The Conversation

A brief history of Georgia's runoff voting – and its racist roots

Written by Joshua Holzer, Assistant Professor of Political Science, Westminster College

(R to L) Georgia GOP Sens. David Purdue and Kelly Loeffler at a rally with Sen. Tom Cotton on Nov. 19, 2020 in Perry, Ga. Loeffler and Purdue face runoff elections against Democratic Senate candidates Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock on Jan. 5, 2021. Jessica McGowan/Getty Images

Across the U.S., many states use different electoral systems....

Why do tigers have stripes?

Written by Andrew Cushing, Assistant Professor in Zoological Medicine, University of Tennessee

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.

Why do tigers have stripes? – Vidit M., age 8, New Delhi, India

When tigers stalk their prey, usually in the murky light of dusk or dawn, they are nearly invisible. Whether they live in...

Laughing is good for your mind and your body – here's what the research shows

Written by Janet M. Gibson, Professor of Cognitive Psychology, Grinnell College

It's hard to beat a good laugh with a friend.Klaus Vedfelt/DigitalVision via Getty Images

Amusement and pleasant surprises – and the laughter they can trigger – add texture to the fabric of daily life.

Those giggles and guffaws can seem like just silly throwaways. But laughter, in response to funny events, actually takes a lot of work,...

The rise and fall of Tab – after surviving the sweetener scares, the iconic diet soda gets canned

Written by Jeffrey Miller, Associate Professor, Hospitality Management, Colorado State University

Before there was Diet Coke, there was Tab.Ramin Talaie/Corbis via Getty Images

Tab, the Coca-Cola company’s original diet soda brand, is headed to the soda graveyard, joining retired brands such as Like, Leed and Limette.

Coca-Cola has announced that it is discontinuing Tab after 57 years on the market, and fans of the drink will have until...

Opportunities to practice real-life philanthropy bring academic benefits

Written by Kajsa Larson, Associate Professor of Spanish; Faculty Coordinator of Mayerson Student Philanthropy Project classes, Northern Kentucky University

College students participating in philanthropy-based courses are 38% more likely to graduate. master1305/Getty Images

A crisis shelter for battered women. A nonprofit that provides wigs and makeup for breast cancer patients. An organization that helps parents of children addicted to heroin.

All three of these groups have benefited from US$2,000...

Biden's ambitious energy plan faces headwinds, but can move the US forward

Written by Scott L. Montgomery, Lecturer, Jackson School of International Studies, University of Washington

Fast electric vehicle charging stations at a rest stop on Interstate 95 in Maryland.Earth and Main/Flickr, CC BY-SA

President-elect Joe Biden calls climate change an existential threat to America’s environment, health, national security and economy, and has promised a clean energy revolution to counter it. Biden has pledged that on his first...

How Joe Biden did so well in Georgia

Written by Bev-Freda Jackson, Adjunct Professorial Lecturer, American University School of Public Affairs

In Atlanta, people gather to dance and celebrate the election of Joe Biden as the next president.AP Photo/Brynn Anderson

For nearly 30 years, the state of Georgia has voted reliably Republican in presidential elections. Not since 1992 has the state backed a Democrat for president. Now, the hand recount of 2020 election ballots has confirmed Joe...

How Biden might stimulate the sputtering US economy: 4 questions answered

Written by R. Andrew Butters, Assistant Professor of Business Economics, Indiana University

The economy will be one of the president-elect's top priorities in January. AP Photo/Andrew Harnik

Editor’s note: President-elect Joe Biden has said fixing the economy will be one of his administration’s top priorities when he takes office in January. R. Andrew Butters, assistant professor of business economics and public policy at...

Why Trump's election fraud claims aren't showing up in his lawsuits challenging the results

Written by Steven Mulroy, Law Professor in Constitutional Law, Criminal Law, Election Law, University of Memphis

Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani alleges election fraud during a news conference at the Republican National Committee headquarters, Nov. 19, 2020, in Washington. Jacquelyn Martin/AP Photo

There seems to be a real disconnect between the claims of widespread fraud, a stolen election and illegal voting made by President Donald Trump and his allies and the a...

Rural hospitals are under siege from COVID-19 – here's what doctors are facing, in their own words

Written by Lauren Hughes, Physician, Associate Professor of Family Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus

Small rural hospitals across the country are struggling to find enough space, staff and supplies.AP Photo/Charlie Riedel

It’s difficult to put into words how hard COVID-19 is hitting rural America’s hospitals. North Dakota has so many cases, it’s allowing asymptomatic COVID-19-positive nurses to continue caring for patients to...