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Social Security benefits will rise 3.6% in 2027, but that may not be enough to offset healthcare costs

Social Security benefits will rise 3.6% in 2027, but that may not be enough to offset healthcare costs

Some advocates for older Americans want the government to change the index used for this adjustment to one more tailored to their spending patterns.

yesterday 2

The Conversation

Pankaj Agrrawal

Companies may be held liable when AI harms their clients and customers

Companies may be held liable when AI harms their clients and customers

When an AI a business is using makes a mistake, the business tends to be on the hook, not the AI tool maker.

yesterday 3

The Conversation

Sarah Webber

I’m a pediatrician and a mom ‑ here’s how to treat lice without stigma

I’m a pediatrician and a mom ‑ here’s how to treat lice without stigma

Don’t panic! Having head lice can be frustrating, but it’s not dangerous and there are effective treatments.

yesterday 3

The Conversation

Emily J. C. Wong

How Trump’s disaster aid delays and FEMA cuts could galvanize the ‘movable middle’ in the 2026 elections

How Trump’s disaster aid delays and FEMA cuts could galvanize the ‘movable middle’ in the 2026 elections

In communities across America, people recovering from floods, storms and wildfires have been left waiting much longer for federal aid – if it...

yesterday 3

The Conversation

Dana R. Fisher

From ‘A Little Princess’ to ‘Black Panther,’ how Hollywood films have reimagined the South Asian epic ‘Ramayana’

From ‘A Little Princess’ to ‘Black Panther,’ how Hollywood films have reimagined the South Asian epic ‘Ramayana’

There is no single way to tell the story of the ‘Ramayana.’ People from different religious traditions and cultural backgrounds have reimagined...

yesterday 2

The Conversation

Sohini Sarah Pillai

Religious preschools want public funding, but exemptions from nondiscrimination rules – the Supreme Court will decide if that’s constitutional

Religious preschools want public funding, but exemptions from nondiscrimination rules – the Supreme Court will decide if that’s constitutional

St. Mary Catholic Parish v. Roy is one of many cases in which religious schools have challenged the wall between church and state.

yesterday 3

The Conversation

Suzanne Eckes

In newly independent US, Americans debated whether public executions taught a lesson or just showed off the state’s power to destroy

In newly independent US, Americans debated whether public executions taught a lesson or just showed off the state’s power to destroy

The conflict over the wisdom of Nidal Hasan’s public execution is not a new one. Americans at the republic’s founding debated – and doubted –...

yesterday 3

The Conversation

Maurizio Valsania

Republicans can confirm a Supreme Court justice if Democrats take the Senate, but at what cost?

Republicans can confirm a Supreme Court justice if Democrats take the Senate, but at what cost?

If Republicans attempt to confirm a nominee, they will trigger a historic fight and hand Democrats the justification needed to reshape the high court.

yesterday 3

The Conversation

Paul M. Collins Jr

Philly voters care about local issues, but election integrity fears make them wonder if their vote matters

Philly voters care about local issues, but election integrity fears make them wonder if their vote matters

A political communications expert explains how myths about election fraud can leave voters asking: What’s the point?

yesterday 3

The Conversation

Heather Lamarre

Pope Leo XIV’s lung cancer highlights growing number of nonsmokers diagnosed with the disease – and younger people too

Pope Leo XIV’s lung cancer highlights growing number of nonsmokers diagnosed with the disease – and younger people too

While lung cancer rates have decreased by 43% in men, they have risen by 79% in women. Broader screening guidelines and recognizing early symptoms can...

previous day 3

The Conversation

Estelamari Rodriguez

Guilfoyle resigns as ambassador to Greece – adding to the global vacancies sapping US embassies

Guilfoyle resigns as ambassador to Greece – adding to the global vacancies sapping US embassies

93 out of 196 U.S. ambassador jobs are currently unfilled. That includes countries that are key partners to Washington.

previous day 2

The Conversation

Donald Heflin

Social Security benefits are rising again, but probably not enough to offset healthcare costs

Social Security benefits are rising again, but probably not enough to offset healthcare costs

Some advocates for older Americans want the government to change the index used for this adjustment to one more tailored to their spending patterns.

