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Several lawmakers from high-tax states like New York are pushing for changes to a key tax deduction in Democrats’ $3.5 trillion spending package. Kent Nishimura/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images

Some rich people will love at least one sweetener in Democrats’ $3.5 trillion plan

Brent W Ambrose, Penn State; David C. Ling, University of Florida; Gary McGill, University of Florida, and Pat Hendershott, University of Aberdeen

The 2017 tax cuts put a $10,000 cap on the deduction for state and local taxes. The richest households would see the biggest gains from eliminating or raising the cap.
Some preschoolers are encouraged to bring in their favorite toy or stuffed animal, while others risk having it confiscated. Layland Masuda/Moment Collection via Getty Images

Rich kids and poor kids face different rules when it comes to bringing personal items to school

Casey Stocksill, University of Denver

When students are allowed to bring personal items for show and tell, it can build their senses of self-worth, belonging and control. But poor kids often don’t get that opportunity.
A Taliban fighter, wearing U.S. clothing and carrying U.S. weapons, looks through a captured night-vision device. Marcus Yam/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images

Taliban, Islamic State arm themselves with weapons US left behind

Nolan Fahrenkopf, University at Albany, State University of New York

Despite efforts to prevent militant groups from getting weapons, they often get their hands on U.S. equipment and use it to attack American troops.
The sky’s not always the limit. AP Photo/Susan Walsh

Why America has a debt ceiling: 5 questions answered

Steven Pressman, Monmouth University

Republicans are refusing to support an increase in the debt ceiling, but not doing so risks an unprecedented default. An economist explains why it’s time to get rid of the debt limit once and for all.
The longer you hold off on using an everyday purchase, the more likely you are to preserve it untouched. kupicoo/E+ via Getty Images

Psychological ‘specialness spirals’ can make ordinary items feel like treasures – and may explain how clutter accumulates

Jacqueline Rifkin, University of Missouri-Kansas City

Have you ever bought an item and then just not gotten around to using it because the time never felt right? New studies suggest an explanation for what researchers call nonconsumption.

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Sticking to your beliefs in a rapidly changing world isn’t necessarily the best choice. Andrew Lichtenstein/Corbis via Getty Images

Changing your mind about something as important as vaccination isn’t a sign of weakness – being open to new information is the smart way to make choices

Art Markman, The University of Texas at Austin College of Liberal Arts

People tend to stick with their stated beliefs. But here’s how external forces like vaccine mandates can push people to do something they don’t want to do – and provide some face-saving cover.
U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez making a fashion statement. Ray Tamarra/GC Images via Getty Images

‘Tax the rich’? Democrats’ plans to make the wealthy pay a little more will barely dent America’s long slide from progressive taxation

Gabriel Zucman, University of California, Berkeley and Emmanuel Saez, University of California, Berkeley

In 1950, the top 0.01% of earners paid almost 70% of their income in taxes. By 2018, the super-rich paid proportionately less than the average for all other Americans.
Astronomers have found a way to estimate the number of stars in the universe. Comstock Images via Getty Images

How many stars are there in space?

Brian Jackson, Boise State University

Scientists have a good estimate on the staggering number of stars in the universe.
Instagram’s emphasis on filtered photos of bodies harms girls’ self-image. Thomas Barwick/DigitalVision via Getty Images

Facebook has known for a year and a half that Instagram is bad for teens despite claiming otherwise – here are the harms researchers have been documenting for years

Christia Spears Brown, University of Kentucky

There is ample research about how harmful Instagram is for teen girls, especially around body image. It turns out Facebook’s own research confirms it.
A popular delicacy eaten during the Mid-Autumn Festival is the mooncake. Xvision/Moment via Getty Images

What is the Moon Festival? A scholar of Chinese religions explains

Mario Poceski, University of Florida

The Moon Festival, rooted in China’s long history and rich cultural traditions, will be celebrated on Sept. 21. In China, though, the festival is a three-day public holiday.