Welcome to October's Spotlight Edition

Unlike the iconic pandas or the revered bald eagles, the Houston toad remains largely overlooked. Nonetheless, this elusive amphibian plays a crucial role in its environment, though its numbers have dwindled over the years. Now, innovative strategies employing injections, imaging technology, and medical hormones are seen as its revitalization strategy.

In this month’s feature story, Christine Peterson delves into the niche realm of helping these amphibians reproduce through scientific means. Additionally, this issue highlights historical insights on why our current chaotic climate might not be so novel and what lessons can guide us back from crisis. We also explore why classifying friendships can be beneficial and consider emerging concerns about the sentience of AI chatbots.

Addressing the Rent Debt Challenge

By Rachel Cohen Booth

The Benefits of Evaluating Friendships

By Allie Volpe

Historical Crises and Our Way Out

By Peter Turchin

Daring Efforts to Rescue a Rare Toad

By Christine Peterson

Why Dubai's Chocolate is a Must-Try

By Kyndall Cunningham