Engaging in Contemporary Conversations

A scholar who researches how rents increase after disasters is fearful for his own community as he watches it burn and braces for the aftermath.

The director of the CIA is responsible for overseeing the agency’s clandestine operations and advising the president on national security matters.

The Danish-controlled island is coveted by some external actors who see the vast territory as a vector for precious minerals and great-power politics.

Donald Trump is acting like the classic patriarch of a family business − and he’s not the only politician to do so.

When governments denounce terrorist attacks, backlash follows – typically within a few days, research found.

The struggle has yielded both compromises and new strips of red tape for more than 100 years.

The struggle has yielded both compromises and new strips of red tape for more than 100 years.

About 4% of dogs and 12% of cats remain unvaccinated against rabies, posing risks for society.

About 4% of dogs and 12% of cats remain unvaccinated against rabies, posing risks for society.

‘Gentleman’s Agreement,’ a novel by Laura Z. Hobson, was considered groundbreaking for its depiction of everyday prejudice.

The Department of Homeland Security’s massive bureaucracy has many critical national security functions and spends billions of taxpayer dollars seeking to keep the nation safe.

Mayor Parker may also have to grapple with the incoming Trump administration on issues of immigration enforcement in Philly, which is currently a sanctuary city.

Inaugural addresses that newly minted presidents have given over the past 250 years have aimed to do several key things, including unify the country and establish the speaker’s qualifications for the job.

The parasitic fungus sometimes called ‘Himalayan gold’ can provide a good living to villagers who collect it. But rugged terrain and a high risk of lightning strikes make it a dangerous option.

The parasitic fungus sometimes called ‘Himalayan gold’ can provide a good living to villagers who collect it. But rugged terrain and a high risk of lightning strikes make it a dangerous option.

The causes of the wind-driven fires that burned thousands of homes in the Los Angeles area are under investigation, but there were no lightning strikes reported at the time.

Marco Rubio, Donald Trump’s pick for secretary of state, will begin his confirmation hearing on Jan. 15.

In emergencies, dumping ocean water on fires may be the best option. But seawater can have long-term effects on equipment and ecosystems, as a novel coastal experiment shows.

The US now faces the likelihood of a bruising and raucous set of confirmation hearings − a clear break from the cooperative system the founders established.

The US has a long history of misusing genetics and biology in immigration policy, the effects of which are still keenly felt today.

The US has a long history of misusing genetics and biology in immigration policy, the effects of which are still keenly felt today.

Many small towns rely on one major industry and can face long-term existential shocks if that industry fails. Biden’s attempt to reposition rural economies for the future missed a crucial factor.

Many small towns rely on one major industry and can face long-term existential shocks if that industry fails. Biden’s attempt to reposition rural economies for the future missed a crucial factor.

While overall atrocities declined last year, they came down from one of the worst years on record. Meanwhile, a number of areas actually got worse in 2024.

Incoming US president has repeatedly stated that Beijing is ‘operating’ the crucial waterway – an untruth, but one that gets at Washington’s fears of Beijing’s influence in the region.

The death of capitalism has been greatly exaggerated.

A rocket needs to overcome the force of gravity to leave Earth behind.

A scholar of Tibetan Buddhism discusses how she challenges her students to rethink their preconceived notions of death, the afterlife and the concept of the ‘other.’

The Energy Department has a dual mission with a heavy science focus and manages large, expensive programs, many of which are behind schedule and over budget.

Leading the US Defense Department is a massive job, broadly affecting Americans’ security at home and abroad and overseeing huge numbers of people and immense amounts of money.

Fires can make drinking water, and the water pipes and tanks themselves, unsafe. A researcher who has worked with communities after several wildfires explains why, and what to do.

Philly sports fans embrace a working-class ideology that thrives on being the underdog and emphasizes toughness, hard work and a combative defiance.

People from many different cultures across the globe and across millennia largely agree about which body parts are most valuable – and how much compensation they warrant when injured.

Enforcing environmental laws isn’t a job that makes people popular. But polls show that Americans generally want more environmental protection, not less.

The government linked alcohol with seven types of cancers, prompting the US surgeon general to call for warning labels on beer, wine and liquor.

The study offers insight into how marijuana access may alter treatment patterns for patients with anxiety.

Doctors have an overwhelming amount of individual patient data and medical research at their disposal to make diagnoses and treatment plans.

Some investors are more open than others to considering the risk that their money might not have the impact they’re seeking.

How states fund their schools may matter more in the coming years as the Trump administration prepares to change the federal government’s role in education spending.

