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State Department layoffs could hurt US companies’ ability to compete globally – an economist explains why
State Department layoffs could hurt US companies’ ability to compete globally – an economist explains why The mass layoffs at the US State Department could hurt US companies’ ability to compete globally by eliminating expertise on business and human rights. The State Department’s Business and Human Rights team, which was eliminated in the layoffs, helped […]
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Rural women are at a higher risk of violence − and less likely to get help
Rural women are at a higher risk of violence − and less likely to get help Rural women are at a higher risk of violence against them compared to urban and suburban women, despite common misconceptions that rural areas are safer. The lack of media attention and research on rural criminology contributes to the widespread […]
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NASA, International Astronauts to Address Students from New York
NASA, International Astronauts to Address Students from New York NASA astronauts Jonny Kim and Kimiya Yui will connect with middle school students from New York via a live call on September 5, answering STEM questions about their experiences on the International Space Station. The event will be streamed live on NASA’s Learn With NASA YouTube […]
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NASA Scientists Help Maryland County Plan to Beat Summer Heat Risks
NASA Scientists Help Maryland County Plan to Beat Summer Heat Risks NASA scientists have collaborated with Prince George’s County, Maryland officials to use satellite data to inform decisions on reducing summer heat risks and mitigating heat-related illnesses. The collaboration used NASA satellites such as Landsat 8 and Aqua to track surface temperature trends across the […]
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NASA Awards Spaceflight Operations, Systems Organization Contract
NASA Awards Spaceflight Operations, Systems Organization Contract NASA has awarded ASCEND Aerospace & Technology a $1.8 billion contract to provide spaceflight operations and systems services at the Johnson Space Center in Houston. The COSMOS contract, which begins on December 1, 2026, will support NASA’s Flight Operation Directorate for programs including Orion, SLS, ISS, Commercial Crew, […]
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NASA Astronaut Megan McArthur Retires
NASA Astronaut Megan McArthur Retires Megan McArthur, a veteran NASA astronaut, has retired after a career spanning over two decades, logging 213 days in space and conducting numerous scientific experiments. McArthur was a key figure in several notable missions, including Expedition 65/66, where she served as a flight engineer on the International Space Station, and […]
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Most people ‘go it alone’ to make tough decisions
Most people ‘go it alone’ to make tough decisions Most people worldwide prefer to make tough decisions on their own rather than seeking advice or information from others. A study conducted across 13 languages, 12 research teams, and 12 countries found that this preference for self-reliance holds true across multiple cultures and continents. The researchers […]
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Monsoon flooding has killed hundreds in Pakistan – climate change is pushing the rainy season from blessing to looming catastrophe
Monsoon flooding has killed hundreds in Pakistan – climate change is pushing the rainy season from blessing to looming catastrophe Pakistan is experiencing extreme monsoon flooding that has killed over 700 people since July 2025, with water and mud sweeping through settlements and ancient towns. Climate change is exacerbating the issue, as rising temperatures increase […]
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Misunderstood Malthus: The English thinker whose name is synonymous with doom and gloom has lessons for today
Misunderstood Malthus: The English thinker whose name is synonymous with doom and gloom has lessons for today Malthus, an English economist and cleric, is often misunderstood as a pessimist who believed humans are subject to natural limits. However, his work “An Essay on the Principles of Population” (1798) actually identified two factors that reduced reproduction […]
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Israel’s killing of journalists follows a pattern of silencing Palestinian media that stretches back to 1967
Israel’s killing of journalists follows a pattern of silencing Palestinian media that stretches back to 1967 Israel’s killing of journalists in Gaza has reached a record high, with 197 Palestinian journalists killed since October 2023, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists. The killings are part of a pattern of silencing Palestinian media that stretches […]
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Hurricane Katrina: 3 painful lessons for emergency management are increasingly important 20 years later
Hurricane Katrina: 3 painful lessons for emergency management are increasingly important 20 years later Hurricane Katrina’s lessons for emergency management are still relevant today, 20 years after the devastating storm hit New Orleans. The response to Hurricane Katrina was marred by broken communications, missed opportunities, and tragic missteps at all levels of government, highlighting the […]
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How to poop outdoors in a way that won’t harm the environment and other hikers
How to poop outdoors in a way that won’t harm the environment and other hikers Human fecal contamination is a public health concern in natural areas, as pathogens can remain active for over a year and cause severe gastrointestinal disease and other sicknesses for future visitors. To minimize the impact of human waste on the […]
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How much do electric vehicles actually cut climate pollution?
How much do electric vehicles actually cut climate pollution? Electric vehicles (EVs) can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, regardless of where drivers live in the contiguous US, according to a new study. The study analyzed emissions per mile driven across 35 different combinations of vehicle class and powertrains, providing drivers with estimates of emissions based […]
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From public confession to private penance: How Catholic confession has evolved over centuries
From public confession to private penance: How Catholic confession has evolved over centuries The Catholic sacrament of reconciliation, also known as penance or confession, has evolved over centuries from public confessions to private penances. The practice of confession involves a penitent confessing their sins to a priest or bishop, who then offers an act of […]
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Escaped slaves on St. Croix hid their settlements so well, they still haven’t been found – archaeologists using new mapping technology are on the hunt
Escaped slaves on St. Croix hid their settlements so well, they still haven’t been found – archaeologists using new mapping technology are on the hunt Archaeologists are using new mapping technology to locate the hidden Maroon settlement on St. Croix, which was established by escaped slaves in the 1700s. The settlement, known as Maronberg, was […]
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ChatGPT to add protections for minors and vulnerable people
ChatGPT to add protections for minors and vulnerable people Open AI is making changes to ChatGPT to add protections for vulnerable people. The updates aim to prevent minors and vulnerable individuals from being exploited or harmed through the chatbot. The exact nature of these changes has not been disclosed, but they are expected to be […]
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Biased AI chatbots can sway people’s political views in minutes
Biased AI chatbots can sway people’s political views in minutes A new study found that biased AI chatbots can sway people’s political views in just a few minutes. The researchers used ChatGPT, a popular AI chatbot, and assigned participants to interact with either a base model or one with liberal or conservative bias. Participants who […]
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Are high school sports living up to their ideals?
