The Conversation Daily — July 7, 2026
10 stories · July 7, 2026
In this issue
- 1
Reading for pleasure builds empathy in children, but fewer kids are picking up books just for the fun of it
theconversation.com · William Dee Nichols, Professor of Literacy, Language and Culture, University of Maine · Michelle Kearney, Professor of Literacy, University of Maine
In 2023, 14% of 13-year-olds read for fun, a decrease from the 27% of teens this age who said they did so in 2012. Jorm Sangsorn/iStock via Getty Images Plus Reading allows children to live in a…
- 2
Electric companies don’t need to black out customers to prevent wildfires – here are 3 relatively fast, affordable solutions
theconversation.com · Jasmine Garland, Ph.D. Candidate, University of Colorado Boulder
A severe winter snow drought has left snowpack levels far below normal across the American West in 2026. Without a slow-melting blanket of snow to keep the soil and forests moist, alpine vegetation is…
- 3
Nearly 20% of new moms have anxiety or depression, but a promising psychedelic treatment is on the horizon
theconversation.com · Camille Hoffman, Professor of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz
Women with postpartum depression and anxiety have a higher risk of birth complications and death by suicide. Justin Paget/DigitalVision via Getty Images About 1 in 5 women will experience depression…
- 4
Fishing for DNA – how a cup of river water can reveal secrets about human health, pollution and biodiversity
theconversation.com · Jenny Whilde, Adjunct Research Scientist in Marine Bioscience, University of Florida
Hidden in the water is a wealth of genetic information. Jenny Whilde, CC BY-ND The DNA in a single cup of water can track wildlife, monitor pollution and survey pathogens in waterways and their…
- 5
From Hormuz to the cockpit: How warfare and criminal activity undermine GPS and the race to safeguard navigation
theconversation.com · Zak Kassas, Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, The Ohio State University
The Strait of Hormuz is just one example of a busy shipping lane where GPS signals are blocked and faked. Asghar Besharati/Getty Images Few people want to get lost when traveling. But if there are…
- 6
Melatonin can be a safe and effective sleep aid for all ages – but product inconsistencies and improper dosing lead to real harms
theconversation.com · Sally Ibrahim, Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Case Western Reserve University
It's important to discuss overall sleep health with your child's doctor. Jacob Wackerhausen/iStock via Getty Images Plus Melatonin – a go-to sleep aid for kids and adults alike in many households in…
- 7
Heat waves can leave homes dangerously hot – even for young, healthy adults
theconversation.com · Zoltan Nagy, Professor of Building Services, Eindhoven University of Technology
When temperature soar inside homes, being outside even on very hot days can feel less uncomfortable than being indoors. Brandon Bell/Getty Images Most people know that heat waves can be dangerous, but…
- 8
How everyone pays the cost for patents on seeds, and private companies get rich from keeping them secret
theconversation.com · Julie Dawson, Professor of Plant and Agroecosystem Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison · Kiki Hubbard, Researcher, Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies, University of Wisconsin-Madison · Paulina Jenney, Research Coordinator, Urban and Regional Food System Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Alan Montag, a third-generation Iowa farmer, and his son Aden load soybean seed into a planter on May 6, 2026. Scott Olson/Getty Images The United States is one of only a handful of countries that…
- 9
Everyone experiences loss and grief – but that doesn’t make it any easier to talk with kids about it
theconversation.com · Keisha M. Wint, Assistant Professor of Social Work, Binghamton University, State University of New York
Parents can support their grieving kids by using direct, clear language and not shying away from emotions. Justin Paget/iStock Photos/Getty Images When I was a school social worker, a teary-eyed…
- 10
Anyone can fake a scientific image with AI, tricking even academic journals – and undermining trust in science
theconversation.com · Nan Li, Associate Professor of Science Communication, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Are you able to tell the difference between a scientific image made by a person or by an AI model? Olga Yastremska/iStock via Getty Images A photograph of Earth glowing in deep space, the Moon’s…