The Conversation

2021: a year physicists asked, 'What lies beyond the Standard Model?'

Written by Aaron McGowan, Principal Lecturer in Physics and Astronomy, Rochester Institute of Technology

Experiments at the Large Hadron Collider in Europe, like the ATLAS calorimeter seen here, are providing more accurate measurements of fundamental particles.Maximilien Brice, CC BY

If you ask a physicist like me to explain how the world works, my lazy answer might be: “It follows the Standard Model.”

The Standard Model explains the...

What is Log4j? A cybersecurity expert explains the latest internet vulnerability, how bad it is and what's at stake

Written by Santiago Torres-Arias, Assistant Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Purdue University

A vulnerability in Log4j, a humble but widespread piece of software, has put millions of computers at risk.SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

Log4Shell, an internet vulnerability that affects millions of computers, involves an obscure but nearly ubiquitous piece of software, Log4j. The software is used to record all manner of activities that...

Stress is contagious in relationships – here's what you can do to support your partner and boost your own health during the holidays and beyond

Written by Rosie Shrout, Assistant Professor of Human Development and Family Studies, Purdue University

Relationship stress can hit new highs during the holidays.Aaron Amat/iStock via Getty Images Plus

With the flurry of shopping, spending money and traveling to see family, stress can feel inevitable during the holidays.

You might already know stress can affect your own health, but what you may not realize is that your stress – and how you...

As spiritualism's popularity grows, photographer Shannon Taggart takes viewers inside the world of séances, mediums and orbs

Written by Beth Saunders, Curator and Head of Special Collections and Gallery, University of Maryland, Baltimore County

Table-tipping workshop with mediums Jane and Chris Howarth in Erie, Pennsylvania, in 2014.© Shannon Taggart. Courtesy of the Artist., Author provided

The word séance conjures images of darkened rooms, entranced mediums, strange occurrences and spirit voices. For many contemporary audiences, these visions might seem like something out...

Sports card explosion holds promise for keeping kids engaged in math

Written by John Holden, Assistant Professor of Legal Studies, Oklahoma State University

Sports trading cards can be used as teaching tools. Hyoung Chang/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images

When it comes to collecting sports cards, people often focus on the cards’ financial worth. And understandably so.

After all, when a small piece of cardboard that originally cost just dollars or even cents is suddenly worth more...

The Massachusetts flag glorifies the violence committed by colonizers – Native Americans want it changed

Written by Christoph Strobel, Professor of History, UMass Lowell

Change the Flag supporters protest on the steps of the statehouse on July 16, 2020 in Boston.Stuart Cahill/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald via Getty Images

Given the violent history of English colonizers in New England, it’s a wonder why the state insignia of Massachusetts, fully emblazoned on today’s state flag, still includes a sword...

Why Putin has such a hard time accepting Ukrainian sovereignty

Written by Jacob Lassin, Postdoctoral Research Scholar, Arizona State University

Vladimir Putin at a concert in March 2021 marking the seventh anniversary of its annexation of Crimea.Mikhail Svetlov/Getty Image

Ukraine is again looking warily over its eastern border as Russia threatens its territorial integrity.

In recent weeks, a buildup of Russian troops along the Ukrainian border has rattled Western leaders fearful of an...

Nickel oxide is a material that can 'learn' like animals and could help further artificial intelligence research

Written by Shriram Ramanathan, Professor of Materials Engineering, Purdue University

Nickel oxide, the gray-and-black-striped material, demonstrates unique properties when exposed to hydrogen.Purdue University/Kayla Wiles, CC BY-ND

The Research Brief is a short take about interesting academic work.

The big idea

A unique material, nickel oxide demonstrates the ability to learn things about its environment in a way that emulates the...

Millions more Americans now have the right to vote in non-English languages

Written by Gabe Osterhout, Research Associate, Idaho Policy Institute, Boise State University

Many Americans need election materials provided in languages other than English.AP Photo/Mark Lennihan

As Americans and their elected representatives debate who should be allowed to vote and what rules should govern eligibility and registration, one key issue isn’t getting much attention: the ability for people to vote in languages other than...

Home for the holidays and worried about an older relative? Make observations, not assumptions

Written by Laurie Archbald-Pannone, Associate Professor of Medicine, Geriatrics, University of Virginia

If you're worried about older loved ones' ability to care for themselves, try starting a conversation with nonjudgmental questions.MoMo Productions/DigitalVision via Getty Images

With the second holiday season of the pandemic upon us, many people will have the opportunity to rejoin family and friends for celebrations. The pandemic has kept many of...