The Conversation Daily — June 27, 2026
10 stories · June 27, 2026
In this issue
- 1
El Niño is back, and ocean temperatures are already near record highs – that can spell disaster for fish and corals
theconversation.com · Dillon Amaya, Climate Research Scientist, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
It’s official: El Niño is back. By late fall 2026, forecast models give a 2-in-3 chance of a strong-to-very strong El Niño affecting the weather, climate and ocean temperatures across the planet. El…
- 2
Efforts to combat climate change often exclude Indigenous people – and they may not have any recourse
theconversation.com · Buket Altınçelep, Ph.D. Candidate in Global Governance and Human Security, UMass Boston
Fred Ngusilo, left, a member of the Ogiek community, works with a relative to sift through the ruins of their grandfather's house in the Mau forest, destroyed by Kenyan police. Tony Karumba/AFP via…
- 3
Trump’s AI security order acknowledges risks but stops short of regulating industry
theconversation.com · Anjana Susarla, Professor of Information Systems, Michigan State University
The White House addresses the need to protect against powerful AI systems. Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images Some technology and policy watchers were surprised when President Donald Trump signed an…
- 4
Killing cancer requires immune cells to infiltrate tumors’ hostile microenvironment – sugar shields can help them break in
theconversation.com · Charles J. Dimitroff, Professor of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Florida International University · Lee Seng Lau, Postdoctoral Associate in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Florida International University
CAR-T cells must overcome cancer’s many defenses in order to mount an effective attack. Lulu Perez, CC BY-SA You might think of cancer as a mass of rogue cells that grow uncontrollably. But cancer is…
- 5
Using cannabis for sleep isn’t harmless – a neurologist explains how it can trap people in a cycle of dependency
theconversation.com · Joanna Fong-Isariyawongse, Associate Professor of Neurology, University of Pittsburgh
Cannabis has become a go-to-sleep aid, but safety evidence is lacking. IRA_EVVA/iStock via Getty Images Plus For millions of people, cannabis has become the unofficial prescription for lost sleep. But…
- 6
How Pennsylvania towns are protecting themselves from the noise, heat and utility costs of massive data centers
theconversation.com · Michael Helbing, Adjunct Professor of Law, Penn State
Residents of Archbald, Penn., are experiencing a contentious boom in proposed AI data center projects. Heather Ainsworth for The Washington Post via Getty Images Pennsylvania has become a hot spot for…
- 7
How Colorado hospitals are caring for pregnant patients with substance use disorders by overcoming stigma
theconversation.com · Karli Swenson, Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz
Substance use disorders are common pregnant people. Research shows a fear of stigma prevents these patients from seeking health care. Halfpoint Images/Getty Images The obstetrics staff was surprised…
- 8
Drone use poised to soar as FAA homes in on rule change allowing pilots to fly them out of sight
theconversation.com · Agamemnon Crassidis, Professor of Mechanical Engineering, Rochester Institute of Technology
Companies large and small are gearing up to deliver packages to you via drone. AP Photo/Charlie Riedel Today, almost anyone who flies a drone must maintain visual contact with it at all times, a…
- 9
How the development of solar and wind farms on the Tibetan Plateau is affecting local communities
theconversation.com · Sanggay Tashi, Ph.D. Candidate in Cultural Anthropology, University of Colorado Boulder
Tibetans walk through a solar farm in Tibet, while animals graze in the distance. Sanggay Tashi, CC BY-NC China is building some of the world’s largest solar farms on the Tibetan Plateau, where…
- 10
For Iran’s diaspora, a tough World Cup call: To support the national team or protest – or both?
theconversation.com · Shirvin Zeinalzadeh, Graduate Teaching Associate, School of Politics and Global Studies, Arizona State University
When Iran’s national soccer team walks onto American soil this summer for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, it will do so against the backdrop of an Iranian government crackdown against protesters in January,…