Think gift exchanges are wasteful and impractical? That’s exactly what makes them so special, according to an anthropologist. (These 2 pandas were a gift to the U.S. from the Chinese government in 1972).
The Conversation
What’s the point of holiday gifts?
Gift-giving might seem needlessly cumbersome and stressful. But the costs and benefits of the custom aren’t what they seem.
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Thich Nhat Hanh’s idea of “interbeing” says we’re deeply interconnected. A new book on ‘mindful democracy’ argues that embracing this idea could help us learn to work together again.
The Conversation
Meditating on the connectedness of life could help reunite a divided country – here’s how ‘interbeing’ works
Meditation can change our perceptions about things we encounter in our daily lives − revealing the interconnectedness of reality.
 #USPolitics #mindfulness
The conservative majority will need to decide whether a key phrase in the 14th Amendment’s citizenship clause (“subject to the jurisdiction thereof”) means what its authors intended, or whether it reflects a more complex view of citizenship as a two-way agreement.
The Conversation
Supreme Court’s decision on birthright citizenship will depend on its interpretation of one key phrase
Advocates for each side will provide a different explanation for who falls under ‘the jurisdiction’ of the United States.
“Vaccinating babies for hepatitis B at birth remains one of the clearest, most evidence-based ways to keep American children free of this lifelong, deadly infection.” - Dr. David Higgins, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus
The Conversation
Supreme Court’s decision on birthright citizenship will depend on its interpretation of one key phrase
Advocates for each side will provide a different explanation for who falls under ‘the jurisdiction’ of the United States.
A late-night climb, survey-grade GPS and weeks of data crunching have revealed a surprise in #Colorado’s high country: East Crestone (long thought the shorter peak) is actually taller than Crestone. Colorado may now have a new 14er 🏔️
The Conversation
Measuring Colorado’s mountains one hike at a time
To most accurately measure mountain peaks, Eric Gilbertson lugs equipment all the way to the top.
Astronomers have fully tallied where the universe’s normal matter actually is, and most of it isn’t in galaxies. It’s spread through the intergalactic “cosmic web,” solving a long-standing mystery 💫
The Conversation
Most normal matter in the universe isn’t found in planets, stars or galaxies – an astronomer explains where it’s distributed
Most of the universe is made up of dark matter and dark energy. The majority of everything else is dispersed throughout space as tiny particles.
 #space
Congress is examining whether Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth unlawfully ordered a second strike on a suspected drug boat. A military law expert says multiple investigative paths exist — but partisan politics means charges are unlikely.
The Conversation
Pete Hegseth could be investigated for illegal orders by 5 different bodies – but none are likely to lead to charges
Allegations are swirling around a US military strike on an alleged drug boat that resulted in 2 civilian deaths. A military law scholar outlines ho...
Researchers tested a new way to rank posts on X and found that using AI to identify and reduce polarizing messages made users feel less angry and less hostile toward the other party. A small algorithmic tweak led to a measurable drop in polarization – and shows that algorithms can balance engagement with other goals.
The Conversation
Down-ranking polarizing content lowers emotional temperature on social media – new research
A new tool lets researchers get a handle on how social media algorithms affect emotions and polarization.
Your Christmas tree's environmental impact has nothing to do with whether it's real or fake 🎄
The Conversation
Don’t stress about what kind of Christmas tree to buy, but reuse artificial trees and compost natural ones
Both natural and artificial Christmas trees have environmental impacts, but they’re not major. What matters most is what happens to the trees aft...
Talk with your hands? You may be winning people over without realizing it. 🤲🤌 A study of 2,000 TED Talks finds that gestures that match your message can make you appear clearer, smarter and more persuasive.
The Conversation
People who talk with their hands seem more clear and persuasive – new research
Your hands aren’t just accessories to your words. They’re one of the most powerful tools you have to make your ideas resonate.