policy and Economics (CHPE), lays out several reasons to prioritize the development of COVID-19 treatments in parallel with vaccines. Their bottom line, based on a model described in a 7/8/20 report, is that a preventive treatment something like Tamiflu but for this new virus could not only save lives and relieve the pressure of COVID-19 cases and surges on hospitals. It could also put a dent in the $7.9 trillion negative impact COVID-19 is projected to have on the U.S. economy over an 11-year horizon, per the U.S. Congressional Budget Office. Such a treatment also could backstop vaccines, which are “notoriously difficult to make and distribute,” Mulligan and Van Nuys write. Direct and indirect savings would be in the tens of billions of dollars, at least, the essay states. Such a treatment also could “increase people’s willingness to return to more normal levels of economic activity,” the authors write (8/5/20).
An interview by Scott Hershberger at Scientific American with Carl Bergstrom, a biologist at the University of Washington (UW), offers tips from a new book, “Calling Bullshit: The Art of Skepticism in a Data-Driven World,” co-authored by Bergstrom and Jevin West, a UW associate professor who studies science and the spread of misinformation. This topic remains highly relevant during the COVID-19 pandemic. Bergstrom’s advice in the interview includes relying on “trusted, traditional media sources rather than turning to Twitter or Facebook or WhatsApp, because when you do that, you get information that’s a little bit more recent, but the quality of that information is far, far lower.” And rather than dismissing an authority or a professional because their advice has changed over time, he recommends trusting those authorities, because “the ones who are changing their views and advice, based on evidence, are the ones who are doing science and the ones who are giving good recommendations.” He adds: “The people you can’t trust are the ones who have not changed their views and advice, despite having enormously more evidence” (emphasis in original; 8/3/20).
Ventilation has gone unmentioned or is under-discussed in public-health messages about reducing the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection, which of course can cause severe respiratory illness, writes University of North Carolina sociologist Zeynep Tufekci for The Atlantic (7/30/20). The piece gets especially interesting in the last 15 paragraphs, starting with “All this has many practical consequences.” Given the findings on short-range small-droplet transmission in the air (or “aerosol transmission”) to date, we should “focus as much on ventilation as we do on distancing, masks, and hand-washing,” Tufekci writes. Masks should be mandatory indoors “regardless of distancing, but not necessarily outdoors,” she writes. At televised indoor events, “the person who needs to be masked the most is the speaker, not the listeners,” she writes. And “when a masked person is speaking, the least safe location might be beside them or behind them, where the aerosols can escape from the mask, though ordinary, under a [large] droplet regime, we would consider the risk to only be in front of them,” she writes. Implications for reopening schools include teaching outdoors when possible, opening windows, installing portable, inexpensive HEPA filters, and upgrading filters in HVAC systems to “MERV 13 or higher.”
It’s well-known by now that COVID-19 can cause weeks and months of long-term complications. Those conditions can include “fatigue, a racing heartbeat, shortness of breath, achy joints, foggy thinking, a persistent sense of smell, and damage to the heart, lungs, kidneys, and brain,” reports Jennifer Couzin-Frankel at Science (7/31/20). A young neuroscientist at University College London who herself is suffering from long-term COVID-19 effects collaborated with Body Politic, a group of COVID-19 survivors, to catalog the symptoms among more than 600 people with enduring symptoms — “she logged 62 different symptoms,” Couzin-Frankel writes. In some cases, people’s experience is in a gray zone — neither recovered from COVID-19 nor sick enough for hospitalization in an intensive care unit. The prevalence of these lingering symptoms among survivors is unclear, Couzin-Frankel reports, but some long-term studies are under way.
This 6/18/20 “minute physics” video provides an accessible explanation of how N95 masks work—like more like a spider’s web, and not like a sieve, as the video states. The video explains how these masks filter particles smaller than the holes in the mask material.


scientificamerican--2020-08-07--The World's Highest-Dwelling Mammal Lives atop a Volcano

In 2013 two mountaineers reached the top of Volcán Llullaillaco , a 22,000-foot-tall volcano on the border of Chile and Argentina—when they saw something unexpected .
Just 2,000 feet below the summit , the climbers spotted a mouse scurrying across the snow .
“ It ’ s really a remarkable sighting , because no one expected wild mammals to be living at an elevation of over 20,000 feet .
At that elevation , the scarcity of oxygen makes it really a challenging place to survive and function .
But also , the extreme cold .
It ’ s an extremely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ evolutionary biologist at the University of [ Nebraska–Lincoln ] .
The climbers reached out to Storz because he studies how animals adapt to high altitudes .
And he was so intrigued that he decided to make his own trip to survey the area .
