Responding to disasters on islands is costly

Government support was key for thousands of US nonprofits battered by COVID-19’s early costs − new research

Jennifer Mayo, University of Missouri-Columbia

Two economists calculated that the Paycheck Protection Program saved more than 450,000 nonprofit jobs in the first six months after the pandemic was declared.

Wildfires are a severe blow to Maui’s tourism-based economy, but other iconic destinations have come back from similar disasters

Rich Harrill, University of South Carolina

Wildfires on Maui are a crippling blow to the island’s tourism industry, which generates half of its jobs. But New Orleans and Kauai show that comebacks are possible.

Skin cancer screening guidelines can seem confusing – three skin cancer researchers explain when to consider getting checked

Enrique Torchia, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus; Neil Box, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus; Tamara Terzian, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus

Widespread screening for skin cancer may not be necessary, but it is important to understand the risks behind UV overexposure and to get checked early if you have concerns.

Gut microbes are the community within you that you can’t live without – how eating well can cultivate your microbial and social self

Christopher Damman, University of Washington

Nurturing your gut microbiome can go hand in hand with nurturing your social community, with health benefits all around.

Why does your hair curl in the summer? A chemist explains the science behind hair structure

Tara S. Carpenter, University of Maryland, Baltimore County

A chemist explains how the structure of your hair follicles, your genetic code and environmental factors like humidity influence how hair behaves on a day-to-day basis.

Building relationships is key for first-year college students – here are 5 easy ways to meet new friends and mentors

Leo M. Lambert, Elon University; Isis Artze-Vega, Valencia College; Oscar Miranda Tapia, North Carolina State University; Peter Felten, Elon University

Forming study groups and reaching out to professors can greatly improve a first-year student’s chances for success.

Hip-hop at 50: 7 essential listens to celebrate rap’s widespread influence

Nick Lehr, The Conversation; Jamaal Abdul-Alim, The Conversation; Matt Williams, The Conversation; Molly Jackson, The Conversation; Howard Manly, The Conversation

On Aug. 11, 1973, a block party in the Bronx spawned a genre that would go on to influence nearly all aspects of US culture – and the music, fashion and art of countries around the world.

Hitler, Burr and Trump: Show trials put the record straight for history but can also provide a powerful platform for the defendant

Stefanie Lindquist, Arizona State University

Donald Trump’s trial for his efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election will promote accountability – but could this show trial have a dangerous outcome, too?

Who likes Donald Trump? Lots of Republicans, but especially Hispanic voters, plus very rural and very conservative people

Jonathan Schulman, Northwestern University; Matthew A Baum, Harvard Kennedy School

New findings by political scientists at Northwestern University and Harvard Kennedy School provide a clearer picture of which demographic groups support Trump.

Babies almost all try crawling to get from Point A to Point B, but CDC says it’s not a useful developmental milestone

Medical exploitation of Black people in America goes far beyond the cells stolen from Henrietta Lacks that produced modern day miracles

Zebrafish are a scientist’s favorite for early-stage research – especially to study human blood disorders

Here’s the first question of this week’s edition:

Which Hawaiian island suffered devastating wildfires that began on Aug. 8?

1. A. Kauai
2. B. Oahu
3. C. Maui
4. D. Molokai

Test your knowledge