When elections are spookier than Halloween

Americans own guns to protect themselves from psychological as well as physical threats

Nick Buttrick, University of Wisconsin-Madison

Owning a gun can influence your outlook, both fueling a sense of danger in the world around you and holding out the promise of rescuing you from those fears.

In Hawaii, parasites and viruses team up in the battle against fruit flies – an entomologist explains the implication for global pest control

Kelsey Coffman, University of Tennessee

Fruit flies wreak havoc on crops in Hawaii, but a type of parasitoid wasp armed with a biological weapon has helped keep the pests at bay.

Rust Belt voters aren’t all white, but election coverage of the region often ignores the concerns of people of color there

Christabel Devadoss, Middle Tennessee State University

US election coverage often portrays rural America as entirely white and conservative. This narrow view obscures the issues that matter to other voters.

The next president will play a key role in shaping US trade policy – here’s what voters need to know

Bedassa Tadesse, University of Minnesota Duluth

The past two administrations had vastly different records, and past is likely to be a prologue this year.

Independent voters think for themselves and stay out of politics – 3 essential reads

Jeff Inglis, The Conversation

Despite the power that political independents are anticipated to have over the election results, there’s a lot that remains unknown about this group.

Tariffs are back in the spotlight, but skepticism of free trade has deep roots in American history

Erik Guzik, University of Montana

The use of national tariffs in the US began in 1791, led by Alexander Hamilton, and grew throughout the 19th century, in what became known to many as the American System.

New Orleans schools still separate and unequal 70 years after Brown v. Board of Education

Connie L. Schaffer, University of Nebraska Omaha; Martha Graham Viator, Rowan University; Meg White, Stockton University

On Nov. 15, 1960, four Black first graders desegregated New Orleans schools. One of them was Tessie Prevost, who died in July 2024 with the promises of the post-Brown era still unfulfilled.

Climate change is making it harder for people to get the care they need

Maria S. Floro, American University

Without comprehensive public and global support for care provision and the integration of care in the climate agenda, unmet care needs will only grow and inequalities will widen.

Fear, hope and the economy: what is motivating Americans as they decide who to vote for

Gemma Ware, The Conversation; Naomi Schalit, The Conversation

Political scientist Jesse Rhodes speaks to The Conversation Weekly podcast about the latest results of the UMass Amherst poll on Americans’ attitudes about Kamala Harris and Donald Trump.

Making a Snickers bar is a complex science − a candy engineer explains how to build the airy nougat and chewy caramel of this Halloween favorite

Why do we use gasoline for small vehicles and diesel fuel for big vehicles?

Why do people still back Trump, after everything? 5 things to understand about MAGA supporters’ thinking