The Conversation

Why addressing loneliness in children can prevent a lifetime of loneliness in adults

Written by Elizabeth Tillinghast, Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychiatry Columbia College of Physicians & Surgeons; Faculty Member, Columbia Center for Psychoanalytic Training and Research, Columbia University Medical Center

Loneliness in adults is often a result of loneliness in childhood. From www.shutterstock.com

The Republicans’ controversial effort to repeal the perhaps optimistically named Affordable Care Act because of rising premiums may be fatally stalled. But there are other ways to rein in health care costs that have been almost entirely overlooked....

Six questions about the French elections

Written by Joshua Cole, Professor of History, University of Michigan

As France goes to the polls to elect a new president, observers are wondering if the vote will follow a populist trend that led to Brexit and the election of Donald Trump.

Here are a few important things to know about the upcoming vote, as explained by Joshua Cole, an American scholar of European history.

1. How does the French presidential...

Why you may be paying more income tax than you should

Written by Youssef Benzarti, Assistant Professor of Economics, University of California, Los Angeles

Springtime brings many things, from proverbial showers to birds chirping and warmer weather. It also signals tax season is upon us once more.

Every year 140 million U.S. taxpayers spend countless hours gathering receipts and statements, filling out a variety of schedules and forms, and submitting their 1040s and various other supporting documents...

In planned EPA cuts, US to lose vital connection to at-risk communities

Written by Deborah Morrison, Professor of Advertising, University of Oregon

Activists, federal workers and union representatives rallied for environmental protection policies at the EPA. American Federation of Government Employees, CC BY

Recent headlines point to a relentless undoing of policy and process within the Environmental Protection Agency.

The Trump budget calls for slashing the EPA budget by an estimated 31...

Fracking comes to the Arctic in a new Alaska oil boom

Written by Scott L. Montgomery, Affiliate Faculty, Jackson School of International Studies, University of Washington

Trans-Alaska Pipeline, northern Brooks Range, Alaska.U.S.Geological Survey/Flickr

Arctic lands and waters hold irresistible allure for global oil companies. Despite opposition from environmental groups and President Obama’s 2016 ban on drilling in federal Arctic waters, exploration in Alaska has revealed massive new volumes of oil.

This comes...

Venezuela has lost its democratic facade

Written by Laura Gamboa, Assistant Professor of Political Science, Utah State University

Although the Venezuelan government has become increasingly authoritarian since the early 2000s, last week was the first time it openly attacked democracy.

On March 29, the Venezuelan Supreme Court, controlled by the executive branch, took over the functions of the National Assembly. Although this is not the first time the Venezuelan government...

Is temptation such a bad thing?

Written by Mathew Schmalz, Associate Professor of Religion, College of the Holy Cross

What is the true nature of temptation?EightBitTony, CC BY-NC

The Washington Post recently published a profile on Karen Pence, the “prayer-warrior wife” of Vice President Mike Pence. The piece cited information on the Pences’ marriage: specifically that Mike Pence will not dine with a woman, or be present where alcohol is served,...

Don't believe everything you hear about pesticides on fruits and vegetables

Written by Michael P. Holsapple, Director and Endowed Chair of Center for Research on Ingredient Safety, Michigan State University

Three-quarters of Americans don't eat enough fruits and vegetables.Cropped from jwajennalex/flickr, CC BY

Spring is just around the corner, and with it comes another growing season. Eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables can help lower calorie intake; reduce risks for heart disease, obesity and Type 2 diabetes; and protect against certain...

Large-scale fracking comes to the Arctic in a new Alaska oil boom

Written by Scott L. Montgomery, Affiliate Faculty, Jackson School of International Studies, University of Washington

Trans-Alaska Pipeline, northern Brooks Range, Alaska.U.S.Geological Survey/Flickr

This comes...

Is the Supreme Court acting less like a court?

Written by Daniel N. Rockmore, Professor, Department of Mathematics, Computational Science, and Computer Science, Dartmouth College

Have the Supreme Court's rulings changed over time?UpstateNYer, CC BY-SA

As the pinnacle of the judicial branch, the U.S. Supreme Court is necessarily involved in some of the highest-profile, most controversial and most political cases across the country. And it is one of the most widely respected government institutions in the country. Some of its...