Caribbean has water everywhere, but not enough to drink

+ changing science on alcohol use disorder US Edition - Today's top story: Thirsty in paradise: Water crises are a growing problem across the Caribbean islands [View in browser]( US Edition | 15 May 2024 [The Conversation] [The Conversation]( The Caribbean can seem like paradise, with sparkling ocean as far as the eye can see. But while water surrounds the islands, many of them are struggling with droughts and severe drinking water shortages. You might not notice it if you’re a visitor. Tourism revenue is essential there, so hotels often take priority. Residents, however, can face sharp water use restrictions and, in some countries, even water service that’s limited to a few hours a day. Farah Nibbs, who studies critical infrastructure and disasters at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, explains [why water demand is outstripping supply in the islands and what can be done]( to fix the problems and increase water security for the population. Also in this week’s science news: - [Cannabis and psilocybin for chronic pain]( - [The science of asphalt]( - [Algorithms can correct human biases]( If there’s a subject you’d like our team of science editors to investigate, please reply to this email. Stacy Morford Environment + Climate Editor Public water shortages have left people scrambling for alternatives on many of the islands, including Cuba. Yamil Lage/AFP via Getty Images [Thirsty in paradise: Water crises are a growing problem across the Caribbean islands]( Farah Nibbs, University of Maryland, Baltimore County Water is everywhere, but freshwater supplies are limited on many Caribbean islands. Rising demand and climate change are worsening water shortages for the people who live here. Since Amy Winehouse’s death in 2011, professionals have learned a great deal more about alcohol use disorder. Kevin Mazur/WireImage via Getty Images [Binge drinking is a growing public health crisis − a neurobiologist explains how research on alcohol use disorder has shifted]( Nikki Crowley, Penn State Singer Amy Winehouse died from alcohol toxicity in 2011, the same year that the American Society of Addiction Medicine publicly recognized addiction as a brain disorder. Bias isn’t the only human imperfection turning up in AI. Emrah Turudu/Photodisc via Getty Images [‘Noise’ in the machine: Human differences in judgment lead to problems for AI]( Mayank Kejriwal, University of Southern California Just as human biases show up in machine learning systems, so, too, do people’s vagaries and vicissitudes. [Why do people hate people?]( Kristine Hoover, Gonzaga University; Yolanda Gallardo, Gonzaga University It can be easy to mistake feelings like fear and anger as hate. When biases are acted out in harmful ways, however, speaking up can help stop hate from getting worse. [Why US offshore wind power is struggling – the good, the bad and the opportunity]( Christopher Niezrecki, UMass Lowell Two new wind farms began producing power in 2024, but several canceled contracts have left a dark cloud over the industry. A wind power expert explains why US offshore wind has been slow to scale up. [It’s OK to mow in May − the best way to help pollinators is by adding native plants]( Christina Grozinger, Penn State; Harland Patch, Penn State NoMowMay is a catchy concept, but it doesn’t provide the food that native North American pollinators need or lasting support for them. [‘Dancing’ raisins − a simple kitchen experiment reveals how objects can extract energy from their environment and come to life]( Saverio Eric Spagnolie, University of Wisconsin-Madison Want to bring extra life to a glass of champagne or soda water? Physicists will tell you to drop in a small object, such as a berry or raisin. - [Florence Nightingale overcame the limits set on proper Victorian women – and brought modern science and statistics to nursing]( Melissa Pritchard, Arizona State University Among her 5 decades of accomplishments, Nightingale founded the world’s first nursing school and advocated health care for all. - [Weather risk can move markets months in advance: Stock traders pay attention to these 2 long-range climate forecasts]( Derek Lemoine, University of Arizona Option price swings show how much traders believe seasonal climate and weather matters for all sorts of industries, not just the ones you might expect. - [Black holes are mysterious, yet also deceptively simple − a new space mission may help physicists answer hairy questions about these astronomical objects]( Gaurav Khanna, University of Rhode Island Studying theoretical, fast-spinning black holes is helping physicists understand more about the elusive black holes out in the universe. - [Viruses are doing mysterious things everywhere – AI can help researchers understand what they’re up to in the oceans and in your gut]( Libusha Kelly, Albert Einstein College of Medicine Scientists are discovering viral genetic sequences in the wild faster than they can analyze them. A kind of ChatGPT for proteins can help make sense of all that data. - [Wildfire smoke is back – fires burning across Canada are already triggering US air quality alerts in the Midwest and Plains]( Charles O. Stanier, University of Iowa; Gregory Carmichael, University of Iowa; Peter S. Thorne, University of Iowa States could be in for another summer of unhealthy wildfire smoke as ‘zombie fires’ resurface in western Canada and more blazes break out in the dry conditions. - [Engineering mini human hearts to study pregnancy complications and birth defects]( - [La Niña is coming, raising the chances of a dangerous Atlantic hurricane season – an atmospheric scientist explains this climate phenomenon]( - [What are roads made of? A pavement materials engineer explains the science behind the asphalt you drive on]( - [How cannabis and psilocybin might help some of the 50 million Americans who are experiencing chronic pain]( - [Algorithms help people see and correct their biases, study shows]( - - More of The Conversation Like this newsletter? You might be interested in our other weekly emails: • [Politics Weekly]( • [This Week in Religion]( • [Giving Today]( • [Weekly Highlights]( • [Global Perspectives]( • [Global Economy & Business]( Follow us on social media: • [Threads]( • [Bluesky]( • [Mastodon]( • [Post.news]( • [LinkedIn]( • [Instagram]( • [Facebook]( • Or [get a daily text from us]( - - About The Conversation We're a nonprofit news organization dedicated to [helping academic experts share ideas with the public](. We can give away our articles thanks to the help of foundations, universities and readers like you. 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