Rappers are victims of an epidemic of gun violence – just like all of America

A.D. Carson, University of Virginia

The death of popular rapper Takeoff underscores a uniquely American problem – gun violence.

When’s the best time to use frequent flyer miles to book flights? Two economists crunched the numbers on maximizing their dollar value

H. Sami Karaca, Boston University; Jay L. Zagorsky, Boston University

The value of frequent flyer miles sometimes seems to defy the laws of economics.

Retailers may see more red after Black Friday as consumers say they plan to pull back on spending – acting as if the US were already in a recession

Ayalla A. Ruvio, Michigan State University; Forrest Morgeson, Michigan State University

A new survey suggests three ways consumers are behaving like the US economy is in crisis, which may become a self-fulfilling prophecy.

What the world would lose with the demise of Twitter: Valuable eyewitness accounts and raw data on human behavior, as well as a habitat for trolls

Anjana Susarla, Michigan State University

If Twitter were to go dark, with it would go a valuable source of data as well as a means of sharing information relied on by activists, journalists, public health officials and scientists.

People don’t mate randomly – but the flawed assumption that they do is an essential part of many studies linking genes to diseases and traits

Richard Border, University of California, Los Angeles; Noah Zaitlen, University of California, Los Angeles

People don’t randomly select who they have children with. And that means an underlying assumption in research that tries to link particular genes to certain diseases or traits is wrong.

6 feet of snow in Buffalo: What causes lake-effect storms like this?

Michael A. Rawlins, UMass Amherst

Western New York got socked by a storm that dumped 6 feet of snow in parts of the region, including the home of the Buffalo Bills’ stadium. A climate scientists explains how storms like this happen.

How to design clean energy subsidies that work – without wasting money on free riders

Eric Hittinger, Rochester Institute of Technology; Eric Williams, Rochester Institute of Technology; Qing Miao, Rochester Institute of Technology; Tiruwork B. Tibebu, Rochester Institute of Technology

Start high, drop fast and avoid the free-riders: How to design subsidies that can boost clean energy in the US and elsewhere.

This course teaches how to judge a book by its cover - and its pages, print and other elements of its design

Lynda Kachurek, University of Richmond

Books are one of the oldest forms of communication ‘technology,’ a scholar writes, and understanding how they’ve evolved over time provides insights into their role in society.

Air pollution harms the brain and mental health, too – a large-scale analysis documents effects on brain regions associated with emotions

Clara G. Zundel, Wayne State University

In a systematic review of existing studies, researchers found that air pollution such as fine particulate matter can interfere with regions of the brain responsible for emotional regulation.

18th- and 19th-century Americans of all races, classes and genders looked to the ancient Mediterranean for inspiration

Sean P. Burrus, Bowdoin College

Americans of all stripes have long embraced the culture of the ancient Mediterranean, using ancient ideals to navigate a new world.

Why is turkey the main dish on Thanksgiving?

Troy Bickham, Texas A&M University

A mix of New England and British traditions and historical events led to the particular poultry you’ll find on Thanksgiving tables everywhere.

Why the re-release of iconic porn film ‘Deep Throat’ fizzled

Why magical thinking is so widespread – a look at the psychological roots of common superstitions

Why Maradona’s ‘Hand of God’ goal is priceless – and unforgettable