The Conversation

When human life begins is a question of politics – not biology

Written by Sahotra Sarkar, Professor of Philosophy and Integrative Biology, The University of Texas at Austin College of Liberal Arts

Science can observe these various phases of fetal development but cannot determine when human life begins.UrsaHoogle/E+ via Getty Images

A Texas law that aims to eliminate almost all abortions in the state is part of a long-standing nationwide movement to restrict the right to abortion. The Texas law went into effect on Sept. 1, 2021, and severely...

How the Purdue opioid settlement could help the public understand the roots of the drug crisis

Written by Antoine Lentacker, Assistant Professor of History, University of California, Riverside

Esther Nesbitt lost two of her children to drug overdoses.Andrew Lichtenstein/Corbis via Getty Images

There’s a long history of U.S. courts being called upon to fix large-scale public health crises.

Lawyers and judges, for instance, were key in settling claims related to asbestos, lead paint, Agent Orange and tobacco. More recently, they have...

20 years of 'forever' wars have left a toll on US veterans returning to the question: 'Did you kill?'

Written by Marian Eide, Professor of English and Women's & Gender Studies, Texas A&M University

Every soldier has a different story.Yuri Cortez/AFP via Getty Images

Military service members returning from America’s “forever” wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have often faced deeply personal questions about their experience.

As one veteran explained to me: “I’ve been asked, ‘Have you ever killed anyone in war? Are...

Feds are increasing use of facial recognition systems – despite calls for a moratorium

Written by James Hendler, Professor of Computer, Web and Cognitive Sciences, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Government agencies are increasingly using facial recognition technology, including through security cameras like this one being installed on the Lincoln Memorial in 2019.Mark Wilson/Getty Images

Despite growing opposition, the U.S. government is on track to increase its use of controversial facial recognition technology.

The U.S. Government...

Zinc-infused proteins are the secret that allows scorpions, spiders and ants to puncture tough skin

Written by Robert Schofield, Research Professor in Physics, University of Oregon

A close-up of the head of a leafcutter ant, Atta cephalotes, showing the metal-infused teeth on its mandibles.Ryan Garrett, CC BY-ND

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

The big idea

Many small animals grow their teeth, claws and other “tools” out of materials that are filled with zinc, bromine and...

What's on the agenda when Ukraine president meets Biden?

Written by Lena Surzhko Harned, Assistant Teaching Professor of Political Science, Penn State

What's on the table during Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's Washington visit?Drew Angerer/Getty Images

A long-awaited – and previously postponed – White House meeting for Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is due to take place Sept. 1, 2021.

The sitdown with President Joe Biden is being viewed in Ukraine as hugely...

What are the Jewish High Holy Days? A look at Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur and a month of celebrating renewal and moral responsibility

Written by Samuel L. Boyd, Assistant Professor of Religious Studies and Jewish Studies, University of Colorado Boulder

The Jewish High Holy Days commemorate concepts such as renewal, forgiveness, freedom and joy.Jessica Rinaldi/The Boston Globe via Getty Images

Over the next few weeks, members of the Jewish faith will observe the High Holy Days in the month of Tishrei in the Jewish calendar, usually in September and October. These holidays commemorate concepts such...

State efforts to ban mask mandates in schools mirror resistance to integration

Written by Dustin Hornbeck, Postdoctoral Research Fellow of Educational Leadership and Policy, University of Texas Arlington

Southern states' bans on mask mandates in schools may violate the rights of disabled students. Matthew Hatcher/Getty Images

When the U.S. Supreme Court issued its 1954 Brown vs. Board of Education decision that struck down segregated public schooling, white Southern politicians responded to the decision with ferocity.

Although preservation of...

Calculating the costs of the Afghanistan War in lives, dollars and years

Written by Neta C. Crawford, Professor of Political Science and Department Chair, Boston University

Heading for the exit.Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images

The U.S. invaded Afghanistan in late 2001 to destroy al-Qaida, remove the Taliban from power and remake the nation. On Aug. 30, 2021, the U.S. completed a pullout of troops from Afghanistan, providing an uncertain punctuation mark to two decades of conflict.

For the past 11 years I have...

Hurricane Ida turned into a monster thanks to a giant warm patch in the Gulf of Mexico – here’s what happened

Written by Nick Shay, Professor of Oceanography, University of Miami

A computer animation reflects the temperature change as eddies spin off from the Loop Current and Gulf Stream along the U.S. Coast.

As Hurricane Ida headed into the Gulf of Mexico, a team of scientists was closely watching a giant, slowly swirling pool of warm water directly ahead in its path.

That warm pool, an eddy, was a warning sign. It was...