Storz and his colleagues spent a month at Llullaillaco earlier this year , where they confirmed what the climbers saw .
They found mice everywhere , including on the summit—officially setting a new record for the world ’ s highest-dwelling mammal .
Storz says the summit sighting was fortuitous @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mamani , saw the mouse dive under a rock just as Storz made it to the top , exhausted and groggy from the thin air .
It took Storz a minute to gather his wits , but he eventually managed to catch the mouse with his hands .
Storz collected that mouse and others as museum specimens that will enable future scientific analysis .
They also recorded their encounter on video .
The report is in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences .
[ Jay F. Storz et al.
, Discovery @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ] Now that he ’ s home , Storz wants to understand how these mice can survive in such harsh conditions and , conversely , what prevents other animals from venturing so high .
“ Clearly , the mice that are living at these extreme altitudes have physiological capacities that are very different from your typical rodent.
” He and his colleagues are comparing the genomes of the mice from Llullaillaco to their lowland relatives to see if they can identify the animal ’ s high-altitude adaptations .
And he ’ s curious @ @ @ @ @ @ @ same strategies as mice that live at high elevations in North America and the Himalayas .
Storz also wants to know how mice are finding food on top of a barren , rocky volcano , thousands of feet above the highest green plants .
On his next trip , he plans to analyze the stomach contents of the animals they capture .
“ It ’ s really an open question whether most species—whether their elevational limit is set by physiological tolerance or just the lack of ecological opportunity .
It ’ s probably @ @ @ @ @ @ @ answer , Storz suspects there may be more high-altitude animals out there than scientists thought .
It ’ s just a matter of climbing high enough to find them .
[ The above text is a transcript of this podcast . ]

Full Transcript
In 2013 two mountaineers reached the top of Volcán Llullaillaco, a 22,000-foot-tall volcano on the border of Chile and Argentina—when they saw something unexpected. Just 2,000 feet below the summit, the climbers spotted a mouse scurrying across the snow.
“It’s really a remarkable sighting, because no one expected wild mammals to be living at an elevation of over 20,000 feet. At that elevation, the scarcity of oxygen makes it really a challenging place to survive and function. But also, the extreme cold. It’s an extremely inhospitable environment.”
Jay Storz, an evolutionary biologist at the University of [Nebraska–Lincoln]. The climbers reached out to Storz because he studies how animals adapt to high altitudes. And he was so intrigued that he decided to make his own trip to survey the area.
Storz and his colleagues spent a month at Llullaillaco earlier this year, where they confirmed what the climbers saw. They found mice everywhere, including on the summit—officially setting a new record for the world’s highest-dwelling mammal.
Storz says the summit sighting was fortuitous. His climber partner, Mario Pérez Mamani, saw the mouse dive under a rock just as Storz made it to the top, exhausted and groggy from the thin air. It took Storz a minute to gather his wits, but he eventually managed to catch the mouse with his hands. Storz collected that mouse and others as museum specimens that will enable future scientific analysis.
They also recorded their encounter on video. The report is in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. [Jay F. Storz et al., Discovery of the world’s highest-dwelling mammal]
Now that he’s home, Storz wants to understand how these mice can survive in such harsh conditions and, conversely, what prevents other animals from venturing so high.
“Clearly, the mice that are living at these extreme altitudes have physiological capacities that are very different from your typical rodent.”
He and his colleagues are comparing the genomes of the mice from Llullaillaco to their lowland relatives to see if they can identify the animal’s high-altitude adaptations. And he’s curious whether they have evolved some of the same strategies as mice that live at high elevations in North America and the Himalayas.
Storz also wants to know how mice are finding food on top of a barren, rocky volcano, thousands of feet above the highest green plants. On his next trip, he plans to analyze the stomach contents of the animals they capture.
“It’s really an open question whether most species—whether their elevational limit is set by physiological tolerance or just the lack of ecological opportunity. It’s probably a combination of both.”
Whatever the answer, Storz suspects there may be more high-altitude animals out there than scientists thought. It’s just a matter of climbing high enough to find them.
—Julia Rosen
[The above text is a transcript of this podcast.]


scientificamerican--2020-08-07--How Could the Beirut Explosion Happen? Experts Explain

An enormous explosion in Beirut ’ s seaport area this week ruined nearby buildings and caused damage and shattered windows across the city , killing scores of people and wounding thousands more .
As videos of the disaster spread on social media , people around the world immediately began speculating about the cause .
Lebanese government sources eventually said it was 2,750 metric tons of ammonium nitrate , a chemical routinely used as agricultural fertilizer and , when mixed with fuel oil , as a mining explosive .
The stockpile had been sitting in a warehouse since 2014 , when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was abandoned .
