The Conversation

For the birds? Hardly! Valentine's Day was reimagined by chivalrous medieval poets for all to enjoy, respectfully

Written by Jennifer Wollock, Professor of English, Texas A&M University

Roses are red, thieving birds are blue. My neck is aching, are you uncomfortable too?Universitatbibliothek Heidelberg

For many in a relationship, the pressure to impress a partner can weigh heavily, and expensive gifts serve as a reminder of the relentless commercialization of the holiday. Meanwhile those...

Investors swoon over Bumble's IPO – but what exactly is an initial public offering?

Written by Jonathan T. Fluharty-Jaidee, Assistant Department Chair and Professor of Finance, West Virginia University

Bumble's IPO raised $2.15 billion for the women-go-first dating app.Eric Baradat/AFP via Getty Images

Bumble raised US$2.15 billion in an initial public offering, or IPO, late on Feb. 10, just in time for Valentine’s Day. Investors swooned over the women-go-first dating app, buying more shares and at a higher price than initially expected,...

John Brown was a violent crusader, but he blazed a moral path that the cautious Lincoln followed to end slavery

Written by Adam Seagrave, Associate Professor of Civic and Economic Thought and Leadership, Arizona State University

Abolitionist John Brown, left, and President Abraham Lincoln, right, were both moral crusaders. Hulton Archive/Getty Images & Stock Montage/Getty Images

One of the most underappreciated figures in the nation’s history, John Brown, has been introduced to Americans by the recent Showtime series “The Good Lord Bird,” based on the...

CDC says masks must fit tightly – and two are better than one

Written by Scott N. Schiffres, Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering, Binghamton University, State University of New York

Masks work only if they fit well, and wearing two can ensure a tight fit. Eduardo Maquilón/Getty Images/Stringer via Getty Images News

On Feb. 10, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released new mask guidelines based on a study of how mask fit affects the wearer’s exposure to airborne particles. With more transmissible...

Why you shouldn't eat out for Valentine's Day: An epidemiologist explains a few facts of life

Written by Ryan Malosh, Assistant Research Scientist, University of Michigan

While Valentine's Day is typically a night to celebrate, it might be best to order takeout this year because of the pandemic.Tim Boyle/Getty Images

Editor’s Note: With another holiday approaching, it’s tempting to want a taste of freedom from COVID-19 social distancing. Who doesn’t want sweet nothings over a glass of Champagne and...

Bipartisanship in Congress isn't about being nice – it's about cold, hard numbers

Written by Daniel Palazzolo, Professor of Political Science, University of Richmond

President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris meet Feb. 1 with Republican lawmakers, including Sens. Mitt Romney and Susan Collins, to discuss a coronavirus relief package.AP/Evan Vucci

Before he was even inaugurated as president, Joe Biden, elected at a time of strong political polarization, emphasized the importance of bipartisanship in...

Polyamorous relationships under severe strain during the pandemic

Written by Riki Thompson, Associate Professor, Digital Rhetoric and Writing Studies, University of Washington

The pandemic blew up some carefully constructed 'polycules.'Bilyana Stoyanovska/EyeEm via Getty Images

A few years ago I started conducting interviews with over 100 people about their online dating experiences. I wanted to know how people presented themselves on their profiles, perceived other users on the platforms, and made decisions about whom...

Public option in Biden plan could change the face of US health care

Written by Michael Williams, Associate Professor of Surgery and Public Policy and Former Director of the UVA Center for Health Policy, University of Virginia

President Biden's proposed changes in health care include more than revamping our COVID-19 response.Aja Koska via Getty Images

President Joe Biden issued 10 executive orders to fight COVID-19 on his first day in office on Jan. 20, 2021.

Among those orders: Speed up vaccine production, expand testing, support the safe reopening of schools and reduce...

New postage stamp honors Chien-Shiung Wu, trailblazing nuclear physicist

Written by Xuejian Wu, Assistant Professor of Physics, Rutgers University - Newark

Chien-Shiung Wu's experiments were instrumental in supporting some of the biggest 20th-century theories in physics.Bettmann via Getty Images

The new U.S. postage stamp featuring Wu.U.S. Postal Service

On Feb. 11, 2021, the sixth International Day of Women and Girls in Science, the U.S. Postal Service will issue a new Forever stamp to honor Chien-Shiu...

We're building a vaccine corps of medical and nursing students – they could transform how we reach underserved areas

Written by Michael F. Collins, Chancellor and Professor of Population & Quantitative Health Sciences and Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School

Medical students' backgrounds often reflect the diversity of local communities, which can allow them more access and trust for vaccination efforts.Bryan Goodchild/UMass Medical School, CC BY-ND

The U.S. faces one of the most consequential public health campaigns in history right now: to vaccinate the population against COVID-19 and, especially, to...