The Conversation

The US signs a military deal with Papua New Guinea – here's what both countries have to gain from the agreement

Written by Michael A. Allen, Professor of Political Science, Boise State University

An Australian warship is seen off the coast of Papua New Guinea in 2018. Ness Kerton/AFP via Getty Images

The United States announced a new military agreement with Papua New Guinea, the most populous Pacific island country, on May 22, 2023.

The deal came shortly after U.S. President Joe Biden announced plans to visit the small island country –...

A little-understood sleep disorder affects millions and has clear links to dementia – 4 questions answered

Written by Anelyssa D'Abreu, Associate Professor of Neurology, University of Virginia

Past age 50, men are much more likely to have REM sleep behavior disorder than women.Jose Luis Pelaez/Stone via Getty Images

A little-known and poorly understood sleep disorder that occurs during the rapid eye movement, or REM, stage of sleep has been garnering attention for its role in foreshadowing neurodegenerative brain diseases such as Parkinson...

Oath Keepers founder sentenced to 18 years for seditious conspiracy in lead-up to Jan. 6 insurrection – 4 essential reads

Written by Jeff Inglis, Freelance Editor, The Conversation US

Stewart Rhodes, leader of the Oath Keepers, is just one member of a group that seeks to engage in violence against the U.S. government.Philip Pacheco/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images

Stewart Rhodes, the founder of the Oath Keepers, was sentenced to 18 years in prison on May 25, 2023, in the wake of his November 2022 conviction for seditious conspiracy....

2023 hurricane forecast: Get ready for a busy Pacific storm season, quieter Atlantic than recent years thanks to El Niño

Written by Kelsey Ellis, Associate Professor of Geography, University of Tennessee

Twenty years of storm tracks in the Atlantic and eastern Pacific basins.NASA

The official 2023 hurricane season forecasts were just released, and while the Atlantic may see an average storm season this year, a busier-than-normal season is forecast in the eastern Pacific, meaning heightened risks for Mexico and Hawaii.

A big reason is El Niño....

Farmers face a soaring risk of flash droughts in every major food-growing region in coming decades, new research shows

Written by Jeff Basara, Associate Professor of Meteorology, University of Oklahoma

A flash drought in 2012 dried out soil, harming crops in Kansas and several other states.John Moore/Getty Images

Flash droughts develop fast, and when they hit at the wrong time, they can devastate a region’s agriculture.

They’re also becoming increasingly common as the planet warms.

In a new study published May 25, 2023, we found that...

Lula's diplomatic dance is nothing new for Brazil or its leader -- what has changed is the world around him

Written by Rafael R. Ioris, Professor of Modern Latin America History, University of Denver

Is Lula pursuing divisiveness or diplomatic pragmatism on the world stage?AP Photo/Louise Delmotte

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva is a man currently very much in demand in international circles.

In April, the leftist leader was being courted by China during a high-profile visit to Beijing. That was followed a month later with an...

Africa is getting renewed attention from Washington — and some African states are courting African Americans

Written by Asafa Jalata, Professor of Sociology and Global and Africana Studies, University of Tennessee

President Joe Biden delivers remarks at the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit in Washington on Dec. 15, 2022. Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images News via Getty Images

Recent allegations by the U.S. ambassador to South Africa that the African nation gave ammunition and weapons to Russia in December 2022, amid Russia’s war on Ukraine, illustrate the...

NFL icon and social activist Jim Brown leaves a complicated legacy

Written by Kenneth L. Shropshire, Professor Emeritus of Legal Studies and Business Ethics; Faculty Director, Wharton Coalition for Equity & Opportunity, University of Pennsylvania

Jim Brown takes a break during a 1963 Cleveland Browns football game.Bettmann/Getty Images

Throughout his celebrated life, Jim Brown was both praised for his community activism and vilified for his abuse of women.

But no one questions his incredible ability on the professional football field or his subsequent career in Hollywood during the...

Americans are increasingly moving to red, Republican-leaning states – where life is cheaper, but people also die younger

Written by Robert Samuels, Continuing Lecturer in Writing, University of California, Santa Barbara

While blue, Democratic states are becoming bluer, red, Republican-leaning states are becoming more conservative. Matt Champlin

The United States is an increasingly polarized country when it comes to politics – but one thing that almost all people want is to live a long, healthy life.

More and more Americans are moving from Democratic-leaning...

What is 'ethical AI' and how can companies achieve it?

Written by Dennis Hirsch, Professor of Law and Computer Science; Director, Program on Data and Governance; core faculty TDAI, The Ohio State University

In the absence of legal guidelines, companies need to establish internal processes for responsible use of AI.Oscar Wong/Moment via Getty Images

The rush to deploy powerful new generative AI technologies, such as ChatGPT, has raised alarms about potential harm and misuse. The law’s glacial response to such threats has prompted demands that the...