The Conversation U.S.
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A nonprofit news organization dedicated to sharing the knowledge of experts with the public, in accessible, trustworthy articles drawing on their research.
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If so, please consider donating to our fall fundraising campaign.
As a thank-you, you’ll receive a downloadable e-book from our series on bold ideas for tackling the housing crisis.
donate.theconversation.com/us?utm_campa...
If so, please consider donating to our fall fundraising campaign.
As a thank-you, you’ll receive a downloadable e-book from our series on bold ideas for tackling the housing crisis.
donate.theconversation.com/us?utm_campa...
“National interest” is ambiguous. Although it is often presented as an expression of sheer force, its effectiveness ultimately rests on something softer – the manner in which a government projects credibility to the world, explains the author of a biography of George Washington. buff.ly/Td5nM6I
George Washington’s foreign policy was built on respect for other nations and patient consideration of future burdens
For the nation’s first president, friendliness was strategy, not concession: the republic would treat other nations with civility in order to remain independent of their appetites and quarrels.
theconversation.com
January 11, 2026 at 3:24 PM
“National interest” is ambiguous. Although it is often presented as an expression of sheer force, its effectiveness ultimately rests on something softer – the manner in which a government projects credibility to the world, explains the author of a biography of George Washington. buff.ly/Td5nM6I
Chasing honor in battle can bring out our best, or our worst.
From Aristotle to samurai Japan, philosophers have long warned that the pursuit of honor can inspire virtue or tip into brutality. buff.ly/EtCbqQd
From Aristotle to samurai Japan, philosophers have long warned that the pursuit of honor can inspire virtue or tip into brutality. buff.ly/EtCbqQd
Seeking honor is a double-edged sword – from ancient Greece to samurai Japan, thinkers have wrestled with whether it’s the way to virtue
Though they lived centuries apart, Aristotle and Tsunetomo both explored what it means to live virtuously, and the risks of wanting praise or recognition.
theconversation.com
January 11, 2026 at 2:51 PM
Chasing honor in battle can bring out our best, or our worst.
From Aristotle to samurai Japan, philosophers have long warned that the pursuit of honor can inspire virtue or tip into brutality. buff.ly/EtCbqQd
From Aristotle to samurai Japan, philosophers have long warned that the pursuit of honor can inspire virtue or tip into brutality. buff.ly/EtCbqQd
Reposted by The Conversation U.S.
Winter jackets keep you warm by managing heat through the three classical modes of heat transfer – conduction, convection and radiation – all while remaining breathable so sweat can escape. (via @us.theconversation.com) https://to.pbs.org/45NdzKN
Old physics, new materials: The science behind how winter jackets keep you warm
Modern winter jackets are a testament to centuries-old physics and cutting-edge materials science.
www.pbs.org
January 10, 2026 at 10:01 PM
Winter jackets keep you warm by managing heat through the three classical modes of heat transfer – conduction, convection and radiation – all while remaining breathable so sweat can escape. (via @us.theconversation.com) https://to.pbs.org/45NdzKN
If you dislike journalism based in research, don’t read The Conversation (and you will especially dislike this article, so don’t share this post) theconversation.com/if-you-dont-...
‘If you don’t like dark roast, this isn’t the coffee for you’: How exclusionary ads can win over the right customers
By openly saying, ‘This isn’t for you,’ brands signal focus and specificity. That helps the right customers feel a stronger connection.
theconversation.com
January 10, 2026 at 11:40 PM
If you dislike journalism based in research, don’t read The Conversation (and you will especially dislike this article, so don’t share this post) theconversation.com/if-you-dont-...
Reposted by The Conversation U.S.
From 2020 and it didn't get any less relevant with the passage of time. What do you want to wager it has always been relevant?*
*not actually a question
theconversation.com/why-police-u...
*not actually a question
theconversation.com/why-police-u...
