The Conversation

What the ancient Indian text Bhagavad Gita can teach about not putting too much of our identity and emotions into work

Written by Robert J. Stephens, Principal Lecturer in Religion, Clemson University

This famous scene from the Bhagavad Gita, featuring the god Krishna with his cousin, Prince Arjuna, on a chariot heading into war.Pictures From History/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

A 2023 Gallup poll found that U.S. employees are generally unhappy at work. The number of those who feel angry and disconnected with their...

Omega-3 fatty acids are linked to better lung health, particularly in patients with pulmonary fibrosis

Written by John Kim, Assistant Professor of Medicine, University of Virginia

Your diet may play a role in maintaining lung health.magicmine/iStock via Getty Images

Omega-3 fatty acids have garnered significant interest among patients and clinicians for their potential protective health effects, including lung health. In our recently published research, my colleagues and I found that higher dietary intake of omega-3 fatty...

A Texas court ruling on a Black student wearing hair in long locs reflects history of racism in schools

Written by Kenjus T. Watson, Assistant Professor of Urban Education, American University

America's schools don't always welcome cultural expression. MoMo Productions via Getty Images

A Texas judge ruled on Feb. 22, 2024, that the Barbers Hill School District didn’t violate the law when it punished Darryl George, a Black student, for wearing his hair in long locs. The Texas law in question – the CROWN Act – prohibits...

I went to CPAC as an anthropologist to understand Trump’s base − they believe, more than ever, he is a savior

Written by Alexander Hinton, Distinguished Professor of Anthropology; Director, Center for the Study of Genocide and Human Rights, Rutgers University - Newark

A person signs a bus wrapped with an image of former President Donald Trump during the Conservative Political Action Conference on Feb. 22, 2024. Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images

What is happening in the hearts of former President Donald Trump’s supporters?

As an anthropologist who studies peace and conflict, I went to the annual...

As war in Ukraine enters third year, 3 issues could decide its outcome: Supplies, information and politics

Written by Tara Sonenshine, Edward R. Murrow Professor of Practice in Public Diplomacy, Tufts University

Will war fatigue be a factor?Kay Nietfeld/picture alliance via Getty Images

In retrospect, there was perhaps nothing surprising about Russia’s decision to invade Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022.

Vladimir Putin’s intentions were, after all, hiding in plain sight and signaled in the months running up to the incursion.

What could not be foreseen,...

What ancient farmers can really teach us about adapting to climate change – and how political power influences success or failure

Written by Chelsea Fisher, Assistant Professor of Anthropology, University of South Carolina

A farmer paddles to his fields on an artificial island among canals, part of an ancient Aztec system known as chinampas, in 2021. AP Photo /Marco Ugarte

In dozens of archaeological discoveries around the world, from the once-successful reservoirs and canals of Angkor Wat in Cambodia to the deserted Viking colonies of Greenland, new evidence paints...

Anti-immigrant pastors may be drawing attention – but faith leaders, including some evangelicals, are central to the movement to protect migrant rights

Written by Brad Christerson, Professor of Sociology, Biola University

A 2010 protest in Phoenix by faith groups against Arizona's new immigration law.AP Photo/Matt York, File

A convoy of far-right Christian nationalists calling themselves “God’s Army” have been staging rallies on the southern U.S. border against migrants.

Under the banner “Take Our Border Back,” rally participants are...

How is snow made? An atmospheric scientist describes the journey of frozen ice crystals from clouds to the ground

Written by Alexandria Johnson, Professor of Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences, Purdue University

Some parts of the U.S. see well over 100 inches (2.5 meters) of snow per year.Edoardo Frola/Moment Open via Getty Images

Curious Kids is a series for children of all ages. If you have a question you’d like an expert to answer, send it to curiouskidsus@theconversation.com.

How is snow made? – Tenley, age 7, Rockford, Michigan

The thought...

‘Swarm of one’ robot is a single machine made up of independent modules

Written by Yu Gu, Professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, West Virginia University

This robot mimics simple life forms.Trevor Smith, CC BY-ND

My colleagues and I have built a robot composed of many building blocks like the cells of a multicellular organism. Without a “brain” or a central controller in the system, our robot, dubbed Loopy, relies on the collective behavior of all of its cells to interact with the world....

NRA loses New York corruption trial over squandered funds – retired longtime leader Wayne LaPierre must repay millions of dollars

Written by Sarah Webber, Associate Professor of Accounting, University of Dayton

Former NRA leader Wayne LaPierre addresses the group's members in 2022.AP Photo/Michael Wyke

A New York jury found on Feb. 23, 2024, that the National Rifle Association and three of its current and former officials had broken the state’s laws by misusing charitable assets. It also determined that two of the officials should repay the gun...