Democrats are making a mistake in rural America

Politicians often warn of American decline – and voters often buy it

Jonathan Schulman, University of Pennsylvania

Donald Trump often speaks of an America in decline. Kamala Harris counters with a rival emotional appeal centered around excitement and joy.

How Russia employs ‘hard soft power’ to influence overseas media and sow dissent and fear among foreign populations

Catherine Luther, University of Tennessee; Brandon Prins, University of Tennessee

A new study found that pliant local media in Ukraine and Georgia was manipulated by Moscow to present anti-Western narratives.

Neutral news sources could exploit today’s polarized mediascape to boost revenue − here’s why they may choose not to

Abhishek Ray, George Mason University

US news outlets perceived as politically centrist could inch rightward or leftward to attract a larger, more partisan readership − but only at the cost of journalistic credibility.

The Boeing Starliner has returned to Earth without its crew – a former astronaut details what that means for NASA, Boeing and the astronauts still up in space

Michael E. Fossum, Texas A&M University

NASA’s decision to send Starliner’s crew home on a SpaceX capsule will have implications for Boeing, the agency itself and the astronauts still on the space station.

Found dead in the snow − how microbes can help pinpoint time of death for forensic investigations in frigid conditions

Noemi Procopio, University of Central Lancashire; Lavinia Iancu, University of North Dakota

An accurate estimate of when someone died is a critical part of forensic investigations. In extremely cold conditions, molecular biology can provide critical information where the naked eye cannot.

Is it time to retire the ‘Arab-Israeli conflict’? Hostilities now extend beyond those boundaries

Nader Habibi, Brandeis University

America and Iran are now just as much a part of the decadeslong conflict as Arab states. Is it time to start referring to the ‘MENA-ISRAME’ conflict?

US oil and gas production surged to record highs under both Trump and Biden-Harris, despite very different energy goals

Valerie Thomas, Georgia Institute of Technology

Trump aggressively supported fossil fuels. The Biden-Harris administration focused on replacing them with clean energy. Yet, data show the US oil and gas industries still thrived under both.

FDA’s new regulations underscore the complexity around screening for women with dense breasts

Nancy Kressin, Boston University; Christine M. Gunn, Dartmouth College; Priscilla J. Slanetz, Boston University; Tracy A. Battaglia, Yale University

The FDA’s rule change requires that all women in the US be informed about breast density and options for supplemental screening.

Putting a spiritual spin on my love affair with vinyl

Brock Ruggles, Arizona State University

A scholar explains why some people see their vinyl records as a sacred collection.

Can schools stop students from praying?

Frank S. Ravitch, Michigan State University

Praying in school is protected by the Constitution but only under certain conditions.

Crossing state lines to get an abortion is a new legal minefield, with courts to decide if there’s a right to travel

New NFL helmet accessory reduces concussions − but players and fans may not be ready to embrace safety over swag

Kamala Harris’ purported Irish ancestry highlights complicated backstory of identity and enslavement