Stories by The Conversation US

NOAA and the NWS provide public weather data that private companies cannot recreate

A geographer explains how maps’ place names, such as the Gulf of Mexico and Denali, are decided

The hit show Severance can be refashioned as a teaching moment about certain brain disorders. But its famed “Innie” versus “Outie” conceit is totally bogus

Fast-moving fires, such as the recent ones in the Los Angeles area, and those started by humans, whether accidentally or not, are often some of the most destructive

Fires can make drinking water, pipes and tanks unsafe. An environmental engineer explains why that’s so and what to do

It seems like time slows in an emergency or in the heat of a sports match. Here are a few explanations for this altered perception

Blasts of Arctic air have brought frigid temperatures that are much colder than normal to parts of the U.S., but that “normal” background is warmer than in the past

Bowhead whales were known to live up to 200 years, and a new study finds that southern right whales may live up to age 150 if they aren’t being hunted

Pearl Young joined the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics in 1922, working across departments before becoming a technical editor

Future-oriented thinking, rather than careening from moment to moment, can help parents have more meaningful moments with their children

European countries and Australia have rolled out front-of-package nutrient profiling. Color-coding or star ranking systems let shoppers make quick choices about healthy foods

A planned octopus farm is facing opposition. Here’s why

A mixture of colder temperatures, lower humidity and more time spent indoors could explain the uptick in cold viruses during the winter holidays

Opt for lighter, cheaper wine to dodge headaches this holiday season

The holidays can be a difficult time for people who are grieving. Here’s how to get through it or support a loved one

Evolution is often depicted as a steady forward march from simple to complex forms. But new research shows that certain ferns can evolve “backward”

The 2024 word-of-the-year winners offer a window into the spirit of the times

Amid concerns about lead found in certain cinnamon products, here’s what to know about how spices can pick up heavy metals and how worried to be

A man scouring Google Earth found a mysterious scar in the Australian outback. And now scientists know what caused it

Fast fashion may seem cheap, but it’s taking a costly toll on the planet—and on millions of young people

The new president-elect can go beyond just pulling out of the Paris Agreement. But it may be more difficult to roll back clean energy policies

“Going viral” appears to be more than just a catchphrase when it comes to the rampant spread of misinformation

The Whip-Poor-Will’s shrill, death-proclaiming song populates the works of Stephen King and H.P. Lovecraft. But the bird itself has fallen on hard times. Could it become a ghost of Halloweens past?

People living near industrial facilities often have few details about the chemicals inside, which poses major risks when floods occur