Why police unions are not part of the American labor movement
George Floyd’s death has thrust police unions into the spotlight amid a growing recognition that they are not part of the U.S. labor movement but a narrow interest group pursuing their self-interests.
theconversation.com
January 10, 2026 at 7:53 PM
From 2020 and it didn't get any less relevant with the passage of time. What do you want to wager it has always been relevant?*
*not actually a question
theconversation.com/why-police-u...
*not actually a question
theconversation.com/why-police-u...
Reposted by The Conversation U.S.
George Washington’s foreign policy was built on respect for other nations and patient consideration of future burdens
theconversation.com/george-washi...
theconversation.com/george-washi...
George Washington’s foreign policy was built on respect for other nations and patient consideration of future burdens
For the nation’s first president, friendliness was strategy, not concession: the republic would treat other nations with civility in order to remain independent of their appetites and quarrels.
theconversation.com
January 10, 2026 at 8:38 PM
George Washington’s foreign policy was built on respect for other nations and patient consideration of future burdens
theconversation.com/george-washi...
theconversation.com/george-washi...
Reposted by The Conversation U.S.
Sahel smallholder farmers face rising climate pressures, but climate-smart agricultural technologies are showing real promise for improving livelihoods.
theconversation.com/sahel-farmer...
#Climate
theconversation.com/sahel-farmer...
#Climate
Sahel farmers do better when they combine innovations rather than using them one by one
Climate-smart agricultural technologies increase crop sales revenue for farmers in the Sahel region.
theconversation.com
January 7, 2026 at 8:43 PM
Sahel smallholder farmers face rising climate pressures, but climate-smart agricultural technologies are showing real promise for improving livelihoods.
theconversation.com/sahel-farmer...
#Climate
theconversation.com/sahel-farmer...
#Climate
Reposted by The Conversation U.S.
Just another way to suppress votes. #voterrights #electionday
29 states allow mail-in ballots postmarked by Election Day sent from overseas to be counted days after an election. A case before the Supreme Court could take that decision away from the states. buff.ly/5Srm3Ws
Americans have had their mail-in ballots counted after Election Day for generations − a Supreme Court ruling could end the practice
29 states allow mail-in ballots postmarked by Election Day to be counted days after an election. A case before the Supreme Court could take that decision away from the states.
theconversation.com
January 10, 2026 at 2:48 AM
Just another way to suppress votes. #voterrights #electionday
A nutrition scientist who advised the government on dietary guidelines between 2022 and 2024 explains how her scientific committee’s recommendations were ignored in developing the guidelines released this week. buff.ly/QTBFhD6
New US dietary guidelines recommend more protein and whole milk, less ultraprocessed foods
Irregularities in how the government developed the updated guidelines raise questions about its conclusions.
theconversation.com
January 10, 2026 at 11:48 AM
A nutrition scientist who advised the government on dietary guidelines between 2022 and 2024 explains how her scientific committee’s recommendations were ignored in developing the guidelines released this week. buff.ly/QTBFhD6
Po'pay, a Tewa religious leader, led the Pueblo Revolt, the most successful Indigenous rebellion in what’s now the United States. A historian of early America explains why he is not surprised Po’pay will be excluded from Trump’s Garden of Heroes. buff.ly/ym5J6D5
The 17th-century Pueblo leader who fought for independence from colonial rule – long before the American Revolution
Po'pay, a Tewa religious leader, led the Pueblo Revolt, the most successful Indigenous rebellion in what’s now the United States.
theconversation.com
January 10, 2026 at 9:06 AM
Po'pay, a Tewa religious leader, led the Pueblo Revolt, the most successful Indigenous rebellion in what’s now the United States. A historian of early America explains why he is not surprised Po’pay will be excluded from Trump’s Garden of Heroes. buff.ly/ym5J6D5
Superheavy-lift rockets like SpaceX’s Starship could transform astronomy by making space telescopes cheaper. An astrophysicist explains: buff.ly/BfNdu1K
Superheavy-lift rockets like SpaceX’s Starship could transform astronomy by making space telescopes cheaper
NASA, SpaceX and Blue Origin have all successfully launched superheavy-lift rockets. These massive vehicles are designed to carry a much heavier load.
