The Conversation

Cómo la canela, la nuez moscada y el jengibre se convirtieron en los aromas de las vacaciones de invierno, lejos de sus orígenes tropicales

Written by Serina DeSalvio, Ph.D. Candidate in Genetics and Genomics, Texas A&M University

Nuez moscada, jengibre, canela y otras especias para pan de especias.Almaje/iStock via Getty Images

Independientemente de cómo celebre usted las fiestas de fin de año, la comida es probablemente el elemento central de sus celebraciones invernales. Y un trío de especias -canela, nuez moscada y jengibre- está presente en...

Cómo la Navidad se convirtió en una tradición navideña estadounidense, con un Papá Noel, regalos y un árbol

Written by Thomas Adam, Professor of Political Science, University of Arkansas

La tradición pagana de celebrar el solsticio de invierno con hogueras el 21 de diciembre inspiró las primeras celebraciones cristianas de la Navidad.Gpointstudio/ Image Source via Getty Images

Cada temporada, la celebración de la Navidad hace que líderes religiosos y conservadores se quejen públicamente de la comer...

How nostalgia led to the invention of the first Christmas card

Written by Christopher Ferguson, Associate Professor of History, Auburn University

The first Christmas card with the words 'A Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year to You." Artist John Callcott Horsley via Wikimedia Commons

It’s a common seasonal refrain: “Christmas just isn’t like it used to be.”

This is not a new complaint. History shows that Christmas traditions are just as subject to change as any...

Retailers that make it harder to return stuff face backlash from their customers

Written by Huseyn Abdulla, Assistant Professor of Supply Chain Management, University of Tennessee

Shoppers line up with returns and exchanges at L.L. Bean in Freeport, Maine, on Dec. 26, 2010.Jill Brady/Portland Press Herald via Getty Images

In 2018, L.L. Bean ended its century-old “lifetime” return policy, limiting returns to one year after purchase and requiring receipts. The demise of this popular policy sparked backlash, with...

Why does red wine cause headaches? Our research points to a compound found in the grapes’ skin

Written by Andrew Waterhouse, Professor of Enology, University of California, Davis

Some people get headaches after drinking red wine. Yuliia Kokosha/Moment via Getty Images

Medical accounts of red wine headaches go back to Roman times, but the experience is likely as old as winemaking – something like 10,000 years. As chemists specializing in winemaking, we wanted to try to figure out the source of these headaches.

Many...

Supporting a grieving loved one on holidays and special occasions: Practical tips from a clinical psychologist

Written by J. Kim Penberthy, Professor of Psychiatry and Neurobehavioral Sciences, University of Virginia

The holidays can be an especially difficult time for those grieving a loss.Dimensions/E+ via GettyImages

The holiday season, often considered a time of joy and togetherness, can also be one of the most challenging periods for those who are grieving a loss.

Nearly 95% of people who have experienced loss report dealing with at least one symptom of...

After wildfires, ranchers face 2-year delay to graze cattle on federal land – is it doing more harm than good?

Written by Jared L. Talley, Assistant Professor of Environmental Studies, Boise State University

Cattle can help keep down invasive grasses that are prone to burning.AP Photo/Jeff Barnard

Lightning struck deep in the central Idaho mountains on July 24, 2024, igniting the Wapiti Fire that burned across 129,063 acres around Stanley, Idaho – a place known for its scenic vistas and idyllic rural landscape.

Local communities evacuated, then...

How does the International Space Station orbit Earth without burning up?

Written by Kelly Griendling, Lecturer of Aerospace Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology

The International Space Station orbits Earth. NASA/Roscosmos

Curious Kids is a series for children of all ages. If you have a question you’d like an expert to answer, send it to CuriousKidsUS@theconversation.com.

How is the International Space Station able to orbit without burning up? – Mateo, age 8, New York, New York

Flying through...

Twins were the norm for our ancient primate ancestors − one baby at a time had evolutionary advantages

Written by Tesla Monson, Associate Professor of Anthropology, Western Washington University

Twins are uncommon in human history.Tesla Monson

Twins have been rare in human history and for that reason can seem special. Many cultures associate twins with health and vitality, while others see them as a philosophical reminder of the duality of life and death, good and evil. Some famous twins are credited with the birth of nations, others are de...

How cities are reinventing the public-private partnership − 4 lessons from around the globe

Written by Debra Lam, Founding Director of the Partnership for Inclusive Innovation, Enterprise Innovation Institute, Georgia Institute of Technology

Cities tackle a vast array of responsibilities – from building transit networks to running schools – and sometimes they can use a little help. That’s why local governments have long teamed up with businesses in so-called public-private partnerships. Historically, these arrangements have helped cities fund big infrastructure...