War rooms and bailouts: How banks and the Fed are preparing for a US default – and the chaos expected to follow

John W. Diamond, Rice University

Major players in the financial system are pondering the unthinkable as the US inches closer to an unprecedented default.

Farm families are struggling to grow their businesses in child care deserts – the US farm bill may finally offer some help

Shoshanah Inwood, The Ohio State University; Florence Becot, The Ohio State University

Access to affordable child care affects farm productivity, safety and ultimately the nation’s food supply. Farm families across the U.S. are struggling without it.

How China uses ‘geostrategic corruption’ to exert its influence in Latin America

Eduardo Gamarra, Florida International University; Valeriia Popova, Florida International University

As US influence in Latin America has waned, Beijing has been able to expand business interests in the region on the back of shady practices.

Symbols of the Confederacy are slowly coming down from US military bases: 3 essential reads

Howard Manly, The Conversation

One of the last relics of ‘lost cause’ ideology is being removed as a federal panel renames US military bases that honor Confederate generals.

Attacks on ‘segregated’ graduation ceremonies overlook the history of racism on campus

Crystal Garcia, University of Nebraska-Lincoln; Antonio Duran, Arizona State University

‘Affinity’ graduations have drawn the scorn of some conservatives, but research suggests they serve a vital function for students of color.

Three lessons from Aristotle on friendship

Emily Katz, Michigan State University

A scholar of ancient Greek philosophy writes about Aristotle’s timeless advice on how to nurture and keep friendships.

Barbara Kingsolver’s ‘Demon Copperhead’ and the enduring devastation of the opioid crisis

William Nash, Middlebury

The Pulitzer Prize-winning author is just one of many artists from Appalachia who are probing the crisis in their work, while taking pains to ensure that it doesn’t define the region and its people.

Vaccines using mRNA can protect farm animals against diseases traditional ones may not – and there are safeguards to ensure they won’t end up in your food

David Verhoeven, Iowa State University

While mRNA vaccines are designed to last longer in the body than mRNA molecules typically would, they are also tested to ensure they are eliminated from livestock long before milking or slaughter.

Pivotal points in the COVID-19 pandemic – 5 essential reads

Amanda Mascarelli, The Conversation

With the emergency phase of the COVID-19 pandemic in the rearview mirror, at least for now, we look back on a handful of stories that provided sharp insights at key moments in the pandemic.

Co-workers could bear costs of accommodating religious employees in the workplace if Supreme Court tosses out 46-year-old precedent

Why so many South Korean women are refusing to date, marry or have kids

Quantum physics proposes a new way to study biology – and the results could revolutionize our understanding of how life works