This incident is not the first time ammonium nitrate has caused devastation .
In 2013 , for instance , a stockpile a tenth the size of the one in Beirut blew up a West Chemical and Fertilizer Company facility in Texas .
Experts such as engineers Suzanne Smyth and Russell Ogle investigate the causes and origins of such fires and explosions in an attempt to prevent future disasters .
Smyth and Ogle are a managing engineer and practice director , respectively , at Exponent , an American multidisciplinary engineering and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with them about how explosion detectives get to the roots of an incident , and what conditions can trigger an ammonium nitrate detonation .
[ An edited transcript of the interview follows . ]
How do you investigate the cause of a particular explosion or fire ?
SMYTH : What we ’ re essentially following is the scientific method .
We go through and gather a bunch of data , which could come from videos , documents , interviews , looking at evidence on the ground .
And then , once you have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ One thing we ’ ve been trying to be very careful about is not hypothesizing too early in the process .
We don ’ t have a ton of information [ for Beirut ] , but we ’ ve seen the videos of the explosion .
Seeing the shock wave—it ’ s very rare to see that .
What we ’ re talking about is that really thin , spherical white shape moving away from the explosion .
What you ’ re actually seeing is water vapor condensing out of the air , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the high-pressure shock wave .
And then you can see it disappears right away , because it ’ s evaporating once the pressure equalizes .
You can see the actual shock wave , so you know that it detonated—and only certain things can get you to a detonation .
What do you mean by detonation ?
OGLE : A shock wave travels faster than the speed of sound , and that ’ s the hallmark of a detonation .
There are two kinds of decomposition reactions that you can find in ammonium nitrate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up enough pressure to cause damage .
The first is called a deflagration .
It ’ s a wave—literally a chemical reaction wave—that is traveling through the material slower than the speed of sound .
As it continues to travel , it accelerates .
And if it gets to the point where it hits the speed of sound , that ’ s what we call a detonation .
A detonation yields far more damaging mechanisms against things such as structures and buildings .
What else can you learn from the video footage from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the times when we ’ re analyzing video , we ’ re looking for the sequence and timing of events .
When we ’ re investigating an explosion , there ’ s usually both explosion damage and fire damage .
It ’ s always one of our goals to figure out : Was it fire , then explosion or explosion , then fire ?
The video we see that shows a fire before the explosion is really useful .
OGLE : There ’ s a very distinctive reddish-brown cloud that ’ s rising @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s not the same thing as performing a chemical analysis , but [ the cloud ] is very distinctive and would be consistent with the decomposition products of ammonium nitrate—the primary one being nitrogen oxide .
I think , at least visually , there ’ s a potential confirmation there that ammonium nitrate [ is ] participating in the overall reaction .
What can cause ammonium nitrate to explode ?
OGLE : It ’ s stable under normal conditions , but you can do things to it that will cause it to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ external heat source .
Depending on how you want to count it , there have been probably somewhere between 20 and 30 major catastrophic explosions with ammonium nitrate since it came on the scene as a commercial product in the 1920s .
And fire is a frequent trigger .
It ’ s the heat of the fire that warms up the ammonium nitrate that can become a problem .
If it is heated by a large heat source like a fire , the ammonium nitrate will begin to decompose—and that decomposition can be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be catastrophic .
The difference between the two is whether or not the ammonium nitrate is pushed together in a stockpile .
Think of it like a bonfire with a bunch of logs .
When you build up that bonfire , those logs are trapping the heat , which accelerates the burning and makes the big fire .
Whereas if you spread them out , the heat escapes to the atmosphere harmlessly .
The same thing is true with the ammonium nitrate if it ’ s loaded up in , for example , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ containers that can [ often ] hold about one [ metric ] ton each ) .
If you pile them up with no airflow in between , then any heat that gets generated during a decomposition is trapped and can ’ t get out .
That heat raises the temperature and accelerates the decomposition , and there ’ s nothing to stop it .
With the stockpile of ammonium nitrate in Beirut , what precautions should have been taken ?
OGLE : In the U.S. , we turn to [ a nonprofit ] @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to give us guidance on how to safely handle things like hazardous materials .
If you exceed a threshold quantity of material—one half of a [ metric ] ton [ of ammonium nitrate ] —then you need to take a much more sophisticated approach to how you store and handle the material to keep it safe .
If you have 2,750 [ metric ] tons , first and foremost , the thing you need to do is move that material far away from the population .
It represents a significant hazard .
When @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do you look for ?
SMYTH : The presence of a crater is another indication of the size of the explosion and what could potentially be involved .
And the radii of damage : How far do you have minor structural damage ?
Broken windows ?
Major structural damage ?
