Science

Europe wants to attract American scientists

In the wake of federal funding cuts that threaten scientists’ jobs in the US, programs have emerged across Europe to attract those worried American scientists. The World’s Gerry Hadden reports from a university in southern France where incoming Americans are referred to as “scientific refugees.”

Trump administration cuts funding to Barcelona library over DEI policies

Global Politics

Here’s what to know about the new COVID variant ‘razor blade throat’

COVID-19

Ontario approves $15 billion plan to build small modular nuclear reactors

The Big Fix

A Soviet spacecraft is expected to make a crash landing on Earth this week. But nobody knows where — yet.

A new global study allows dogs to ‘talk’ to their owners by pressing buttons that say human words

Development

Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, owners have been training their dogs to “tell” them what they want by mashing buttons with their paws to express words in various human languages. A UCSD study began to explore the practice further and now includes participants in dozens of countries around the world.

Argentina tries to fight the theft of its precious meteorites

Culture

Northern Argentina’s Campo del Cielo is where the world’s largest mass of meteorites has been found. And it has also been plagued by theft for years, something Argentina is trying to fight.

‘We have to care for every soldier, for every civilian’: Ukraine faces major mental health challenges as a result of war trauma  

Ukraine

After nearly 1,000 days, Russia’s war against Ukraine is causing mental health issues for soldiers and civilians, including anxiety, panic attacks and PTSD. Ukraine’s Health Ministry estimates that 15 million people will need psychological support in the future.

facade of one-story home

New project seeks to solve housing crisis using mushroom byproduct and troublesome weed

The Big Fix

In Namibia, MycoHAB is hoping to solve two issues for the price of one: make use of a pesky plant known as the encroacher bush and deal with the country’s housing crisis. By harvesting the water-intensive weeds that encroach on farmland and combining them with a mushroom byproduct known as mycelium, MycoHAB founder and architect Chris Maurer creates bricks to build homes. The World’s Carolyn Beeler spoke to Maurer to learn more.

Mazatlán draws a lot of tourists — mainly from Mexico —  who come for the beaches, great food and a party scene. But thanks to the April 8 total eclipse, thousands came from all over the world, including many scientists and astronomy enthusiasts. 

A total solar eclipse in Mazatlán draws thousands of international tourists 

Science

A total solar eclipse made its way across Mexico, the US and Canada on April 8. The city of Mazatlán, on the Pacific coast of Mexico, was the first place in continental North America on the path of totality, and more than half a million people traveled there to see it. The World’s Tibisay Zea reports on how residents and visitors have experienced the celestial event.