The state is seeing a sharp water divide this year, with lots of rain in the north while the south has stayed dry. A hydrologist explains what’s happening.

A New York state court judge sentenced Donald Trump in his hush money case to ‘unconditional discharge.’ What does that mean?

The chemicals emitted when buildings and vehicles burn can find their way into nearby homes. Studies show the health risks can stick around.

The chemicals emitted when buildings and vehicles burn can find their way into nearby homes. Studies show the health risks can stick around.

The oceans have been much warmer than average for the past two years, and the planet just set another global heat record. What’s going on?

Trump’s incoming administration could create certain risks for Germany, including putting more pressure on its weak economy.

Water availability regulates tree growth and can have ‘legacy effects’ long after conditions change.

The shifts associated with being in your 40s and 50s – gray hairs, career doldrums, a longing for something more – seem as inevitable as aging itself. It wasn’t always this way.

A handbag becoming a symbol of class strife aptly defines the mood of the online zeitgeist.

To stop a crime, it helps to understand who these criminals are and how they think.

To stop a crime, it helps to understand who these criminals are and how they think.

These myths overlook the strengths and opportunities for students who attend rural schools.

Where people live today also makes a difference when it comes to fire risk.

The tale of how and why Russia ceded its control over Alaska to the US 150 years ago is actually 2 tales and 2 intertwining histories.

The tale of how and why Russia ceded its control over Alaska to the US 150 years ago is actually 2 tales and 2 intertwining histories.

Text message-based programming and the drug varenicline were the only 2 strategies that were shown to be effective for quitting vaping.

Ethical and legal issues around death in the digital age are thorny enough dealing with social media accounts. AI puts the notion of a digital afterlife into overdrive.

Ethical and legal issues around death in the digital age are thorny enough dealing with social media accounts. AI puts the notion of a digital afterlife into overdrive.

For example, the first Trump administration tried to use the principles of transparency to prevent federal agencies from considering major health studies when setting pollution rules.

For example, the first Trump administration tried to use the principles of transparency to prevent federal agencies from considering major health studies when setting pollution rules.

The Interior Department manages about one-fifth of all US land. Its secretary mediates among many competing uses for it, from recreation to energy production.

Life is a gamble, anti-natalists say, and it’s unethical to force someone else to take the risk.

Even once researchers can reliably get more power out of a fusion reaction than they put in, they’ll still need to overcome engineering challenges to scale up fusion energy.

Ownership structure matters.

Women in these fields are almost at parity with men at the most selective schools, but the gender gap doubled at many of the least selective universities.

Many Americans are deficient in vitamin D, vitamin B12 and omega-3 fatty acids, all of which affect energy levels.

Efforts to simplify teachers’ jobs through technology can backfire without a strong focus on teacher well-being.

State-level immigration policies can have surprising ripple effects.

State-level immigration policies can have surprising ripple effects.

The porn and ride-hailing industries both attract workers seeking autonomy. Neither fully delivers.

The porn and ride-hailing industries both attract workers seeking autonomy. Neither fully delivers.

A biologist explains what to focus on if you’re designing a garden with pollinators in mind − and what you don’t need to worry about.

A biologist explains what to focus on if you’re designing a garden with pollinators in mind − and what you don’t need to worry about.

Neurotechnology raises many high-stakes ethical questions. Setting ground rules could help protect workers and ensure that tasks are adapted to the person, rather than the other way around.

Neurotechnology raises many high-stakes ethical questions. Setting ground rules could help protect workers and ensure that tasks are adapted to the person, rather than the other way around.

After a decade as prime minister, Justin Trudeau has succumbed to unpopularity at home, infighting in his party – and questions over his response to the incoming US administration.

It’s time to move from rage to regulation, an insurance expert argues.

It’s time to move from rage to regulation, an insurance expert argues.

The phrase ‘so help me God’ is believed to be a part of the presidential oath ever since George Washington is said to have used it 236 years ago. Except, says a historian - there is no evidence of it.

The answer depends on how you define ‘normal.’ The baseline has been creeping up as the planet warms.

The future of scrub mints could be in jeopardy because of climate change, development and misclassification.

For many Americans, stricter immigration policy is not enough. Many would justify civilian and government violence against immigrants to seal the southern US border.

William Shakespeare’s play ‘Richard III’ illustrates how a power-hungry monarch can attain the throne at the expense of civil society.

Wars always include killings and destruction, but there are limits. An expert in international law explains the rules of war laid out in the Geneva Conventions − and why they’re so hard to enforce.

