What does a volcano look like from space? How can you tell if something is conscious? Find out in ScienceSeeker's picks of the best posts for the week of July 1 - July 7, 2019 #SciSeekPicks #SciComm

In this week's best and brightest from the science news blogosphere, watch the seasons change in a beautiful visualisation of the Earth's yearly fluctuations, and find out how far we are from being able to play games telepathically. ScienceSeeker editors' favourite posts within their respective areas of interest and expertise also cover many other important and exciting topics. Why not have a read, inform yourself, and indulge your scientific curiosity?

• NASA astronauts and satellites capture breathtaking images of an awakening volcano from space by Ethan Siegel at Starts With A Bang.

  

  Raikoke volcano, which had been dormant for 95 years, erupted without warning on June 22, 2019, emitting a vast plume of ash and volcanic gases from its 700 meter (2,300 feet) wide crater. While several satellites imaged it, this spectacular photo was taken from astronauts aboard the International Space Station.
  Credit: Text - Ethan Siegel, Image - NASA/ISS.

• Gif: Earth datasets of Arctic sea ice and vegetation by Eleanor Lutz at Tabletop Whale.

  

  This beautifully steampunk gif allows you to see the seasons change globally.
  Credit: Eleanor Lutz via Tabletop Whale.

• Brain games: Computer interface lets multiple people play video games telepathically by Sarah McQuate for the Genetic Literacy Project.
• How can you tell if another person, animal or thing is conscious? by Tam Hunt for The Conversation.
• A genetic ghost hunt: What ancient humans live on in our DNA? by Nathaniel Scharping for The Crux at Discover magazine.
• Agriculture vs. Environment: another false dichotomy by Manu Saunders for Ecology Is Not A Dirty Word
• These scientists don’t think plants think by Stephen Fleischfresser for Cosmos magazine.
• Coastal job: Community aquarium creator Interview with Melanie Knight by Megan Osmond-Jones for Hakai magazine.
• Scientists identify stunning new tropical reef fish that shimmers like an opal by GrrlScientist.
• Don't recycle paper. "Unprint" it by Emily Smith for Massive Science.
• Dead trees and utility poles partially offset the impacts of deforestation on birds by Lindsay Green-Gavrielidis for Envirobites.
• New metalloenzyme system selectively targets cancer cells by Masataka Sasabe for It Ain't Magic.
• Thinking outside of the STEM career box by Soph Talks Science.
• Five unusual, evidence-based ways to get better at a new language by Emma Young for BPS Research Digest.
• The periodic table of element Scrabble scores by Andy Brunning at Compound Interest.

Check back next week for more great picks!