Brittney Griner's 'wrongful' detention in Russia

What is monkeypox? A microbiologist explains what’s known about this smallpox cousin

Rodney E. Rohde, Texas State University

Monkeypox has been spreading in humans since as early as 1970. While most monkeypox infections are mild, some can be fatal.

Over 100 years of Antarctic agriculture is helping scientists grow food in space

Daniella McCahey, Texas Tech University

Scientists just grew plants in soil from the Moon, but Antarctica has long provided researchers with the perfect place to test their agricultural techniques for a future in space.

‘Dracula Daily’ reanimates the classic vampire novel for the age of memes and snark

Stanley Stepanic, University of Virginia

A newsletter sends out chronological snippets from the 125-year-old novel ‘Dracula.’ Fans on the internet go wild.

Accused Buffalo mass shooter had threatened a shooting while in high school. Could more have been done to avert the tragedy?

James Densley, Metropolitan State University ; Jillian Peterson, Hamline University

When young people plan a mass shooting, especially at a school, they typically reveal their plans in advance. Two scholars weigh in on whether the warning signs are being heeded in the right way.

What you need to know about the Defense Production Act – the 1950s law Biden invoked to try to end the baby formula shortage

Erik Gordon, University of Michigan

Biden said the Defense Production Act would help end the shortage by directing suppliers of baby formula to prioritize delivery to formula manufacturers.

1 in 6 US kids are in families below the poverty line

Callie Freitag, University of Washington; Heather D. Hill, University of Washington

An alternative approach to measuring poverty detected a decline in 2021, amid a surge in government support for low-income families.

What makes us subconsciously mimic the accents of others in conversation

Lacey Wade, University of Pennsylvania

We often imitate styles of speech we hear – what’s known as ‘linguistic convergence.’ But a researcher wanted to see if we alter our speech based on the mere expectation of how someone will sound.

The Martinican bèlè dance – a celebration of land, spirit and liberation

Camee Maddox-Wingfield, University of Maryland, Baltimore County

After years of marginalization, the bèlè dance has been embraced by a growing community who see it as a form of social and spiritual healing.

The US Civil War drastically reshaped how Americans deal with death – will the pandemic?

Gary Laderman, Emory University

The Civil War – the second-most-deadly event in US history, just behind COVID-19 –contributed to lasting changes in how Americans care for the dead.

Australian election: how the country’s political landscape is shifting

Gemma Ware, The Conversation; Daniel Merino, The Conversation; Michelle Grattan, University of Canberra

Australians head to the polls in federal elections on May 21. Your guide to what’s at stake. Listen to The Conversation Weekly podcast.

Summer ‘revenge travel’ could raise drowning risk at beaches, but new tech might help

‘Deadbots’ can speak for you after your death. Is that ethical?