Biden's threat of sanctions may lack the leverage he wants

How Cup Noodles became one of the biggest transpacific business success stories of all time

Alisa Freedman, University of Oregon

See a package of Cup Noodles and you might think of dorm rooms and cheap calories. But there was a time when eating out of Cup Noodle’s iconic packaging exuded cosmopolitanism.

Nuns against nuclear weapons – Plowshares protesters have fought for disarmament for over 40 years, going to prison for peace

Carole Sargent, Georgetown University

A Catholic historian writes about nuns who protested against nuclear weapons. Even when convicted of sabotage, they used prison time to serve fellow inmates and push for justice.

Women lead religious groups in many ways – besides the growing number who have been ordained

Deborah Whitehead, University of Colorado Boulder

A scholar of gender and US religious history explains how women are trying to make religious communities more inclusive. Women’s ordination is only one piece of this ongoing work.

Trans people have a long history in Appalachia – but politicians prefer to ignore it

G. Samantha Rosenthal, Roanoke College

The ongoing debate over transgender rights in rural America frames transness as a nascent movement, ignoring a long undercurrent of transgender history that is all but forgotten.

Michigan school shooting shows how violence can transition from online threats to real-world tragedy

Mia Bloom, Georgia State University; Volkan Topalli, Georgia State University

Disturbing online posts and written messages were purportedly left by Ethan Crumbley in the days running up to deadly school shooting.

4 Ph.D. neuroscience students from other countries share the challenges of studying in the US

Thiago Arzua, Medical College of Wisconsin; Esra Sefik, Emory University; Fu Hung Shiu, Emory University; Nuri Jeong, Emory University

Foreign graduate students in the US face a slew of obstacles when it comes to advancing their research careers. Four international Ph.D. students in neuroscience offer some suggestions.

How can scientists update coronavirus vaccines for omicron? A microbiologist answers 5 questions about how Moderna and Pfizer could rapidly adjust mRNA vaccines

Deborah Fuller, University of Washington

The new omicron variant of coronavirus has a number of mutations that may require manufacturers to update vaccines. The unique attributes of mRNA vaccines make updating them fast and easy.

What’s the difference between a PCR and antigen COVID-19 test? A molecular biologist explains

Nathaniel Hafer, UMass Chan Medical School

The two types of COVID-19 tests – antigen and PCR – work in very different ways, which is why one is fast but less accurate and the other is slow and precise.

School shootings are at a record high this year – but they can be prevented

James Densley, Metropolitan State University ; Jillian Peterson, Hamline University

School shootings are typically preceded by a series of warning signs. Are educators, police and policymakers paying enough attention?

Today’s graphic

From the story, Plastic trash in the ocean is a global problem, and the US is the top source – a new report urges action