The Conversation

What's the difference between sugar, other natural sweeteners and artificial sweeteners? A food chemist explains sweet science

Written by Kristine Nolin, Associate Professor of Chemistry, University of Richmond

Sugar is just one of many flavor enhancers people and companies use to sweeten foods and beverages.Marie LaFauci/Moment via Getty Images

A quick walk down the drink aisle of any corner store reveals the incredible ingenuity of food scientists in search of sweet flavors. In some drinks you’ll find sugar. A diet soda might have an artificial or...

The promise of repairing bones and tendons with human-made materials

Written by Brittany Taylor, Assistant Professor of Biomedical Engineering, University of Florida

Musculoskeletal injuries can cause severe pain and lead to greater problems. PeopleImages/E+ via Getty Images

Brittany Taylor is a biomedical engineer and assistant professor who studies novel ways to improve bone and tendon healing after injuries. She is exploring drug delivery systems and temporary artificial tissue replacements to promote...

Why does experiencing 'flow' feel so good? A communication scientist explains

Written by Richard Huskey, Assistant Professor of Communication and Cognitive Science, University of California, Davis

Research shows that people who have flow as a regular part of their lives are happier and less likely to focus on themselves.Yulkapopkova/E+ via Getty Images

New years often come with new resolutions. Get back in shape. Read more. Make more time for friends and family. My list of resolutions might not look quite the same as yours, but each of our...

What is pay-as-you-throw? A waste expert explains

Written by Lily Baum Pollans, Assistant Professor of Urban Policy and Planning, Hunter College

When people have to pay for every bag of trash they throw out, they produce less waste.Mint Images RF via Getty Images

Pay-as-you-throw is a policy that charges people for the amount of trash they toss out. It’s also sometimes called variable-rate pricing or pay-as-you-waste.

Many cities and towns around the world, including over 7,000 in the...

Future engineers need to understand their work's human impact – here's how my classes prepare students to tackle problems like climate change

Written by Gordon D. Hoople, Assistant Professor of Engineering, University of San Diego

Engineering classes at the University of San Diego have started integrating discussions of the social impact of technology like drones.Gordon Hoople

Engineers spend much of their time absorbed in the technical aspects of problems, whether they’re designing the next generation of smartphones or building a subway.

As recent news stories attest,...

Zoos and aquariums shift to a new standard of 'animal welfare' that depends on deeper understanding of animals' lives

Written by Michael J. Renner, Professor of Biology, Psychology, and Environmental Science & Sustainability, and director of the program in Zoo & Conservation Science, Drake University

Climbers must climb, diggers must dig and runners must run. Doris Rudd Designs, Photography/Moment via Getty Images

In 1980 I visited the zoo in a major U.S. city and found row after row of bare concrete boxes with jailhouse-style bars occupied by animals from around the world. The animals appeared to be in good physical condition, but many were...

'Dataraising' – when you're asked to chip in with data instead of money

Written by Lucy Bernholz, Senior Research Scholar of Philanthropy and Civil Society, Stanford University

Volunteers across the U.S. tag and count monarchs during the insects' annual migrations. AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster

Fundraising appeals are part of everyday life, both online and off.

Requests for financial donations arrive by snail mail, email, social media and text messages. Cashiers at chain stores and supermarkets ask if you want to chip in for...

How changing parental beliefs can build stronger vocabulary and math skills for young children

Written by Julie Pernaudet, Research Associate in Economics, University of Chicago

Parents nurture their child's development when they tell stories and have conversations with them.FG Trade/E+ Collection via Getty Images

The Research Brief is a short take about interesting academic work.

The big idea

The key to improving young children’s vocabulary and math skills may lie in changing their parents’ beliefs. We describe...

American support for conspiracy theories and armed rebellion isn't new – we just didn't believe it before the Capitol insurrection

Written by Amanda J. Crawford, Assistant Professor of Journalism, University of Connecticut

Rioters are tear-gassed as they storm the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. Lev Radin/Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images

Americans had to confront a new reality when an angry mob attacked the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021: Some of their fellow citizens were in the grips of a false reality and had resorted to violence to support it.

Conspiracy...

The 'sore loser effect': Rejecting election results can destabilize democracy and drive terrorism

Written by James Piazza, Liberal Arts Professor of Political Science, Penn State

The Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol offers an example of how refusing to accept election results can lead to violence. Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images

An attendee at an October 2021 political rally hosted by right-wing activist Charlie Kirk asked: “How many elections are they going to steal before we kill these people?&r...