theconversation.com
January 10, 2026 at 7:28 AM
Superheavy-lift rockets like SpaceX’s Starship could transform astronomy by making space telescopes cheaper. An astrophysicist explains: buff.ly/BfNdu1K
Methamphetamine triggers brain inflammation through the same immune mechanisms that make it addictive. Scientists found that blocking a key immune molecule could reduce meth's effects on dopamine neurons, potentially offering a new prospect for treatment. buff.ly/ao4eumD
Meth inflames and stimulates your brain through similar pathways – new research offers potential avenue to treat meth addiction
Researchers identified a key molecule that highlights how the immune system is linked to the release of dopamine.
theconversation.com
January 10, 2026 at 5:35 AM
Methamphetamine triggers brain inflammation through the same immune mechanisms that make it addictive. Scientists found that blocking a key immune molecule could reduce meth's effects on dopamine neurons, potentially offering a new prospect for treatment. buff.ly/ao4eumD
Health officials have moved 6 childhood vaccines off the routinely recommended schedule, framing it as expanding parental choice.
A health policy researcher explains why the shift to "shared decision-making" could mean many children don’t get protected. buff.ly/u4neWgE 🧪🩺 #VaccinesWork
A health policy researcher explains why the shift to "shared decision-making" could mean many children don’t get protected. buff.ly/u4neWgE 🧪🩺 #VaccinesWork
‘Shared decision-making’ for childhood vaccines sounds empowering – but it may mean less access for families already stretched thin
Doctor’s visits are already rushed. Adding extra steps means some children, especially those from low-income families, simply won’t get the vaccines they should.
buff.ly
January 10, 2026 at 4:48 AM
Health officials have moved 6 childhood vaccines off the routinely recommended schedule, framing it as expanding parental choice.
A health policy researcher explains why the shift to "shared decision-making" could mean many children don’t get protected. buff.ly/u4neWgE 🧪🩺 #VaccinesWork
A health policy researcher explains why the shift to "shared decision-making" could mean many children don’t get protected. buff.ly/u4neWgE 🧪🩺 #VaccinesWork
You can improve your home’s air quality this year with a few straightforward hanges—especially in how you cook, clean and use personal care products. An atmospheric chemist explains: buff.ly/pIqoRN9
Live healthier in 2026 by breathing cleaner air at home
An atmospheric chemist offers quick, easy and inexpensive suggestions to reduce indoor air pollution.
theconversation.com
January 10, 2026 at 3:22 AM
You can improve your home’s air quality this year with a few straightforward hanges—especially in how you cook, clean and use personal care products. An atmospheric chemist explains: buff.ly/pIqoRN9
29 states allow mail-in ballots postmarked by Election Day sent from overseas to be counted days after an election. A case before the Supreme Court could take that decision away from the states. buff.ly/5Srm3Ws
Americans have had their mail-in ballots counted after Election Day for generations − a Supreme Court ruling could end the practice
29 states allow mail-in ballots postmarked by Election Day to be counted days after an election. A case before the Supreme Court could take that decision away from the states.
theconversation.com
January 10, 2026 at 2:28 AM
29 states allow mail-in ballots postmarked by Election Day sent from overseas to be counted days after an election. A case before the Supreme Court could take that decision away from the states. buff.ly/5Srm3Ws
When reputable local news outlets close, fewer people vote and get involved in local politics, and misinformation, corruption and polarization increase, an expert on the U.S. media and its role in democracy explains. buff.ly/lcUuZZQ By @victorpickard.bsky.social #journalism
Why the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s closure exposes a growing threat to democracy
When reputable local news outlets close, fewer people vote and get involved in local politics, and misinformation, corruption and polarization increase.
buff.ly
January 10, 2026 at 12:47 AM
When reputable local news outlets close, fewer people vote and get involved in local politics, and misinformation, corruption and polarization increase, an expert on the U.S. media and its role in democracy explains. buff.ly/lcUuZZQ By @victorpickard.bsky.social #journalism
The 6-7 craze that disrupted classrooms and sports events worldwide was more than just nonsense.
