BehaviorSeptember 24, 2021
Unvaccinated Workers Say They’d Rather Quit Than Get a Shot, but Data Suggest Otherwise
The actual number who resign rather than get the vaccine is much smaller than the survey data suggest
Stories by The Conversation US
Curated by professional editors, The Conversation offers informed commentary and debate on the issues affecting our world.
WeatherAugust 30, 2021
Hurricane Ida: How Climate Change Is Influencing Storms
Rising temperatures are increasing the hurricane risks to New Orleans and other coastal area
Natural DisastersAugust 20, 2021
Tropical Storm Henri Could Bring Dangerous Storm Surge
The moon, wind direction, atmospheric pressure and seafloor shape all help determine how high a surge will be
PrivacyAugust 9, 2021
What is Pegasus? How Surveillance Spyware Invades Phones
A cybersecurity expert explains the NSO Group’s stealthy software
EnvironmentJuly 26, 2021
Wild Pigs Release as Much Carbon Emissions as 1 Million Cars
The invasive animals uproot soil, exposing it to microbes that release greenhouse gases
Public HealthMay 21, 2021
Should Your Child Get the COVID Vaccine?
A pediatric infectious disease expert answers questions about whether the vaccine is safe and why children need it
MedicineApril 13, 2021
Johnson & Johnson Vaccine Suspension—What This Means For You
An infectious disease doctor answers questions about the CDC’s and FDA’s decision to pause the vaccine’s use over a possible link with blood clots
BiologyApril 3, 2021
Chocolate’s Secret Ingredient Is Fermenting Microbes
Underneath the shiny wrapper, a chocolate bunny is a fermented food
ComputingMarch 11, 2021
A Global Computer Chip Shortage Shows Danger of U.S. Production Trends
A small and shrinking number of the world’s computer chips are made in the U.S.
PolicyFebruary 20, 2021
Facebook Would Rather Ban News in Australia Than Pay for it
The tech giant’s ban on Australians searching for news on its platform suggests that equitable control of international reporting is very much a work in progress
AutomobilesJanuary 30, 2021
Want Greener Cars? Focus on Fuel Efficiency
Electric cars are great, but higher fuel economy for vehicles of all sizes is better
Public HealthDecember 8, 2020
New DIY Contact Tracing App Is Based on the Science of Memory
It uses words and photos to remind you of where you’ve been and whom you’ve seen
Public HealthOctober 31, 2020
Deliberate Efforts to Achieve Herd Immunity to COVID Are Dangerous
More people will die, and it might not even work
EnvironmentOctober 21, 2020
Restoring Seagrass Brings Barren Bays To Life
Seeding empty bottom mud with marine grasses has brought back fish, shellfish, and cleaned the water
Public HealthOctober 3, 2020
A Brief History of Presidents Disclosing—Or Trying to Hide—Health Problems
President Trump was direct about his COVID diagnosis, but many former presidents have been less forthcoming about their illnesses
FitnessOctober 2, 2020
How the Immune System of Older Adults Like Trump Weakens with Age
As people age their innate and adaptive immune responses react more slowly, increasing their risk from diseases like COVID-19
BehaviorSeptember 26, 2020
How COVID-19 is Changing the English Language
From ‘social distancing’ to ‘self-quarantining,’ the pandemic is leaving a lasting impact on the English lexicon
Public HealthSeptember 10, 2020
What’s in Wildfire Smoke, and Why Is It So Bad for Your Lungs?
An environmental toxicologist explains the factors involved
Public HealthAugust 27, 2020
Hurricanes and Wildfires Are Compounding COVID-19 Risks
Crowded grocery stores and emergency shelters are potential concerns
Basic ChemistryAugust 5, 2020
What Is Ammonium Nitrate, the Chemical That Exploded in Beirut?
The blast injured thousands and killed at least 78 people
EnvironmentAugust 3, 2020
Wildfires Can Poison Drinking Water—Here’s How Communities Can Better Prepare
Using less plastic in water meters and other building code changes could help prevent contamination
BehaviorJune 26, 2020
Coronavirus Responses Highlight How Humans Have Evolved to Dismiss Facts That Don’t Fit Their Worldview
Science denialism is not just a simple matter of logic or ignorance
MedicineMarch 27, 2020
Could Chloroquine Treat Coronavirus?
Five questions are answered about a promising yet problematic and unproved use for an antimalarial drug
MedicineMarch 20, 2020
How COVID-19 Drug Hunters Spot Virus-Fighting Compounds
A big project looks at “doorways” the coronavirus uses to get into cells—and finds drugs that could block them