Clothing Britain’s Spies during World War II
To hide in plain sight while on assignment in foreign nations, agents needed precisely tailored clothes made to look local.
The Legendary Language of the Appalachian “Holler”
Is the unique Appalachian dialect the preserved language of Elizabethan England? Left over from Scots-Irish immigrants? Or something else altogether?
How a Beloved Musical Became a Cold War Weapon
The 1962 film The Music Man was seen as so all-American that some hoped it would help win the Cold War by transmitting American values abroad.
Will Fish Lose Their Sense of Smell in Acidic Oceans?
Increasing levels of dissolved CO2 disrupt fish’s olfactory skills, study finds.
Friendship, Stonehenge, and Making it to College
Well-researched stories from the Guardian, the Conversation, and other great publications that bridge the gap between news and scholarship.
Being a Victorian Librarian Was Oh-So-Dangerous
In the late 19th century, more women were becoming librarians. Experts like Melvil Dewey predicted they would suffer ill health, strain, and breakdowns.
History’s Most Notorious True Crime Story
How New York City's tabloids sensationalized the murder case that inspired the classic film noir Double Indemnity.
The Science Behind Decompression Sickness
Deep-sea divers now know how to avoid "the bends." But decompression still poses a problem when studying marine organisms from the deep.
What’s Video Game Addiction and What’s Just Leisure?
Just because people enjoy a recreational activity doesn't mean they're addicted to it, even if they spend lots of time doing it.
The Mysterious Neutrino
A new discovery puts scientists a bit closer to understanding the mysterious subatomic particle that is the neutrino.