Looking at how far away things are damaged can help you estimate how much power or energy or force was released .
Those types of information can be used to back out what specifically happened .
If you ’ re looking at a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can look for directional indications : where this wall was blown out toward the north and this wall was blown out toward the east .
You can also look at fragments , missiles or shrapnel that were thrown during the explosion to both estimate how much force you ’ d need to move that fragment , as well as where they are coming from .
Oftentimes we ’ re looking for fragments of certain pieces of equipment to put them back together like a puzzle : you might be able to look at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the way they did .
Time lines are really important to our work .
Understanding how long something was exposed to a fire , when someone was last in the room [ and ] noted that everything was normal , when people first see smoke—that type of [ establishment of ] a time line can be really helpful to help us [ set bounds on ] what ’ s going on , as well as potentially eliminate different hypotheses .
OGLE : You ’ re searching for little nuggets of gold through a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But that requires interviews and searching through documents .
One of the things , for example , that there ’ s been some talk about in the news media is whether or not there were any fireworks stored either nearby or , potentially , in the same warehouse [ as the ammonium nitrate in Beirut ] .
Given the devastation that you ’ re looking at , it would be probably difficult to find physical evidence of that .
You ’ re going to have to rely on people , and maybe documents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or not some materials were being stored in adjacent warehouses or in the same one .

Editor’s Note (8/4/21): On August 4, 2020, the Lebanese capital Beirut experienced a massive explosion caused by more than 2,700 tonnes of ammonium nitrate improperly stored near the city’s cargo port. It was one of the largest non-nuclear blasts in history, which killed 218 people, injured 7,000 and displaced over 300,000. This story from August 5, 2020 is being republished on the one year anniversary of the disaster.
An enormous explosion in Beirut’s seaport area this week ruined nearby buildings and caused damage and shattered windows across the city, killing scores of people and wounding thousands more. As videos of the disaster spread on social media, people around the world immediately began speculating about the cause.
Lebanese government sources eventually said it was 2,750 metric tons of ammonium nitrate, a chemical routinely used as agricultural fertilizer and, when mixed with fuel oil, as a mining explosive. The stockpile had been sitting in a warehouse since 2014, when the ship that carried it into port was abandoned. This incident is not the first time ammonium nitrate has caused devastation. In 2013, for instance, a stockpile a tenth the size of the one in Beirut blew up a West Chemical and Fertilizer Company facility in Texas.
Experts such as engineers Suzanne Smyth and Russell Ogle investigate the causes and origins of such fires and explosions in an attempt to prevent future disasters. Smyth and Ogle are a managing engineer and practice director, respectively, at Exponent, an American multidisciplinary engineering and scientific consulting company. Scientific American spoke with them about how explosion detectives get to the roots of an incident, and what conditions can trigger an ammonium nitrate detonation.
[An edited transcript of the interview follows.]
How do you investigate the cause of a particular explosion or fire?
SMYTH: What we’re essentially following is the scientific method. We go through and gather a bunch of data, which could come from videos, documents, interviews, looking at evidence on the ground. And then, once you have those data, you start hypothesizing. One thing we’ve been trying to be very careful about is not hypothesizing too early in the process. We don’t have a ton of information [for Beirut], but we’ve seen the videos of the explosion. Seeing the shock wave—it’s very rare to see that. What we’re talking about is that really thin, spherical white shape moving away from the explosion. What you’re actually seeing is water vapor condensing out of the air, because of really low pressure right behind the high-pressure shock wave. And then you can see it disappears right away, because it’s evaporating once the pressure equalizes. You can see the actual shock wave, so you know that it detonated—and only certain things can get you to a detonation.
What do you mean by detonation?
OGLE: A shock wave travels faster than the speed of sound, and that’s the hallmark of a detonation. There are two kinds of decomposition reactions that you can find in ammonium nitrate when it’s starting to build up enough pressure to cause damage. The first is called a deflagration. It’s a wave—literally a chemical reaction wave—that is traveling through the material slower than the speed of sound. As it continues to travel, it accelerates. And if it gets to the point where it hits the speed of sound, that’s what we call a detonation. A detonation yields far more damaging mechanisms against things such as structures and buildings.
What else can you learn from the video footage from Beirut?
SMYTH: A lot of the times when we’re analyzing video, we’re looking for the sequence and timing of events. When we’re investigating an explosion, there’s usually both explosion damage and fire damage. It’s always one of our goals to figure out: Was it fire, then explosion or explosion, then fire? The video we see that shows a fire before the explosion is really useful.
OGLE: There’s a very distinctive reddish-brown cloud that’s rising up, following the explosion. It’s not the same thing as performing a chemical analysis, but [the cloud] is very distinctive and would be consistent with the decomposition products of ammonium nitrate—the primary one being nitrogen oxide. I think, at least visually, there’s a potential confirmation there that ammonium nitrate [is] participating in the overall reaction.
