All posts by Intellicurious

News, Views and Reviews for the Intellectually Curious

Cover Previews: Nature Magazine – April 14, 2022


Africa Views: The Cassava Flour Boom In Cameroon

As the Russian invasion of Ukraine continues to impact crucial food exports, wheat prices are soaring. Many African countries rely on Ukrainian and Russian grain exports and could face a severe food crisis. But in Cameroon, entrepreneurs are coming up with alternatives to wheat, which is used to make flour. Production of bread and cakes made from local cassava and sweet potato flour is now booming. These tubers are abundant in the country but are normally used unprocessed in traditional dishes. Our correspondents report.

Previews: Science Focus Magazine – April 13, 2022

The race for the Moon

No human has set foot on the Moon for decades. But an armada of exciting new missions are set to explore the lunar surface once more.

The DNA detective

The consumer genetic testing kits hitting the shelves have allowed scientists to piece together our family trees better than ever before. Geneticist Prof Turi King tells us more.

Fit to burst

Inflation is a pretty useful tool in nature. Zoologist Jules Howard takes a closer look at some of the incredible animals that can blow themselves up like balloons.

The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Metaverse

What is the metaverse, can anyone visit, and where’s the best place to go?

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Previews: Times Literary Supplement – April 15, 2022

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Walking Tour: Pula In Northwestern Croatia

Pula, a seafront city on the tip of Croatia’s Istrian Peninsula, is known for its protected harbor, beach-lined coast and Roman ruins. Settled in the prehistoric era and valued for its strategic location, Pula has been occupied, destroyed and rebuilt numerous times. The Romans, Ostrogoths and Venetians, as well as the Allied Forces in World War II, have each administered the city.

Morning News: Russia In East Ukraine, Australia’s Federal Election, Aviation

We assess Moscow’s military strategy amid warnings of a new Russian offensive in eastern Ukraine. Plus, a look ahead to Australia’s federal election, a review of today’s papers and aviation news.

Previews: London Review Of Books – April 21, 2022

Tributes: ‘Kiev Forever’ (4K)

“I was visiting Ukraine by the end of last summer and stayed a few days in Kyiv. People called it the “New Berlin” back then and in fact it was a bustling city and daily life was as normal as it could possibly be. In many ways I even preferred Kyiv over Berlin, which has gotten so mediocre in recent years. Only a few month later the city has been under attack and tousands of people have been killed in the outskirts of Kyiv by Russian troups. I still can not wrap my head around that. At least for now it seems that Kyiv is safe again, but the fighting continues elsewere. It’s heartbreaking to think about all the lovely people there and the suffering that they have to endure. I know its difficult to enjoy these images from another time, but it’s a reminder how fragile and precious peace is and that we should not take it for granted.” – Joerg Daiber

Big Sur Views: The Henry Miller Memorial Library

The Henry Miller Memorial Library is a nonprofit arts center, bookstore, and performance venue in Big Sur, California, documenting the life of the late writer, artist, and Henry Miller. Emil White built the house for Miller in the mid-1960s.

Henry Valentine Miller was an American novelist. He broke with existing literary forms and developed a new type of semi-autobiographical novel that blended character study, social criticism, philosophical reflection, stream of consciousness, explicit language, sex, surrealist free association, and mysticism.