Using digital blueprints of the metabolism of microbes, scientists can simulate expensive and time-intensive experiments set in space, power plants and farm fields.

An analysis of several studies on learning styles suggests that students perform slightly better academically when lessons are tailored to their specific style. But it may not be worth the investment.

Legacy newsrooms have lost their audiences. Could a radical transformation in how they practice journalism make the industry relevant again?

Two professors explain why and how their approach creates a richly textured understanding of the American Dream.

Two professors explain why and how their approach creates a richly textured understanding of the American Dream.

Researchers have applied AI to every step of the drug development process. But this might not be enough to design safe and effective drugs.

The Trump administration has different interests and priorities than those of the Biden administration for regulating technology. For some issues like AI regulation, big changes are on tap.

Scientific R&D drives economic competitiveness, military technology and national security. Governments are trying to balance research security with protecting the openness that makes science work.

New research shows that Afghan women earned 13% more for every additional year of schooling they received after the Taliban fell in 2001. That progress is now in peril.

The point of mindfulness is not to be more productive at work or just to relax − it is inner transformation.

Ever feel like throwing up your hands and giving up on taking control of your online security? How technology companies market their cybersecurity products might have something to do with that.

Ever feel like throwing up your hands and giving up on taking control of your online security? How technology companies market their cybersecurity products might have something to do with that.

Conversation scholars examine the costs and effectiveness of tutoring in the US.

Lunar Trailblazer is planned to launch on the first Commercial Lunar Payload Services mission of 2025.

A shift in mindset as you go through your day-to-day can help you cultivate a psychologically rich life.

A shift in mindset as you go through your day-to-day can help you cultivate a psychologically rich life.

Nutrition Facts labels provide useful information about how nutritious a food is, but can be overwhelming. A single score could help make healthy grocery shopping more approachable.

Nutrition Facts labels provide useful information about how nutritious a food is, but can be overwhelming. A single score could help make healthy grocery shopping more approachable.

Historians may not know much about Silvester’s life, but the era he lived in was pivotal for Christianity.

An exercise science specialist defines this nutrition term you might hear tossed around by people who are focused on a particular diet.

An exercise science specialist defines this nutrition term you might hear tossed around by people who are focused on a particular diet.

From exploring the Moon to revealing mysteries of the solar system, space agencies around the world are gearing up for an exciting year of launches and flybys.

‘Forecasting is for the weather,’ economists say. But it can be fun anyway.

A series of surveys in the months and years after the devastating blaze near Boulder revealed continuing health concerns in surviving buildings, and tips for how to clean up smoke-damaged homes.

A series of surveys in the months and years after the devastating blaze near Boulder revealed continuing health concerns in surviving buildings, and tips for how to clean up smoke-damaged homes.

These marine mammals are still feeling the effects of whaling. For most species, it may be another 100 years before there are enough old whales for scientists to confirm their lifespans.

Animal welfare laws don’t protect invertebrates, but there’s evidence that some, such as octopuses, are as intelligent as many mammals – even if their cognition takes very different forms.

Just a few years into his career, Dylan decided he wanted to subvert the expectations of his fans – and rebel against industry forces intent on pigeonholing him and his work.

Disaster recovery isn’t just about repairing bridges, roads and homes. Conservationists from the Smithsonian were on the ground in North Carolina helping families piece their lives back together.

Rising carbon dioxide levels in the air are making plants grow larger and faster, but diluting their nutritional content. This could threaten the health of herbivores worldwide.

Disney’s ‘Moana’ movies have brought a new level of excitement for astronomy and wayfinding, says an astronomer who regularly hosts planetarium shows.

Comets without tails, called dark comets, are a newly discovered space object. Now, astronomers know they come in 2 classes.

The rubber met the road for language AIs in 2024. The hard realities led to new, smaller models and safety measures for the big ones. 2024’s R&D also set the stage for the next big thing: AI agents.

Although these activities have been around for decades, there are signs that some are making a comeback.

The use of 3D-printed guns in criminal and violent activities is likely to continue to increase. And governments and police will continue to have trouble regulating them.

Comparisons between our current era and the societal rot of the Gilded Age abound. But it might be more useful to explore how Americans escaped the crises of the late-19th century.

Macy’s announced it is closing its store in downtown Philadelphia. What’s next for the 120-year-old instrument once touted as ‘the greatest organ in the world’?

As the middlemen between drug companies and insurers, PBMs are shoo-ins as the villains behind high drug prices. But they do play a useful role in the health marketplace.

