The Conversation

Mercury from industrialized nations is polluting the Arctic – here's how it gets there

Written by Daniel Obrist, Professor and Chair, Department of Environmental, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, University of Massachusetts Lowell

Gates of the Arctic National Park, Alaska. Plants on the Arctic tundra absorb mercury from the air, then transfer it to soil when they die.Paxson Woelber, CC BY

Scientists have long understood that the Arctic is affected by mercury pollution, but know less about how it happens. Remote, cold and seemingly pristine, why is such an idyllic landscape...

With FCC's net neutrality ruling, the US could lose its lead in online consumer protection

Written by Sascha Meinrath, Director of X-Lab; Palmer Chair in Telecommunications, Pennsylvania State University

Three of these smiling people undid U.S. consumer protections online.Federal Communications Commission

The internet may be an international system of interconnecting networks sharing a rough global consensus about the technical details of communicating through them – but each country manages its own internet environment independently. As the...

Alabama and #MeToo's disruptive force

Written by Ashwini Tambe, Editorial Director, Feminist Studies; Associate Professor, Department of Women's Studies, University of Maryland

A woman rallies for Doug Jones on Dec. 12. Jones defeated Republican Roy Moore who was accused of sexual misconduct.AP Photo/John Bazemore

Roy Moore’s electoral defeat in Alabama is an important victory for #MeToo.

Let’s recall that the allegations about his preying on teenagers came to light amidst a wave of #MeToo-inspired charges....

A parent's guide to ending sexual harassment and assault

Written by Merle H. Weiner, Philip H. Knight Professor of Law, University of Oregon

Teaching kids early can help.

The resignation of three members of Congress – John Conyers, Al Franken and Trent Franks – should serve as a reminder to parents to talk to their children about sexual misconduct.

As a law professor with a focus on domestic and sexual violence, I know that the law alone does not deter sexual misbehavior....

Why there's no place like home for the holidays

Written by Frank T. McAndrew, Cornelia H. Dudley Professor of Psychology, Knox College

George Henry Durrie's 'Winter in the Country: A Cold Morning' (1861).Virginia Museum of Fine Arts

While Christmas playlists often include cheesy favorites like “Rockin Around the Christmas Tree” and “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus,” there are also a handful of wistful tracks that go a little bit deeper.

Listen closely to...

Trump's right about one thing: The US Senate should end its 60-vote majority

Written by Daniel Wirls, Professor of Politics, University of California, Santa Cruz

As the dramatic and traumatic first year of the Trump presidency nears the finish line, with major legislative struggles over tax legislation and the budget, it is easy to overlook other important political events.

One such development is essential to both the tax reform package, which would be Trump’s only significant legislative achievement...

Stinkhorns, truffles, smuts: The amazing diversity – and possible decline – of mushrooms and other fungi

Written by Alexander Weir, Professor of Environmental and Forest Biology, State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry

Autumn edible mushrooms, mostly Boletus edulis.www.shutterstock.com

“Whatever dressing one gives to mushrooms…they are not really good but to be sent back to the dungheap where they are born.”

French philosopher Denis Diderot thus dismissed mushrooms in 1751 in his “Encyclopedie.” Today his words would be dismissed in...

Harvard students and DOJ will find answers elusive in quest to learn about admissions decisions

Written by Natasha Warikoo, Associate Professor of Education, Harvard University

More and more students at Harvard are examining their admission files to try to understand how they got in. The U.S. government is also plans to examine the files as part of a discrimination case filed by 63 Asian- American groups.Shutterstock.com

After weeks of negotiation, Harvard University recently agreed to provide the Department of Justice...

You're not going to get accepted into a top university on merit alone

Written by Natasha Warikoo, Associate Professor of Education, Harvard University

After weeks of negotiation, Harvard University recently agreed to provide the Department of Justice...

Designer proteins that package genetic material could help deliver gene therapy

Written by Ian Haydon, Doctoral Student in Biochemistry, University of Washington

Delivering genetic material is a key challenge in gene therapy.Invitation image created by Kstudio, CC BY

If you’ve ever bought a new iPhone, you’ve experienced good packaging.

The way the lid slowly separates from the box. The pull tab that helps you remove the device. Even the texture of the paper inserts matters to Apple. Every aspect...