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The Conversation U.S.

@us.theconversation.com

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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. Free to read, without paywalls or ads.

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The Conversation U.S. @us.theconversation.com · 12d

Are you with us in the fight against misinformation?

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.

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Black background with white lettering: "We highlight solutions. Support our newsroom with a donation today – and receive our exclusive e-book on housing."

The Conversation U.S. @us.theconversation.com · 15m

How weather changes cause migraines – a neurologist explains the triggers and what you can do to ease the pain: buff.ly/kQvbQi9

How weather changes cause migraines – a neurologist explains the triggers and what you can do to ease the pain

Storm systems, heat waves, bright sunlight, even lightning – for millions of people, weather changes can bring on painful headaches.

theconversation.com

The Conversation U.S. @us.theconversation.com · 15m

⛈️“Is it just in my head, or is there a storm coming?” Weather changes are one of the most commonly reported migraine triggers.

Danielle Wilhour, a neurologist at University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, explains why shifts in weather can bring on migraines & how to ease the pain.

The Conversation U.S. @us.theconversation.com · 52m

France’s most recent Prime Minister has resigned after less than a month in office.

When Macron swept to power in 2017, he promised stability. Eight years later, France has had 4 prime ministers in 18 months, street protests, and gridlock in parliament.

France’s latest prime minister has resigned after less than a month – what will Emmanuel Macron do now?

Sébastien Lecornu was the fourth prime minister to go since the summer of 2024. His departure adds yet more pressure on president Emmanuel Macron.

Reposted by The Conversation U.S.

RM @dorsalstream.bsky.social · 1h

Did a philosopher write this

theconversation.com/studying-phi...

Studying philosophy does make people better thinkers, according to new research on more than 600,000 college grads

Philosophers are fond of saying that their field boosts critical thinking. Two of them decided to put that claim to the test.

theconversation.com

Reposted by The Conversation U.S.

The Conversation U.S. @us.theconversation.com · 15h

Millions could see their health insurance costs double — or lose coverage entirely — if expanded ACA subsidies expire.

A budget fight over federal spending has put affordable care for millions on the line.

Health insurance subsidy standoff pits affordable care for millions against federal budget constraints

Short-term renewals of policies such as the ACA subsidies set up repeated battles in Congress.

The Conversation U.S. @us.theconversation.com · 1h

A true jester speaks truth to power theconversation.com/what-an-old-...

What an old folktale can teach us about the ‘annoying persistence’ of political comedians

The folktale, ‘The Bird Indifferent to Pain,’ offers insight into why audiences are drawn to the relentless jester – a comedic trope that has endured across cultures.

theconversation.com

The Conversation U.S. @us.theconversation.com · 1h

Yeah, there's no good evidence for that. From our archive: theconversation.com/is-apple-cid...

Is apple cider vinegar good for you? A doctor weighs in

Does it seem like everyone you know drinks apple cider vinegar, mainly in hopes of losing weight? Vinegar has a long history of high hopes attached to it. A doctor who loves vinegar explains.

theconversation.com

Reposted by The Conversation U.S.

American Sociological Association @asanews.bsky.social · 2h

ASA member Vanessa Delgado @vanessadelgado.bsky.social (Washington State University) was interviewed about higher education pathways for students living in the U.S. without legal authorization & the ways the administration is affecting their options. @us.theconversation.com

A fragmented legal system and threat of deportation are pushing higher education out of reach for many undocumented students

While some students living in the US without legal authorization can apply for private scholarships or state-based financial aid, a growing number of states are changing the rules.

The Conversation U.S. @us.theconversation.com · 2h

As it is said, history repeats itself. FBI Director Patel sees his job resting solely on pleasing the president.

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#polisky

History is repeating itself at the FBI as agents resist a director’s political agenda

FBI director Kash Patel says he is making the bureau more accountable. Critics charge him with purging it of anyone not perceived as loyal to President Trump.

The Conversation U.S. @us.theconversation.com · 3h

New research reminds us that few diseases stem from a single gene.

Understanding the interplay of many variants could unlock truly personalized care.

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🩺 🧪

1 gene, 1 disease no more – acknowledging the full complexity of genetics could improve and personalize medicine

Your DNA contains millions of genetic variants that interact with each other in ways that affect whether diseases such as schizophrenia and heart disease develop, and with what severity.

The Conversation U.S. @us.theconversation.com · 4h

New research suggests #sports fandom has hidden costs to physical #health:

Devoted fans are more likely to binge drink, eat unhealthy foods and engage in emotional eating (especially if your favorite team loses a lot)

Wings, booze and heartbreak – what my research says about the hidden costs of sports fandom

Being a sports fan has been shown to cultivate a sense of belonging. But what about all that sitting, snacking and drinking? And what does that mean for younger, health-conscious fans?

The Conversation U.S. @us.theconversation.com · 5h

Free speech wasn’t part of the original Constitution. It took fierce debate, and a change of heart from James Madison, to make the First Amendment.

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#polisky #freespeech

Why free speech rights got left out of the Constitution – and added in later via the First Amendment

The First Amendment – and the freedom of speech it guarantees – is considered a fundamental element of American freedom and identity. But it wasn’t even part of the original Constitution.

The Conversation U.S. @us.theconversation.com · 7h

Trump’s first months back in office have tested the limits of presidential power.

