From Coleridge's Ancient Mariner to modern horror films, Antarctica has long been portrayed as a place that can drive people mad, with 24 hours of darkness today, er, tonight. But how much truth is there to these depictions?
The Conversation
At Antarctica’s midwinter, a look back at the frozen continent’s long history of dark behavior
Antarctica is a harsh continent, which in both history and fiction can trigger disturbing behavior and even madness.
 #solstice
☀️ Summer’s here – and so is the first big heat wave of 2025. Know the signs of heat illness, stay hydrated and check the heat index before heading outside. Heat stroke can be deadly, even on a mild day.
The Conversation
How to stay safe during heat waves – and heat stroke warning signs to watch for
A public health researcher explains the signs someone is developing heat exhaustion or heat stroke, and what to do.
Trump administration’s conflicting messages on Chinese student visas reflect complex US-China relations
The Conversation
Trump administration’s conflicting messages on Chinese student visas reflect complex US-China relations
The Trump administration’s threat to revoke visas of some Chinese students isn’t the first time the US has erected barriers to its higher educa...
Family and friends shoulder the real cost of dementia − $224B in unpaid care
The Conversation
Family and friends shoulder the real cost of dementia − $224B in unpaid care
Dementia care costs are 5 times higher than the official figures suggest when you count the value of unpaid care.
Metro Detroit is growing – but its suburbs are telling a more complicated story
The Conversation
Metro Detroit is growing – but its suburbs are telling a more complicated story
The outer ring of suburbs is attracting more new residents − and they are richer and better educated.
In Jim Crow Atlanta, even the courtesy of being called “Mr.” or “Mrs.” was denied to Black people. But in one overgrown cemetery, headstones quietly pushed back – restoring dignity in death where it was denied in life. A powerful story of memory, respect and resistance:
The Conversation
How Black Americans combated racism from beyond the grave
Tombstones that used the honorifics ‘Mr.’ and ‘Mrs.’ restored a sense of dignity to people who had been denied it in life.
 #Juneteenth @npub1uc0p...cpgf #Histodons #BlackMastodon @npub1e4zk...xz2t
Historical research is stereotypically done in books and archives. But researchers at the Smithsonian Institution (tag) are using isotope maps and X-ray fluorescence spectrometry to understand historic artifacts: https://buff.ly/gSdZeBW
Contrary to "#Jaws" mythology, shark attacks are extremely rare. Most sharks are timid and uninterested in humans. Conservation efforts have helped some populations rebound, a biology professor explains:
The Conversation
50 years after ‘Jaws,’ researchers have retired the man-eater myth and revealed more about sharks’ amazing biology
A shark expert whose own curiosity about these fascinating fish was sparked by the movie explains some of their unique features. Many discoveries c...
The Declaration of Independence isn't just about lofty ideals - it's a realistic depiction of a wounded society on the brink of disaster. A historian explores the document's airing of grievances: https://buff.ly/w6ZH38l
Gay Men’s Health Crisis’ buddy program paired volunteers with AIDS patients, ensuring many did not die alone. By 1988, over 1,000 volunteers were flooding in weekly to help. https://buff.ly/zIbkN6w