Dizzying news cycle recalls other historic years

Lincoln called for divided Americans to heed their ‘better angels,’ and politicians have invoked him ever since in crises − but for Abe, it was more than words

Donald Nieman, Binghamton University, State University of New York

Keeping the United States together meant more than defeating the Confederacy. Lincoln first had to unite a fractured North.

Court battle to keep Annunciation House open underscores how faith groups strive to welcome strangers in the face of anti-immigrant sentiment

Laura E. Alexander, University of Nebraska Omaha

Religiously affiliated organizations can clash with politicians on humanitarian aid to migrants, raising issues around religious freedom and hospitality to newcomers.

GOP attacks against Kamala Harris were already bad – they are about to get worse

Stephen J. Farnsworth, University of Mary Washington

Kamala Harris’ career as a prosecutor lets her use law-and-order themes to fight back against America’s first convicted felon former president.

US says it wants Palestinians to have a country of their own – but its actions say otherwise

Dennis Jett, Penn State

While US presidents have consistently said that a two-state solution is the only way forward to settle Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the US has blocked Palestine from being fully recognized at the UN.

Seafloor sediment reveals previously unknown volcanic eruption 520,000 years ago in south Aegean Sea

Molly Colleen McCanta, University of Tennessee

A newly discovered half-million-year-old layer of volcanic sediment beneath the Aegean Sea rewrites what scientists know about this area’s volcanic history – and potential future hazards.

Retaining flavor while removing caffeine − a chemist explains the chemistry behind decaf coffee

Michael W. Crowder, Miami University

Even unstimulating coffee has stimulating chemistry.

Athletes looking for a competitive edge may find it within their gut microbiome

Christopher Damman, University of Washington

Athletes have different gut microbiomes compared with the general population. Some of these microbes are thought to improve endurance and recovery by optimizing the cell’s powerhouses.

Counter-drug strategies in Central America are worsening deforestation, threatening many species of birds

Amanda D. Rodewald, Cornell University

Central America’s forests are critically important habitat for many forest birds, including endangered species. Narco-traffickers are cutting down trees, leaving birds with nowhere to go.

Worried about the health effects of the sugar in your breakfast cereal? Little has changed since the days of ‘Unfrosted,’ the Pop-Tarts movie

Nathaniel Johnson, University of North Dakota

Many popular cereals have 10 to 14 grams of sugar per serving, which is nearly a third of the USDA’s recommended daily limit.

COVID-19 devastated teacher morale − and it hasn’t recovered

Lesley Lavery, Macalester College; Steve Friess, University of Michigan

The pandemic led many teachers to leave their jobs − a trend that could continue if education leaders don’t address issues that affect morale.

Unequal access to quantum information education may limit progress in this emerging field − now is the time to improve

Bethany Wilcox, University of Colorado Boulder; Gina Passante, California State University, Fullerton ; Josephine C. Meyer, University of Colorado Boulder

Universities and colleges nationwide are beginning to investigate quantum education to develop a workforce ready for quantum technology.

Until 1968, presidential candidates were picked by party conventions – a process revived by Biden’s withdrawal from race

Long COVID puzzle pieces are falling into place – the picture is unsettling

Dig safely when building sandcastles and tunnels this summer – collapsing sand holes can cause suffocation and even death