Media scholars from 3 countries say the fad reveals how children use meaningless language and games to carve out spaces where they hold the power and adults don't make the rules. buff.ly/YRSvX8o
Media scholars from 3 countries say the fad reveals how children use meaningless language and games to carve out spaces where they hold the power and adults don't make the rules. buff.ly/YRSvX8o
The 6-7 craze offered a brief window into the hidden world of children
From Pig Latin to Punch Buggy, kids have long used nonsensical language, gestures and games to carve out cultures of their own.
theconversation.com
January 9, 2026 at 11:03 PM
The 6-7 craze that disrupted classrooms and sports events worldwide was more than just nonsense.
Media scholars from 3 countries say the fad reveals how children use meaningless language and games to carve out spaces where they hold the power and adults don't make the rules. buff.ly/YRSvX8o
Media scholars from 3 countries say the fad reveals how children use meaningless language and games to carve out spaces where they hold the power and adults don't make the rules. buff.ly/YRSvX8o
For the nation’s first president, friendliness was strategy, not concession: the republic would treat other nations with civility in order to remain independent of their appetites and quarrels. buff.ly/S54iB76
George Washington’s foreign policy was built on respect for other nations and patient consideration of future burdens
For the nation’s first president, friendliness was strategy, not concession: the republic would treat other nations with civility in order to remain independent of their appetites and quarrels.
theconversation.com
January 9, 2026 at 10:14 PM
For the nation’s first president, friendliness was strategy, not concession: the republic would treat other nations with civility in order to remain independent of their appetites and quarrels. buff.ly/S54iB76
Racial profiling by immigration agents isn’t new.
It echoes one of the darkest chapters in U.S. history, with clear parallels between today’s targeting of Latino communities and the incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II.
It echoes one of the darkest chapters in U.S. history, with clear parallels between today’s targeting of Latino communities and the incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II.
Racial profiling by ICE agents mirrors the targeting of Japanese Americans during World War II
Asian Americans have drawn parallels between today’s attacks on Latinos and a historically exclusive immigration policy that favors some families over others.
buff.ly
January 9, 2026 at 8:48 PM
Racial profiling by immigration agents isn’t new.
It echoes one of the darkest chapters in U.S. history, with clear parallels between today’s targeting of Latino communities and the incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II.
It echoes one of the darkest chapters in U.S. history, with clear parallels between today’s targeting of Latino communities and the incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II.
Very unfortunately, Elon Musk’s AI chatbot Grok is letting users on X generate nonconsensual sexual images of real people.
Including minors.
A tech law scholar explains why this outcome was predictable and and what (limited) accountability options exist at this time:
Including minors.
A tech law scholar explains why this outcome was predictable and and what (limited) accountability options exist at this time:
Grok produces sexualized photos of women and minors for users on X – a legal scholar explains why it’s happening and what can be done
Child sexual abuse material on X is clearly illegal. What’s less clear is how to force X to prevent its AI chatbot from making the material.
buff.ly
January 9, 2026 at 8:22 PM
Very unfortunately, Elon Musk’s AI chatbot Grok is letting users on X generate nonconsensual sexual images of real people.
Including minors.
A tech law scholar explains why this outcome was predictable and and what (limited) accountability options exist at this time:
Including minors.
A tech law scholar explains why this outcome was predictable and and what (limited) accountability options exist at this time:
The West is in a snow drought, even after record storms ❄️
Here’s the paradox: Warm atmospheric rivers brought heavy rain, melted existing snow, and left less water stored in the mountain snowpacks that much of the region depends on for year-round water.
buff.ly/uc9PYs8
#climatesky
Here’s the paradox: Warm atmospheric rivers brought heavy rain, melted existing snow, and left less water stored in the mountain snowpacks that much of the region depends on for year-round water.
buff.ly/uc9PYs8
#climatesky
The western US is in a snow drought, and storms have been making it worse
A major atmospheric river brought record precipitation to the Pacific Northwest, yet the snow and water supply still suffered. It’s a growing problem.
