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Endangered species will face a lot more threats under the Trump administration’s redefinition of what it means to ”harm” them. The new definition makes it ok to destroy the habitat of an endangered species, as long as the species isn’t directly killed. theconversation.com/how-redefini...
Congress passed the first major housing bill since the 1990s with overwhelming bipartisan support. While a step forward, housing policy scholars say it won't meaningfully address affordability. theconversation.com/a-rare-bipar...
More Americans are asking AI about money — and losing money on its advice. theconversation.com/when-managin...
Many Cubans are willing to accept U.S. military intervention if it means political change, but few are asking whether Cuba would actually be better off. A Cuban American scholar of global and intercultural studies explains: theconversation.com/cubas-future...
Don’t get too excited about Ozempic headlines preventing cancer. But a physician (bsky.app/profile/zala...) warns the evidence is running ahead of itself, and breaks down why the headlines don't match what the research actually shows. theconversation.com/can-ozempic-...
A space scientist explains why did Venus gets so unbearably hot, while Earth is mild and temperate: theconversation.com/why-is-venus...
Dr. Zeina Hannoush was visiting family when Venezuela's devastating earthquakes hit. She shares what she's seen firsthand—and why getting medical supplies to survivors remains a major challenge ⬇️
An outbreak of “explosive diarrhea” is spreading across the United States, but there are simple ways to avoid it. The disease is called cyclosporiasis, and symptoms can include intense diarrhea that can last a few days to over a month. This is not something you want to get. ⬇️
AI makes it really hard for educators to accurately measure what students are actually learning. A psychologist who studies K-12 education explains: theconversation.com/teachers-are... #ai
Israel and Lebanon's new ceasefire agreement could be the most significant between the two countries in 80 years, but scholars who have studied 1993, 1996, 2006 and 2024 agreements say the window for diplomacy is closing fast. theconversation.com/israel-and-l...
Data center construction can boost jobs – but these economic benefits are bigger for better-off cities and towns, not for rural areas trying to use a data center to jumpstart the economy. theconversation.com/why-better-o... #datacenters
Regardless of whether Americans think socialism is bad or good, or how they define it, most embrace socialist policies and programs – as long as no one calls them “socialist”. Even in a deep red state like North Dakota, which has a state-run bank. theconversation.com/even-in-cons...
In the world of political insults, veganism is framed as weak, elitist and out of touch, according to communication scholars. theconversation.com/republicans-...
Native Americans serve in the military at higher rates than any other ethnic group. But the Pentagon just lumped their religions into the category of "other," making it harder for military chaplains to accommodate their spiritual needs. theconversation.com/why-removing...
A new survey shows 37% of Ukrainians view Trump as an enemy of their country, while only 17% see him as a friend. Yet 73% still view Americans broadly as allies. theconversation.com/we-asked-ukr...
As Cuba's economy collapses under fuel shortages and inflation, Cubans are more openly complaining their leaders care only about protecting their own wealth and privileges, not the suffering of the people. They hope pressure from the United States government will prompt change.
Good news! Now those trends are moving in the opposite direction. Drug overdoses are declining, alcohol use has eased from pandemic highs, and gun purchases have fallen. At the same time, overall crime and youth offending are near historic lows.
The homicide surge that began in 2015 and peaked in 2021 closely tracked three other crises: • Rising drug abuse, especially fentanyl • Increased alcohol consumption • Record firearm purchases Together, those trends made violent confrontations more likely to turn deadly.
From snake fangs to snail love darts to cacti spines, nature’s painful yet effective puncture devices have evolved through many phases. A biologist studying the sharp parts of 143 species discovered that the shape is determined entirely by what they need to do. theconversation.com/cacti-spines...
Surge pricing is supposed to get more rideshare drivers on the road. But the research actually suggests it's frustrating drivers and costing customers more without solving the problem. theconversation.com/surge-pricin...
A research team created SpudCell (seen here), a system built from nonliving parts that exhibits lifelike behaviors like growth and division, but it’s not alive: it still depends on lab conditions and researcher assistance to function. theconversation.com/creating-syn...
In an era of extreme weather, climate uncertainty, geopolitical tensions and rising fertilizer costs, keeping soil healthy and nurturing the billions of microbes living there is not only necessary but also economically strategic. theconversation.com/fertilizers-...
A growing number of Kenyans who live in cities are buying farmland in Kenya and managing it remotely. A geography researcher explains how these "telephone farmers" are transforming what gets grown and how rural land is used. theconversation.com/kenyans-livi...
Florida's population is still growing, but much more slowly than during the pandemic. Social scientists explain what that could mean for proposed property tax cuts: theconversation.com/floridas-pro...
Democratic Senate nominee Graham Platner from Maine dropped out of the race following allegations of sexual assault, which he has denied. As his campaign unraveled, our politics editor spoke with Colby College political scientist Nicholas Jacobs, who had interviewed Platner during his campaign.
Preventing wildfires doesn't have to mean shutting off the power. An energy systems researcher points to 3 better solutions for electric companies. theconversation.com/electric-com...
What can a single cup of river water tell us? More than you might think. Researchers are using environmental DNA (eDNA) to identify wildlife, monitor pollution, detect pathogens and track ecosystem health—all from a simple water sample. theconversation.com/fishing-for-...
If you have a child who loves to read, count your blessings 📚 Fewer kids are reading for fun than ever before. And this matters not just for reading skills, but for vocabulary, empathy and learning to see the world through someone else's eyes. theconversation.com/reading-for-...
Shareholder activism doesn't just influence the companies it targets. New research finds that when one company changes course under investor pressure, its competitors often follow — adjusting strategy, spending or growth plans before activists ever come knocking. theconversation.com/when-shareho...