The Conversation

A look at the House health care plan through the lens of faith, hope and charity

Written by J.B. Silvers, Professor of Health Finance, Case Western Reserve University

House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., center, with Greg Walden, R-Ore., right, and Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., left, unveiling the American Health Care Act on Tuesday, March 7, 2017. Susan Walsh/AP

Since the debate leading to the repeal and replacement of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) has taken on all the trappings of a religious battle, perhaps it would...

Despite differences in culture, US and India fall short in childbirth in similar ways

Written by Neel Shah, Assistant Professor of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, Harvard Medical School

Woman in labor, shown with monitors. Via Shutterstock.From www.shutterstock,com

After eight years of practicing obstetrics and researching childbirth in the United States, I know as well as anyone that the American maternal health system could be better. Our way of childbirth is the costliest in the world. Our health outcomes, from mortality rates...

How 'cannibalism' by breast cancer cells promotes dormancy: A possible clue into cancer recurrence

Written by Thomas Bartosh, Assistant Professor, College of Medicine, Texas A&M University

Breast cancer death rates overall have steadily declined since 1989, leading to an increased number of survivors. But while breast cancer survivors are grateful their bodies show no trace of the disease, they still face anxiety. Breast cancer can and does return, sometimes with a vengeance, even after being in remission for several years.

By...

Scientific theories aren't mere conjecture – to survive they must work

Written by Tom Solomon, Professor of Physics and Astronomy, Bucknell University

There wouldn't be statues acclaiming Darwin and his theory if it couldn't stand up to decades of testing.CGP Grey, CC BY

“The evidence is incontrovertible. Global warming is occurring.” “Climate change is real, is serious and has been influenced by anthropogenic activity.” “The scientific evidence is clear: Global...

Here's why your gut instinct is wrong at work – and how to know when it isn't

Written by Gleb Tsipursky, Assistant Professor of History, The Ohio State University

Should she trust her gut or her head?Job interview via www.shutterstock.com

Let’s say you’re interviewing a new applicant for a job and you feel something is off. You can’t quite put your finger on it, but you’re a bit uncomfortable with this person. She says all the right things, her resume is great, she’d be a...

Draining the swamp: A guide for outsiders and career politicians

Written by Carl Abbott, Professor of Urban Studies and Planning, Emeritus, Portland State University

Illustration titled, "If you want to get rid of mosquitos, drain the swamp that breeds them." (1909)Library of Congress

What do Ron Paul, Nancy Pelosi and President Donald Trump have in common? They’ve all promised to “drain the swamp” of Washington politics.

These ambitious “hydraulic engineers” rely on a phrase that...

How to use digital devices this Lent for holy reflection

Written by Heidi A. Campbell, Associate Professor, Texas A&M University

Should you be digitally fasting this Lent?Cellphone image via www.shutterstock.com

The season of Lent is upon us. This is a holy season for Christians who seek to identify with Jesus Christ’s 40 days of fasting as he prepared to be tested and later crucified. In order to identify with Christ’s self-sacrifice, Christians often join in a s...

How the US military is using 'violent, chaotic, beautiful' video games to train soldiers

Written by Scott Nicholas Romaniuk, Ph.D. Candidate, University of Trento

'Counter-Strike' has sold over 25 million units, making it one of the most popular first-person shooters of all time.Miyaoka Hitchcock/flickr, CC BY-NC

Violent video games have become embedded within American culture over the past several decades and especially since 9/11. First-person shooters, in particular, have become increasingly popular.

These...

Low-income girls often feel unprepared for puberty

Written by Marni Sommer, Associate Professor of Sociomedical Sciences, Columbia University Medical Center

Many low-income girls in the U.S. don't feel prepared for puberty.Image of girls via www.shutterstock.com.

My colleagues and I have conducted research focused on understanding and addressing the gap in menstrual support in countries around the world for over a decade.

Sometimes the problem is that girls don’t have access to toilets or clean...

What fax machines can teach us about electric cars

Written by Jonathan Coopersmith, Professor of History, Texas A&M University

No common standard: CHAdeMO, CCS and Tesla Supercharger plugs.CHAdeMO: C-CarTom; CCS: Hadhuey; Tesla: Paul Sladen, CC BY-SA

Imagine if you could gas up your GM car only at GM gas stations. Or if you had to find a gas station servicing cars made from 2005 to 2012 to fill up your 2011 vehicle. It would be inconvenient and frustrating, right? This is...