Would Abraham Lincoln ever have become president if he didn't stumble into a dry goods store in Springfield, Illinois, and strike up a friendship with its owner, Joshua Speed?
He campaigned on the notion that his business experience would equip him to 'make America great again,' but running a family company is poor training for the presidency.
Pope Francis appears to have defended Native American protests on the North Dakota pipeline issue. Indigenous cultures have a right to defend 'their ancestral relationship to the Earth,' he said.
Students with chronic illness often get only a few hours of education a week. Telepresence robots could let them participate fully in classroom and school activities.
The Trump administration may reverse a recent push to require oil companies to disclose more information about climate change risks to investors. Is that a good thing?
Israeli settlements are one main reason many observers are increasingly pessimistic about the prospects for peace between Israel and the Palestinians. Can Trump break through?
James P. Gibbs, State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry
The Galapagos Islands' giant tortoises are one of the world's best examples of evolution. Scientists are pioneering new conservation strategies to save them from extinction and restore their habitat.
Although genomics research has the potential to revolutionize medicine, it has limitations. It may not do much to prevent many of the leading causes of death.
A 19th-century movement, New Thought, came to a have deep influence on the prosperity gospel - that faith could lead one to health and material wealth. What does it tell us about Trump's faith?
For young children, how we speak is often more important than what we say. Even 'positive' generalizations can lead children to adopt negative stereotypes.
American slaves couldn't hold property – including patents on their own inventions. But that didn't stop black Americans from innovating since the beginning of the country's history.
Matthew Kahn, University of Southern California – Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences
California has set ambitious goals for cutting carbon emissions and shifting to a clean energy economy. How will this strategy affect the state's huge economy? An economist weighs the evidence.
While it may be a surprise for some, seniors still enjoy sex. But assisted living facilities may work to keep the older lovers apart in an effort to protect them.
Millions took to protests after Donald Trump was elected, but others took to therapists' offices. Read why the election was harder on some than others, and things you can do to take care of yourself.
A new federalism? Trump's decision to green-light the Dakota Access Pipeline and early battles with states show a disregard for the sovereignty of domestic government bodies.
James P. Gibbs, State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry
The Galapagos Islands' giant tortoises are one of the world's best examples of evolution. Scientists are pioneering new conservation strategies to save them from extinction and restore their habitat.
Are we headed to a magnetic reversal and all the global disruption that would bring? Enter archaeomagnetism. A look at the archaeological record in southern Africa provides some clues.
Making a point at a Washington, D.C. protest in January.
stephenmelkisethian/flickr
Scientists are concerned that politics will trump evidence in the new administration. A researcher of political psychology explains why these worries matter far beyond questions of science.
Lyndon Johnson, who was friends with evangelist Billy Graham, wasn’t targeting religious groups when he pushed his eponymous amendment in 1954.
AP Photo
President Trump recently repeated his pledge to eliminate the 63-year-old law, which bans charities from engaging in political activities, at the National Prayer Breakfast.
When scientists stand up, do they lose standing?
Liz Lemon
In the wake of the Flint water crisis and with a new notably anti-science president, U.S. scientists are reevaluating how to navigate the tension between speaking out and a fear of losing research funding.
You might think you're anonymous when you're browsing the web. But a new study shows that browsing history can often be tied to your real-world identity.
How does music training in early childhood help the developing brain?
woodleywonderworks
Time is fixed, but people experience hours, months and days in very different ways. One researcher has spent decades exploring this universal phenomenon.
Time for another ‘reset’?
Fabrice Coffrini/Pool/Reuters
As Trump explores warmer ties to Russia, he'd be wise to brush up on the history of past resets and the role the oil industry played in each one. The results weren’t good.
The darknet, like the open internet, is not immune from illegal activity. But many darknet users are there in search of 'hacker ethics' values such as privacy and free speech.
Micro changes have macro results.
Darryl Leja, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health
New research suggests our gut microbes have their own circadian rhythms that in turn influence our organ functions. Is this an explanation for how disrupting our daily patterns can cause health problems?
Sixteen of the 17 hottest years have occurred this century and we know it’s because of a changing climate, not changes in weather.
For the third consecutive year, it's the hottest year ever. A climate scientist explains how these predictions are made and why they're completely different from forecasting the weather.
A family dairy farm in Gilmanton Ironworks, New Hampshire.
AP Photo/Jim Cole
Companies historically have avoided taking stands on contentious issues, but new research suggests consumers punish businesses that don't stand up for their core values.
Can Trump restore America’s manufacturing might through threats and incentives?
Evan Vucci/AP Photo
States have been using tax breaks and other incentives like the kind Trump dangled before Carrier for years. There's little evidence they work, and in fact they may lead to widening inequality.
The Conversation relies on university, foundation and reader support. If you would like to help us have even better conversations, then you may like to make a one-off or on-going donation.
