The Islamic State group has weaponized children
To the terrorist, children have become but a means to an end. Weapon and target.
Academic rigor, journalistic flair
Attack in Manchester
Manchester attack: as bombs return, what can be done to make venues safer?
An attack at Manchester Arena has sent shock waves around the world, and again raised questions about safety in public places.
How social ties make us resilient to trauma
In the wake of the suicide bombing in Manchester, England, an expert on social networks explains why ties to other people help societies recover from traumatic events.
Manchester Arena attack: amid the horror, the strength of an incredible city took hold
Social media was alive with offers of help: 'a bed for the night', 'a lift home', 'free taxi rides'.
6 reasons why stopping worldwide terrorism is so challenging
Anti-terrorism policy is too often adopted based on very small sets of data – and fear.
Analysis and Comment
Why it was once unthinkable for the president to be seen with the pope
The GOP was once the political home of anti-Catholicism. And the Vatican, it was believed, would use a Catholic president as a way to meddle in US politics.
How Google Street View became fertile ground for artists
In the 10 years since Google Street View launched, the platform has provided ample fodder for artists, who have used it to comment on surveillance, poverty and gentrification.
Trump’s Saudi Arabia speech confirms massive shift in US foreign policy
For Trump, putting America first means that being a global leader on human rights may take a back seat.
How Trump and Tom Price can kill Obamacare without the Senate
Pres. Trump has been saying for months that Obamacare will 'explode' on its own. He and HHS Secretary Tom Price have a lot of power to make it do so, thus making it appear that law was a failure.
How childhood trauma can affect mental and physical health into adulthood
We've known for years that childhood trauma can have lifelong effects on our health. It's time for medicine and public health to start addressing the problem head-on.
Here’s how witnessing violence harms children’s mental health
Children are increasingly being exposed to more violence. The impact? They could get desensitized to violence and come to believe that it is an acceptable way to solve problems.
Trump budget would abandon public education for private choice
The Trump administration's new education budget cuts money from traditional schools and funnels it toward school choice. Is it a nail in the coffin for public education?
Neuromechanics of flamingos’ amazing feats of balance
These birds spend long periods, often asleep, standing on one leg. Is it passive biomechanics or active nervous system control of their muscles that allows them to do easily what's impossible for us?
What is the Shia-Sunni divide?
Shia-Sunni conflicts are raging in Syria, Iraq, Lebanon and Pakistan. What is at the heart of this schism?
Getting ready for hurricane season: 6 essential reads
Major hurricanes threaten millions of people and billions of dollars in property along the Atlantic coast. Here experts advise on preparing, understanding forecasts and recovering after a storm.
Roger Moore: the last gentleman hero
Few actors have combined real charm, self-deprecation and dash in the way Moore always did.
Trump, Saudi Arabia and yet another arms deal
Shared economic and security interests have kept Saudi Arabia and the US close over the decades despite dramatic differences in the way the two countries are governed.
FBI
Mueller’s threats to resign reveal his character
How will Mueller perform as special counsel? A historian compares his actions with another former FBI director to find out.
Memorial Day
Military-funded prosthetic technologies benefit more than just veterans
Devices created for service members and veterans also help civilian children, elderly people and young adults maximize their mobility.
Health care debate
Why the US does not have universal health care, while many other countries do
Arguments about the AHCA showed deep disagreement on health care coverage. Could this move us toward universal coverage, which some say could be simpler? Don't hold your breath.
Research and Expert Database
Editors’ Picks
Why Ramadan is called Ramadan: 6 questions answered
There are many myths around Ramadan. A scholar explains the religious observance and its spiritual significance.
Beyond just promise, CRISPR is delivering in the lab today
Researchers are starting to harness the potential of this much-hyped gene editing technique – with coming applications in medicine, biology and agriculture.
Are solar and wind really killing coal, nuclear and grid reliability?
Energy Secretary Rick Perry wants to know if wind and solar are compromising the reliability of the grid and hurting coal power. The answer lies in his home state of Texas.
How African-Americans disappeared from the Kentucky Derby
Black jockeys won more than half of the first 25 runnings of the Kentucky Derby. Then they started losing their jobs.
How crossing the US-Mexico border became a crime
Trump's administration plans to ramp up prosecution of unauthorized border crossings. Here's the story of how it became illegal in the first place.
Can Bill Nye – or any other science show – really save the world?
Popular programming that focuses on science tends to not actually be all that popular. Bringing in new audiences who aren't already up to speed on science topics is a challenge.
Physics of poo: Why it takes you and an elephant the same amount of time
New parenthood got our fluid dynamics experts thinking about what ends up in the diaper. They headed to the zoo and the lab to come up with a cohesive physics story for how defecation works.
Why big-data analysis of police activity is inherently biased
Crime data reflect only what crimes are identified by the police – not all the crimes that occur. So decisions based on crime data are necessarily biased and incompletely informed.
Water, weather, new worlds: Cassini mission revealed Saturn’s secrets
With the probe now on its 'Grand Finale,' a Cassini team member describes the amazing discoveries it made about the ringed planet and its many moons.
Medieval medical books could hold the recipe for new antibiotics
A team of medievalists and scientists look back to history – including a 1,000-year-old eyesalve recipe – for clues to new antibiotics.
Introducing ‘Operator 4.0,’ a tech-augmented human worker
People will still be needed on factory floors, even as robots become more common. Future operators will have technical support and be super-strong, super-smart and constantly connected.
The myth of the college dropout
While the media glamorizes famous college dropouts like Mark Zuckerberg and Bill Gates, the reality is that most successful people in the U.S. went to – and finished – college.
Kindergartners get little time to play. Why does it matter?
Kindergarteners are under tremendous pressure – doing as many as 15 academic activities in a day, with a shorter recess time. What is the long-term impact?
Why can’t cats resist thinking inside the box?
Twitter recently blew up with posts wondering about the feline fascination with taped squares on the ground. An animal behavior expert explains it's not magic that draws Fluffy to the #CatSquare.
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