previous day 2

The Conversation

Pankaj Agrrawal

I’ve been studying election integrity for 26 years, and here’s why I expect a normal election this November instead of chaos

I’ve been studying election integrity for 26 years, and here’s why I expect a normal election this November instead of chaos

Mayhem at the polls on Election Day 2026? Americans are worried. But a scholar of election law who has also run a nationwide election protection...

previous day 3

The Conversation

Justin Levitt

More rehab centers should mean fewer overdoses. In one California region, we found the opposite

More rehab centers should mean fewer overdoses. In one California region, we found the opposite

When people travel out of state for addiction treatment, overdose risk is greater than many realize.

previous day 2

The Conversation

Ilan Shrira

That brightly packaged sexual enhancement pill at the gas station might be laced with dangerous drugs

That brightly packaged sexual enhancement pill at the gas station might be laced with dangerous drugs

Sexual enhancement supplements often contain unlisted prescription drugs that pose serious health risks.

previous day 3

The Conversation

Andrew Yockey

Nicotine pouches, vaping or cigarettes: Which nicotine product is actually the least harmful?

Nicotine pouches, vaping or cigarettes: Which nicotine product is actually the least harmful?

Not all nicotine products are equally harmful. An addiction medicine physician explains how to parse the science.

previous day 2

The Conversation

Emma Fenske

Why the Paramount‑Warner merger is a problem for democracy

Why the Paramount‑Warner merger is a problem for democracy

The Paramount merger may make good business sense, but research shows putting more media power in fewer hands can come at a cost to the common good of...

previous day 3

The Conversation

Seth Ashley

Murder of Black suffrage leader Octavius Catto reveals why Election Day 1871 was one of the most violent in Philadelphia history

Murder of Black suffrage leader Octavius Catto reveals why Election Day 1871 was one of the most violent in Philadelphia history

Philadelphia has given the intersection of 8th and South streets a new name: Octavius Catto Way.

previous day 3

The Conversation

Timothy Welbeck

Across the US, people don’t want data centers coming to their communities

Across the US, people don’t want data centers coming to their communities

Opposition to data centers is widespread across the US, uniting people despite other differences on political and environmental issues.

previous day 2

The Conversation

Neha Gour

Today’s irreverent politics ignore ancient wisdom: The need to know your limits

Today’s irreverent politics ignore ancient wisdom: The need to know your limits

Many Americans have decried today’s politics as ‘shameless.’ The antidote, a political philosopher argues, may be more reverence – awe at just...

previous day 3

The Conversation

Robert A. Ballingall

Americans are stressed about grocery prices, so why do they toss or overlook so much ‘misfit’ food?

Americans are stressed about grocery prices, so why do they toss or overlook so much ‘misfit’ food?

Quality, rather than discounts or environmental benefits, is what’s needed to encourage shoppers to consider odd-shaped produce.

previous day 3

The Conversation

Jintao Zhang

What colleges and universities need from donors to thrive

What colleges and universities need from donors to thrive

Philanthropy, which covers an average of 10% of college and university budgets, can help schools and the students who attend them weather today’s...

monday 3

The Conversation

William Blomquist

300 glaciers have disappeared from the American West since the mid‑20th century – the survivors have a few things in common

300 glaciers have disappeared from the American West since the mid‑20th century – the survivors have a few things in common

A new study compared the glaciers in the Lower 48 states today against historical data from the mid-20th century. The results show the region’s...

monday 3

The Conversation

Andrew Fountain

Hooked on tuna: People have been harvesting these ocean predators for 44,000 years

Hooked on tuna: People have been harvesting these ocean predators for 44,000 years

Bones in archaeological sites, ancient rock art, paintings on frescos and vases, written historical records and ethnographic accounts all helped...

monday 2

The Conversation

Emma Elliott Smith

California is taking a beating from an unusually destructive 2026 Pacific hurricane season

California is taking a beating from an unusually destructive 2026 Pacific hurricane season

Tropical storms rarely survive in the cool water off California, but waves from storms far to the south can still damaged coastal areas. And flooding...

monday 2

The Conversation

Nicholas Grondin

Turmoil within Dolly Parton’s estate underscores the precariousness of family businesses after founders die

