How does coronavirus testing work? How might hoofed herbivores help keep the permafrost from melting? Find out in ScienceSeeker's picks of the best posts for the week of Mar 16 - 22 2020 #SciSeekPicks #SciComm.

In this week's predictably coronavirus-heavy selection of the best science news coverage from around the world, explore the impact of the built environment on the spread of the disease, and find out about how you can track Venus across the night sky. A great activity for those of you in quarantine! Our thoughts go out to everyone affected by the virus, and our thanks go to all of those who are doing their part in fighting it. 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?

• How do the tests for coronavirus work? by Andy Brunning at Compound Interest.

Get the low-down on how the current testing for coronavirus works, its limitations and future improvements.
Credit: Andy Brunning via Compound Interest (CC-BY-ND)

• The role of the built environment in COVID-19 transmission by Munim Deen for Envirobites.
• COVID-19 prompts closure of Indonesian parks, and a chance to evaluate by Basten Gokkon for Mongabay.com.
• Pandemic “will last 18 months or longer,” leaked US gov’t report warns by Jon Brodkin for Ars Technica.
• Coronavirus cases have dropped sharply in South Korea. What’s the secret to its success?by Dennis Normile for Science magazine.
• Tracking Venus in the evening sky is a great activity for kids by Brian Koberlein for Forbes.
• Herds of hoofed herbivores might help keep permafrost from melting by Leslie Nemo for Discover magazine.
• Carbon conundrum: experiment aims to recreate synthesis of key element by Ling Xing for Scientific American.
• The secretive seahorses hiding in a Bahamian lake by Harry Baker for Marine Madness.

To indulge your curiosity even more, follow us on Facebook or Twitter for honourable mentions of great posts that didn't quite make our #SciSeekPicks list this week. Want #SciSeekPicks to help satisfy your scientific curiosity every week? Sign up here for regular notification emails.

Check back next week for more great picks!