The problem with fare-free public transit

‘Effective altruism’ has caught on with billionaire donors – but is the world’s most headline-making one on board?

Nicholas G. Evans, UMass Lowell

Effective altruism, often called ‘EA,’ is closely linked to utilitarian philosophy and calls for donors to carefully scrutinize whether their giving makes an impact.

Wooded grasslands flourished in Africa 21 million years ago – new research forces a rethink of ape evolution

Laura M. MacLatchy, University of Michigan; Dan Peppe, Baylor University; Kieran McNulty, University of Minnesota

Contrary to the idea that apes evolved their upright posture to reach for fruit in the forest canopy, the earliest known ape with this stature, Morotopithecus, lived in more open grassy environments.

Why is Tax Day on April 18 this year? And how did early spring become tax season, anyhow?

Thomas Godwin, Purdue University

The federal government wanted to give taxpayers a couple months to prepare the year’s taxes. But as filing became more complex, the date was pushed back.

Social Security may be failing well over a million people with disabilities – and COVID-19 is making the problem worse

Zachary Morris, Stony Brook University (The State University of New York)

More than half of working-age adults over 50 with a work-limiting disability didn’t receive any benefits from Social Security in 2016.

Parents tend to choose their children’s schools based on their own educational experience

Anna Rhodes, Rice University; Julia Szabo, Rice University

Parents who had positive experiences in school often select schools for their children that are similar to the ones they attended – but if they had a bad experience they avoid those kinds of schools.

How recognising cultural practices in environmental regulation can help protect natural resources like sandalwood — podcast

Nehal El-Hadi, The Conversation; Daniel Merino, The Conversation

Because of its historical social and economic significance, conservation of sandalwood should consider cultural diversity.

Ukraine war: Pentagon leaks paint gloomy picture of long war that can’t be won but must not be lost

Foreign exchange: several African countries have a shortage of US dollars – why this happens and how to fix it

How Playboy cut ties with Hugh Hefner to create a post-#MeToo brand