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The Conversation U.S.

View from the deck of a research vessel at sunset, framed by large metal cranes and equipment, looking out over a calm ocean under a vibrant pink, purple, and orange sky.

UT Research Shows Viral Impact on Ocean Oxygen

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An international research team unveils how viral lysis of blue-green algae in the Sargasso Sea enhances ecosystem-scale productivity. Newly published interdisciplinary research led by the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and University of Maryland shows viral infection of blue-green algae in the ocean stimulates productivity in the ecosystem and contributes to a rich band of oxygen […]

An image from 1400 of donkeys watching over the newborn Jesus. © Bodleian Libraries, University of Oxford, CC BY-NC.

Mary Dzon in ‘The Conversation:’ The Bible says little about Jesus’ childhood – but that didn’t stop medieval Christians from enjoying tales of him as holy ‘rascal’

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An illustration from the Vernon Manuscript, from around 1400, shows the familiar motif of an ox and ass watching over the newborn Jesus. © Bodleian Libraries, University of Oxford, CC BY-NC Mary Dzon, University of Tennessee Manger scenes displayed around Christmastime usually feature an ox and an ass beside the infant Jesus. According to the […]

A young chimpanzee sits on a tree root in the forest. Image by By DS light photography.

Steven Lautzenheiser in ‘The Conversation:’ Why can’t I wiggle my toes one at a time, like my fingers?

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A baby chimp can grab a stick equally well with its fingers and its toes. Anup Shah/Stone via Getty Images Steven Lautzenheiser, University of Tennessee Curious Kids is a series for children of all ages. If you have a question you’d like an expert to answer, send it to curiouskidsus@theconversation.com. Why can’t I wiggle my […]

The White House in Washington, D.C. against a green lawn, blue sky, and red flowers. Image by Vacclav.

Carolyn E. Holmes in ‘The Conversation:’ The American fixation on white Afrikaners in South Africa stretches back nearly a century

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Gemma Ware, The Conversation A few days after Donald Trump boycotted a G20 summit in Johannesburg, he announced South Africa would not be invited to the next G20 meeting, taking place at his resort in Miami in March 2026. Trump said it was a “total disgrace” that South Africa hosted the November event, citing allegations […]

The symbolic residence of the US President, the White House, against the backdrop of the American flag and coins. Image by Max Zolotukhin.

Seth Kannarr in ‘The Conversation:’ Trump administration replaces America 250 quarters honoring abolition and women’s suffrage with Mayflower and Gettysburg designs

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Coins convey important messages about what it means to be an American; the White House knows this. Max Zolotukhin, iStock/Getty Images Plus Seth T. Kannarr, University of Tennessee The culture wars have arrived at the U.S. Mint. Commemorative coins aimed at celebrating America’s 250th anniversary in 2026 were unveiled by the mint on Dec. 10, […]

Ocmulgee National Monument's Earth Lodge highlights the mounds creation during Mississippian period over 1000 years ago. This mound was used as their congress in which they would make important decisions for their tribe. Image by Skhamse1 via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA.

Seth Kannarr in ‘The Conversation:’ What does it mean to be a new national park? Ocmulgee Mounds in Georgia may soon find out

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Earth Lodge at Ocmulgee Mounds shows an example of earthworks that are over 1,000 years old. Skhamse1 via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA Seth T. Kannarr, University of Tennessee Ocmulgee Mounds, a site in central Georgia with 12,000 years of Indigenous history, may be on the verge of becoming the newest U.S. national park. This is […]