The Conversation Daily — June 19, 2026
10 stories · June 19, 2026
In this issue
- 1
Legionnaires’ disease outbreak in Philadelphia in 1976 was mysterious and deadly – 50 years later, scientists know the cause but outbreaks continue
theconversation.com · Charles N. Haas, Professor of Environmental Engineering, Drexel University · Robert Promisloff, Clinical Professor Emeritus of Medicine, Drexel University
Legionnaires wait to testify before a special congressional inquiry in November 1976 into the cause of the mysterious disease. Bettmann/Bettman Collection via Getty Images The landmark…
- 2
Quantum sensors could spot hidden damage in the thousands of US bridges rated ‘structurally deficient’
theconversation.com · Alex Krasnok, Assistant Professor of Electrical & Computer Engineering, Florida International University
The Dames Point Bridge spans a river in Jacksonville, Fla. Jonathan Zander/Wikimedia Commons, CC BY Every bridge has parts that drivers never see: steel buried in concrete, welds tucked under girders,…
- 3
Toy Story 5’s ‘Lilypad’ is an indictment of the world that birthed the ‘iPad Kid’
theconversation.com · Aarushi Bhandari, Assistant Professor of Sociology, Davidson College
Some parents call tablets the 'square au pair.' Danielle Villasana/The Washington Post via Getty Images In the trailer for “ Toy Story 5,” a little girl named Bonnie is playing with her toys when a…
- 4
Federal flood insurance carries 2 moral hazards – which you face depends largely on how wealthy you are
theconversation.com · Ivis García, Associate Professor of Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning, Texas A&M University
Anyone who has been through a flood or hurricane knows the scene: waterlogged furniture piled on curbs, gutted homes with mold creeping up the walls, families displaced for months. But the recovery…
- 5
I’ve been studying racist costume parties for a decade, and colleges are failing at educating the students about why they’re wrong
theconversation.com · Ingrid A. Nelson, Professor of Sociology, Bowdoin College
The campus of Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine. Catherine Robotis/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images In 2014, a group of students at Bowdoin College thought it would be fun to dress up as…
- 6
Chinese American teens experience depression, anxiety at higher rates than peers – here’s why their parents may miss the warning signs
theconversation.com · Huaying Wang, Researcher in Education, Cleveland State University
Many Chinese and Chinese American students do not seek the mental health care they might need, sometimes because of stigma. Jonathan Kirn/The Image Bank/Getty Images She has straight A’s, a full…
- 7
I’m a doctor who helped rename PCOS to PMOS – a 10-year process of listening to 14,000 patients and health professionals speak on how to improve care
theconversation.com · Melanie Cree, Professor of Pediatric Endocrinology, University of Colorado Anschutz
PMOS affects multiple organ systems beyond the ovaries. champpixs/iStock via Getty Images Plus A disease’s name can have a significant influence on its diagnosis and treatment – or lack thereof.…
- 8
A rare bipartisan housing victory faces a bigger problem – Americans still can’t afford housing
theconversation.com · Kirk McClure, Professor Emeritus of Urban Planning, University of Kansas · Alex Schwartz, Emeritus Professor of Urban Policy, The New School
As sweeping as the bill is, its impact is likely to be modest. Ilia Yefimovich/Picture Alliance via Getty Images The U.S. House of Representatives has passed what could become the most significant…
- 9
Should you get a second medical opinion? A surgeon explains why doing so can make you a more confident patient
theconversation.com · Danielle Friedman, Assistant Professor of Surgery, Quinnipiac University
Getting a second opinion has become routine in medicine – and it often boosts patients' confidence in their care. Jacob Wackerhausen/iStock via Getty Images Plus Imagine you have heartburn. For years…
- 10
Education Department is investigating whether Smith College’s admissions violate Title IX – but this law doesn’t actually apply to the case
theconversation.com · Marie-Amelie George, Associate Professor of Law, Wake Forest University
Smith College is one of the 30 all-women's colleges in the U.S. Jonathan Wiggs/The Boston Globe via Getty Images Since 2015, Smith College, one of the largest and most prestigious women’s liberal arts…