This Week in Science: Monarchs are Endangered and a Cure for Baldness

It’s time for “Nerd News,” covering the most important news for your brain.  Here’s a quick rundown of this week in science . . .

1.  Murder hornets are getting a new name.  The Entomological Society of America announced that the Asian giant hornet . . . a.k.a. the murder hornet . . . will now be known as the “northern giant hornet.”  They said, “[Having] ‘Asian’ in the name of a pest insect can unintentionally bolster anti-Asian sentiment.”

Also, monarch butterflies are now listed as an endangered species.

And cockroaches and flies may be gross . . . but they won’t spread COVID-19.

2.  Russia is leaving the International Space Station, but not for at least six years, when they hope to have their own space station up and running.  And NASA plans to bring samples from Mars back to Earth . . . but not until 2033.

3.  Researchers may have found the key to treating baldness.  Scientists have discovered a single chemical in hair follicles that controls when cells divide and when they die.  In addition to curing baldness, this research could also find a process to speed up wound healing.

Scientists also think that “deep-brain stimulation” might be able to help reduce alcohol cravings.