With government funding running out soon, expect more brinkmanship despite public dismay at political gridlock

Laurel Harbridge-Yong, Northwestern University

The deadline to fund the US government is fast approaching, and it will take a Congress seemingly addicted to brinkmanship to keep the government open.

As national political omens go, Republicans sought middle ground on abortion in Virginia − and still lost the state legislature

Stephen J. Farnsworth, University of Mary Washington

Democrats regained the Virginia legislature in the 2023 election, and that spells trouble for Republicans seeking to win the White House in 2024.

People dig deeper to fact-check social media posts when paired with someone who doesn’t share their perspective – new research

Eli Gottlieb, George Washington University

A new study unexpectedly found a way to help people assess social media posts with less bias and more care – pairing them up with partners who have a different perspective.

Exposing plants to an unusual chemical early on may bolster their growth and help feed the world

Brad Binder, University of Tennessee

A research accident in the Binder lab at the University of Tennessee led to an unprecedented discovery about how plants respond to a hormone called ethylene.

How animals get their skin patterns is a matter of physics – new research clarifying how could improve medical diagnostics and synthetic materials

Ankur Gupta, University of Colorado Boulder

Understanding how the intricate spots and stripes, or Turing patterns, of many animals form can help scientists mimic those processes in the lab.

International reaction to Gaza siege has exposed the growing rift between the West and the Global South

Jorge Heine, Boston University

At the United Nations and elsewhere, the response by the US and Western Europe to events in Israel and Gaza have been out of step with that of governments in Africa, South America and Asia.

Israel-Hamas war: there is an important difference between a humanitarian pause and a ceasefire

Malak Benslama-Dabdoub, Royal Holloway University of London

At present the Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has ruled out a ceasefire but may allow ‘little pauses’.

Chechnya’s boss and Putin’s foot soldier: How Ramzan Kadyrov became such a feared figure in Russia

Anya Free, Arizona State University; Marat Iliyasov, George Washington University

The leader of Chechnya rules with brute force, impunity and near autonomy. Why doesn’t Vladimir Putin rein him in?

Why more food, toiletry and beauty companies are switching to minimalist package designs

Lan Anh Nu Ton, Texas Christian University

Pared-down packaging designs send a subtle yet powerful message of purity to shoppers – and they’re willing to fork over more cash for these goods, regardless of the actual number of additives.

Cranberries can bounce, float and pollinate themselves: The saucy science of a Thanksgiving classic

Serina DeSalvio, Texas A&M University

Cranberries add color and acidity to Thanksgiving menus, but they also have many interesting botanical and genetic features.

Morocco’s earthquake aftermath: artisans in Marrakech’s old medina face uncertain future

Gemma Ware, The Conversation

In this episode of The Conversation Weekly, we hear about the importance of Marrakech’s old medina to Islamic heritage and what’s happening to its network of traditional artisans.

Supreme Court considers whether to uphold law that keeps guns out of the hands of domestic abusers

Letting low-income Americans buy groceries online in 2020 with SNAP benefits decreased the share of people without enough food – new research

Israel-Hamas war puts China’s strategy of ‘balanced diplomacy’ in the Middle East at risk