What can cause ammonium nitrate to explode?
OGLE: It’s stable under normal conditions, but you can do things to it that will cause it to misbehave. The main trigger is an external heat source. Depending on how you want to count it, there have been probably somewhere between 20 and 30 major catastrophic explosions with ammonium nitrate since it came on the scene as a commercial product in the 1920s. And fire is a frequent trigger. It’s the heat of the fire that warms up the ammonium nitrate that can become a problem. If it is heated by a large heat source like a fire, the ammonium nitrate will begin to decompose—and that decomposition can be mild and harmless, or it can be catastrophic.
The difference between the two is whether or not the ammonium nitrate is pushed together in a stockpile. Think of it like a bonfire with a bunch of logs. When you build up that bonfire, those logs are trapping the heat, which accelerates the burning and makes the big fire. Whereas if you spread them out, the heat escapes to the atmosphere harmlessly. The same thing is true with the ammonium nitrate if it’s loaded up in, for example, what they call supersacks (these flexible containers that can [often] hold about one [metric] ton each). If you pile them up with no airflow in between, then any heat that gets generated during a decomposition is trapped and can’t get out. That heat raises the temperature and accelerates the decomposition, and there’s nothing to stop it.
With the stockpile of ammonium nitrate in Beirut, what precautions should have been taken?
OGLE: In the U.S., we turn to [a nonprofit] organization called the National Fire Protection Association to give us guidance on how to safely handle things like hazardous materials. If you exceed a threshold quantity of material—one half of a [metric] ton [of ammonium nitrate]—then you need to take a much more sophisticated approach to how you store and handle the material to keep it safe. If you have 2,750 [metric] tons, first and foremost, the thing you need to do is move that material far away from the population. It represents a significant hazard.
When investigating an explosion, what other clues do you look for?
SMYTH: The presence of a crater is another indication of the size of the explosion and what could potentially be involved. And the radii of damage: How far do you have minor structural damage? Broken windows? Major structural damage? Looking at how far away things are damaged can help you estimate how much power or energy or force was released. Those types of information can be used to back out what specifically happened. If you’re looking at a smaller explosion within a building, you can look for directional indications: where this wall was blown out toward the north and this wall was blown out toward the east. You can also look at fragments, missiles or shrapnel that were thrown during the explosion to both estimate how much force you’d need to move that fragment, as well as where they are coming from. Oftentimes we’re looking for fragments of certain pieces of equipment to put them back together like a puzzle: you might be able to look at those pieces and understand why they fragmented the way they did. Time lines are really important to our work. Understanding how long something was exposed to a fire, when someone was last in the room [and] noted that everything was normal, when people first see smoke—that type of [establishment of] a time line can be really helpful to help us [set bounds on] what’s going on, as well as potentially eliminate different hypotheses.
OGLE: You’re searching for little nuggets of gold through a bunch of other kinds of fluff. But that requires interviews and searching through documents. One of the things, for example, that there’s been some talk about in the news media is whether or not there were any fireworks stored either nearby or, potentially, in the same warehouse [as the ammonium nitrate in Beirut]. Given the devastation that you’re looking at, it would be probably difficult to find physical evidence of that. You’re going to have to rely on people, and maybe documents, that will help you establish whether or not some materials were being stored in adjacent warehouses or in the same one.


scientificamerican--2020-08-07--Thousands Volunteer for COVID-19 Vaccine Study

Dr. Eric Coe jumped at the chance to help test a COVID-19 vaccine .
At his urging , so did his girlfriend , his son and his daughter-in-law .
All received shots last week at a clinical research site in central Florida .
“ My main purpose in doing this was so I could spend more time with my family and grandchildren , ” Coe said , noting that he ’ s seen them only outside and from a distance since March .
“ There ’ s a lot less risk to getting the vaccine than contracting the virus , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ retired cardiologist .
“ The worst thing that can happen is if I get the placebo.
” The Coes ’ eagerness to offer up their bodies to science reflects the widespread public interest in participating in the pivotal , late-stage clinical trials of the first two COVID vaccine candidates in the United States .
Those trials began rolling out July 27 .
During the next two months , vaccine makers hope to recruit 60,000 Americans to roll up their sleeves to test the two vaccines , one made by Pfizer and BioNTech , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by biotech startup Moderna .
While small tests earlier this year showed the preventives were safe and led to participants developing antibodies against the virus , the final phase 3 testing is designed to prove whether the vaccine reduces the risk of infection .
