The Conversation

Even after blocking an ex on Facebook, the platform promotes painful reminders

Written by Anthony Pinter, Ph.D. Student in Information Science, University of Colorado Boulder

Even if all the necessary precautions are taken, reminders of your ex can still crop up and catch your eye.jumpingsack/Shutterstock.com

The Abstract features interesting research and the people behind it.

Anthony Pinter, a Ph.D. student in information science at the University of Colorado Boulder, recently completed a study on people’s...

Humans domesticated horses – new tech could help archaeologists figure out where and when

Written by William Taylor, Assistant Professor and Curator of Archaeology, University of Colorado Boulder

Archaeologists investigate an ancient habitation site in western Mongolia, seeking clues to the early history of domestic horses.William Taylor, CC BY-ND

In the increasingly urbanized world, few people still ride horses for reasons beyond sport or leisure. However, on horseback, people, goods and ideas moved across vast distances, shaping the power...

The worst humanitarian crisis of the 21st century: 5 questions on Syria answered

Written by Shelley Inglis, Executive Director, University of Dayton Human Rights Center, University of Dayton

Syrians board a dinghy bound for Greece.DHA via AP

Remember former President Barack Obama’s infamous red line speech in 2012? In that speech, the president made it clear that the U.S. would not stand for the use of chemical or biological weapons by President Bashar al-Assad against opposition forces in Syria.

But, despite subsequent evidence...

The two-party system is here to stay

Written by Alexander Cohen, Assistant Professor of Political Science, Clarkson University

Despite voter dissatisfaction with the Republican and Democratic parties, they are likely to persist.Shutterstock/Victor Moussa

The American two-party system has long been besieged. Many of the founders feared that organizing people along ideological lines would be dangerous to the fledgling nation. Alexander Hamilton called political parties a...

Coronavirus unites a divided China in fear, grief and anger at government

Written by Yuqi Na, Course Instructor , Fordham University

A train attendant in Nanchang, China, gestures in solidarity with medical staff departing for the city of Wuhan, Feb. 13, 2020.STR/AFP via Getty Images

The coronavirus known as COVID-19 has killed more than 3,000 people and spread into Europe and Latin America, raising fears of a global pandemic.

But in China, where the outbreak began, it took just...

Trump treats the military as his own – and the troops could suffer

Written by Dwight Stirling, Lecturer in Law, University of Southern California

President Donald Trump with members of the armed forces.AP Photo/Kevin Wolf

As the effort to end the U.S. war in Afghanistan continues to unfold, public support for the military as an institution has remained high, as has appreciation for service members themselves.

After 18 years of war, Americans have grown used to thinking separately about...

Coronavirus: A simple way to keep workers – and the economy – from getting sick

Written by Jay L. Zagorsky, Senior Lecturer, Questrom School of Business, Boston University

Wearing a mask may not be enough.AP Photo/Lee Jin-man

The COVID-19 outbreak appears headed for the U.S., and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are urging Americans to prepare now, such as by stocking up on food and prescription drugs.

But since the U.S. economy and its workforce are also at risk of getting sick – a concern you...

It's OK to feed wild birds – here are some tips for doing it the right way

Written by Julian Avery, Assistant Research Professor of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, Pennsylvania State University

Costa's Hummingbirds are frequent visitors at feeders in Arizona and southern California.Julian Avery, CC BY-ND

Millions of Americans enjoy feeding and watching backyard birds. Many people make a point of putting food out in winter, when birds needs extra energy, and spring, when many species build nests and raise young.

As a wildlife ecologist and...

Emotional support animals can endanger the public and make life harder for people like me who rely on service dogs

Written by Deni Elliott, Eleanor Poynter Jamison Chair in Media Ethics and Press Policy; Co-Chief Project Officer on the National Ethics Project, University of South Florida

The U.S. currently has no system to differentiate real service dogs from pets.Cheryl Paz/Shutterstock.com

In 2017, Marlin Jackson boarded a cross-country flight. When he got to his row, another passenger was already in the middle seat with an emotional support dog in his lap.

According to Mr. Jackson’s attorney, “The approximately...

Why do Americans say 'bay-zle' and the English say 'baa-zle'?

Written by Christine Mallinson, Professor of Language, Literacy and Culture and Director of the Center for Social Science Scholarship, University of Maryland, Baltimore County

Depending on where you're from, you say words like 'basil' a specific way.Leonie Broekstra/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 do Americans say “bay-zle” and the English say “baa-zle”?...