The Conversation

The Supreme Court's originalists have taken over − here's how they interpret the Constitution

Written by Whitley R.P. Kaufman, Professor of Philosophy, UMass Lowell

Justices who follow originalism dominate in the U.S. Supreme Court.Stefani Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images

Today a majority of U.S. Supreme Court justices are either self-described originalists or strongly lean toward originalism. Yet less than 50 years ago, originalism was considered a fringe movement, hardly taken seriously by most legal scholars....

Aerobic and strength training exercise combined can be an elixir for better brain health in your 80s and 90s, new study finds

Written by Brian Ho, PhD Candidate in Clinical & Health Psychology, University of Florida

Pilates is a form of mind-body exercise that involves weight resistance and strength training. Thomas Barwick/Stone via Getty Images

People in the oldest stage of life who regularly engage in aerobic activities and strength training exercises perform better on cognitive tests than those who are either sedentary or participate only in aerobic...

Nazi Germany had admirers among American religious leaders – and white supremacy fueled their support

Written by Meghan Garrity, Assistant Professor of International Security & Law, George Mason University

Thousands of people attend a pro-Nazi rally at Madison Square Garden in New York in May 1934, with counterprotestors outside. Anthony Potter Collection/Hulton Archive via Getty Images

Each September marks the anniversary of Nazi Germany’s Nuremberg Laws, whose passage in 1935 stripped Jews of their German citizenship and banned...

Aaron Rodgers' season-ending Achilles tear resurfaces questions about player safety on artificial turf

Written by Philip Anloague, Adjunct Professor of Physical Therapy, University of Dayton

New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers suffered a torn Achilles tendon after being sacked by Buffalo Bills defensive end Leonard Floyd.Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

In the first quarter of his first game as a New York Jet, quarterback Aaron Rodgers dropped back to pass. Buffalo Bills defensive end Leonard Floyd blew past the offensive line and wrapped...

4 reasons teens take part in social media challenges

Written by Kapil Chalil Madathil, Wilfred P. Tiencken Professor of Industrial and Civil Engineering, Clemson University

Young people often participate in a challenge to feel included among peers who have already done it.Frazao Studio Latino/E+ Collection/Getty Images

Social media challenges are wide-ranging – both in the stunts they involve and the reasons why people do them.

But why do young people take up challenges that pose a threat to health, well-being...

Biases against Black-sounding first names can lead to discrimination in hiring, especially when employers make decisions in a hurry − new research

Written by Martin Abel, Assistant Professor of Economics, Bowdoin College

What role will race play in determining who gets the job?Cecilie_Arcurs/E+ via Getty Image

Because names are among the first things you learn about someone, they can influence first impressions.

That this is particularly true for names associated with Black people came to light in 2004 with the release of a study that found employers seeing...

Educators say student misconduct has increased − but progressive reforms or harsher punishments alone won't fix the problem

Written by F. Chris Curran, Associate Professor of Educational Leadership and Policy, University of Florida

Only 13% of principals believe suspensions reduce misbehavior, according to a national survey.Ableimages/DigitalVision Collection/Getty Images

The 2022-23 school year was a particularly violent year for educators.

In Florida, a high school student beat a paraprofessional unconscious. A 15-year-old in Georgia left her teacher with difficulty walking....

The Federal Reserve held off hiking interest rates − it may still be too early to start popping the corks

Written by D. Brian Blank, Assistant Professor of Finance, Mississippi State University

Federal Reserve Board Chair Jerome Powell is watching the data.Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Federal Reserve officials held interest rates steady at their monthly policy meeting on Sept. 20, 2023 – only the second time they have done so since embarking on a rate-raising campaign a year and a half ago. But it is what they hinted at rather than...

Wildfire risk is soaring for low-income, elderly and other vulnerable populations in California, Washington and Oregon

Written by Mojtaba Sadegh, Associate Professor of Civil Engineering, Boise State University

Many of the people caught in the wildfire that swept through Paradise, Calif., in 2018 were older adults.Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

As wildfires burn across the Western U.S., the people in harm’s way are increasingly those least able to protect their homes from fire risks, evacuate safely or recover after a fire.

In a new study, we and a...

How local police could help prevent another January 6th-style insurrection

Written by Matthew Valasik, Associate Professor of Criminology and Criminal Justice, University of Alabama

Enrique Tarrio, leader of the Proud Boys, at left, and group member Joe Biggs were sentenced to many years in federal prison.Stephanie Keith/Getty Images

Some of the most prominent members of the Proud Boys, a far-right militant group that functions more like a street gang than a militia, have been sentenced to long terms in federal prison for...