The Conversation U.S. - News written by researchers and scientists to help you understand

Young men's arms with plastic cups on bar

Young men's arms with plastic cups on bar

Dozens of men failed to stop an alleged gang rape at Cornell – here’s the misperception that keeps bystanders from intervening and how to short-circuit it

Catherine A. Sanderson, Amherst College

Christa Pike survived a lethal injection attempt – the latest person to endure a failed execution

Austin Sarat, Amherst College

An ambulance drives through a gated entrance at night.

An ambulance drives through a gated entrance at night.

Could a former IDF chief break Benjamin Netanyahu’s grip on power in Israel?

Isabella Podwinski, The Conversation and Justin Bergman, The Conversation

An advertisement featuring Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the opposition leader of the Yashar centrist political party Gadi Eisenkot

An advertisement featuring Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the opposition leader of the Yashar centrist political party Gadi Eisenkot

Young Black woman wearing a white, fishnet dress and long, dangling, silver earrings sits in front of a piano on a stage and looks out into the crowd.

Young Black woman wearing a white, fishnet dress and long, dangling, silver earrings sits in front of a piano on a stage and looks out into the crowd.

Nina Simone, Langston Hughes and their forgotten creative collaboration

Jason Miller, North Carolina State University

A tall white building with ornate pillars is seen through a hole in a row of trees.

A tall white building with ornate pillars is seen through a hole in a row of trees.

A Colorado preschool case will be the Supreme Court’s latest to test boundaries of LGBTQ rights and religious freedom

Mark Satta, Wayne State University; Institute for Humane Studies

A big cat leaps as it runs.

A big cat leaps as it runs.

3 iconic animals show the value of the US Endangered Species Act – and the harm in stripping it away

Timothy Randhir, UMass Amherst

Too many males to choose from can overwhelm female frogs – and change who gets to mate

Claire Therese Hemingway, University of Tennessee; Smithsonian Institution

Three gray frogs on a gray branch.

Three gray frogs on a gray branch.

As private equity, politics and prediction markets reshape sports, is the press box up to the task?

Alex Volonte, University of Florida

Middle-aged bald man wearing a suit raises his arms while speaking at a podium surrounded by fans.

Middle-aged bald man wearing a suit raises his arms while speaking at a podium surrounded by fans.

The trouble with Flock cameras is the surveillance system’s architecture, not just some of its users

Henry F. Fradella, Arizona State University

Several cameras are attached to a light post as clouds and blue sky appear in the background.

Several cameras are attached to a light post as clouds and blue sky appear in the background.

From suicide bombers to positions of authority – the changing role of women in jihadi groups

Sara Harmouch, George Washington University

Figures dressed in black burkas carry large guns.

Figures dressed in black burkas carry large guns.

A neighborhood of older homes surrounded by a hill and trees.

A neighborhood of older homes surrounded by a hill and trees.

Can development happen without displacement? Pittsburgh’s Hazelwood neighborhood is a test case

Ira Goldstein, University of Pennsylvania

A group of people waiting to vote in a long line outside a country store named the 'Sugar Shack.'

A group of people waiting to vote in a long line outside a country store named the 'Sugar Shack.'

Up-and-down progress of voting rights in America has been shaped by these 10 key moments

Gibbs Knotts, Coastal Carolina University and Christopher A. Cooper, Western Carolina University

A sprinkling of snow covers the remains of homes destroyed in a wildfire.

A sprinkling of snow covers the remains of homes destroyed in a wildfire.

Question of whether taxpayers or fossil fuel companies pay for climate change damage heads to Supreme Court

Patrick Parenteau, Vermont Law & Graduate School

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An illustration of overlapping waves

An illustration of overlapping waves

100 years ago, Schrödinger’s equation shed light on quantum physics – scientists use it today to fine-tune chemical reactions

Sophya Garashchuk, University of South Carolina

A woman looks at a hand-held computer screen with two men depicted on it.

A woman looks at a hand-held computer screen with two men depicted on it.

