Celebrating the 150th anniversary of helium's discovery – why we need it more than ever
Aside from balloons and making our voice squeaky, what use is helium? Should we care whether or not we run out of the gaseous stuff?
Category: "The Conversation"
Humans gave leprosy to armadillos – now they are giving it back to us
Although leprosy remains a disease that few people in the U.S. worry about, people should take care with how they interact with armadillos.
American farmers want trade partners not handouts – an agricultural economist explains
If the trade conflict with China continues much longer, it will likely leave lasting scars on the entire agricultural sector as well as the overall U.S. economy.
Three questions about tequila, answered
Debunking some myths and exploring some little-known aspects of the Mexican spirit that's become a global phenomenon
The U.S. natural gas industry is leaking way more methane than previously thought. Here’s why that matters
Producing and transporting natural gas releases methane, a greenhouse gas that also contributes to climate change. How big is the methane problem?
A brief history of the s'more, America's favorite campfire snack
Huddling around a campfire and eating gooey marshmallows and warm chocolate sandwiched between two graham crackers may feel like primeval traditions. But every part of the process is a product of the Industrial Revolution.
The West Antarctic Ice Sheet is in trouble – but the ground beneath it may buy some time
As the West Antarctic Ice Sheet melts, the land beneath rebounds – at a faster rate than thought.
Trump scorns U.S. media, but just try being a journalist in North Korea or Mexico
As I tell my students, the U.S. press system has its faults, but they probably won’t have to worry about being threatened, jailed or killed for doing their jobs.
How far away was that lightning?
Does counting really get you a good estimate for how far away the lightning is? Is this one of those old wives’ tales, or is it actually based on science?