Turmoil within Dolly Parton’s estate underscores the precariousness of family businesses after founders die

Even when there’s a will, there’s a way for things to go awry.

monday 5

The Conversation

Reid Kress Weisbord

I teach doctors how to interpret test results – and the labels ‘normal’ and ‘abnormal’ often hide what matters most

I teach doctors how to interpret test results – and the labels ‘normal’ and ‘abnormal’ often hide what matters most

Labeling medical test results as ‘normal’ or ‘abnormal’ helps clinicians make quick judgments when diagnosing patients. But this binary...

monday 4

The Conversation

Amiran Baduashvili

Ancient people relied on genetic variation already present in wild plants to domesticate crops like rice and corn

Ancient people relied on genetic variation already present in wild plants to domesticate crops like rice and corn

New genomic tools let scientists dig into the family trees of crops like rice, corn and adzuki beans to learn more about how they transitioned from...

monday 4

The Conversation

Ornob Alam

Americans can now see a famous portrait of the Pacific Islander who captivated 18th‑century England for the first time

Americans can now see a famous portrait of the Pacific Islander who captivated 18th‑century England for the first time

Joshua Reynolds’ 1776 ‘Portrait of Omai’ portrays a commoner from Tahiti as a nobleman, reflecting European fantasies and assumptions about...

monday 4

The Conversation

Saar Shahar

Physics Nobel highlights Antarctica’s role in exploring the cosmos

Physics Nobel highlights Antarctica’s role in exploring the cosmos

For more than a century, scientists have treated Antarctica’s environments as windows into worlds beyond Earth.

monday 4

The Conversation

Daniella McCahey

How much rain can a hurricane make, and does the storm size matter?

How much rain can a hurricane make, and does the storm size matter?

Storms big and small can produce a lot of rain. What matters most is how fast they’re moving, as an atmospheric scientist and educator explains.

monday 4

The Conversation

Zachary Handlos

Democrats distance themselves from trans rights – close midterm races may show whether that pays off

Democrats distance themselves from trans rights – close midterm races may show whether that pays off

A scholar of LGBTQ politics looks at how Democratic campaigns in Texas and Ohio are shifting on trans issues and what that could mean for control of...

monday 4

The Conversation

Dorian Rhea Debussy

More than 119 million Brazilians voted in the Oct. 4 election – including about 21,000 Florida residents

More than 119 million Brazilians voted in the Oct. 4 election – including about 21,000 Florida residents

Brazilian voters abroad mirror the deep polarization shaping politics in their home country.

monday 4

The Conversation

Rafael R. Ioris

Pardoning of Israeli soldier evokes a long history of clemency for those who kill Palestinians

Pardoning of Israeli soldier evokes a long history of clemency for those who kill Palestinians

Elor Azaria, who killed a wounded Palestinian assailant, had his criminal record cleared. It follows a history of such pardons and reduced sentences.

monday 3

The Conversation

Tamir Sorek

How Hurricane Isaias broke through to become the first Atlantic hurricane in an extremely quiet 2026 season

How Hurricane Isaias broke through to become the first Atlantic hurricane in an extremely quiet 2026 season

An atmospheric scientist explains what’s been going on in the atmosphere, and how El Niño and the jet stream both play important roles.

09.10.2026 7

The Conversation

Christopher Davis

Why fall yard care could start with doing less – but not nothing

Why fall yard care could start with doing less – but not nothing

Fallen leaves provide essential winter habitat for native pollinators and provide natural mulch for the soil. If you have to clear some leaves,...

09.10.2026 7

The Conversation

Manjot Kaur Sidhu

Anne Carson’s Nobel‑winning, genre‑defying work bridges the gap between ancient Greek literature and modern life

Anne Carson’s Nobel‑winning, genre‑defying work bridges the gap between ancient Greek literature and modern life

Whether via her fill-in-the-blank translations or guest appearances on indie rock albums, Anne Carson has infused antiquity with a contemporary tongue

09.10.2026 4

The Conversation

Amy Cannon

What we talk about when we talk about US strategic ‘credibility’ – from Vietnam to Iran

What we talk about when we talk about US strategic ‘credibility’ – from Vietnam to Iran

‘Credibility is on the line’ has long been a refrain guiding U.S. foreign policy.