As the middlemen between drug companies and insurers, PBMs are shoo-ins as the villains behind high drug prices. But they do play a useful role in the health marketplace.

Today’s scams aren’t like yesteryear’s.

At a moment of soul-searching about health care in the US, an expert on global health puts the American system in perspective.

Future-oriented thinking, rather than careening from moment to moment, can help parents have more meaningful moments with their children.

Will protecting monarch butterflies under the Endangered Species Act improve their chance of surviving? Not necessarily, 2 entomologists caution.

Whether it was spent feasting or plotting escapes, the week between Christmas and the new year offered a rare opportunity for enslaved men, women and children to reclaim their humanity.

An extreme heating event may have interfered with scientists’ attempts to figure out the Moon’s age by dating lunar rock samples.

The fall of the Assad regime marks a turning point in Syria’s history. But it also opens a ‘chapter fraught with peril’ for the country’s minorities, an expert on religious minorities writes.

Some indictments have a bright side. Really.

Thanks to a new ruling, reality TV contestants could begin to earn money and get treated better by production companies.

Floods, hurricanes, fires and pandemics are hard for any school district to deal with. But in rural districts the struggle to recover is even harder.

Francis’ vision for a ‘synodal’ church is one built on trust and relationships − a dance where partners work together.

‘Black Nativity’ may be different each time you see it − and that’s exactly what the playwright had in mind.

If federal streamgages were bolstered by networks of cheaper monitors run by communities, the results could save lives.

Many claims about the dangers of vaccines come from misrepresenting scientific research papers.

The Hanukkah story centers on rekindling the eternal light in the Temple, a symbol of God’s presence. Similarly, the Ner Tamid above the ark in synagogues is never supposed to go out.

Programs geared toward liberals like ‘The Daily Show’ once held a monopoly on political comedy. Not so anymore.

Liberal-leaning stories tend to stay longer on The New York Times’ homepage, even when controlling for popularity. We found the same thing of conservative stories in The Wall Street Journal.

Colleges point to certain statistics when they talk about where their graduates land. But what might they be leaving out? A career education specialist weighs in.

The murder of a health care insurance executive has brought scrutiny to the ways that insurance companies can make it difficult for insured patients to get the care they need.

The custom of mailing printed Christmas cards in the 19th century was a product of the industrial revolution. It was influenced by older British holiday traditions − some entirely fictional.

Even those consumers who said they usually don’t return any products often reacted negatively during an experiment that simulated what happens when shoppers face stricter rules.

A clinical psychologist offers research-backed ways to work through grief and support grieving friends and family members during the holidays.

That delay can tip ranchers’ finances into the red. While the land needs time to recover, studies raise questions about whether two years is really necessary.

Black Americans were disproportionately affected by COVID-19 infections, illness and death during the pandemic. But the long-term toll of long COVID among this group is still largely overlooked.

A new form of public-private partnership is reshaping urban landscapes: Community-centered, public-private partnerships, or CP3s.

The sliver of charitable dollars funding LGBTQ+ organizations rose in inflation-adjusted terms to $823 million in 2021 from $387 million in 2012.

Despite pressure for students to choose STEM over the humanities, classes in literature, art and history can provide students with vital life skills and help combat the current epidemic of loneliness.

Charles Schulz’s TV special survived the skepticism of network executives to become a holiday classic.

Charles Schulz’s TV special survived the skepticism of network executives to become a holiday classic.

Insurers in many ways are the face of US health care, which may help explain the public reaction to the murder of an insurance executive.

Evolution is often depicted as a steady forward march from simple to complex forms. But new research shows that certain ferns can evolve ‘backward.’

Composer Quincy Jones, who died in November 2024, was a titan of 20th-century American music. So why don’t music majors study his work?

Composer Quincy Jones, who died in November 2024, was a titan of 20th-century American music. So why don’t music majors study his work?

You may call him Santa Claus, but the bearded guy in the red suit is a man known by many names. That doesn’t make him disreputable, just a reflection of changing American culture.

Being presented with facts doesn’t do much good if you don’t feel like your core values are respected. That’s especially true when it comes to health care decisions.

Nearly 10% of the planet’s human inhabitants live within 3.1 miles of the coast − where the risk of climate disasters is often highest.

Cold and flu viruses often circulate more in the fall and winter, but there are some time-tested strategies for avoiding them, such as vaccines, handwashing and staying active.

Experiences of racism affected Black teachers across the district but manifested in different ways depending on their school’s location.

