The Conversation

From printing presses to Facebook feeds: What yesterday’s witch hunts have in common with today’s misinformation crisis

Written by Julie Walsh, Whitehead Associate Professor of Critical Thought and Associate Professor of Philosophy, Wellesley College

An illustration from 'The History of Witches and Wizards,' published in 1720, depicting witches offering wax dolls to the devil.Wellcome Collection/Wikimedia Commons

Between 1400 and 1780, an estimated 100,000 people, mostly women, were prosecuted for witchcraft in Europe. About half that number were executed – killings motivated by a...

Historian uncovers evidence of second mass grave of Irish immigrant railroaders in Pennsylvania who suffered from cholera, violence and xenophobia

Written by William E. Watson, Professor of History, Immaculata University

Caskets of Irish railroaders whose remains were excavated from a mass grave outside Philadelphia.AP Photo/Matt Rourke

When commuters on the R5 SEPTA train that connects suburban Chester County to Philadelphia approach Malvern station, they might spot a square stone monument on the right side in a clearing surrounded by a thick stand of forest.

Above...

Quantum scheme protects videos from prying eyes and tampering

Written by Yashas Hariprasad, Assistant Professor of Computer Science, California State University, East Bay

Quantum physics enables hack-proof video transmission.sakkmesterke/iStock via Getty Images

We have developed a new way to secure video transmissions so even quantum computers in the future won’t be able to break into private video livestreams or recordings. We are computer scientists who study computer security. Our research introduces...

Shingles vaccination rates rose during the COVID-19 pandemic, but major gaps remain for underserved groups

Written by Jialing Lin, Research fellow in Health Systems, International Centre for Future Health Systems, UNSW Sydney

The CDC recommends shingles vaccination for all adults age 50 and older.xavierarnau/E+ via Getty Images

Vaccination against shingles increased among adults age 50 and older in the U.S. during the COVID-19 pandemic, but not equally across all population groups. That’s the key finding from a new study my colleagues and I published in the...

As wrestling fans reel from the sudden death of Hulk Hogan, a cardiologist explains how to live long and healthy − and avoid chronic disease

Written by William Cornwell, Associate Professor of Cardiology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus

Hulk Hogan's international fame as a wrestling superstar began in the 1980s. This photo is from 2009.Paul Kane via Getty Images Entertainment

On July 24, 2025, the American pro wrestling celebrity Hulk Hogan, whose real name was Terry Bollea, died at the age of 71. Hogan had chronic lymphocytic leukemia and a history of atrial fibrillation, or A-fib...

Are you really allergic to penicillin? A pharmacist explains why there’s a good chance you’re not − and how you can find out for sure

Written by Elizabeth W. Covington, Associate Clinical Professor of Pharmacy, Auburn University

Penicillin is a substance produced by penicillium mold. About 80% of people with a penicillin allergy will lose the allergy after about 10 years.Clouds Hill Imaging Ltd./Corbis Documentary via Getty Images

Imagine this: You’re at your doctor’s office with a sore throat. The nurse asks, “Any allergies?” And without hesitation...

How FDA panelists casting doubt on antidepressant use during pregnancy could lead to devastating outcomes for mothers

Written by Nicole Amoyal Pensak, Researcher of Caregiver Stress Management and Clinical Psychologist, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus

Research shows that the risks of untreated depression in pregnancy is much larger than the risks posed by SSRIs. RyanKing999/iStock via Getty Images Plus

At a meeting held by the Food and Drug Administration on July 21, 2025, a panel convened by the agency cast doubt on the safety of antidepressant medications called selective serotonin reuptake...

Yosemite embodies the long war over US national park privatization

Written by Michael Childers, Associate Professor of History, Colorado State University

The Ahwahnee is a privately run hotel inside Yosemite National Park.George Rose/Getty Images

The Trump administration’s cuts to the National Park Service’s budget and staffing have raised concerns among park advocates and the public that the administration is aiming to further privatize the national parks.

The nation has a long history...

What is personalized pricing, and how do I avoid it?

Written by Jay L. Zagorsky, Associate Professor Questrom School of Business, Boston University

Recently, Delta Air Lines announced it would expand its use of artificial intelligence to provide individualized prices to customers. This move sparked concern among flyers and politicians. But Delta isn’t the only business interested in using AI this way. Personalized pricing has already spread across a range of industries, from finance to...

Strengthening collective labor rights can help reduce economic inequality

Written by Skip Mark, Assistant professor of political science, University of Rhode Island

Only about 1 in 10 U.S. workers belong to unions today.champc/iStock via Getty Images Plus

Despite the strength of the U.S. economy, the gap between rich and poor Americans is increasing.

The wealthiest 1% of Americans have more than five times as much wealth as the bottom 50%, according to the U.S. Federal Reserve. That’s up from four times as...