The Conversation - Managing health hazards in space

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.

Moms for Liberty: ‘Joyful warriors’ or anti-government conspiracists? The 2-year-old group could have a serious impact on the presidential race

Shauna Shames, Rutgers University

Moms for Liberty, founded in 2021 and now boasting 120,000 members, could ride its conservative, limited-government message to a position of strong influence in the GOP.

Jack Smith’s requested gag order, like judicial orders restricting Trump’s speech, seeks to balance constitutional rights

Lynn Greenky, Syracuse University

Trump has not been silenced. The limits on his speech protect fundamental rights − including his right to a fair trial by an unbiased jury and the public’s right to a working justice system.

Rising number of ‘predatory’ academic journals undermines research and public trust in scholarship

Eric Freedman, Michigan State University; Bahtiyar Kurambayev, KIMEP University

In some cases, it can be difficult for academics to know which journals are not credible – but other times, people feel pressure to publish in these publications.

EV sales growth points to oil demand peaking by 2030 − so why is the oil industry doubling down on production?

Robert Brecha, University of Dayton

The International Energy Agency moved up the date when it expects oil demand to peak to before 2030. Electric vehicle growth is a big part of the reason.

As extreme downpours trigger flooding around the world, scientists take a closer look at global warming’s role

Mohammed Ombadi, University of Michigan

There’s a rule of thumb that rainfall intensity increases by about 7% per degree Celsius as temperatures rise. But the increase is much higher in the mountains, scientists found.

AI won’t be replacing your priest, minister, rabbi or imam any time soon

Pauline Hope Cheong, Arizona State University

A scholar of digital religion explains why the use of AI isn’t necessarily displacing religious leadership: It is the clergy who are helping with the programming, critical for its deployment.

What are ‘mule addresses’? Criminologists explain how vacant properties serve as depots for illegal online purchases

David Maimon, Georgia State University; Saba Aslanzadeh, Georgia State University

Buyers and sellers alike use this system to not get caught.

Earthquakes and other natural hazards are a risk everywhere – here’s how people are preparing in the US and around the world

John van de Lindt, Colorado State University

One way to prevent the destruction wrought by a devastating earthquake – like the one that hit Morocco in September 2023 – is to construct resilient homes and buildings.

This course uses ‘climate fiction’ to teach about the perils that a warming planet faces

Debra J. Rosenthal, John Carroll University

Poetry and prose are prominent features in this course about how climate change is affecting the world.

US policy of ‘pragmatic engagement’ in Afghanistan risks legitimatizing Taliban rule

Sher Jan Ahmadzai, University of Nebraska Omaha

The Biden administration has not ruled out diplomatic recognition of the Taliban. Doing so risks legitimizing the group’s rule without holding it accountable.

Humility is the foundation to a virtuous life

NASA report finds no evidence that UFOs are extraterrestrial

The complex chemistry behind America’s spirit – how bourbon gets its distinctive taste and color