Inside the minds of bees

+ China's corrupting influence on Latin America US Edition - Today's top story: Bees can learn, remember, think and make decisions – here's a look at how they navigate the world [View in browser]( US Edition | 17 May 2023 [The Conversation] [The Conversation]( Top headlines - [Banks are prepping for a U.S. default]( - [Farm families desperately need child care]( - [Is it OK that Black students have separate graduation ceremonies?]( Lead story Scientists who study animal behavior are learning all kinds of things about how nonhuman species perceive the world and what drives their actions. One striking example was a study published in late 2022 that described bees spontaneously rolling small wooden balls in a lab when no reward was involved – in other words, engaging in a form of play. University of Arizona entomologist Stephen Buchmann has studied bees for nearly 50 years and found that they have many amazing capabilities. Drawing from his new book, “What a Bee Knows,” Buchmann explains how bees experience the world and why scientists believe these remarkable insects [can learn, remember and perhaps even dream](. [[Sign up here to our topic-specific weekly emails.](] Jennifer Weeks Senior Environment + Energy Editor A bumblebee lands on the flowers of a white sloe bush. Soeren Stache/picture alliance via Getty Images [Bees can learn, remember, think and make decisions – here’s a look at how they navigate the world]( Stephen Buchmann, University of Arizona Scientists are learning amazing things about bees’ sensory perception and mental capabilities. Economy + Business - [War rooms and bailouts: How banks and the Fed are preparing for a US default – and the chaos expected to follow]( John W. Diamond, Rice University Major players in the financial system are pondering the unthinkable as the US inches closer to an unprecedented default. - [Farm families are struggling to grow their businesses in child care deserts – the US farm bill may finally offer some help]( Shoshanah Inwood, The Ohio State University; Florence Becot, The Ohio State University Access to affordable child care affects farm productivity, safety and ultimately the nation’s food supply. Farm families across the U.S. are struggling without it. Politics + Society - [How China uses ‘geostrategic corruption’ to exert its influence in Latin America]( Eduardo Gamarra, Florida International University; Valeriia Popova, Florida International University As US influence in Latin America has waned, Beijing has been able to expand business interests in the region on the back of shady practices. - [Symbols of the Confederacy are slowly coming down from US military bases: 3 essential reads]( Howard Manly, The Conversation One of the last relics of ‘lost cause’ ideology is being removed as a federal panel renames US military bases that honor Confederate generals. Education - [Attacks on ‘segregated’ graduation ceremonies overlook the history of racism on campus]( Crystal Garcia, University of Nebraska-Lincoln; Antonio Duran, Arizona State University ‘Affinity’ graduations have drawn the scorn of some conservatives, but research suggests they serve a vital function for students of color. Ethics + Religion - [Three lessons from Aristotle on friendship]( Emily Katz, Michigan State University A scholar of ancient Greek philosophy writes about Aristotle’s timeless advice on how to nurture and keep friendships. Arts + Culture - [Barbara Kingsolver’s ‘Demon Copperhead’ and the enduring devastation of the opioid crisis]( William Nash, Middlebury The Pulitzer Prize-winning author is just one of many artists from Appalachia who are probing the crisis in their work, while taking pains to ensure that it doesn’t define the region and its people. Science + Technology - [Vaccines using mRNA can protect farm animals against diseases traditional ones may not – and there are safeguards to ensure they won’t end up in your food]( David Verhoeven, Iowa State University While mRNA vaccines are designed to last longer in the body than mRNA molecules typically would, they are also tested to ensure they are eliminated from livestock long before milking or slaughter. Health + Medicine - [Pivotal points in the COVID-19 pandemic – 5 essential reads]( Amanda Mascarelli, The Conversation With the emergency phase of the COVID-19 pandemic in the rearview mirror, at least for now, we look back on a handful of stories that provided sharp insights at key moments in the pandemic. Trending on site - [Co-workers could bear costs of accommodating religious employees in the workplace if Supreme Court tosses out 46-year-old precedent]( - [Why so many South Korean women are refusing to date, marry or have kids]( - [Quantum physics proposes a new way to study biology – and the results could revolutionize our understanding of how life works]( Today's graphic [A chart showing the number of US Passports per 100 Americans from 1989 to 2022.]( From the story, [Passport bottleneck is holding up international travel by Americans eager to see the world as COVID-19 eases]( - - More of The Conversation Like this newsletter? 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