The Conversation - Floods and pickles, sweeping America

Conviction of two Michigan kidnap plotters highlights danger of violent conspiracies to US democracy

Amy Cooter, Middlebury

Two men accused of planning to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in 2020 have been found guilty. Their backgrounds and the trial itself raise concerns about the role of extremism in America.

What’s behind America’s pickle craze?

Kenneth Symsack, Colorado State University; Jeffrey Miller, Colorado State University

The pickle-obsessed can now order a pickle pizza with a side of pickle potato chips, wash it down with a pickle beer and have pickle ice cream for dessert.

Student loan forgiveness – experts on banking, public spending and education policy look at the impact of Biden’s plan

Terri Friedline, University of Michigan; Dominique Baker, Southern Methodist University; John W. Diamond, Rice University

Biden’s plan would provide up to $10,000 in relief for individuals who earn less than $125,000 a year, and $20,000 for Pell Grant recipients.

New restrictions on abortion care will have psychological harms - here’s what research shows will happen in post-Roe America

Rachel Diamond, Adler University

Escalating legal restrictions throughout the US might mean an increase in mental health disorders for those who are denied an abortion.

Terrifying dragons have long been a part of many religions, and there is a reason for their appeal

Emily Zarka, Arizona State University

Enormous, scaly, fire-breathing dragons have fascinated civilizations for centuries. A scholar who studies monsters explains their power and appeal.

Chautauqua, where Salman Rushdie was attacked, has a long history of promoting free speech and learning for the public good

Charlotte M. Canning, University of Texas at Austin

The Chautauqua movement symbolized progressive reformers’ hopes that public learning could create a healthy democracy.

Breakthrough shows humans were already standing on their own two feet 7 million years ago

Jean-Renaud Boisserie, Université de Poitiers; Andossa Likius, Université de N'Djamena (Tchad); Clarisse Nekoulnang Djetounako, Université de N'Djamena (Tchad); Franck Guy, Université de Poitiers; Guillaume Daver, Université de Poitiers; Laurent Pallas, Kyoto University; Mackaye Hassane Taisso, Université de N'Djamena (Tchad); Patrick Vignaud, Université de Poitiers

New research shows our oldest ancestors were able to walk as well as evolve in trees.

With ‘bravery’ as its new brand, Ukraine is turning advertising into a weapon of war

Flies evade your swatting thanks to sophisticated vision and neural shortcuts

Slavery and war are tightly connected – but we had no idea just how much until we crunched the data