The Conversation

Santa, maybe? Why we have different names for who ‘hurries down the chimney’ on Christmas

Written by Valerie M. Fridland, Professor of Linguistics, University of Nevada, Reno

A trade card promoting a holiday sale at the 'Bee Hive' store on Dec. 10, 1879, in New York City. Transcendental Graphics/Getty Images

Everyone has heard of Santa Claus, that chubby, white-bearded, red-suited guy who delivers Christmas presents via a reindeer-powered sleigh.

But have you never wondered how he became a man of so many names? From...

South Korea shook a presidential power grab – failure to impeach now risks damaging democracy

Written by Myunghee Lee, Assistant Professor, Michigan State University

A protester holds up an image of President Yoon Suk Yeol with the words 'Leader of insurgents,' Philip Fong/AFP via Getty Images

Days after announcing – and then rescinding – martial law in South Korea, President Yoon Suk Yeol’s future remains uncertain.

Immediate efforts to impeach the president over the attempted power grab have...

NASA’s crew capsule had heat shield issues during Artemis I − an aerospace expert on these critical spacecraft components

Written by Marcos Fernandez Tous, Assistant Professor of Space Studies, University of North Dakota

Off the coast of Baja California in December 2022, sun sparkled over the rippling sea as waves sloshed around the USS Portland dock ship. Navy officials on the deck scrutinized the sky in search of a sign. The glow appeared suddenly.

A tiny spot at first, it gradually grew to a round circle falling at a great speed from the fringes of space. It...

Vaccines and values: When you’re having a tough conversation about medicine, don’t just pile on evidence − listen to someone’s ‘moral foundations’

Written by John Rovers, Professor of Pharmacy & Health Sciences, Drake University

Listen for values and emotions, not just points you can rebut with facts.kupicoo/E+ via Getty Images

It’s that special time of year when family and friends come together to celebrate the holidays, share meals, spread cheer – and, too often, pass along their germs.

Because vaccines can save lives and prevent serious illness, health...

Why winter makes you more vulnerable to colds – a public health nurse explains the science behind the season

Written by Libby Richards, Professor of Nursing, Purdue University

Respiratory viruses rise in the wintertime, but not because people are outside in the cold. gilaxia/E+ via Getty Images

You’ve probably heard “Don’t go outside in the winter with your hair wet or without a coat; you’ll catch a cold.”

That’s not exactly true. As with many things, the reality is more complicated....

15% of global population lives within a few miles of a coast − and the number is growing rapidly

Written by Arthur Cosby, Professor of Sociology, Mississippi State University

Large parts of Mumbai face increasing flood risks from storms and sea-level rise.AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool

Coastal populations are expanding quickly around the world. The rise is evident in burgeoning waterfront cities and in the increasing damage from powerful storms and rising sea levels. Yet, reliable, detailed data on the scale of that population...

‘Administrative law’ sounds dry but likely will be key to success or failure of Trump’s plans for government reform

Written by Sidney Shapiro, Professor of Law, Wake Forest University

Judges will likely be asked to rule on how changes to federal rules were made and what conclusions were drawn from that process.Chris Collins/The Image Bank via Getty Images

There’s a lot of speculation about what Donald Trump’s second term in the White House will bring. But there’s one thread that’s likely to tie together...

Why the religious beliefs of Trump defense pick Pete Hegseth matter

Written by Julie Ingersoll, Professor of Religious Studies, University of North Florida

Pete Hegseth, Donald Trump's nominee for defense secretary.Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

The most serious allegations against Pete Hegseth, Donald Trump’s pick to head the U.S. Department of Defense, involve mismanagement, heavy drinking, infidelity, sexual harassment and even rape.

Hegseth denies the allegations but also claims that because of...

We interviewed 30 Black public school teachers in Philadelphia to understand why so many are leaving the profession

Written by Lynnette Mawhinney, Professor of Urban Education and Senior Associate Dean for Strategic Academic Initiatives, Rutgers University - Newark

Philadelphia had 1,250 fewer Black teachers in 2022 than in 2000.10'000 Hours/DigitalVision Collection via Getty Images

Tracey, a high school teacher in the Philadelphia School District, remembers the hurtful comments she heard from parents when she started her career over a decade ago as a young Black teacher in what was then a predominantly white...

US role in Syria is unclear in wake of Assad’s fall from power

Written by Jordan Tama, Provost Associate Professor, American University School of International Service

U.S. forces patrol oil fields near Syria's northeastern border near Turkey on Sept. 3, 2024. Delil Souleiman/AFP via Getty Images

As a new government is set to form in Syria following a sudden coup earlier this week, the United States’ response to the political upheaval appears uncertain.

Rebel groups unexpectedly overthrew Syria’s...