The Conversation

Games blamed for moral decline and addiction throughout history

Written by Lindsay Grace, Knight Chair of Interactive Media; Associate Professor of Communication, University of Miami

Did ancient Egyptian parents worry their kids might get addicted to this game, called senet?Keith Schengili-Roberts/Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA

Video games are often blamed for unemployment, violence in society and addiction – including by partisan politicians raising moral concerns.

Blaming video games for social or moral decline might feel...

Fast evolution explains the tiny stature of extinct 'Hobbit' from Flores Island

Written by José Alexandre Felizola Diniz-Filho, Professor of Ecology and Evolution, Universidade Federal de Goias

An Indonesian island was home to _H. Floresiensis_ – but how did the dwarfed human species evolve?areza taqwim/Shutterstock.com

It’s not every day that scientists discover a new human species.

But that’s just what happened back in 2004, when archaeologists uncovered some very well-preserved fossil remains in the Liang Bua cave on...

Nobel Prize in Physics for two breakthroughs: Evidence for the Big Bang and a way to find exoplanets

Written by Robert T. Fisher, Associate Professor of Physics, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth

Artist's rendering of a Jupiter-sized exoplanet and its host, a star slightly more massive than our sun. Image credit:ESO/NASA

Did the universe really begin with a Big Bang? And if so, is there evidence? Are there planets around other stars? Can they support life?

The 2019 Nobel Prize in Physics goes to three scientists who have provided deep...

Workplace sex discrimination claims are common – but they're not making it into court

Written by Joseph A. Seiner, Oliver Ellsworth Professor of Federal Practice & Professor of Law, University of South Carolina

Several cases addressing whether it’s legal to fire a worker because of their sexual orientation and gender identity were taken up by the Supreme Court this week.

While these legal questions deserve significant attention, those concerned about equality on the job should not lose sight of the broader, yet equally important issue – the...

Cómo los huracanes fuertes benefician a los peces caribeños

Written by Thomas J. Kwak, Professor, Unit Leader, North Carolina State University

Huracanes como Lorenzo, Dorian y María pueden ser desastrosos para los humanos y sus propiedades, pero algunos peces han evolucionado exitosamente en estos climas severos.

Nuestro equipo científico estudia cómo los eventos climáticos extremos afectan a los peces de río en Puerto Rico. La isla es ideal para...

Investigations usually hurt a president's public reputation – but Trump isn't usual

Written by Douglas L. Kriner, Clinton Rossiter Professor in American Institutions, Cornell University

Will the House impeachment inquiry of President Donald Trump ultimately have any effect?

Democratic Speaker Nancy Pelosi had long resisted calls for impeachment, arguing that it is “just not worth it.” However, the Trump administration’s initial refusal to release to Congress documents concerning the intelligence community...

Fundamentalism turns 100, a landmark for the Christian Right

Written by William Trollinger, Professor of History, University of Dayton

Christian fundamentalists have become a politically powerful group since the movement's foundation in 1919.Raul Cano/Shutterstock

These days, the term “fundamentalism” is often associated with a militant form of Islam.

But the original fundamentalist movement was actually Christian. And it was born in the United States a century ago...

Discovery of how cells sense oxygen levels earns Nobel Prize

Written by Sadeesh K. Ramakrishnan, Assistant Professor of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh

Alfred Nobel made his fortune through the invention of dynamite.Paramonov Alexander/Shutterstock.com

On the morning of Oct. 7, I woke up with the message from a colleague saying that “HIF got the 2019 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine whoo hooo.” That’s exciting news for young researchers like me who are beginning our careers...

Colt ends public sales of the AR-15, but gun-control advocates shouldn't celebrate

Written by Paul M. Barrett, Deputy Director, Center for Business and Human Rights, Stern School of Business; Adjunct Professor of Law, New York University

A Colt AR-15 from 1973.Steelerdon/Wikimedia Commons, CC BY

When the Colt gun manufacturing corporation announced in September that it would stop producing its AR-15 semiautomatic rifle for sale to the general public – to focus on handguns and military production – some gun-control advocates declared victory, saying the move would help...

Government restrictions on labeling products as 'meat' aren't likely to help anyone

Written by Trey Malone, Assistant Professor and Extension Economist, Michigan State University

Animal protein only: Meat producers want to keep the m-word off of alternative meat products.Raysonho/Wikipedia

Substitutes for traditional meat products have captured the attention of investors, the media and consumers. Plant-based meat options are showing up in grocery stores and on the menus at fast food chains like Burger King and restaurants...