From bats to horses, from insects to chimpanzees, a lot of deadly viruses originated in an animal host. In his last book, Spillover, the American science writer David Quammen tells the stories of some of these viruses. We reached him at the Festival della Scienza in Genoa, where he was going to present the book, and asked him some questions.
Pathogens and fear: the double epidemics
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University Admissions and Talent in China: What Can Italy Learn?
Every year, millions of Chinese students take the Gaokao, an extremely tough exam that can change the course of a life. But what can this system teach us? Between intense pressure and paths to excellence, it offers a chance to reflect on the idea of merit in Italy as well.
Each year, over 12 million Chinese students sit for the Gaokao (高考), one of the most difficult and decisive university entrance exams in the world. This three-day test includes Chinese, Mathematics, English, and one elective subject from either the sciences or humanities. The maximum score varies by province, typically between 750 and 900, with the admission threshold for top universities exceeding 680–700 points. On average, fewer than 2% of students manage to get into elite institutions such as Peking University or Tsinghua University.