As AI political deepfakes go viral, lawmakers struggle to keep up – 2 states’ laws show limits of what they can do

Stefani Langehennig, University of Denver

A glacier front meets the water.

A glacier front meets the water.

Antarctica’s ice loss is locked in, and extra snowfall won’t save it – that’s bad news for low-lying coastal areas elsewhere

Yucheng Lin, City University of Hong Kong and Robert Kopp, Rutgers University

Why the nor'easter’s storm surge was so high, and what it says about the El Niño winter ahead

Brian Tang, University at Albany, State University of New York

People from a pizza shop pick up equipment from knee-deep flood water.

People from a pizza shop pick up equipment from knee-deep flood water.

Ron DeSantis’ 2 terms in office fundamentally altered Florida’s political landscape, cementing conservative policies through strategic control of state institutions

Liv Coleman, University of Tampa

man in a suit standing in front of the flag of the state of Florida

man in a suit standing in front of the flag of the state of Florida

The ‘War Games’ problem: Computer science has long understood what it takes to keep AI under control

Deven Desai, Georgia Institute of Technology

a dark room with a set of very large display screens

a dark room with a set of very large display screens

Criminal conspiracy to steal used cooking oil shows how trash can become treasure

Edward D. Melillo, Amherst College

A man stands next to a large black container labeled 'Used cooking oil only.'

A man stands next to a large black container labeled 'Used cooking oil only.'

Global health research makes America richer and healthier

Joshua R. Ehrlich, University of Michigan

two doctors talking in front of a map of the world

two doctors talking in front of a map of the world

As Jewish college students look South, some discover a long but overlooked history

Ashley Walters, College of Charleston

A religious sanctuary with stained-glass windows and young people sitting in wooden pews.

A religious sanctuary with stained-glass windows and young people sitting in wooden pews.

What the Eiffel Tower controversy reveals about a Hindu monastic practice – known as ‘brahmacharya’

Bhakti Mamtora, University of Arizona

Several monks in saffron robes pray with the Eiffel Tower in the background.

Several monks in saffron robes pray with the Eiffel Tower in the background.

Starship’s first orbital flight put its heat shield to the test – how it fares could determine if SpaceX’s vision is possible

Sven Bilén, Penn State

A rocket lifting off from a launchpad, with a plume of flame and smoke beneath it.

A rocket lifting off from a launchpad, with a plume of flame and smoke beneath it.

Latest videos

A group of firefighters climing a dusty hill. The hill is steep and the firefighters appear tired.

A group of firefighters climing a dusty hill. The hill is steep and the firefighters appear tired.

How extreme heat takes a toll on firefighters

Why taxi drivers rarely die of Alzheimer’s

Bright yellow taxis packed closely together, appearing to be stuck in traffic.

Bright yellow taxis packed closely together, appearing to be stuck in traffic.

Dengue fever on the rise in the US

A health worker wearing white protective gear that covers from head to toe and a yellow mask fumigates for mosquitoes inside a home with a green wall.

A health worker wearing white protective gear that covers from head to toe and a yellow mask fumigates for mosquitoes inside a home with a green wall.

How do ice cubes cool a drink?

Four tall cocktail glasses with colorful drinks. In order from right: green, red, orange, and purple. Classes also contain mint leaves, ice, lemons and limes.

Four tall cocktail glasses with colorful drinks. In order from right: green, red, orange, and purple. Classes also contain mint leaves, ice, lemons and limes.

How heat in Tibet fuels storms in California

Brown Tibetan Plateau is on the left and the gray Himalyas mountains are in the middle. Photo is taken from space.

Brown Tibetan Plateau is on the left and the gray Himalyas mountains are in the middle. Photo is taken from space.

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Midterms 2026

A black-and-white photo of three men dressed in black.

A black-and-white photo of three men dressed in black.

2 midterm elections that brought on new eras in US politics

Robert A. Strong, University of Virginia

Why Hispanic Americans are losing faith in the American Dream

Diana Orcés, American University

Two people wearing and holding American flags walk down the middle of a street in a parade, facing away from the camera.