Amid a pandemic that in the U.S. has caused roughly 5 million infections and nearly 160,000 deaths while decimating the economy , the vaccine trials have drawn far more interest than is typical for a clinical trial , organizers said .
Also , the test sites pay volunteers as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two-year study .
“ We have no shortage of volunteers and we have thousands of people interested in participating , ” said Dr. Ella Grach , CEO of M3-Wake Research of Raleigh , North Carolina , which is conducting vaccine trials at six sites .
Paul Evans , president of Velocity Clinical Research in Durham , North Carolina , said his company plans to recruit more than 10,000 volunteers in seven states to test COVID vaccines .
At least four of Velocity ’ s sites – in Ohio , California and Oregon – @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Moderna vaccine .
“ It ’ s been phenomenal , ” he said .
Patient recruitment is one of the biggest challenges to running trials , but this time patients have been eager to sign up .
“ I ’ ve been working in this business for 30 years , ” said Evans .
“ Outside of a COVID study , you might have to reach out to four or five , up to 10 people to find [ one person ] who is suitable.
” Other vaccine candidates are being tested abroad @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the U.S. later this year .
People 18 and older are eligible to participate in the trials , and Moderna and Pfizer are pushing to include high-risk individuals such as health workers , the elderly and people with chronic conditions such as diabetes and asthma .
Organizers are also seeking to enroll Blacks and Hispanics , groups hit hard by the virus .
The vaccine makers have contracted with dozens of clinical research sites across the country .
About 15 have started inoculating , and it will likely take until September for all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The participants will get a booster shot about a month later .
They are asked to keep an electronic diary to record any symptoms .
Because the virus is widespread across the country , the studies are expected to be able to note differences between infection rates in those who got the vaccine and those who received a placebo .
Government health experts say they hope to know if the vaccines are working by this fall .
If the trials are successful , it would likely take until early next year before a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ widespread distribution .
To determine effectiveness , half of the trial participants will receive the vaccine and half a placebo .
Coe , of Leesburg , Florida , said that several hours after getting his shot on Saturday he developed chills and was tired , symptoms that lasted until Sunday afternoon .
“ I ’ m virtually certain that I did not get a placebo because normal saline would not do that , ” he said .
His daughter-in-law , Lisa Coe , 46 , said she did not have any reaction other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ We are eager to get the vaccine and get on with the normal course of our lives , ” she said .
“ I ’ m not too worried about my own health , but I am worried about unknowingly transmitting it to anyone at risk.
” Dr. Bruce Rankin , a physician investigator at Accel Research Sites in DeLand , Florida , where the Coes got their shots , said more than 1,000 adults have volunteered there already .
Accel recruits on social media sites such as Facebook and Instagram .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ understand what ’ s expected , to learn their basic health history and get other demographic information such as race .
“ I thought the opportunity to be part of something like this would be very cool , ” said Ginny Capiot , 45 , of Fayetteville , North Carolina .
“ I believe it ’ s pretty safe and there wasn ’ t much to lose.
” Capiot works in the marketing department at a hospital , where her diabetes puts her at increased risk of serious complications from the coronavirus .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ week lasted about three hours .
After she filled out paperwork , health workers registered her temperature and other vital signs , gave her a COVID-19 test via a nasal swab and then took some blood .
After Capiot was inoculated , she had to wait in a room in case she had any reaction .
She did not .
“ My arm is not even sore , ” she said a couple of days after the vaccination .
Volunteers in DeLand are paid as much as $ 1,200 over the course of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Velocity-run trials will each receive $ 1,962 in compensation for time and travel .
But Evans said many are motivated by altruism .
“ They understand a couple of things , ” he said .
“ This has to happen for us to get a resolution or a solution to the pandemic .
They also understand that there ’ s a chance if they get the active vaccine and it works , they will benefit.
” Not everyone is excited to test the unproven vaccine .
Dr. Atoya Adams , principal investigator for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Moderna vaccine in Las Vegas , said recruiting efforts there found that some people were confused or skeptical .
They mistakenly worried they could contract COVID-19 from the vaccine .
The vaccines do not include any live virus .
Earlier , smaller studies showed few major safety issues .
Adams has spent a lot of time on the phone , explaining that the vaccine appears safe and that volunteers are needed to see whether it ’ s effective .
“ I ’ ve literally had to tell patients in prescreening , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ giving to myself or my family , ” she said .
George Washington University in Washington , D.C. , hopes to enroll 500 people at its testing site , and it received inquiries from at least that many in just the first week of recruitment .
“ It ’ s been overwhelming and really highlights that everyone understands the need for a vaccine , ” said Dr. David Diemert , professor of medicine at the GW School of Medicine and Health Sciences .
