The Conversation

What the Roman senate's grovelling before emperors explains about GOP senators' support for Trump

Written by Timothy Joseph, Associate Professor of Classics, College of the Holy Cross

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky speaks to the media with members of the Senate Republican leadership, Oct. 29, 2019. AP/Jacquelyn Martin

Unhinged leaders, dynastic intrigue, devastation and plunder: For 15 years I have been researching and teaching the ancient historian Tacitus’ works on the history of the Roman Empire. It...

New studies show discrimination widely reported by women, people of color and LGBTQ adults

Written by Mary G. Findling, Research Associate at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University

U.S. public opinion is divided over who faces discrimination.fizkes/Shutterstock.com

In recent years, U.S. public opinion has been divided about the existence and seriousness of racism, sexism and other forms of discrimination.

Amid growing racial divides in civil and political views, our research team at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public...

Risk rooted in colonial era weighs on Bahamas' efforts to rebuild after Hurricane Dorian

Written by Jason von Meding, Associate Professor, Florida Institute for Built Environment Resilience, University of Florida

The neighborhood known as The Mudd suffered disproportionate damage, a reflection of the Bahamas' history.AP Photo/Fernando Llano

When Hurricane Dorian made landfall on Great Abaco Island in the Bahamas on Sept. 1, 2019, it packed winds of up to 185 miles per hour and a 20-foot storm surge. A day later, it ravaged Grand Bahama for 24 hours.

Across...

What makes wine dry? It's easy to taste, but much harder to measure

Written by Aude Watrelot, Assistant Professor of Enology, Iowa State University

A lot of of chemistry and physics are behind how you perceive a sip of wine.GANNA MARTYSHEVA/Shutterstock.com

When you take a sip of wine at a family meal or celebration, what do you notice?

First, you probably note the visual characteristics: the color is generally red, rosé or white. Next, you smell the aromatic compounds wafting up from...

Why the holidays are a prime time for elder abuse, and what you can do to thwart it

Written by Kathleen Wilber, Professor of Gerontology, University of Southern California

Scams of elders are common during the holidays, when companies prey on people's loneliness and longing to help their families.Andrey_Popov/Shutterstock.com

The holiday season brings up memories and emotions for people of all ages, but elders are often overlooked. This time of year also can provide an opportunity to become more alert to signs of...

Payday lenders have embraced installment loans to evade regulations – but they may be even worse

Written by Paige Marta Skiba, Professor of Law, Vanderbilt University

A little cash can be costly.AP Photo/Sid Hastings

Installment loans seem like a kinder, gentler version of their “predatory” cousin, the payday loan. But for consumers, they may be even more harmful.

Use of the installment loan, in which a consumer borrows a lump sum and pays back the principal and interest in a series of regular...

Why are kids today less patriotic?

Written by Jane Lo, Assistant Professor of Education, Florida State University

Young Americans today are more likely to say that they're dissatisfied with the current state of affairs.LightField Studios/Shutterstock.com

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.

Why are younger people not really patriotic like me?...

Nicolas Bourbaki: The greatest mathematician who never was

Written by David Gunderman, Ph.D. Candidate in Applied Mathematics, University of Colorado Boulder

Bourbaki Congress of 1938.Wikimedia

By many measures, Nicolas Bourbaki ranks among the greatest mathematicians of the 20th century.

Largely unknown today, Bourbaki is likely the last mathematician to master nearly all aspects of the field. A consummate collaborator, he made fundamental contributions to important mathematical fields such as set...

Courts have avoided refereeing between Congress and the president, but Trump may force them to wade in

Written by Kirsten Carlson, Associate Professor of Law and Adjunct Associate Professor of Political Science, Wayne State University

Congress and President Trump are engaged in a power struggle that historically has been avoided by the courts.AP/J. Scott Applewhite

President Donald Trump’s refusal to hand over records to Congress and allow executive branch employees to provide information and testimony to Congress during the impeachment battle is the strongest test yet of...

Why it can be hard to stop eating even when you're full: Some foods may be designed that way

Written by Tera Fazzino, Assistant Professor of Psychology; Associate Director of the Cofrin Logan Center for Addiction Research and Treatment, University of Kansas

Bet you can't eat just one.tlindsayg/Shutterstock

All foods are not created equal. Most are palatable, or tasty to eat, which is helpful because we need to eat to survive. For example, a fresh apple is palatable to most people and provides vital nutrients and calories.

But certain foods, such as pizza, potato chips and chocolate chip cookies, are...