Editor's note

Can polls really predict who will win an election? After Trump won, many questioned the science of polling and whether its methods can accurately capture voters’ opinions. But the University of Michigan’s Josh Pasek and Michael Traugott aren’t worried about polls on the midterm elections. They explain why – and share their tricks for understanding the numbers.

Colorado voters will have a chance in November to weigh in on something new: whether to bar oil and gas drillers from operating within 2,500 feet from schools, homes or other occupied structures. If voters do approve this measure, it would “mark a major change” in terms of influence communities have on fracking regulations, Colorado State University sociologists Tara Opsal and Stephanie Malin explain.

And have you ever heard of ASMR? People chase this autonomous sensory meridian response sensation by watching online videos of whispering voices, crinkling paper, hairbrushing and more, because it gives them “brain tingles.” Scholar Craig Richard explains what science knows about what for some is a shortcut to relaxation.

Aviva Rutkin

Big Data + Applied Mathematics Editor

Top stories

A Michigan township collects votes in 2016. Barbara Kalbfleisch/shutterstock

You can trust the polls in 2018, if you read them carefully

Josh Pasek, University of Michigan; Michael Traugott, University of Michigan

How do you know whether to trust a poll? Look carefully at how it was conducted – and examine your own biases.

In Colorado, fracking often occurs right next to where people live. Tara O'Conner Shelley

Don’t frack so close to me: Colorado voters will weigh in on drilling distances from homes and schools

Tara Opsal, Colorado State University; Stephanie Malin, Colorado State University

Landowners told researchers that they lacked the knowledge, time and money to advocate for themselves, their financial interests and their property in negotiations over drilling leases.

Watching for the sweet, relaxing brain tingles. skyNext/Shutterstock.com

The blissful and bizarre world of ASMR

Craig Richard, Shenandoah University

Some of the most popular online videos are of people whispering, turning book pages or gently tapping computer keys. What is going on? A researcher explains the quest for 'brain tingles.'

Heat and Light podcast

In the latest episode of our podcast "Heat and Light" on 1968, we speak with Boise State historian Jill Gill about how the Vietnam War cost the Protestant left its political clout and how conservative politicians built alliances with the evangelical right.

Listen on Apple Podcasts Stitcher Listen on RadioPublic Listen on TuneIn

Environment + Energy

Health + Medicine

  • Why older skin heals with less scarring

    Thomas Leung, University of Pennsylvania

    When kids get injured their skin heals fast, but usually with nasty-looking scars. Now scientists studying the genes of old mice have figured out how they regenerate skin and block scars.

Science + Technology

  • How humans fit into Google’s machine future

    Edward Finn, Arizona State University; Andrew Maynard, Arizona State University

    Google controls what billions of people find, see, know or even are aware of. As it gets better at delivering what it thinks people want, how will that affect humans' perceptions of their own needs?

Politics + Society

Economy + Business

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Today’s quote

The worst thing an instructor can do, from my perspective, is antagonize their students.

 

I acted like a complete jerk to my students just to prove a point

 

Alan Goodboy

West Virginia University

Alan Goodboy