To gain an ethnically and racially diverse group , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ senior living communities and churches looking for volunteers .
Participants can get paid nearly $ 1,100 .
In Mississippi , the Hattiesburg Clinic has generated strong interest among potential volunteers , especially among health care personnel .
“ People who care for these COVID patients have a very healthy fear of this illness , ” said Rambod Rouhbakhsh , chief investigator with MediSync Clinical Research , whose Moderna vaccine trial site is the only one in Mississippi .
He expects no trouble reaching people who would be at high risk of COVID complications @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have diabetes or heart disease .
“ In southern Mississippi , there are plenty of people who meet the high-risk categories , ” he said .
KHN ( Kaiser Health News ) is a nonprofit news service covering health issues .
It is an editorially independent program of KFF ( Kaiser Family Foundation ) that is not affiliated with Kaiser Permanente .
Read more about the coronavirus outbreak from Scientific American here .
And read coverage from our international network of magazines here .

Dr. Eric Coe jumped at the chance to help test a COVID-19 vaccine.
At his urging, so did his girlfriend, his son and his daughter-in-law. All received shots last week at a clinical research site in central Florida.
“My main purpose in doing this was so I could spend more time with my family and grandchildren,” Coe said, noting that he’s seen them only outside and from a distance since March.
“There’s a lot less risk to getting the vaccine than contracting the virus,” said Coe, 74, a retired cardiologist. “The worst thing that can happen is if I get the placebo.”
The Coes’ eagerness to offer up their bodies to science reflects the widespread public interest in participating in the pivotal, late-stage clinical trials of the first two COVID vaccine candidates in the United States.
Those trials began rolling out July 27. During the next two months, vaccine makers hope to recruit 60,000 Americans to roll up their sleeves to test the two vaccines, one made by Pfizer and BioNTech, a German company, and the other by biotech startup Moderna. While small tests earlier this year showed the preventives were safe and led to participants developing antibodies against the virus, the final phase 3 testing is designed to prove whether the vaccine reduces the risk of infection.
Amid a pandemic that in the U.S. has caused roughly 5 million infections and nearly 160,000 deaths while decimating the economy, the vaccine trials have drawn far more interest than is typical for a clinical trial, organizers said.
Also, the test sites pay volunteers as much as $2,000 for completing the two-year study.
“We have no shortage of volunteers and we have thousands of people interested in participating,” said Dr. Ella Grach, CEO of M3-Wake Research of Raleigh, North Carolina, which is conducting vaccine trials at six sites.
Paul Evans, president of Velocity Clinical Research in Durham, North Carolina, said his company plans to recruit more than 10,000 volunteers in seven states to test COVID vaccines. At least four of Velocity’s sites – in Ohio, California and Oregon – have already started injecting volunteers with the Moderna vaccine.
“It’s been phenomenal,” he said. Patient recruitment is one of the biggest challenges to running trials, but this time patients have been eager to sign up.
“I’ve been working in this business for 30 years,” said Evans. “Outside of a COVID study, you might have to reach out to four or five, up to 10 people to find [one person] who is suitable.”
Other vaccine candidates are being tested abroad and more tests will be launched in the U.S. later this year.
People 18 and older are eligible to participate in the trials, and Moderna and Pfizer are pushing to include high-risk individuals such as health workers, the elderly and people with chronic conditions such as diabetes and asthma. Organizers are also seeking to enroll Blacks and Hispanics, groups hit hard by the virus.
The vaccine makers have contracted with dozens of clinical research sites across the country. About 15 have started inoculating, and it will likely take until September for all volunteers to get their first shot. The participants will get a booster shot about a month later. They are asked to keep an electronic diary to record any symptoms. Because the virus is widespread across the country, the studies are expected to be able to note differences between infection rates in those who got the vaccine and those who received a placebo.
Government health experts say they hope to know if the vaccines are working by this fall. If the trials are successful, it would likely take until early next year before a vaccine could gain federal approval to start widespread distribution.
To determine effectiveness, half of the trial participants will receive the vaccine and half a placebo.
Coe, of Leesburg, Florida, said that several hours after getting his shot on Saturday he developed chills and was tired, symptoms that lasted until Sunday afternoon. “I’m virtually certain that I did not get a placebo because normal saline would not do that,” he said. His daughter-in-law, Lisa Coe, 46, said she did not have any reaction other than soreness at the injection site.
“We are eager to get the vaccine and get on with the normal course of our lives,” she said. “I’m not too worried about my own health, but I am worried about unknowingly transmitting it to anyone at risk.”
Dr. Bruce Rankin, a physician investigator at Accel Research Sites in DeLand, Florida, where the Coes got their shots, said more than 1,000 adults have volunteered there already.
