Gerrymandering is less of a problem than you think

+ our own version of March Madness US Edition - Today's top story: When it comes to explaining elections in Congress, gerrymandering is overrated [View in browser]( US Edition | 28 March 2023 [The Conversation] [The Conversation]( Top headlines - [Why predicting tornadoes is so difficult]( - [How the Mormon church amassed $100 billion]( - [Promise of room-temperature superconductors in electronics]( From the editor Americans (including myself!) have spent many hours this month watching talented college athletes playing basketball. Here at The Conversation, we spend many hours to help you experience another part of a college – its research and experts. We bring you the news as explained by scholars who have spent years researching topics that are relevant to you today. As March Madness rages on, we invite you to read what professors and researchers are writing about on our site – and also to be a part of our March fundraising drive. Unlike the NCAA tournament, our drive is only a week long. [If you sign up to be a recurring donor at the $20 level (or higher), we’ll even send you a tote bag as a sign of our gratitude](. We believe going for a win against misinformation is a public good and valuable work. We hope you do, too. If you believe in the importance of fact-based journalism, [please support our newsroom this week](. Your partnership is what makes our work possible. With gratitude, Beth Daley Executive Editor and General Manager A voter casts his ballot at an early voting location in Alexandria, Va., Sept. 26, 2022. AP Photo/Andrew Harnik [When it comes to explaining elections in Congress, gerrymandering is overrated]( Charles R. Hunt, Boise State University A loud chorus of Democrats – and some Republicans, too – has for years claimed gerrymandering is costing their party seats in Congress. Is it true? Environment + Energy - [Why tornadoes are still hard to forecast – even though storm predictions are improving]( Chris Nowotarski, Texas A&M University Researchers are turning to computer models, drones and other methods to improve tornado forecasting. - [A shortage of native seeds is slowing land restoration across the US, which is crucial for tackling climate change and extinctions]( Julia Kuzovkina, University of Connecticut; John Campanelli, University of Connecticut Native plants help damaged landscapes by stabilizing soil, fighting invasive species and sheltering pollinators. Two horticulture experts explain what they’re doing to help develop new seed sources. Politics + Society - [What’s at stake as protests rock Israel: 3 essential reads on democracy, security and human rights]( Naomi Schalit, The Conversation Three scholars examine the implications of the crisis roiling Israel as hundreds of thousands of people protest across country. Science + Technology - [Room-temperature superconductors could revolutionize electronics – an electrical engineer explains the materials’ potential]( Massoud Pedram, University of Southern California Superconductors make highly efficient electronics, but the ultralow temperatures and ultrahigh pressures make them costly and difficult to use. Room-temperature superconductors promise to change that. Ethics + Religion - [Behind the Latter-day Saint church’s vast wealth are two centuries of financial hits and misses]( Benjamin Park, Sam Houston State University Joseph Smith encouraged early Latter-day Saints to pool their resources. Two centuries later, one of the results is an investment portfolio estimated at $100 billion. Health + Medicine - [What is xylazine? A medical toxicologist explains how it increases overdose risk, and why Narcan can still save a life]( Kavita Babu, UMass Chan Medical School Xylazine, or tranq, is increasingly being mixed with drugs like fentanyl or heroin and can be difficult to detect. Most people who use drugs are unable to tell if they have been exposed to it. From our international editions - [Justin Trudeau and Joe Biden are missing the bigger picture about migrant border crossings]( - [Humza Yousaf becomes Scotland’s first minister: a decade of polls suggest he’ll struggle to deliver independence, just like Nicola Sturgeon]( - [The World Bank used to cause untold harm - but 30 years ago it started reforming. What went right]( Today's graphic [Data obtained from the National Survey of Children’s Health on 8,680 families that reported getting SNAP benefits from 2016 to 2020 and the rates at which they reported their children experiencing childhood mental, behavioral or emotional issues. The data is broken down into four groups: white, Black, Hispanic and other.]( From the story, [Extra food assistance cushioned the early pandemic’s blow on kids’ mental health]( - - More of The Conversation Like this newsletter? You might be interested in our weekly and biweekly emails: • [Weekly Highlights]( • [Science Editors' Picks]( • [This Week in Religion]( • [Politics Weekly]( • [Global Perspectives]( • [Global Economy & Business]( Trying out new social media? Follow us: • [Mastodon]( • [Post.news]( • [Instagram]( • [LinkedIn]( - - 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. [Donate now to support research-based journalism]( [The Conversation]( You’re receiving this newsletter from [The Conversation]( 303 Wyman Street, Suite 300 Waltham, MA 02451 [Forward to a friend]( • [Unsubscribe](