The Conversation Daily — July 3, 2026
10 stories · July 3, 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
Juneteenth’s real meaning is written on the plates of smoked meats, potato salad and watermelon
theconversation.com · Bobby J. Smith II, Associate Professor of African American Studies, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
A Juneteenth celebration at Franklin Park in Boston's Roxbury neighborhood in 2014. Zack Wittman/The Boston Globe via Getty Images “Visiting Comanche Crossing on Juneteenth felt like freedom,” my…
- 5
How LGBTQ employees at Kodak risked their careers to build a safer, more inclusive workplace
theconversation.com · Tamar Carroll, Associate Professor of History, Rochester Institute of Technology
Kodak employees attend Toronto's Pride parade in 2005. Remembering the Lambda Network at Kodak, CC BY-SA As corporations sponsor floats and employee marches during Pride Month parades, it’s important…
- 6
How Messi, Mbappe and Haaland use their brains (as well as feet) to gain a psychological edge at the World Cup
theconversation.com · Eric Zillmer, Professor of Neuropsychology, Drexel University
Norway's Erling Haaland celebrates scoring his side's opening goal during the World Cup group match against Iraq on June 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner) AP Photo/Martin Meissner Part of soccer’s…
- 7
Where nature draws the map – here are 5 ways to look at the US, without state boundaries
theconversation.com · Stewart Edie, Research Geologist and Curator of Paleobiology, Smithsonian Institution · Torben Rick, Curator of North American Archaeology, Smithsonian Institution
Varied landscapes and natural contours transcend state boundaries. Smithsonian/Esri, CC BY-ND State boundaries can be iconic. Many were drawn by human hands, but some of the most recognizable contours…
- 8
NASA announces its Artemis III crew, which will test important equipment and systems in Earth orbit and is testing public opinion
theconversation.com · Margaret Landis, Assistant Professor of Earth and Space Exploration, Arizona State University
The Artemis III crew takes a photo during the crew announcement on June 9, 2026. From left: Andre Douglas, Luca Parmitano, Randy Bresnik, Frank Rubio. NASA/Robert Markowitz Over the span of a few…
- 9
Quartz countertops are driving a public health crisis in the US – 2 occupational health experts explain the surge of lung transplants and lawsuits
theconversation.com · David Michaels, Professor of Public Health, George Washington University · Robert Harrison, Senior Attending Physician in Occupational Health, University of California, San Francisco
Engineered stone, also called quartz, has become the most popular material for kitchen countertops. Guillermo Spelucin Runciman/iStock/Getty Images Plus If you walk into a Costco, Home Depot or Lowe’s…
- 10
First new US sunscreen ingredient since 1999 approved by FDA – a skin scientist explains how bemotrizinol works
theconversation.com · Guy German, Associate Professor of Biomedical Engineering, Binghamton University, State University of New York
Chemical sunscreens have come a long way since they were first developed in 1891. mihailomilovanovic/iStock via Getty Images Plus As summer in the U.S. heats up, people become more diligent about…