Now, the Supreme Court seems ready to erase many of those limits — embracing the “unitary executive theory”, a Republican idea from the 1980s that could make the presidency all-powerful.

The Supreme Court is headed toward a radically new vision of unlimited presidential power

Recent rulings indicate that the high court is leaning toward expanding the type of presidential power that is more emblematic of dictatorship than democracy.

The Conversation U.S. @us.theconversation.com · 9h

Tribal colleges have expanded access to higher education for Native students.

With median tuition of just $3,572, these affordable institutions focus on serving Native American students while teaching #Indigenous history, culture and language.

Tribal colleges and universities aren’t well known, but are a crucial steppingstone for Native students

While more Native Americans living on reservations attend college than in decades prior, just 10.3% earned college degrees in 2020.

The Conversation U.S. @us.theconversation.com · 13h

More young adults are living with their parents than previous generations (1.5 million more than a decade ago).

Soaring rents and home prices are keeping many from moving out or buying homes of their own.

More young adults are living with their parents than previous generations did

Rising housing costs are driving young adults back home – and reshaping careers, relationships and the economy.

The Conversation U.S. @us.theconversation.com · 14h

Even small drops in vaccination rates can fuel measles outbreaks, says pediatrician @drhigginsmd.bsky.social.

His message to parents: stay up to date and talk to your doctor to get more information – not social media.

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#vaccineswork 🩺 🧪

Even small drops in vaccination rates for US children can lead to disease outbreaks

Most states require childhood vaccinations for measles, mumps, tetanus, rubella, chickenpox and whooping cough.

The Conversation U.S. @us.theconversation.com · 15h

Millions could see their health insurance costs double — or lose coverage entirely — if expanded ACA subsidies expire.

A budget fight over federal spending has put affordable care for millions on the line.

Health insurance subsidy standoff pits affordable care for millions against federal budget constraints

Short-term renewals of policies such as the ACA subsidies set up repeated battles in Congress.

The Conversation U.S. @us.theconversation.com · 16h

In Appalachia, church pews and picket lines aren’t far apart.

For generations of coal miners, including union leader Cecil Roberts (seen here), fighting for workers’ rights has always been an act of faith.

From the pulpit to the picket line: For many miners, religion and labor rights have long been connected in coal country

The retirement of United Mine Workers of America’s longtime president is a reminder that labor and religion have always been entangled in coal country.

The Conversation U.S. @us.theconversation.com · 17h

Hackers don’t take breaks even when the government does.

The shutdown has gutted staffing at CISA, the agency tasked with protecting America’s networks and critical infrastructure.

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#Cybersecurity #Shutdown

Federal shutdown deals blow to already hobbled cybersecurity agency

The triple whammy of deep staff cuts, shutdown furloughs and the expiration of an information-sharing law leaves national cybersecurity in a perilous state.

The Conversation U.S. @us.theconversation.com · 20h

What past education technology failures can teach us about the future of AI in schools, according to a professor who studies the history and future of education technology:

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What past education technology failures can teach us about the future of AI in schools

It can take years to collect evidence that shows effective uses of new technologies in schools. Unfortunately, early guesses sometimes go seriously wrong.

The Conversation U.S. @us.theconversation.com · 21h

Solar storms can cause power blackouts, interrupt communication, and even make satellites fall to Earth prematurely. Scientists study space weather to predict it:

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What are solar storms and the solar wind? 3 astrophysicists explain how particles coming from the Sun interact with Earth

Space weather isn’t referring to rain clouds that float through the galaxy. Instead, it’s caused by massive explosions of particles that shoot out from the Sun.

The Conversation U.S. @us.theconversation.com · 22h

Podcaster Pablo Torre’s investigation into NBA salary cap circumvention shows the impact citizen reporters can have. A journalism researcher explains why this is a clear example of the growing need for bottom-up, citizen #journalism – particularly given media industry trends:

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Watchdog journalism’s future may lie in the work of independent reporters like Pablo Torre

Underground reporters could be among the last bulwarks against unchecked power.

The Conversation U.S. @us.theconversation.com · 23h

What right does a pharmacist have to make moral decisions for their patients?

Recent lawsuits highlight tensions between religious freedom and patient access to medications for gender-affirming care, a sociologist of law and medicine explains:

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Conflict at the drugstore: When pharmacists’ and patients’ values collide

Controversies often arise over pharmacists refusing to dispense medication, from Plan B to unproven COVID-19 treatments. Each one raises questions about professional rights and responsibilities.

The Conversation U.S. @us.theconversation.com · 1d

Hamas has run out of options – its survival now rests on accepting Trump’s plan and political reform in #Gaza buff.ly/TLsOSlM

#Oct7

Hamas has run out of options – survival now rests on accepting Trump’s plan and political reform

The Palestinian militant group has said it accepts some of President Trump’s proposed peace plan – but will it go all the way?

The Conversation U.S. @us.theconversation.com · 1d

This year’s Nobel Prize in medicine honors scientists who revealed how the immune system maintains balance between defending against pathogens and sparing healthy cells, opening new doors for treating autoimmune diseases and cancer.
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How does your immune system stay balanced? A Nobel Prize-winning answer

Regulatory T cells help your immune system distinguish between ‘self’ and ‘nonself’ – and can open doors to better treatments for cancer, autoimmune disease and transplant rejection.