The Conversation

3 reasons why the US is vulnerable to big disasters

Written by Morten Wendelbo, Research Fellow and Policy Sciences Lecturer, Texas A&M University

During the 2017 disaster season, three severe hurricanes devastated large parts of the U.S.

The quick succession of major disasters made it obvious that such large-scale emergencies can be a strain, even in one of the world’s richest countries.

As a complex emergency researcher, I investigate why some countries can better withstand and...

Painter Jon McNaughton's novel portrayal of modern conservatism

Written by John Dyck, PhD Student in Philosophy, CUNY Graduate Center

Jon McNauhgton's 2017 painting 'You Are Not Forgotten.'Jon McNauhgton

In recent years, Jon McNaughton has emerged as one of the most well-known artists on the political right.

His 2011 painting “The Forgotten Man,” a not-so-subtle criticism of Barack Obama, became famous when Fox News host Sean Hannity bought it after Donald Trump won...

When some police feel misunderstood, it can impact their performance

Written by Shefali V. Patil, Assistant Professor of Management, University of Texas at Austin

Antwon Rose Jr. was fatally shot by a police officer in East Pittsburgh.AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar

Amid a string of fatal police shootings of unarmed black citizens, the Pew Research Center ran a massive study in 2017 of 8,000 U.S. police officers asking them about their experiences.

It revealed something startling: 86 percent of officers believe the...

The US natural gas industry is leaking way more methane than previously thought. Here’s why that matters

Written by Anthony J. Marchese, Associate Dean for Academic and Student Affairs, Walter Scott, Jr. College of Engineering; Director, Engines and Energy Conversion Laboratory; Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Colorado State University

The authors conferring at a natural gas facility in Colorado.Colorado State University, CC BY-SA

Natural gas is displacing coal, which could help fight climate change because burning it produces fewer carbon emissions. But producing and transporting natural gas releases methane, a greenhouse gas that also contributes to climate change. How big is...

Rural Americans' struggles against factory farm pollution find traction in court

Written by Sacoby Wilson, Assistant Professor of Applied Environmental Health , University of Maryland

A barn that can hold up to 4,800 hogs outside Berwick, Pa. The state says the farm is in compliance with regulations, but residents have gone to court seeking relief from odors.AP Photo/Michael Rubinkam

As U.S. livestock farming becomes more industrial, it is changing rural life. Many people now live near Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations...

Flu lasts for more than an hour in air and on surfaces – why cleaning can really help

Written by Seema Lakdawala, Assisstant Professor, University of Pittsburgh

Cleaning counters and keyboards can remove flu virus, which can survive well there, a study suggests.AVAVA/Shutterstock.com

Influenza, or flu, viruses cause about 200,000 hospitalizations every year in the U.S. Annual seasonal vaccination is our best line of defense, but in recent years, it has become clear that mismatches in the vaccine can limit...

Observing the universe with a camera traveling near the speed of light

Written by Bing Zhang, Professor of Astrophysics, University of Nevada, Las Vegas

What could a 'relativistic camera' capture on the way to Alpha Centauri?ESA/NASA, CC BY

Astronomers strive to observe the universe via ever more advanced techniques. Whenever researchers invent a new method, unprecedented information is collected and people’s understanding of the cosmos deepens.

An ambitious program to blast cameras far beyond...

Mexico's next president likely to defy Trump on immigration

Written by Luis Gómez Romero, Senior Lecturer in Human Rights, Constitutional Law and Legal Theory, University of Wollongong

The Trump administration's new family separation policy has become a hot issue in Mexico's presidential election. All four candidates say that Mexico must do more to respect the human rights of Central American migrants. AP Photo/Jae C. Hong

United States President Donald Trump has long blamed Mexico for the flow of Central Americans seeking to...

Reggae's sacred roots and call to protest injustice

Written by David W. Stowe, Professor of English and Religious Studies, Michigan State University

Guitarist David Hinds at Reggae on the Rocks in Denver, Colorado. Photo by Rick Scuteri/Invision/AP

July 1 is International Reggae Day – a time to celebrate the popular music of Jamaica with dance parties exhibitions, presentations and even tree planting.

Reggae is universally associated with Bob Marley, its most influential artist. However,...

Is Juul making it easy for kids to vape in school? New study suggests yes

Written by Jon-Patrick Allem, Research Scientist, University of Southern California

Young people may be vaping during school, a study of Twitter posts suggests. J.A. Dunbar/shutterstock.com

The Juul vaporizer is the latest advancement in electronic cigarette technology, delivering nicotine to the user from a device about the size and shape of a thumb drive. Juul has taken the electronic cigarette market by storm experiencing a ye...