PFAS ‘forever chemicals’: Why EPA set federal drinking water limits for these health-harming contaminants

These chemicals are now found on almost every part of the planet, including in the bodies of a large percentage of the American public. An environmental health scientist explains the risks.

Kathryn Crawford, Assistant Professor of Environmental Health, Middlebury • conversation
April 10, 2024 ~9 min

How countries in conflict zones can recover from floods – lessons from Pakistan

Our expert in disaster recovery and climate change adaptation calls for a longer-term response to conflict zones affected by severe flooding, such as Libya and Pakistan.

Olasunkanmi Habeeb Okunola, Visiting Scientist, United Nations University – Institute for Environment and Human Security (UNU-EHS), United Nations University • conversation
March 5, 2024 ~8 min


Could the days of ‘springing forward’ be numbered? A neurologist and sleep expert explains the downside to that borrowed hour of daylight

Americans have long been divided over adopting permanent standard versus permanent daylight saving time. But support for permanent standard time grew dramatically between 2021 and 2024.

Beth Ann Malow, Professor of Neurology and Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University • conversation
March 4, 2024 ~10 min

Forest Service warns of budget cuts ahead of a risky wildfire season – what that means for safety

A hot, dry summer on the heels of a wet winter raises the risk of wildfires.

Jude Bayham, Associate Professor of Agricultural and Resource Economics, Colorado State University • conversation
Feb. 16, 2024 ~8 min

Using AI to monitor the internet for terror content is inescapable – but also fraught with pitfalls

The complex task of tackling online terror needs human eyes as well as artificial intelligence.

David Wells, Honorary Research Associate at the Cyber Threats Research Centre, Swansea University • conversation
Feb. 7, 2024 ~8 min

Eating disorders are the most lethal mental health conditions – reconnecting with internal body sensations can help reduce self-harm

Many people with eating disorders die from suicide. Improving perception of internal body states, or interoception, can help everyone better care for their own bodies.

April Smith, Associate Professor of Psychological Sciences, Auburn University • conversation
Jan. 31, 2024 ~9 min

Racism produces subtle brain changes that lead to increased disease risk in Black populations

Racial threats and slights take a toll on health, but the continual invalidation and questioning of whether those so-called microaggressions exist has an even more insidious effect, research shows.

Nathaniel Harnett, Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School • conversation
Dec. 15, 2023 ~8 min

How to protect yourself from cyber-scammers over the festive period

Cyber-scams tend to ramp up at this time of year, with criminals and scammers eager to exploit people’s generosity and excitement.

Rachael Medhurst, Course Leader and Senior Lecturer in Cyber Security NCSA, University of South Wales • conversation
Dec. 8, 2023 ~7 min


A Peruvian farmer is trying to hold energy giant RWE responsible for climate change – the inside story of his groundbreaking court case

If this case succeeds, it could set a precedent to hold major polluters responsible for the effects of climate change – even on the other side of the world.

Noah Walker-Crawford, Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Political Science, UCL • conversation
Nov. 27, 2023 ~26 min

Gaza's next tragedy: Disease risk spreads amid overcrowded shelters, dirty water and breakdown of basic sanitation

High levels of diarrhea, scabies and respiratory infections have been reported as bombing campaign progresses – and children are the most vulnerable.

Yara M. Asi, Assistant Professor of Global Health Management and Informatics, University of Central Florida • conversation
Nov. 21, 2023 ~9 min

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