Justices fear legal 'chaos' if Trump barred from ballot

Supreme Court skeptical that Colorado − or any state − should decide for whole nation whether Trump is eligible for presidency

Derek T. Muller, University of Notre Dame

Partisan differences at the Supreme Court seemed to be set aside as conservative and liberal justices alike asserted concerns about giving states too much power over national elections.

Lack of access to health care is partly to blame for skyrocketing HIV rates among gay Black men

Deion Scott Hawkins, Emerson College

When appropriate care is available, several studies have shown, gay Black men are more likely to test themselves for HIV and engage in less risky sexual behaviors than gay men of other races.

Love may be timeless, but the way we talk about it isn’t − the ancient Greeks’ ideas about desire challenge modern-day readers, lovers and even philosophers

David Albertson, USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences

Conventional stereotypes about romance portray it as a passionate, irrational game. Ancient philosophers, on the other hand, viewed love as something dangerous − but also enlightening.

It’s the Year of the Dragon in the Chinese zodiac − associated with good fortune, wisdom and success

Mario Poceski, University of Florida

According to the Chinese zodiac signs, each year in the lunar cycle is associated with a particular animal. The cycle repeats every 12 years.

From church to the mosque, faith and friends help Iowa’s African immigrants and refugees build a sense of home

Osamamen Oba Eduviere, University of Iowa; Brady G'Sell, University of Iowa

Immigration may be concentrated on America’s coasts, but newcomers are putting down roots in Midwestern communities as well.

Some of the Renaissance’s most romantic love poems weren’t for lovers

Shannon McHugh, UMass Boston

These moving poems are a reminder that on Valentine’s Day, it’s OK to celebrate a broader definition of love.

Ads, food and gambling galore − 5 essential reads for the Super Bowl

Nick Lehr, The Conversation

Oh, yeah, and there’s a game, too.

FCC bans robocalls using deepfake voice clones − but AI-generated disinformation still looms over elections

Joan Donovan, Boston University

Deepfake technology is widely available, and a pivotal election year lies ahead. The FCC banned AI robocalls, but AI-enhanced disinformation campaigns remain a threat.

Why John Dewey’s vision for education and democracy still resonates today

Nicholas Tampio, Fordham University

Educational philosopher John Dewey saw America’s schools as a place for students from different backgrounds to learn from one another.

Israel is a Jewish nation, but its population is far from a monolith

Jessica Trisko Darden, Virginia Commonwealth University

The Israel-Hamas conflict is putting a spotlight on all of the different people affected by the war, including Israel soldiers from Ethiopian, Filipino and Bedouin backgrounds.

Whether of politicians, pop stars or teenage girls, sexualized deepfakes are on the rise

Anastasia Powell, RMIT University; Adrian J. Scott, Goldsmiths, University of London; Asher Flynn, Monash University; Asia A. Eaton, Florida International University

The proliferation of non-consensual, sexualized deepfake images is a reflection of society’s negative attitudes towards women.

Netanyahu’s position becoming more uncertain as Israeli PM rejects Hamas deal to end war

Anne Irfan, UCL

Netanyahu has rejected the latest peace deal and vowed to continue until Israel achieves ‘total victory."

How a place’s ecology can shape the culture of the people who live there

Mend Mariwany, The Conversation

Michael Varnum explains new research on the role ecological factors play in the differences between cultures. Listen to The Conversation Weekly podcast.

Dietary supplements and protein powders fall under a ‘wild west’ of products that necessitate caveats and caution

The myth of men’s full-time employment

More than 78 ‘friends’ of the Supreme Court offer advice on the 14th Amendment and Trump’s eligibility

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

The Lunar New Year is celebrated tomorrow. One tradition of the Chinese holiday is the giving of hóngbāo, or red envelopes. 🧧 What's in the envelopes?

1. A. Money
2. B. Love notes
3. C. Fortunes
4. D. Grocery coupons

Test your knowledge