No Smiles In Russia, Old Forests Vs. New

This week, psychologist David Matsumoto explains why there are fewer smiles in Russia or Korea than in the U.S.—and why many people think Americans are a bunch of cheerful dopes. Take this test: Can you tell the real smiles from the fake?

In Panama, two American ecologists, Joe Wright and Bill Laurance, are having a debate: When it comes to preserving tropical ecosystems, are recent forests a good substitute for old-growth forests?

Also from Panama, we have a story about the HPV vaccine, which protects against cervical cancer. Panama recently started offering the shots free to girls, but the government has failed to mention a basic fact: the vaccine protects against a sexually transmitted disease. In the U.S., the vaccine has been controversial, with political conservatives saying that it encourages teen sexual activity. Panama has sidestepped that issue by referring to the vaccine as a “cancer” vaccine.

In Kenya and Uganda, there’s also a vaccine drive—this one against polio. Chris Maher of the World Health Organization hopes the effort will suppress the outbreak.

And climate researcher Glen Peters says the West plays a key role in China’s booming greenhouse gas emissions.

Tags: cancer, China, climate change, forests, HPV, Kenya, Korea, Panama, polio, psychology, Russia, sex, Uganda