Two people wearing and holding American flags walk down the middle of a street in a parade, facing away from the camera.

What to do if your vote is challenged: Practical advice for midterm elections

Karen Figueroa-Clewett, USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences

Three voting booths and an American flag.

Three voting booths and an American flag.

From the Freedom Caucus to the democratic socialists, small groups inside parties can wreak havoc with leaders’ agenda in Congress

SoRelle Wyckoff Gaynor, University of Virginia and Charlie Hunt, Boise State University

Supporters for Democratic congressional candidate Darializa Avila Chevalier celebrate during an election night watch party, June 23, 2026, in New York.

Supporters for Democratic congressional candidate Darializa Avila Chevalier celebrate during an election night watch party, June 23, 2026, in New York.

Why the Supreme Court blocked Trump and the Postal Service from restricting mail-in voting for the midterms

John J. Martin, Quinnipiac University

An illustration with the American flag, scales of justice and a person placing a ballot in a ballot box.

An illustration with the American flag, scales of justice and a person placing a ballot in a ballot box.

Read more of our coverage of the upcoming midterm elections

U.S.-Iran war

A lighted sign shows diesel fuel costs $6.39 a gallon.

A lighted sign shows diesel fuel costs $6.39 a gallon.

Iran war pushes diesel – the economy’s lifeblood – to record high prices, with no relief on the horizon

Morgan Bazilian, Colorado School of Mines and Jamie Webster, Colorado School of Mines

Houthi advance boosts Iran’s leverage over the US and Saudi Arabia – but may cost rebel group its legitimacy back in Yemen

Mahad D. Darar, Colorado State University

Armed men patrol in an open-top vehicle.

Armed men patrol in an open-top vehicle.

Rapid Houthi advances in Yemen pose massive strategic risks for Saudi Arabia in the Gulf

Kristian Coates Ulrichsen, Rice University

Men in military fatigues with weapons.

Men in military fatigues with weapons.

A new Houthi front and expanded Iranian attacks risk sinking Gulf nations’ choke-point workaround and widening shipping risks

Kristian Coates Ulrichsen, Rice University

Men in army fatigues stand with large guns.

Men in army fatigues stand with large guns.

Amid grinding war, protesting Ukrainians still want their voices and values heard at home

Sarah Wilson Sokhey, University of Colorado Boulder; Gerard Toal, Virginia Tech, and John O’Loughlin, University of Colorado Boulder

A protester holds up a sign saying 'We support Fedorov.'

A protester holds up a sign saying 'We support Fedorov.'

Read more of coverage of the U.S.-Iran war

Extreme weather and natural disasters

A satellite view of the hurricane and Hawaii.

A satellite view of the hurricane and Hawaii.

Another hurricane just sideswiped Hawaii – why the islands’ usual force field seems to be down in 2026

Nicholas Grondin, University of Tampa

As cities prepare for 2026’s super El Niño, some crucial blind spots can’t be ignored

Bethany Tietjen, Tufts University

A man carrying several items walks through cement passage with water in it under a bridge

A man carrying several items walks through cement passage with water in it under a bridge

Game delays for lightning may be annoying, but they save lives – a sports meteorologist explains the risk

Chris Vagasky, University of Wisconsin-Madison

Lightning strikes near a soccer match, viewed from a safe angle, on Aug. 16, 2025, in Orlando, Florida.

Lightning strikes near a soccer match, viewed from a safe angle, on Aug. 16, 2025, in Orlando, Florida.

