Antique illustration of northern crested newt (Triturus cristatus)

The Age of Amphibians

Tracing the remarkable diversity of the early amphibians, creatures that spanned the globe and preceded the age of dinosaurs.
Raw kombu

Tasty! The Story of MSG

MSG, the Japanese flavor enhancer, has grown into an international sensation. But its history is also fraught with tension.
Woman lighting a cigarette.

The Benefits of (Delaying) Cigarettes

Research shows that delaying the age of smoking among adolescents reduces the risk of lung cancer later in life.
Meat products

Fake Meat: Get Ready for The Synthetic Meat Revolution

New Wave Foods, a Silicon Valley start-up, has developed synthetic shrimp in a lab. Will fake meat revolutionize the food industry?
Christmas Lights

The Class Perceptions of Christmas Decorations in Great Britain

In the U.K., Christmas decorations are often associated with the lower-class, and such visibility has been scorned and criticized.
Sperm whale

What Is Ambergris and Where Does It Come From?

Ambergris, a waxy-like substance found in perfumes, has a unique origin.
Photo credit: Mrs. Harvey Cook reading with two boys, 1904. (Miami University Libraries) https://www.flickr.com/photos/muohio_digital_collections/3191913115/

Cultural Capital

Sociologist Pierre Bourdieu's 1970s concept of cultural capital has been co-opted by economics, racial studies, and education.
Marco Rubio 2015

Do Voters Prefer Younger Presidents?

Research suggests that the age of a Presidential candidate affects voter preferences.
Extra Credit Suggested Readings from JSTOR Daily Editors

Suggested Readings: China and Africa, Designer Babies, and Slacktivists

Our pick of stories from around the web that bridge the gap between news and scholarship. Brought to you each Tuesday from the editors of JSTOR Daily.
Man inside a voting booth.

How Class Conflicts Determine Voter Turnout

Studying voting data from 1840 to the 1990s, a correlation emerges between voter turnout and class conflicts throughout the country.