
RECENT ARTICLES

An inmate’s love for math leads to new discoveries
provides funding as a member of The Conversation CA-FR. provides funding as a member of The Conversation CA.There are of mathematical breakthroughs achieved in prison. Maybe the most famous is from the French mathematician , who came up with while in a military prison in Rouen, France. Another mathematical giant, , started off with no formal training in mathematics and produced most of his revolutionary results in complete isolation.In his autobiography, Weil mentions . Is there something special about prison and mathematics?Christopher Havens’ story certainly agrees with this...…provides funding as a member of The Conversation CA-FR. provides funding as a member of The Conversation CA.There are of mathematical breakthroughs achieved in prison. Maybe the most famous is from the French mathematician , who came up with while in a military prison in Rouen, France. Another mathematical giant, , started off with no formal training in mathematics and produced most of his revolutionary results in complete isolation.In his autobiography, Weil mentions . Is there something special about prison and mathematics?Christopher Havens’ story certainly agrees with this...WW…

Coronavirus: people in tall buildings may be more at risk – here's how to stay safe
provides funding as a member of The Conversation UK.The COVID-19 pandemic has challenged health systems and public health authorities worldwide. When you have a rapidly spreading virus with a high transmission rate, you have to investigate all possible infection risks.One area of risk that is yet to receive any attention is big buildings such as tower blocks or hospitals. While direct person-to-person transmission is still the most common means of acquiring the illness, our research suggests that occupants in tall buildings could become infected if defects occur in the plumbing system. It’s...…provides funding as a member of The Conversation UK.The COVID-19 pandemic has challenged health systems and public health authorities worldwide. When you have a rapidly spreading virus with a high transmission rate, you have to investigate all possible infection risks.One area of risk that is yet to receive any attention is big buildings such as tower blocks or hospitals. While direct person-to-person transmission is still the most common means of acquiring the illness, our research suggests that occupants in tall buildings could become infected if defects occur in the plumbing system. It’s...WW…

Andrew Forrest's high-tech plan to extinguish bushfires within an hour is as challenging as it sounds
provides funding as a member of The Conversation AU.The philanthropic foundation of mining billionaire Andrew “Twiggy” Forrest has unveiled a to transform how Australia responds to bushfires.The project aims to use emerging technologies to rapidly find and extinguish bushfires. The goal is to be able to put out any dangerous blaze within an hour by 2025.Some of the proposed technology includes and aerial surveillance robots, autonomous fire-fighting vehicles and on-the-ground remote sensors. If successful, the plan could alleviate the devastating impact of bushfires Australians face each...…provides funding as a member of The Conversation AU.The philanthropic foundation of mining billionaire Andrew “Twiggy” Forrest has unveiled a to transform how Australia responds to bushfires.The project aims to use emerging technologies to rapidly find and extinguish bushfires. The goal is to be able to put out any dangerous blaze within an hour by 2025.Some of the proposed technology includes and aerial surveillance robots, autonomous fire-fighting vehicles and on-the-ground remote sensors. If successful, the plan could alleviate the devastating impact of bushfires Australians face each...WW…

Schadenfreude over Trump’s COVID-19 diagnosis was more about cosmic justice than joy in another’s pain
After President Donald Trump announced his COVID-19 diagnosis, Merriam-Webster Dictionary in searches for the word “schadenfreude.”The German word, which is as “harm joy,” or “joy in someone else’s pain,” instantly became a subject of debate.and , along with of “The Late Show,” wondered whether schadenfreude was a morally defensible response to the president’s diagnosis.MSNBC host Rachel Maddow said . Harvard professor Laurence Tribe , writing that this was no time for “cruelty, schadenfreude, or any other form of small-mindedness.”I agree that cruelty is small-minded and indefensible. , I...…After President Donald Trump announced his COVID-19 diagnosis, Merriam-Webster Dictionary in searches for the word “schadenfreude.”The German word, which is as “harm joy,” or “joy in someone else’s pain,” instantly became a subject of debate.and , along with of “The Late Show,” wondered whether schadenfreude was a morally defensible response to the president’s diagnosis.MSNBC host Rachel Maddow said . Harvard professor Laurence Tribe , writing that this was no time for “cruelty, schadenfreude, or any other form of small-mindedness.”I agree that cruelty is small-minded and indefensible. , I...WW…

Can America survive the re-election of Donald Trump?
provides funding as a founding partner of The Conversation CA. provides funding as a member of The Conversation CA-FR.The 2020 presidential election may be one of the most significant and far-reaching events of the 21st century. The stakes almost defy comprehension — suggestive less of a competition over who will become the president of the United States, but whether people will vote to either retain the ideals and promises of an already wounded democracy or to sanction a further slide of American society into the abyss of authoritarianism.Noam Chomsky has argued that Donald Trump...…provides funding as a founding partner of The Conversation CA. provides funding as a member of The Conversation CA-FR.The 2020 presidential election may be one of the most significant and far-reaching events of the 21st century. The stakes almost defy comprehension — suggestive less of a competition over who will become the president of the United States, but whether people will vote to either retain the ideals and promises of an already wounded democracy or to sanction a further slide of American society into the abyss of authoritarianism.Noam Chomsky has argued that Donald Trump...WW…

