Why art is vital for physical and mental health

Raw milk health risks significantly outweigh any potential benefits − food scientists and nutritionists explain why

Juan Silva, Mississippi State University; Joel Komakech, Mississippi State University; Mandy Conrad, Mississippi State University

Raw milk has always carried the risk of serious illness, and this risk has only risen with bird flu spreading across dairy farms in the US.

Rocks on Rapa Nui tell the story of a small, resilient population − countering the notion of a doomed overpopulated island

Carl Lipo, Binghamton University, State University of New York

Satellite data shows the amount of food the residents of the tiny Pacific island have grown over time, pointing to a small but stable population.

Arborglyphs – Basque immigrant sheepherders left their marks on aspen trees in the American West

John Bieter, Boise State University; Cheryl Oestreicher, Boise State University; Iñaki Arrieta Baro, University of Nevada, Reno

Herders carved names, slogans, nude silhouettes and more into the trees around them during lonely seasons in the mountains. Now, researchers rush to find and record the arborglyphs before they disappear.

Solstices brought Mayan communities together, using monuments shaped by science and religion – and kingly ambitions, too

Space radiation can damage satellites − my team discovered that a next-generation material could self-heal when exposed to cosmic rays

Paying reparations for slavery is possible – based on a study of federal compensation to farmers, fishermen, coal miners, radiation victims and 70 other groups

Court blocks grants to Black women entrepreneurs in case that could restrict DEI efforts by companies and charities

Ferns and flowers bribe helpful ant defenders with nectar, but ferns developed this ability much later – our study shows why

Southern Baptists may have rejected a constitutional amendment opposing female pastors, but that does not mean they are changing their views on women’s leadership in church

The Conversation U.S. weekly news quiz

Fritz Holznagel, The Conversation

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

Baseball Hall of Famer Willie Mays died on June 18 at the age of 93. What was the enduring nickname given to him by a sportswriter during his rookie year?

1. A. Swaggy M
2. B. El Gigante de los Gigantes
3. C. The Say Hey Kid
4. D. Mister Met

Test your knowledge