The Conversation

How the lowly mushroom is becoming a nutritional star

Written by Robert Beelman, Professor of Food Science, Pennsylvania State University

Mushrooms for many are just an addition to a slice of pizza, but the fungi are now gaining a reputation for their nutrients.Subbatina Anna/Shutterstock.com

Mushrooms are often considered only for their culinary use because they are packed with flavor-enhancers and have gourmet appeal. That is probably why they are the second most popular pizza...

Americans support legal marijuana – but states don't agree on how to regulate it

Written by Santiago Guerra, Assistant Professor of Southwest Studies, Colorado College

Marijuana varieties on display in a California dispensary. AP Photo/Mathew Sumner

On 4/20, many across the U.S. gather to celebrate their love and appreciation for marijuana.

Polls show that 64 percent of Americans favor legalizing marijuana. But, despite the majority support, there’s no clear consensus on how it should be regulated. As a...

Después de una acalorada elección, Costa Rica ya no parece tan excepcional

Written by Rachel E. Bowen, Associate Professor of Political Science, The Ohio State University

El progresismo sí gana en Costa Rica — por ahora. AP Photo/Arnulfo Franco

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Carlos Alvarado Quesada ganó la presidencia costarricense con 61% de los votos, una victoria contundente para un candidato progresista que llegó al día de las elecciones en empate técnico con su rival conservador.

Al...

A scholar's journey to understand the needs of Pol Pot's survivors

Written by John Ciorciari, Associate Professor of Public Policy, University of Michigan

Cambodian villagers walk to a courtroom before appeal hearings for two Khmer Rouge senior leaders facing charges of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity. AP Photo/Heng Sinith

Forty-three years ago today, the Khmer Rouge took power in Cambodia. Their radical regime, led by the dictator Pol Pot, inflicted countless atrocities and left...

How China's winemakers succeeded (without stealing)

Written by Cynthia Howson, Lecturer, University of Washington

More Chinese wines are finding their way into the liquor aisle. AP Photo/Elizabeth Dalziel

Joint ventures between Western and Chinese companies are in the news over accusations – including those of President Donald Trump – that China uses them to steal intellectual property from foreign competitors in industries like cars and...

US rivers are becoming saltier – and it's not just from treating roads in winter

Written by Sujay Kaushal, Associate Professor of Geology, University of Maryland

Little Missouri River, North Dakota.Justin Meissen, CC BY-SA

The United States has made enormous progress in reducing water pollution since the Clean Water Act was passed nearly 50 years ago. Rivers no longer catch fire when oil slicks on their surfaces ignite. And many harbors that once were fouled with sewage now draw swimmers and boaters.

But as...

Would America vote for Oprah for president?

Written by Chryl N. Laird, Assistant Professor of Government and Legal Studies, Bowdoin College

Oprah's 'Time's up!' speech at the Golden Globes got people talking about her candidacy in 2020.NBC

America has had a black president.

Is the country ready for a black president who is also a woman?

Speculation about the candidacy of Oprah Winfrey makes clear that some voters think so. Granted, Winfrey says she won’t run, but friends, commenta...

Light at night can disrupt circadian rhythms in children – are there long-term risks?

Written by Richard G. "Bugs" Stevens, Professor, School of Medicine, University of Connecticut

Could too much light in the evening affect children's sleep? Recent research suggests that it could.Giideon/Shutterstock.com

A new scientific study shows that bright electric light exposure of preschool children in the evening suppresses melatonin production almost completely, an important addition to the growing body of research in this area....

Children are natural optimists – which comes with psychological pros and cons

Written by Janet J. Boseovski, Associate Professor of Psychology, University of North Carolina – Greensboro

Little kids have a tendency to look on the bright side.Brian A Jackson/Shutterstock.com

You might hesitate to make a character judgment about someone based on a first encounter. Most adults would probably want to see how a stranger acts in several different circumstances, to decide whether someone new is nice, mean or trustworthy.

Young children are...

Pope Francis' apology for abuse in Chile would once have been unthinkable

Written by Mathew Schmalz, Associate Professor of Religion, College of the Holy Cross

What does it mean for a pope to apologize?AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

In a letter on April 11 to the bishops of Chile, Pope Francis asked forgiveness for his “serious errors of assessment and perception.” His apologies were directed to the victims of Fr. Fernando Karadima, whose abuse of at least three men when they were children was...