Hunter Biden and the political peril of presidential children

US autoworkers launch historic strike: 3 questions answered

Joshua Murray, Vanderbilt University

A work stoppage hitting the three largest American automakers at the same time is unprecedented.

What are strike funds? A labor-management relations expert explains

Raymond Gibney Jr., Penn State

When unions amass large sums of money to parcel out to workers, it can give them more leverage in negotiations with employers.

Alzheimer’s disease is partly genetic − studying the genes that delay decline in some may lead to treatments for all

Steven DeKosky, University of Florida

Despite decades of starts and stops, new treatments and key genetic discoveries are giving researchers great hope for slowing or eventually preventing Alzheimer’s disese.

Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur are times for soul-searching, but not on your own – community has always been at the heart of the Jewish High Holidays

David L. Graizbord, University of Arizona

Community is vital in Jewish ritual and tradition, and the High Holidays are no exception, a Judaic studies scholar writes.

Ransom or realism? A closer look at Biden’s prisoner swap deal with Iran

Klaus W. Larres, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

The hostage swap between the U.S. and Iran may be an important step in a new nuclear deal between the West and Iran.

The president loves ice cream, and a senator has a new girlfriend – these personal details may seem trivial, but can help reduce political polarization

Jennifer Wolak, Michigan State University

When politicians talk more about their personal lives and less about politics, it makes people from the opposing side of the political line see them as people and like them more.

Can at-home DNA tests predict how you’ll respond to your medications? Pharmacists explain the risks and benefits of pharmacogenetic testing

Kayla B. Rowe, University of Pittsburgh; Lucas Berenbrok, University of Pittsburgh; Philip Empey, University of Pittsburgh

Genetic testing can help take the guesswork out of finding the right treatment. For certain diseases. To an extent.

As climate change warms rivers, they are running out of breath – and so could the plants and animals they harbor

Li Li (李黎), Penn State

When water warms, it holds less oxygen, and this can harm aquatic life and degrade water quality. A new study finds that climate change is driving oxygen loss in hundreds of US and European rivers.

Anxiety can often be a drag on creativity, upending the trope of the tortured artist

Arash Javanbakht, Wayne State University

A psychiatrist explains the many ways anxiety can hinder, color or compel creativity.

Humility is the foundation to a virtuous life

A constitutional revolution is underway at the Supreme Court, as the conservative supermajority rewrites basic understandings of the roots of US law

Wisconsin GOP’s impeachment threat against state Supreme Court justice is unsupported by law and would undermine judicial independence

Here’s the first question of this week’s edition:

On Sept. 12, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended that all Americans age 6 months and up should do what?

1. A. Stop eating red meat
2. B. Wear more sunscreen
3. C. Get fresh COVID-19 vaccines
4. D. Give up
    

Test your knowledge