Boy Scouts of America can now create $2.4 billion fund to pay claims for Scouts who survived abuse – a bankruptcy expert explains what's next

This is a green light for creating the largest-ever compensation fund for sex abuse claims.

Marie T. Reilly, Professor of Law, Penn State • conversation
April 21, 2023 ~8 min

New PFAS guidelines – a water quality scientist explains technology and investment needed to get forever chemicals out of US drinking water

The drinking water systems serving over 70 million people may not meet newly proposed water quality standards. It could cost hundreds of billions of dollars to fix that.

Joe Charbonnet, Assistant Professor of Environmental Engineering, Iowa State University • conversation
March 16, 2023 ~7 min


How do you vaccinate a honeybee? 6 questions answered about a new tool for protecting pollinators

A vaccine for bees may evoke images of teeny hypodermic needles, but this product works in a sophisticated way that reflects the social structure of honeybee colonies.

Jennie L. Durant, Research Affiliate in Human Ecology, University of California, Davis • conversation
Jan. 20, 2023 ~7 min

What is the FAA's NOTAM? An aviation expert explains how the critical safety system works

The Notices to Air Mission system failed on Jan. 10, 2023, leading to thousands of canceled flights. The system is where all important safety information for pilots and dispatchers gets posted.

Brian Strzempkowski, Interim Director, Center for Aviation Studies, The Ohio State University • conversation
Jan. 12, 2023 ~5 min

Beyond passenger cars and pickups: 5 questions answered about electrifying trucks

As California goes on regulating air pollution, other states often follow – including the Golden State’s ambitious goals for cleaning up emissions from trucking.

Miguel Jaller, Associate Professor of Civil & Environmental Engineering, University of California, Davis • conversation
Nov. 1, 2022 ~11 min

What is a semiconductor? An electrical engineer explains how these critical electronic components work and how they are made

Semiconductor chips are electronic devices that store and process information. Today they can contain billions of microscopic switches on a chip smaller than a fingernail.

Trevor Thornton, Professor of Electrical Engineering, Arizona State University • conversation
Aug. 10, 2022 ~8 min

Monkeypox vaccines: A virologist answers 6 questions about how they work, who can get them and how well they prevent infection

There are two approved monkeypox vaccines in the US. Both use a related poxvirus called vaccinia to produce an immune response that protects against smallpox and monkeypox.

Maureen Ferran, Associate Professor of Biology, Rochester Institute of Technology • conversation
Aug. 4, 2022 ~8 min

An expert panel has recommended against taking vitamin E or beta carotene supplements for the prevention of cancer and cardiovascular disease – here's why

Despite the popular belief that vitamin E and beta carotene supplements help prevent heart disease and cancer, the latest research suggests they do not – but the supplements do have potential risks.

Katherine Basbaum, Clinical Dietitian, University of Virginia • conversation
July 14, 2022 ~8 min


Say hello to Sagittarius A*, the black hole at the center of the Milky Way galaxy

Sagittarius A* is a massive black hole at the center of the Milky Way. Now that astronomers have imaged it, they can begin to learn more about black holes within other galaxies across the universe.

Chris Impey, University Distinguished Professor of Astronomy, University of Arizona • conversation
May 12, 2022 ~8 min

How can scientists update coronavirus vaccines for omicron? A microbiologist answers 5 questions about how Moderna and Pfizer could rapidly adjust mRNA vaccines

The new omicron variant of coronavirus has a number of mutations that may require manufacturers to update vaccines. The unique attributes of mRNA vaccines make updating them fast and easy.

Deborah Fuller, Professor of Microbiology, School of Medicine, University of Washington • conversation
Dec. 2, 2021 ~8 min

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