Arctic infrastructure was built on frozen ground – drones and digital twins can help spot the permafrost thaw coming

Ming Xiao, Penn State

An aerial view of a small coastal village

An aerial view of a small coastal village

2026’s El Niño is shaping up to be a doozy – it’s already affecting global shipping, fish behavior and heat

Steven Paton, Smithsonian Institution

A aerial view of a ship on the Panama Canal

A aerial view of a ship on the Panama Canal

Read more articles related to extreme weather

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International

Men in army fatigues walk down the street

Men in army fatigues walk down the street

Ethiopia is sliding back toward war – a look at what is driving the fighting and why it matters

Alemayehu Fentaw Weldemariam, Indiana University

The Mecca alliance meets the Red Sea – Saudi Arabia’s new defense pact faces its first major test

John Calabrese, American University

Men in business attire gather at a meeting.

Men in business attire gather at a meeting.

In ‘NAZA,’ Israeli whistleblowers’ revelations about civilian deaths in Gaza reflect a longer history of Palestinian isolation

Drew Paul, University of Tennessee

A city skyline at dusk.

A city skyline at dusk.

Push for Creole courses in schools stokes historic anti-Haitian feeling in Dominican Republic

Kendall Medford, Penn State

Young people look at a sunset.

Young people look at a sunset.

21 years after disaster helped bring peace to Aceh – has botched Indonesian response to floods reignited calls for independence?

Azifah Astrina, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign; Universitas Gadjah Mada

A flag with a crescent and red background flutters in the wind.

A flag with a crescent and red background flutters in the wind.

Read more world news

New research in health and science

Microscopy image of thin, small translucent rods colored purple, blue and white scattered across the screen.

Microscopy image of thin, small translucent rods colored purple, blue and white scattered across the screen.

Hibernating bacteria can invade hospitals and survive outer space – but their high energy bill is a weakness that scientists can strike

Canan Karakoç, Georgia Institute of Technology

Menopause is a major health milestone, yet health records barely track it - new research

Audrey Hendricks, University of Colorado Anschutz and Nanette Santoro, University of Colorado Anschutz

A group of middle-aged women lay and talk on a windy beach

A group of middle-aged women lay and talk on a windy beach

Cholesterol control gets personalized – a cardiologist explains how new guidelines tailor treatment to your unique risk profile

William Cornwell, University of Colorado Anschutz

Two large blocks of butter stacked on top of a butter package with a silver knife on the left side.

Two large blocks of butter stacked on top of a butter package with a silver knife on the left side.

Fiber is both diet fad and fixture for good health – a doctor explains why there is no one-size-fits-all way to increase your intake

Jean Liew, Boston University

Wooden cutting board with the word 'FIBER' written in flour, surrounded by various high-fiber fruits, vegetables, nuts, legumes, grains

Wooden cutting board with the word 'FIBER' written in flour, surrounded by various high-fiber fruits, vegetables, nuts, legumes, grains

The higher your body fat %, the less accurate your smartwatch is at measuring calories

Jason Kostrna, Florida International University

two men putting smartwatches on a man wearing mask sitting on a bike

two men putting smartwatches on a man wearing mask sitting on a bike

Read more new science research

Artificial intelligence

Two robotic hands hover above a glowing crystal ball.

Two robotic hands hover above a glowing crystal ball.

Chatbots as oracles: How AI is giving new life to the ancient practice of seeking answers from inscrutable sources

Webb Keane, University of Michigan and Ambuj Tewari, University of Michigan

Trump frames unregulated AI as a way to keep ahead of China – but in fact, it harms US national security

Stephen Collins, Kennesaw State University

Two men walk down a white path next to a green lawn.

Two men walk down a white path next to a green lawn.

From lab to life: Why translating AI advances to the real world is a major challenge

Bo Wang, University of Mississippi

a video screen showing traffic in a city intersection with annotations

a video screen showing traffic in a city intersection with annotations

AI tools can help Americans meet their civil legal needs

Ellen Murphy, Wake Forest University

An illustration of a person pressing on a clear screen with a justice symbol on it.

An illustration of a person pressing on a clear screen with a justice symbol on it.

Why AI has trouble predicting the fury of hurricane intensity

Chanh Kieu, Indiana University

A satellite image shows temperatures of a hurricane seen from above

A satellite image shows temperatures of a hurricane seen from above

Read more stories on artificial intelligence

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