Accel recruits on social media sites such as Facebook and Instagram. It prescreens volunteers to make sure they understand what’s expected, to learn their basic health history and get other demographic information such as race.
“I thought the opportunity to be part of something like this would be very cool,” said Ginny Capiot, 45, of Fayetteville, North Carolina. “I believe it’s pretty safe and there wasn’t much to lose.”
Capiot works in the marketing department at a hospital, where her diabetes puts her at increased risk of serious complications from the coronavirus.
Her visit to the test site last week lasted about three hours. After she filled out paperwork, health workers registered her temperature and other vital signs, gave her a COVID-19 test via a nasal swab and then took some blood. After Capiot was inoculated, she had to wait in a room in case she had any reaction. She did not.
“My arm is not even sore,” she said a couple of days after the vaccination.
Volunteers in DeLand are paid as much as $1,200 over the course of the two-year trial. Participants in the Velocity-run trials will each receive $1,962 in compensation for time and travel. But Evans said many are motivated by altruism.
“They understand a couple of things,” he said. “This has to happen for us to get a resolution or a solution to the pandemic. They also understand that there’s a chance if they get the active vaccine and it works, they will benefit.”
Not everyone is excited to test the unproven vaccine.
Dr. Atoya Adams, principal investigator for AB Clinical Trials, which is testing the Moderna vaccine in Las Vegas, said recruiting efforts there found that some people were confused or skeptical. They mistakenly worried they could contract COVID-19 from the vaccine.
The vaccines do not include any live virus. Earlier, smaller studies showed few major safety issues.
Adams has spent a lot of time on the phone, explaining that the vaccine appears safe and that volunteers are needed to see whether it’s effective. “I’ve literally had to tell patients in prescreening, it’s something I would feel safe giving to myself or my family,” she said.
George Washington University in Washington, D.C., hopes to enroll 500 people at its testing site, and it received inquiries from at least that many in just the first week of recruitment.
“It’s been overwhelming and really highlights that everyone understands the need for a vaccine,” said Dr. David Diemert, professor of medicine at the GW School of Medicine and Health Sciences.
To gain an ethnically and racially diverse group, the university reached out to food banks, senior living communities and churches looking for volunteers. Participants can get paid nearly $1,100.
In Mississippi, the Hattiesburg Clinic has generated strong interest among potential volunteers, especially among health care personnel.
“People who care for these COVID patients have a very healthy fear of this illness,” said Rambod Rouhbakhsh, chief investigator with MediSync Clinical Research, whose Moderna vaccine trial site is the only one in Mississippi.
He expects no trouble reaching people who would be at high risk of COVID complications, including those who are obese or have diabetes or heart disease. “In southern Mississippi, there are plenty of people who meet the high-risk categories,” he said.
KHN (Kaiser Health News) is a nonprofit news service covering health issues. It is an editorially independent program of KFF (Kaiser Family Foundation) that is not affiliated with Kaiser Permanente.
Read more about the coronavirus outbreak from Scientific American here. And read coverage from our international network of magazines here.


scientificamerican--2020-08-07--Future Cars Will Be Made of Magnesium

Future Cars Will Be Made of Magnesium

“ According to one contention , magnesium will eventually replace iron as the world ’ s basic constructional raw material @ @ @ @ @ be feasible to call the next age of man the ‘ magnesium age.
’ The @ @ @ @ @ only ‘ basic ’ material of which the supply is inexhaustible : one cubic mile @ @ @ @ @ billion pounds of metal in the form of magnesium chloride .
It is the lightest @ @ @ @ @ and magnesium ’ s so-called ‘ fire hazard ’ is only a factor when handling @ @ @ @ @ metal .
However , if magnesium is to become the prime raw material it is @ @ @ @ @ for centuries .
Its competitors—iron and steel , aluminum and structural plastics—would have to reach @ @ @ @ @ and high prices.
” More gems from Scientific American ’ s first 175 years can @ @ @ @ @ archive page .

“According to one contention, magnesium will eventually replace iron as the world’s basic constructional raw material. Hence, it might be feasible to call the next age of man the ‘magnesium age.’ The element appears to be the only ‘basic’ material of which the supply is inexhaustible: one cubic mile of sea water contains 9.2 billion pounds of metal in the form of magnesium chloride. It is the lightest of the structural metals, and magnesium’s so-called ‘fire hazard’ is only a factor when handling fine powders or the molten metal. However, if magnesium is to become the prime raw material it is not likely to do so for centuries. Its competitors—iron and steel, aluminum and structural plastics—would have to reach a state of depleted supply and high prices.”
—Scientific American, August 1946
More gems from Scientific American’s first 175 years can be found on our anniversary archive page.