The Houston toad lacks the recognition of pandas or bald eagles, but this rare creature is still important for its ecosystem — and its population has been falling for decades. Now, the toad’s best hope for survival involves syringes, ultrasounds, and hormones.


Welcome to the October issue of The Highlight
In this month’s Highlight cover story, Christine Peterson takes you inside the world of amphibian assisted reproduction. Also in this issue: Why, despite chaos and turmoil, we aren’t in “unprecedented times”— and history’s lessons for how societies can pull back from the brink of crisis. The upside to ranking your friends. And what to do if you think your chatbot is conscious.
By Sigal Samuel
By Rachel Cohen Booth
By Allie Volpe
By Peter Turchin
By Christine Peterson
By Kyndall Cunningham











