The Conversation

The 'real' St. Valentine was no patron of love

Written by Lisa Bitel, Professor of History & Religion, University of Southern California – Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences

Relics of St. Valentine of Terni at the basilica of Saint Mary in Cosmedin.Dnalor 01 (Own work) , CC BY-SA

On Feb. 14, sweethearts of all ages will exchange cards, flowers, candy, and more lavish gifts in the name of St. Valentine. But as a historian of Christianity, I can tell you that at the root of our modern holiday is a beautiful fiction. St....

Andrew Johnson's failed presidency echoes in Trump's White House

Written by Donald Nieman, Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost, Binghamton University, State University of New York

'Farewell, to all my greatness' — President Andrew Johnson's departure from office was lampooned by Harper's Weekly. Library of Congress

Who’s the most vulgar, racist, thin-skinned, vituperative U.S. president?

As a historian of Reconstruction, I’ve always believed that it was Andrew Johnson. However, considering his astonishing...

In the DACA debate, which version of America – nice or nasty – will prevail?

Written by Carrie Tirado Bramen, Associate Professor of English, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York

DACA supporters march to the Immigration and Customs Enforcement office to protest after the September 2017 announcement that the program would be suspended with a six-month delay.AP Photo/Matt York

Toward the beginning of my new book “American Niceness: A Cultural History,” I recount Cuban writer José Martí’s 1894...

It's not just you – politics is stressing out America's youth

Written by Melissa DeJonckheere, Research Fellow, Department of Family Medicine, University of Michigan

A 24-hour news cycle can leave young people feeling more distressed than usual. Darren Baker/shutterstock.com

“I can’t sleep.” - A 16-year-old

“It’s been extremely hard to concentrate.” - A 22-year-old

“I got behind in school.” - A 22-year-old

“I feel like I could get killed any second.”- An...

What 'merit-based' immigration means in different parts of the world

Written by Kevin Johnson, Dean and Professor of Public Interest Law and Chicana/o Studies, University of California, Davis

A naturalization ceremony in Los Angeles.AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes

Editor’s note: The White House is seeking to create a “merit-based” immigration system rather than one based on family reunification. We turned to The Conversation’s global network of scholars to get their insight on how merit-based systems work in other...

Consensual sex is key to happiness and good health, science says

Written by Shervin Assari, Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and Public Health, University of Michigan

A couple in bed. Research shows that sex is important to happiness and good health.4 pm production/Shutterstock.com

As we approach Valentine’s Day, it’s nice to celebrate love and, one the best parts about it, sex. As a doctor and epidemiologist who studies sex, I bring good news for Valentine’s Day. It’s not just that sex...

Trump's infrastructure plan rests on some rickety assumptions

Written by Caroline Nowacki, PhD Candidate, Global Projects Center, Stanford University

The new plan is supposed to boost the construction of new roads, bridges and other public works projects.AP Photo/Seth Perlman

Experts greeted the long-awaited details of President Donald Trump’s promise to unleash a US$1.5 trillion wave of new infrastructure spending with skepticism.

There’s widespread concern about whether his plan can...

Making skis strong enough for Olympians to race on

Written by Marc Zupan, Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering- Materials and Solid Mechanics, University of Maryland, Baltimore County

What's inside Olympians' skis?AP Photo/Luca Bruno

Olympians expect top-notch performance from their minds and bodies, but they get crucial advantages from the very best equipment for their sports and the weather conditions they’re competing in. Skis, for example, must stand up to near-constant changes in stress during races.

The ideal ski...

What the flu does to your body, and why it makes you feel so awful

Written by Laura Haynes, Professor of Immunology, University of Connecticut

A flu patient at ProMedica Toledo Hospital in Toledo, Ohio on Jan. 8, 2018. AP Photo/Tony Dejak

Every year, from 5 to 20 percent of the people in the United States will become infected with influenza virus. An average of 200,000 of these people will require hospitalization and up to 50,000 will die. Older folks over the age of 65 are especially...

Venezuelan refugees inflame Brazil's already simmering migrant crisis

Written by Robert Muggah, Associate Lecturer, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro (PUC-Rio)

Though refugee and migration crises have dominated headlines in recent years, most news stories exclude Brazil. That’s because of the world’s roughly 62.5 million forced migrants, according to the United Nations – just a small proportion are thought to be in Brazil.

New research suggests this omission needs correcting.

According...