The Conversation

Plunging pound and crumbling confidence: How the new UK government stumbled into a political and financial crisis of its own making

Written by David McMillan, Professor in Finance, University of Stirling

The hard hats likely came in handy recently for Prime Minister Liz Truss and Chancellor of the Exchequer Kwasi Kwarteng.Stefan Rousseau/Pool Photo via AP

The new British government is off to a very rocky start – after stumbling through an economic and financial crisis of its own making.

Just a few weeks into its term on Sept. 23, 2022, Prime...

What’s next for ancient DNA studies after Nobel Prize honors groundbreaking field of paleogenomics

Written by Mary Prendergast, Associate Professor of Anthropology, Rice University

Researchers need to be careful not to contaminate ancient samples with their own DNA.Caia Image via Getty Images

For the first time, a Nobel Prize recognized the field of anthropology, the study of humanity. Svante Pääbo, a pioneer in the study of ancient DNA, or aDNA, was awarded the 2022 prize in physiology or medicine for his...

Recovery from a disaster like Hurricane Ian takes years, and nonprofits play many pivotal roles before and after FEMA aid runs out

Written by Michelle Annette Meyer, Director, Hazard Reduction and Recovery Center; Associate Professor of Urban Planning, Texas A&M University

The rebuilding in places like Matlacha, Fla., won't happen overnight.AP Photo/Gerald Herbert

Massive storms like Ian and Fiona mark the beginning of a long and frustrating process for anyone who loses their home and possessions.

Recovery usually takes years.

Everyone’s experience is unique, but I’ve noticed some common patterns while...

Supreme Court grapples with animal welfare in a challenge to a California law requiring pork to be humanely raised

Written by David Favre, Professor of Law at Michigan State University College of Law, Michigan State University

Pig farming may evoke images like this, but the reality for most commercial pork production is very different.linephoto via Getty Images

Should Californians be able to require higher welfare standards for farm animals that are raised in other states if products from those animals are to be sold in California? The U.S. Supreme Court will confront...

Medical guidelines that embrace the humility of uncertainty could help doctors choose treatments with more research evidence behind them

Written by Brad Spellberg, Chief Medical Officer at the Los Angeles County + University of Southern California Medical Center, Adjunct Professor of Medicine, University of Southern California

Clinical guidelines can change when new research provides contradictory findings.Thomas Barwick/DigitalVision via Getty Images

Clinical guidelines greatly influence how doctors care for their patients. By providing recommendations on how to diagnose and treat particular situations, guidelines can help standardize the care patients receive. For...

Biden says the US doesn't want a new Cold War – but there are some reasons it might

Written by Gregory A. Daddis, Professor and USS Midway Chair in Modern U.S. Military History, San Diego State University

United nations or a return to new Cold War?Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

“We do not seek a Cold War,” declared President Joe Biden in front of world leaders gathered at the United Nations on Sept. 21, 2022. He continued that America was not asking “any nation to choose between the United States or any other partner.”

But...

Four essential features to seek in an after-school program

Written by David S. Fleming, Professor of Education and Department Chair, Clemson University

Effective homework help can reduce stress for students and their families. Patrick T. Fallon via Getty Images

When it comes to after-school programs, there are all types from which to choose. But when it comes to finding a program that offers high-quality service and engaging activities that help children do better in school, that can be a...

Capping Russia's oil profits could keep oil flowing to global markets at a reasonable cost while slashing Putin's war funding

Written by Amitrajeet A. Batabyal, Distinguished Professor, Arthur J. Gosnell Professor of Economics, & Interim Head, Department of Sustainability, Rochester Institute of Technology

The world as we know it cannot function without oil, giving oil-producing countries an advantage economists call market power. Nations that produce oil are able to set the price, while countries that rely on oil have little choice but to buy it at prices determined by the seller.

While this asymmetry in market power generally favors the seller, in...

Bandits are losing interest in robbing banks, as some crimes no longer pay

Written by Jay L. Zagorsky, Clinical associate professor, Boston University

John Dillinger, played by Warren Oates (pictured) in the 1973 film 'Dillinger,' allegedly robbed 24 banks.Bettmann via Getty Images

Bank robbery is a high-profile crime that fascinates many people.

Movies have been made about famous bank robbers like Bonnie and Clyde, John Dillinger and Butch Cassidy. There is even a new movie that just came out...

Justice Clarence Thomas and his wife have bolstered conservative causes as he is poised to lead the Supreme Court rolling back more landmark rulings

Written by Neil Roberts, Professor of Political Science, University of Toronto

U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas at the White House on Oct. 26, 2020. Jonathan Newton /The Washington Post via Getty Images)

With the opening of the U.S. Supreme Court’s new session on Oct. 3, 2022, Clarence Thomas is arguably the most powerful justice on the nation’s highest court.

In 1991, after Thomas became an associate...