
An ‘Unidentified Seismic Object’ Shook Earth for Nine Days—Now We Know What It Was
Scientists have traced a baffling monotonous planetary hum that lasted for nine days back to a glacier in Greenland
Curated by professional editors, The Conversation offers informed commentary and debate on the issues affecting our world.
An ‘Unidentified Seismic Object’ Shook Earth for Nine Days—Now We Know What It Was
Scientists have traced a baffling monotonous planetary hum that lasted for nine days back to a glacier in Greenland
How Wildfires Create Rain and Change the Weather
Because wildfires create their own wind patterns, they can also spawn their own weather. Here’s how it works
Ancient Viruses Preserved in Glaciers Show Adaptation to Climate Change
From glacial ice cores extracted from the Tibetan Plateau, scientists recovered the equivalent of 1,705 viral species. Reading their genomes tells the story of 41,000 years of climate change
Antarctica’s ‘Doomsday Glacier’ Isn’t as Vulnerable to Collapse as We Thought
Antarctica’s riskiest glacier is a disaster in slow motion. But in a rare bit of good news, the worst-case scenario for its collapse may be off the table
The U.S. Has Its First Plan for Plastic Pollution. This Is What’s in It
The U.S.’s first plastic pollution plan features better measuring standards, more responsibility for producers and an end to single-use products
These ‘Surgeon’ Ants Amputate Injured Comrades’ Limbs to Save Them
Carpenter ants carry out lifesaving amputations on their colony siblings to save them
Will This Storm Become a Hurricane? Here’s How Meteorologists Tell
New techniques are helping forecasters spot storms that could develop into dangerous hurricanes earlier than ever
Former Hurricane Debby Stalls, Causing Heavy Rains and Flooding along East Coast
Some parts of the southeastern U.S. have seen more than a foot of rain from Tropical Storm Debby, and rain will keep moving up the coast in the coming days
Love the Ocean? Thank a Shark
Sharks provide multiple benefits for ocean ecosystems: their declining numbers threaten habitats for baby fish
Some Trees ‘Hold Their Breath’ during Wildfires
When wildfire smoke is in the air, some trees essentially shut their windows and doors and hold their breath
What We Know about Long COVID Right Now
Researchers are still working to understand the complicated and debilitating condition dubbed long COVID
How Student Athletes Can Avoid Heatstroke
An athletic trainer explains why bodies need time to acclimatize to extreme heat and what risks to watch out for to avoid heat illness in student athletes
How the Nutrition Facts Label Has Changed Food in the U.S.
Almost all packaged food sold in the U.S. for the past three decades has sported a Nutrition Facts label, with major consequences for the food system
Massive CrowdStrike Tech Outage Highlights Global Vulnerabilities
Companies and governments alike need to step up cybersecurity practices in the wake of massive technology failures associated with a CrowdStrike update
Worldwide Tech Outage Started with Defective Crowdstrike Update to Microsoft Windows
An issue with a commonly used security software called Crowdstrike shuttered large technology systems around the globe, including airlines, transit systems and stock exchanges
Paris Olympics Will Be a Training Ground for AI-Powered Mass Surveillance
In the run-up to the Paris 2024 Olympics, the French government has authorized wide-reaching use of AI software in security surveillance feeds
How Technology Made the S’more Possible
The gooey, chocolatey s’more couldn’t have been popularized without the technological advances of the Industrial Revolution, which brought cheap sweets to the masses
Where Beach Sand Comes From Is a Wild Story
Beach sand is beautiful—and even more so when you understand the story it tells about our planet
Popcorn, the Ultimate Snack, May Have Truly Ancient Origins
Popcorn might be more than 6,000 years old, an anthropologist explains
From Diagnosing Brain Disorders to Cognitive Enhancement, 100 Years of EEG Have Transformed Neuroscience
The EEG has shaped researchers’ understanding of cognition for everything from perception to memory
Supreme Court’s Message in First Amendment Case: Tech Is Free to Moderate Social Media
The Supreme Court kicked two cases challenging social media moderation laws in Florida and Texas back to lower courts
Looking for the Best Health Hacks? Try Vaccines!
Vaccines are a cornerstone of a healthy immune system—and a healthy life
How Older People Can Stay Safe from Fraud and Scams
Older people are increasingly becoming the targets of fraudsters. Here’s how to stay safe and what to do if you think you’ve been scammed
Why This Year’s Tornado Season Has Been So Brutal
Wind shear and atmospheric instability have combined to create a brutal tornado season this year