The term “polar vortex” is often used loosely to refer to unusually cold, snowy storms. The stratospheric polar vortex itself won’t appear in your backyard, but it does influence winter weather. Researchers Zachary Lawrence and Amy Butler share on The Conversation.
The Conversation is an independent, nonprofit publisher of commentary and analysis, authored by academics and edited by journalists for the general public. On a mission “to promote truthful information and strengthen journalism by unlocking the rich diversity of academic research for audiences across America,” they publish short articles by academics on timely topics related to their research. CU Boulder provides funding as a member of The Conversation U.S.
Assimilation no doubt played a role in making Hanukkah the commercialized holiday it is today. But other factors shaped the modern festival, too, says CU expert Samira Mehta. Read more on The Conversation. Read more
Some dark craters on the moon are never exposed to light—ice could be hiding in these permanently shadowed regions, and a host of missions from the U.S. and beyond are searching for it. Read from CU expert Paul Hayne on The Conversation. Read more
Understanding how animals’ intricate spots and stripes form can help scientists mimic those processes in the lab, potentially improving medical diagnostics and synthetic materials in the future. Read from CU expert Ankur Gupta on The Conversation. Read more