buff.ly
January 9, 2026 at 7:48 PM
The West is in a snow drought, even after record storms ❄️
Here’s the paradox: Warm atmospheric rivers brought heavy rain, melted existing snow, and left less water stored in the mountain snowpacks that much of the region depends on for year-round water.
buff.ly/uc9PYs8
#climatesky
Here’s the paradox: Warm atmospheric rivers brought heavy rain, melted existing snow, and left less water stored in the mountain snowpacks that much of the region depends on for year-round water.
buff.ly/uc9PYs8
#climatesky
Friday means time for our weekly news quiz with Fritz!
Your first question:
The military code name given to Maduro's capture feels like it could also be the name of a dieting trick. That code name was Operation what?
Leave your answer in the comments or test your knowledge at buff.ly/BonefUk
Your first question:
The military code name given to Maduro's capture feels like it could also be the name of a dieting trick. That code name was Operation what?
Leave your answer in the comments or test your knowledge at buff.ly/BonefUk
January 9, 2026 at 6:51 PM
Friday means time for our weekly news quiz with Fritz!
Your first question:
The military code name given to Maduro's capture feels like it could also be the name of a dieting trick. That code name was Operation what?
Leave your answer in the comments or test your knowledge at buff.ly/BonefUk
Your first question:
The military code name given to Maduro's capture feels like it could also be the name of a dieting trick. That code name was Operation what?
Leave your answer in the comments or test your knowledge at buff.ly/BonefUk
Illness doesn’t start and end in the body.
Medical sociology studies how inequality, racism, poverty and policy decisions literally get under the skin, shaping who gets sick, who gets better care and who is left waiting.
buff.ly/JhuIY5n
🩺
Medical sociology studies how inequality, racism, poverty and policy decisions literally get under the skin, shaping who gets sick, who gets better care and who is left waiting.
buff.ly/JhuIY5n
🩺
Illness is more than just biological – medical sociology shows how social factors get under the skin and cause disease
Medical sociology examines how social, cultural, political and economic factors shape health in ways that medicine alone cannot treat.
buff.ly
January 9, 2026 at 6:22 PM
Illness doesn’t start and end in the body.
Medical sociology studies how inequality, racism, poverty and policy decisions literally get under the skin, shaping who gets sick, who gets better care and who is left waiting.
buff.ly/JhuIY5n
🩺
Medical sociology studies how inequality, racism, poverty and policy decisions literally get under the skin, shaping who gets sick, who gets better care and who is left waiting.
buff.ly/JhuIY5n
🩺
Many law enforcement agencies have use-of-force policies that state that officers should protect themselves from moving vehicles by getting out of the way, if possible, not by shooting.
ICE has no such policy.
By a police ethicist:
ICE has no such policy.
By a police ethicist:
ICE killing of driver in Minneapolis involved tactics many police departments warn against − but not ICE itself
Police departments have changed their policies regarding use of force over the years to protect life, but ICE and other federal agencies have lagged in this regard.
buff.ly
January 9, 2026 at 5:14 PM
Many law enforcement agencies have use-of-force policies that state that officers should protect themselves from moving vehicles by getting out of the way, if possible, not by shooting.
ICE has no such policy.
By a police ethicist:
ICE has no such policy.
By a police ethicist:
🍄 Imagine you purchase a bag of gummies labeled 'nootropic' – a term used to describe substances that claim to enhance mental ability and function, aka “smart drugs.”
However, within hours of consuming them, your heart starts racing, you’re nauseated and vomiting.
However, within hours of consuming them, your heart starts racing, you’re nauseated and vomiting.
January 8, 2026 at 10:37 PM
🍄 Imagine you purchase a bag of gummies labeled 'nootropic' – a term used to describe substances that claim to enhance mental ability and function, aka “smart drugs.”
However, within hours of consuming them, your heart starts racing, you’re nauseated and vomiting.
However, within hours of consuming them, your heart starts racing, you’re nauseated and vomiting.