09.10.2026 5

The Conversation

Christopher Nichols

How Hurricane Isaias broke through to become the first Atlantic hurricane in an eerily quiet 2026 season

How Hurricane Isaias broke through to become the first Atlantic hurricane in an eerily quiet 2026 season

An atmospheric scientist explains what’s been going on in the atmosphere, and how El Niño and the jet stream both play important roles.

09.10.2026 6

The Conversation

Christopher Davis

We blasted mobile homes with hurricane‑force winds to test how they fail – and found clues for making affordable housing safer

We blasted mobile homes with hurricane‑force winds to test how they fail – and found clues for making affordable housing safer

Engineers are using a unique test facility called the Wall of Wind to develop housing that’s both affordable and disaster-resistant. Their tests...

09.10.2026 5

The Conversation

Elaina Sutley

Data centers make heat all year long – here’s how the ground can hold onto it until winter

Data centers make heat all year long – here’s how the ground can hold onto it until winter

Rocks deep underground can be used to hold heat until it’s needed.

09.10.2026 5

The Conversation

Moones Alamooti

Iraqi Kurds sees opportunities – and risks – in the withdrawal of US troops

Iraqi Kurds sees opportunities – and risks – in the withdrawal of US troops

The region may become less of a target for groups seeking to pressure the United States. But the Kurds also have less security support now, should...

09.10.2026 7

The Conversation

Firmesk Rahim

Students from military families are often misunderstood in US public schools – a retired military officer and behavioral health expert explains what schools can do

Students from military families are often misunderstood in US public schools – a retired military officer and behavioral health expert explains what schools can do

Students from military families have specific experiences and needs that require support from their schools.

09.10.2026 6

The Conversation

Nikki R Wooten

Why faculty diversity at universities still lags far behind the changing demographics of college students

Why faculty diversity at universities still lags far behind the changing demographics of college students

College faculties have become more diverse since the 1970s, but college faculty of color still often find that they feel marginalized among their...

09.10.2026 4

The Conversation

Rodney Coates

The oil market that sets today’s gas prices was invented in western Pennsylvania

The oil market that sets today’s gas prices was invented in western Pennsylvania

A historian traces how Oil City brokers, then John D. Rockefeller, then futures exchanges decided what the world pays for crude – and why no one...

09.10.2026 7

The Conversation

Brian C. Black

When abortion and surrogacy law collide, contracts can’t answer the hardest questions

When abortion and surrogacy law collide, contracts can’t answer the hardest questions

A custody battle over a newborn with a heart condition raised a question courts have rarely faced: Can anyone be forced to end a pregnancy?

09.10.2026 8

The Conversation

Sonia Suter

Sexual assault survivors’ stories may shift over time – a psychologist explains why it doesn’t mean they’re lying

Sexual assault survivors’ stories may shift over time – a psychologist explains why it doesn’t mean they’re lying

The brain’s acute response to the trauma of sexual assault can block a person’s ability to accurately assess what they experienced.

08.10.2026 8

The Conversation

Michele Patterson Ford

A molecule’s ‘handedness’ can determine whether it’s an effective drug – 4 examples of pharmaceuticals where chirality matters

A molecule’s ‘handedness’ can determine whether it’s an effective drug – 4 examples of pharmaceuticals where chirality matters

The 2026 Nobel Prize in chemistry gave a hand to handed molecules – and the processes chemists use to create them.

08.10.2026 7

The Conversation

Cedric Schaack

How Jim Bakker became the Johnny Carson of Christian TV

How Jim Bakker became the Johnny Carson of Christian TV

Bakker’s ‘PTL Club’ existed at the nexus of evangelical Christianity and American pop culture.

08.10.2026 6

The Conversation

John Wigger

Handling of rape allegations at Cornell shows why so many assaults go unreported – victims don’t trust the institutions that are supposed to help them

Handling of rape allegations at Cornell shows why so many assaults go unreported – victims don’t trust the institutions that are supposed to help them

Only 7% of sexual assault victims reported contacting local police.

08.10.2026 7

The Conversation

Kaitlyn M. Sims