Adolescents losing sleep
Epidemiological studies of US school students aged 14–18 have shown that declines in mental health reflect reductions in the amount of sleep they get. Although it is difficult to show a causal relationship between these changes, the authors of this commentary argue that ensuring young people get enough sleep is essential to their well-being. Various factors can contribute to this sleep loss, they say, including the use of digital media before bed, school work pressure and leisure activities late at night or early in the morning.
Sources: J.M. Twenge et al. Sleep Med. 39, 47–53 (2017)/US CDC YRBSS Read also : ‘This is not a gay virus’: Health officials address misconceptions about monkeypox.
Monkeypox trajectory
Nearly six months after the monkeypox virus began spreading globally, vaccination efforts and behavioral changes appear to contain the current strain — at least in the United States and Europe. The number of cases in these regions peaked in August and is now falling. But the situation could still play out in several ways, as this news story reports. At best, the outbreak may disappear over the next few months or years. In the worst case scenario, the virus could become endemic outside Africa.
The most valuable soils
This map shows regions of the world where soil conservation should be a priority. Soil contains a wealth of biological diversity, such as bacteria, fungi, nematode worms and earthworms. These organisms have important roles in ecosystem processes, such as carbon and nutrient cycling, water storage and supporting plant growth. The authors of an article in Nature decided to identify global hotspots for conservation by mapping soil biodiversity and ecosystem functions at 615 locations around the world. They found hotspots of biodiversity in temperate and Mediterranean regions and in alpine tundra, while hotspots of species uniqueness occurred in the tropics and drylands. More than 70% of the hotspots are not sufficiently covered by protected areas.