Are high school sports living up to their ideals? High school sports often prioritize winning over character development and student success, leaving coaches feeling unprepared to fulfill their mission. The National Federation of State High School Associations’ mission statement emphasizes health, safety, leadership, and education, but many state associations fail to explicitly mention these goals […]
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Active Clubs are white supremacy’s new, dangerous frontier
Active Clubs are white supremacy’s new, dangerous frontier Active Clubs are small, decentralized groups that use fitness as a cover for white supremacist organizing, recruiting members through encrypted messaging apps and alternative social media platforms. The Active Club network has a core membership of 400-1,200 white men globally, plus sympathizers and online supporters, and is […]
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Why universities are hiring more chief marketing officers – even as budgets shrink
Why universities are hiring more chief marketing officers – even as budgets shrink More universities are hiring Chief Marketing Officers (CMOs) to oversee branding, enrollment campaigns, and public communications, despite budget constraints. The study found that having a CMO is linked to a significant boost in student enrollment, with an average increase of 1.6% more […]
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Where America’s CO emissions come from – what you need to know, in charts
Where America’s CO emissions come from – what you need to know, in charts The US emitted 5,053 million metric tons of CO2 into the atmosphere in 2022, with fossil fuel combustion being the largest source of emissions (93% of total emissions). Transportation accounts for 35% of CO2 emissions, followed by electricity generation (30%), and […]
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US has slashed global vaccine funding – if philanthropy fills the gap, there could be some trade-offs
US has slashed global vaccine funding – if philanthropy fills the gap, there could be some trade-offs The US government has slashed global vaccine funding, cutting off $3 billion in annual support to Gavi, a global initiative that helps millions of children in low-income and medium-income countries get vaccinated against preventable diseases. Gavi’s reliance on […]
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The paradox of pluralism: How college shapes students’ views of other religions
The paradox of pluralism: How college shapes students’ views of other religions Students at elite universities tend to express strong support for religious pluralism on surveys, but their attitudes don’t deepen during college. Contrary to expectations, students at less selective colleges develop stronger attitudes about religious pluralism and participate in more interfaith activities by the […]
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The new NextGen Acela trains promise faster travel and more seats – but arrive as US rail faces an uncertain future
The new NextGen Acela trains promise faster travel and more seats – but arrive as US rail faces an uncertain future The new NextGen Acela trains are set to start running on the Northeast Corridor soon, promising faster travel and more seats, but arrive at a time when US rail faces an uncertain future. The […]
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The dark history of forced starvation as a weapon of war against Indigenous peoples
The dark history of forced starvation as a weapon of war against Indigenous peoples Forced starvation as a weapon of war against Indigenous peoples has a dark history that dates back to colonialism, with countries like the US and Canada using it to conquer and acquire land. The use of starvation as a tool of […]
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Schools are looking for chaplains, but the understanding of who – and what – chaplains are varies widely
Schools are looking for chaplains, but the understanding of who – and what – chaplains are varies widely Chaplains are being considered for public schools across the US, but there’s a lack of understanding about who they are and what services they provide. A recent poll found that 58% of Americans support chaplains in public […]
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San Francisco and other cities, following a Supreme Court ruling, are arresting more homeless people for living on the streets
San Francisco and other cities, following a Supreme Court ruling, are arresting more homeless people for living on the streets The Supreme Court’s June 2024 ruling (Grants Pass v. Johnson) allows cities to issue citations or arrest homeless people for sleeping or living in public spaces, even when there are no available shelter beds. Since […]
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RFK Jr.’s plans to overhaul ‘vaccine court’ system would face legal and scientific challenges
RFK Jr.’s plans to overhaul ‘vaccine court’ system would face legal and scientific challenges Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s plans to overhaul the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (Vaccine Court) face significant legal and scientific challenges. The program, established in 1986, provides a way for individuals who suspect they’ve been harmed by a vaccine to receive compensation, […]
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NASA Astronauts to Answer Questions from Students in Minnesota
NASA Astronauts to Answer Questions from Students in Minnesota NASA astronauts Michael Fincke and Zena Cardman will participate in a live Q&A session with students from Minnesota on August 20, answering prerecorded science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) questions. The event, hosted by the PACER center, aims to inspire teens with disabilities to consider opportunities […]
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Moose have lived in Colorado for centuries – unpacking the evidence from history, archaeology and oral traditions
Moose have lived in Colorado for centuries – unpacking the evidence from history, archaeology and oral traditions Moose have been living in Colorado for centuries, contrary to previous assumptions that they were only occasional visitors. A recent study found that moose and elk are altering valley ecosystems by reducing willow plants, which deprives beavers of […]
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