Angry voters fueling social polarization

With over-the-counter birth control pills likely to be approved, pharmacists and pharmacies could play an ever-increasing role in reproductive health care

Lucas Berenbrok, University of Pittsburgh Health Sciences; Marian Jarlenski, University of Pittsburgh Health Sciences

Some states already allow pharmacists to provide birth control to patients with a prescription. But FDA approval of an over-the-counter birth control pill could greatly expand access.

Fetterman’s struggles with language highlight the challenges after a stroke – a vascular neurologist explains aphasia and the path to recovery

Andrew M. Southerland, MD, MSc, University of Virginia

Auditory processing disorders and aphasia can make spoken speech difficult to produce and understand. But these challenges alone do not imply cognitive impairments.

Japan’s ‘waste not, want not’ philosophy has deep religious and cultural roots, from monsters and meditation to Marie Kondo’s tidying up

Kevin C. Taylor, University of Memphis

Shinto and Buddhist ideas about interconnectedness have deeply influenced Japan, shaping centuries-old rituals and stories whose impact continues today.

The ethics of canceling student debt is more about fairness than broken promises

Kate Padgett Walsh, Iowa State University

A scholar who studies the morality of debt argues why canceling some student debt is fair.

Why the US should tread carefully as it weighs supporting armed intervention in Haiti again

Claire Antone Payton, University of Virginia

Waves of US troops and international peacekeeping forces have repeatedly failed to make Haiti more stable for more than 100 years.

Hypocrisy is beneath them – political figures in the Trump era don’t bother concealing their misdeeds

Rachel Hadas, Rutgers University - Newark

Shame and guilt seem equally foreign to many politicians and public figures these days. Rather than cover their bad behavior with a veneer of hypocrisy, they revel in it, a classics scholar says.

Sacheen Littlefeather and ethnic fraud – why the truth is crucial, even it it means losing an American Indian hero

Dina Gilio Whitaker, California State University San Marcos

A new report disputes the heritage claims of Native American activist Sacheen Littlefeather. A scholar explains why scrutiny over alleged ethnic fraud is essential.

The White House’s ‘AI Bill of Rights’ outlines five principles to make artificial intelligence safer, more transparent and less discriminatory

Christopher Dancy, Penn State

Many AI algorithms, like facial recognition software, have been shown to be discriminatory to people of color, especially those who are Black.

Elon Musk is wrong: research shows content rules on Twitter help preserve free speech from bots and other manipulation

Filippo Menczer, Indiana University

Elon Musk said he wants to make Twitter a platform for free speech. Here is what research shows about claims of political bias and excessive moderation.

Ukraine war: what, if any, are the chances of toppling Putin and who might take over?

What is the difference between a populist and a dictator? The ancient Greeks have answers

Multiparty democracy is in trouble in South Africa – collapsing coalitions are a sure sign