Hegseth’s Christian views have been shaped by a 20th-century movement, Christian Reconstruction, which seeks to make America a Christian nation built on biblical law, writes a religion scholar.

Turning two big supermarket companies into one even larger one could have harmed consumers and workers, the government said during its successful litigation.

A narrower, more personalized ‘normal range’ could help doctors better diagnose and treat disease in individual patients.

More architects are using wood construction for large buildings. A resource economist argues any increase in demand for wood will push commercial growers to better manage forests.

Between 40% and 50% of children didn’t live past 5 in the US during the 19th century. Popular authors like Charles Dickens documented the common but no less gutting grief of losing a child.

Between 40% and 50% of children didn’t live past 5 in the US during the 19th century. Popular authors like Charles Dickens documented the common but no less gutting grief of losing a child.

If Republicans manage to achieve a long-standing goal by getting rid of the Department of Education, there wouldn’t be a secretary of education anymore.

Policymakers commonly suggest that teaching to ‘fidelity’ − following a plan word for word − is best for student learning. However, research suggests the opposite is true.

The coordination and ideological rigor of The Order made them an outlier among white supremacist groups.

The winners offer a window into the spirit of the times.

The newest stadium in St. Louis is a case study in ‘patient capital.’

Hypnosis is safe and can work as both a stand-alone or a complementary treatment with other therapies.

Mindfulness – meant to support health and detachment – is becoming a tool to support the corporate bottom line.

The study of martial arts involves physical training − but also raises larger questions about ethics and what justifies the use of force.

Bluesky, the microblogging alternative to X, is having a moment. A social media researcher explains why people are flocking to it – and why it isn’t likely to recapture the early days of Twitter.

Many philosophers cast doubt on ‘doxastic voluntarism’: the idea that we can control what we believe, just like that. So can people be held to account for their beliefs?

Raw milk can carry many dangerous germs − now including the H5N1 virus that causes avian flu.

Consuming adequate amounts of omega-3 fatty acids from food sources can help offset the need for obtaining the nutrients from vitamins.

Although the health benefits of fluoride have been well-documented for decades, some say its use infringes on personal choice.

The characterization of Latter-day Saints on shows like ‘Heretic’ and ‘Secret Lives of Mormon Wives’ says more about the rest of America than the church itself.

The characterization of Latter-day Saints on shows like ‘Heretic’ and ‘Secret Lives of Mormon Wives’ says more about the rest of America than the church itself.

In the future, a program like AI Jesus could be used to hear confessions around the clock. But with no experience of having a human body, it cannot engage or absolve human sins.

What does it mean if young men sense that their masculinity is under threat? Or if they sense a bleak and hopeless future?

Noam Chomsky’s notion of the human instinct for freedom ties together his many intellectual pursuits, from educating creative, independent citizens to rejecting social and economic hierarchies.

Despite the controversy surrounding them, presidential pardons can provide a service – the question is how they are used.

Neuroscientists found that music cannot only influence your emotions in the present − it can also alter how you remember your memories.

The brain science behind the power struggle between parents and their children.

By playing with scale, Massey brings new attention to everyday objects.

To early Christians, ancient gladiators were potent symbols of martyrdom, embodying virtue and bravery despite being enslaved.

A course explores how ancient apocalypses find their way into movies and TV shows.

Dogecoin’s rebound – after several years of devaluation and disrepute – reveals the extent to which community, attention and hype undergird the investment.

Politicians like Cicero saw gladiators as vain and self-indulgent, while the true warriors engaged in wars of words.

Generations of sportswriters have been inspired by Rice’s penchant for drama and flair. But the spectacular can obfuscate the real, more interesting stories taking place on and off the field.

Donald Trump stated during his comeback campaign that he’d dismantle the Education Department if elected. Will Linda McMahon, his nominee for secretary of education, lead the way?

Screen time is more than just hours spent on devices. By studying diverse digital habits, researchers can help people adopt a balanced approach to technology.

The new curriculum is grounded in research on how kids best learn to read. But it will take teachers time to learn which lessons work best for their classroom.

The presence of police in schools has grown in the past 30 years. But research shows that these officers may not be the most effective method for deterring violence.

A year after the Supreme Court banned race-based admissions, students’ choices and college policies have affected a view of its impact.

Universities have an important role in Jewish American history – highlighting both deep-seated prejudice toward Jews and Jewish students’ paths toward acceptance and assimilation.

The Supreme Court’s approach toward religion in schools has been shifting, adding to uncertainty about legislation such as Louisiana’s.