How much do our genes restrict free will?
provides funding as a member of The Conversation UK.Social media algorithms, artificial intelligence, and our own genetics are among the factors influencing us beyond our awareness. This raises an ancient question: do we have control over our own lives? This article is part of The Conversation’s .Many of us believe we are masters of own destiny, but new research is revealing the extent to which our behaviour is influenced by our genes.It’s now possible to decipher our individual genetic code, the sequence of 3.2 billion DNA “letters” unique to each of us, that forms a blueprint for our...…provides funding as a member of The Conversation UK.Social media algorithms, artificial intelligence, and our own genetics are among the factors influencing us beyond our awareness. This raises an ancient question: do we have control over our own lives? This article is part of The Conversation’s .Many of us believe we are masters of own destiny, but new research is revealing the extent to which our behaviour is influenced by our genes.It’s now possible to decipher our individual genetic code, the sequence of 3.2 billion DNA “letters” unique to each of us, that forms a blueprint for our...WW…

Unis want research shared widely. So why don't they properly back academics to do it?
provides funding as a member of The Conversation AU.Academics are to share their research widely beyond academia. However, of academics in Australia and Japan suggests Australian universities are still very much focused on supporting the production of scholarly outputs. They offer for researchers’ efforts to engage with the many non-academics who can benefit from our research.One reason engagement is expected is that government, industry and philanthropic sources fund research. And when academics share their research with the public, industry and policymakers, this engagement is good for...…provides funding as a member of The Conversation AU.Academics are to share their research widely beyond academia. However, of academics in Australia and Japan suggests Australian universities are still very much focused on supporting the production of scholarly outputs. They offer for researchers’ efforts to engage with the many non-academics who can benefit from our research.One reason engagement is expected is that government, industry and philanthropic sources fund research. And when academics share their research with the public, industry and policymakers, this engagement is good for...WW…

Secondhand clothing sales are booming – and may help solve the sustainability crisis in the fashion industry
provides funding as a member of The Conversation US.A massive force is reshaping the fashion industry: secondhand clothing. According to a new report, the U.S. secondhand clothing market is – from US$28 billion in 2019 to US$80 billion in 2029 – in a U.S. . In 2019, secondhand clothing than conventional apparel retail did.Even more transformative is secondhand clothing’s potential to dramatically alter the prominence of fast fashion – a business model that emerged in the early 2000s, epitomized by brands like H&M and Zara. Fast fashion grew exponentially over the next two decades,...…provides funding as a member of The Conversation US.A massive force is reshaping the fashion industry: secondhand clothing. According to a new report, the U.S. secondhand clothing market is – from US$28 billion in 2019 to US$80 billion in 2029 – in a U.S. . In 2019, secondhand clothing than conventional apparel retail did.Even more transformative is secondhand clothing’s potential to dramatically alter the prominence of fast fashion – a business model that emerged in the early 2000s, epitomized by brands like H&M and Zara. Fast fashion grew exponentially over the next two decades,...WW…

That time private US media companies stepped in to silence the falsehoods and incitements of a major public figure ... in 1938
In speeches filled with hatred and falsehoods, a public figure attacks his enemies and calls for marches on Washington. Then, after one particularly virulent address, private media companies close down his channels of communication, prompting consternation from his supporters and calls for a code of conduct to filter out violent rhetoric.Sound familiar? Well, this was 1938, and the individual in question was , a Nazi-sympathizing Catholic priest with unfettered access to America’s vast radio audiences. The firms silencing him were the broadcasters of the day.As , I find more than a little...…In speeches filled with hatred and falsehoods, a public figure attacks his enemies and calls for marches on Washington. Then, after one particularly virulent address, private media companies close down his channels of communication, prompting consternation from his supporters and calls for a code of conduct to filter out violent rhetoric.Sound familiar? Well, this was 1938, and the individual in question was , a Nazi-sympathizing Catholic priest with unfettered access to America’s vast radio audiences. The firms silencing him were the broadcasters of the day.As , I find more than a little...WW…

How business support can boost startup diversity in uncertain times
provides funding as a content partner of The Conversation UK.Business accelerators are programmes which offer various types of support, including training, mentorship, access to workspaces and investment, with the aim of helping them through the fragile early stages of growth. They may play a vital role in the post-COVID-19 recovery., funded by the UK government, we found evidence that participating in one particular accelerator (which will remain anonymous) was associated with an increase in business survival rates, investment raised and growth in the number of people employed. This could...…provides funding as a content partner of The Conversation UK.Business accelerators are programmes which offer various types of support, including training, mentorship, access to workspaces and investment, with the aim of helping them through the fragile early stages of growth. They may play a vital role in the post-COVID-19 recovery., funded by the UK government, we found evidence that participating in one particular accelerator (which will remain anonymous) was associated with an increase in business survival rates, investment raised and growth in the number of people employed. This could...WW…

Kevin Johnson
Amanda Power

Gavin E L Hall

Jane B. Singer
Andrew J. Hoffman

Chris Impey
