The Conversation

Why the re-release of iconic porn film 'Deep Throat' fizzled

Written by Peter Lehman, Emeritus Professor, Film and Media Studies in English, Arizona State University

Linda Lovelace starred in 1972's 'Deep Throat,' which kicked off porn's golden age.LMPC/Getty Images

In 1972, “Deep Throat,” a feature-length porn film directed by Gerard Damiano, was hailed for moving pornography into the mainstream and beginning a golden age of theatrical porn.

To mark the 50th anniversary of its release, a restored...

A brief history of Georgia’s runoff voting – and how this year's contest between two Black men is a sign of progress

Written by Joshua Holzer, Assistant Professor of Political Science, Westminster College

Former President Barack Obama raises hands with Stacey Abrams and U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock at a Oct. 28, 2022, campaign event in Georgia.Elijah Nouvelage/Getty Images

In the U.S., all elections are administered by the states. But not all states use the same rules.

Georgia uses a version of runoff voting, which entails two rounds of voting....

Synchrony with chaos – blinking lights of a firefly swarm embody in nature what mathematics predicted

Written by Raphael Sarfati, Postdoctoral Associate, University of Colorado Boulder

Fireflies' synchronized light shows have fascinated observers for ages.Raphael Sarfati, CC BY-ND

Imagine an old-growth forest in the fading light of a summer evening. As the last of the sun’s rays disappear beneath the horizon, a tiny flash catches your eye.

You turn around, hold your breath; it blinks again, hovering 2 feet above the leaf...

The tragedy of sudden infant death syndrome: A pediatrician explains how to protect your baby

Written by Rachel Moon, Professor of Pediatrics, University of Virginia

Babies should sleep on their back on a firm, flat surface.mdphoto16/E+ via Getty Images

Each year, about 3,400 U.S. infants die suddenly and unexpectedly while sleeping, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.On Oct. 12, 2022, SciLine interviewed Dr. Rachel Moon, professor of pediatrics at the University of Virginia and the...

Health rights for trans people vary widely around the globe – achieving trans bliss and joy will require equity, social respect and legal protections

Written by Reya Farber, Assistant Professor of Sociology, William & Mary

Achieving equity in global health requires addressing the root sources of inequity.Sabrina Bracher/iStock via Getty Images Plus

While transgender people might be more culturally recognized in the U.S. than ever, visibility is not the same as justice.

Transgender is an umbrella category that emerged in the U.S. in the 1990s to encompass diverse...

Patients suffering with hard-to-treat depression may get relief from noninvasive magnetic brain stimulation

Written by Patricia Junquera, Associate Professor and Vice Chair of Clinical Services, Florida International University

Transcranial magnetic stimulation has worked when medication and other therapies have not.Monty Rakusen/Image Source via Getty Images

Not only is depression a debilitating disease, but it is also widespread. Approximately 20 million adult Americans experience at least one episode of depression per year.

Millions of them take medication to treat...

317,793 people were arrested for marijuana possession in 2020 despite the growing legalization movement

Written by Katharine Neill Harris, Fellow in Drug Policy, Rice University

It's the first year that most drug arrests were not for marijuana possession.Cappi Thompson/Moment via Getty Images

CC BY-ND

More than 300,000 people were arrested for cannabis possession in 2020, FBI records show. Meanwhile, the drug is being legally sold for a profit in 19 states.

That arrest number may sound high, but arrests have actually been...

No, an indictment wouldn't end Trump's run for the presidency – he could even campaign or serve from a jail cell

Written by Stefanie Lindquist, Foundation Professor of Law and Political Science, Arizona State University

Former US President Donald Trump speaks in Palm Beach, Florida, on Nov.15, 2022.Photo by Alon Skuy/AFP via Getty Images.

Donald Trump announced his 2024 run for the presidency on Nov. 15. In his address he railed against what he perceived as the “persecution” of himself and his family, but made scant mention of his legal woes.

Confirmatio...

How young climate activists are making their voices heard at COP27 over Egypt's protest suppression

Written by Shannon Gibson, Associate Professor of International Relations and Environmental Studies, USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences

Inside COP27, young activists like Luisa Neubauer spoke to the media to press their case.

In London, youth activists threw soup at Van Gogh’s “Sunflowers,” asking, “Is art worth more than life? More than food? More than justice?” In Melbourne, Australia, two protesters superglued themselves to Picasso’s...

Antisemitism isn't just ‘Jew-hatred' – it's anti-Jewish racism

Written by Dov Waxman, Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Foundation Professor of Israel Studies, University of California, Los Angeles

It's one thing to agree to combat antisemitism. It's another thing to agree on what it means.goglik83/iStock via Getty Images Plus

Antisemitism has been in the news a lot lately. Hip-hop megastar Ye – formerly known as Kanye West – tweeted Oct. 8, 2022 that he would “go death con 3 On JEWISH PEOPLE,” and then made antisemitic...