How advertising shaped Thanksgiving as we know it
At one point, turkey was jockeying with duck and chicken for king of the Thanksgiving table.
November 20, 2017
597
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Storms hit poorer people harder, from Superstorm Sandy to Hurricane Maria
Five years after Superstorm Sandy, we see how disadvantaged social groups suffered more from the storm before and after…
November 19, 2017
587
Diapers, potties and split pants: Understanding toilet training around the world may help parents re
Opening the minds of worried new parents to other ways of raising children may assuage fears that if they fail to 'do…
November 19, 2017
1021
The dangers and potential of 'natural' opioid kratom
The herb kratom has a large following and is so popular that it is sold in vending machines. The FDA recently issued a public…
November 19, 2017
1072
A backlash against 'mixed' foods led to the demise of a classic American dish
In the 19th century, puddings were as popular and widespread as pasta dishes are today.
November 19, 2017
524
Puerto Rico two months after Maria: 5 essential reads
Scholars answer key questions about Puerto Rico in the aftermath of Huricane Maria, which destroyed the island two months…
November 19, 2017
419
Will Puerto Ricans return home after Hurricane María?
For more than half of those leaving Puerto Rico, returning home is still a possibility.
November 17, 2017
526
Feeling guilty about drinking? Well, ask the saints
For those wondering whether it is sinful to drink, even moderately, a scholar goes into the history of alcohol and its distillation…
November 17, 2017
632
Nature lovers may #OptOutside on Black Friday, but they consume resources year-round
On Black Friday, November 24, outdoor retailer REI will close its stores and urge customers to #OptOutside. But a historian…
November 17, 2017
705
'Hot potato' shows why workers won't benefit from Trump's corporate tax cut
The House just passed its version of the tax plan, which includes about US$1 trillion in cuts for corporations. The question,…
November 17, 2017
531
In-store shopping still matters this holiday season
Holiday retail sales may boom this year – and the lion's share will not be online purchases. Yet brick-and-mortar…
November 17, 2017
606
Millions, billions, trillions: How to make sense of numbers in the news
Today's news can often involve mind-bogglingly large numbers. A math professor shares some tricks for understanding…
November 16, 2017
557
How to get the biggest bang out of matching funds
Nonprofit fundraisers have long relied on matching funds to encourage giving without knowing if they work. Recent research…
November 16, 2017
542
Can online gaming ditch its sexist ways?
Many online communities have developed toxic social norms, including sexist tendencies, that they will need to address as…
November 16, 2017
568
'He's Pavlov and we're the dogs': How associative learning really works in human psychology
Pavlov’s drooling dogs hold the key to understanding many of our most important emotional experiences – as well as the…
November 16, 2017
515
Latin American history suggests Zimbabwe's military coup will turn violent
Some observers think Mugabe's overthrow by the Army might be a good thing for Zimbabwe. An Argentinean expert on Latin…
November 16, 2017
607
Why does the price of turkeys fall just before Thanksgiving?
An economist explains why turkeys defy the economic laws of supply and demand.
November 16, 2017
542
What the first Thanksgiving dinner actually looked like
Dishes we consider staples today have little to do with the first feast.
November 16, 2017
575
How Silicon Valley industry polluted the sylvan California dream
Silicon Valley brought together natural surroundings, suburban homes and futuristic high-tech work. But industrial pollution…
November 15, 2017
544