At Antarctica’s midwinter, a look back at the frozen continent’s long history of dark behavior

Antarctica is a harsh continent, which in both history and fiction can trigger disturbing behavior and even madness.

Daniella McCahey, Assistant Professor of History, Texas Tech University • conversation
June 20, 2025 ~11 min

I unintentionally created a biased AI algorithm 25 years ago – tech companies are still making the same mistake

One researcher’s experience from a quarter-century ago shows why bias in AI remains a problem – and why the solution isn’t a simple technical fix.

John MacCormick, Professor of Computer Science, Dickinson College • conversation
May 9, 2023 ~11 min


Vagrant, machine or pioneer? How we think about a roving eagle offers insights into human attitudes toward nature

A Steller’s sea eagle, native to the Asian Arctic, has traveled across North America since 2021. A scholar questions whether the bird is lost – and how well humans really understand animals’ actions.

Adriana Craciun, Professor of English and Emma MacLachlan Metcalf Chair of Humanities, Boston University • conversation
May 4, 2023 ~13 min

Arctic sea ice loss and fierce storms leave Kivalina Search and Rescue fighting to protect their island from climate disasters

Ten years after Kivalina’s lawsuit against Exxon over climate change damage was dismissed, the Indigenous community’s volunteer search and rescue team is facing frequent crises.

P. Joshua Griffin, Assistant Professor of Marine and Environmental Affairs and American Indian Studies, University of Washington • conversation
April 26, 2023 ~13 min

The ocean twilight zone could store vast amounts of carbon captured from the atmosphere – but first we need an internet of deep ocean sensors to track the effects

The ocean twilight zone could store vast amounts of carbon captured from the atmosphere, but first we need a 4D monitoring system to ensure ramping up carbon storage does no harm.

Peter de Menocal, Director, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution • conversation
Feb. 1, 2023 ~12 min

The ocean twilight zone could store vast amounts of carbon captured from the atmosphere – but first we need to build a 4D system to track what's going on down there

An ocean scientist describes plans for an ‘internet of the ocean,’ with sensors and autonomous vehicles that can explore the deep sea and monitor its vital signs.

Peter de Menocal, Director, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution • conversation
Feb. 1, 2023 ~12 min

The opioid crisis isn’t just the Sacklers’ fault – and making Purdue Pharma pay isn’t enough on its own to fix the pharmaceutical industry’s deeper problems

Making them pay is important but it’s not going to stop drugmakers from endangering public health.

David Herzberg, Associate Professor of History, University at Buffalo • conversation
July 26, 2022 ~11 min

Ice world: Antarctica's riskiest glacier is under assault from below and losing its grip

Thwaites Glacier’s ice shelf appears to be splintering, and scientists fear it could give way in the next few years. A polar scientist takes us on a tour under the ice to explain the forces at work.

Ted Scambos, Senior Research Scientist, CIRES, University of Colorado Boulder • conversation
June 7, 2022 ~12 min


Thawing permafrost is roiling the Arctic landscape, driven by a hidden world of changes beneath the surface as the climate warms

Ground is collapsing and massive lakes are draining in a matter of days. Thawing permafrost is having profound effects on the region and its infrastructure.

Mark J. Lara, Assistant Professor in Plant Biology & Geography, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign • conversation
April 12, 2022 ~12 min

Hydrogen: where is low-carbon fuel most useful for decarbonisation?

Hydrogen is feted as the key to a dynamic green economy. But is it the best choice for decarbonisation in all cases?

Valeska Ting, Professor of Smart Nanomaterials, University of Bristol • conversation
Nov. 9, 2020 ~17 min

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