The Conversation Daily — July 14, 2026
10 stories · July 14, 2026
In this issue
- 1
What science loses when ‘T. rex’ becomes a trophy
theconversation.com · Kristi Curry Rogers, DeWitt Wallace Professor of Biology and Geology, Macalester College
On July 14, 2026, “Gus,” one of the most complete specimens of Tyrannosaurus rex, went to an as yet unidentified buyer for US$50.1 million. This auction at Sotheby’s set a record for most valuable…
- 2
Building a long-term base on the Moon will require extensive planning – a planetary geologist describes the considerations that go into it
theconversation.com · Clive Neal, Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences, University of Notre Dame
NASA plans to build a semipermanent base on the Moon in the 2030s, as shown in this illustration. NASA Lots of excitement for space bubbled up in spring 2026. The Artemis II mission took a crew of…
- 3
A lack of pies for a pack of lies – what spoonerisms reveal about how the brain produces speech
theconversation.com · Karen Stollznow, Senior Research Fellow of Linguistics, University of Colorado Boulder; Griffith University
'Lack of pies' wasn't meant to describe a bakery case missing certain treats. Prasit photo/Moment via Getty Images “You have hissed the mystery lecture. In fact, you’ve tasted the whole worm!” If…
- 4
Children’s books about Black people’s everyday, joyful lives are sometimes banned – but they help all kids explore what it means to be human
theconversation.com · Wintre Foxworth Johnson, Assistant Professor, Department of Curriculum, Instruction, and Special Education, University of Virginia · Brooke Harris Garad, Assistant Professor of Education, Butler University · Jennifer D. Turner, Professor of Education, University of Maryland · Tiffany D. Meadows, PhD candidate in education, University of Virginia
Reading contemporary children's books that showcase the daily lives of Black kids and their families have benefits for all children. Tommaso Boddi/Getty Images North America Since 2021, there have…
- 5
When a police officer is shot, how they get to the hospital depends on the city – and Philadelphia stands apart
theconversation.com · Prachi Sanghavi, Associate Professor of Public Health Sciences, University of Chicago · Cal Chengqi Fang, Ph.D. Candidate of Public Health Sciences, University of Chicago
Nearly two-thirds of gunshot victims in Philadelphia are brought to trauma centers by police, according to a 2021 study. Thomas Hengge/Anadolu via Getty Images When five police officers were shot in…
- 6
Most Americans prefer to die at home, but the US healthcare system often prevents it
theconversation.com · Karen Lutfey Spencer, Professor of Health and Behavioral Sciences, University of Colorado Denver · Jane Callahan, Master's Student in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, North Carolina Central University
Talking about the dying process early can be supportive for caregivers and their loved ones. AlexanderFord/E+ via Getty Images Ask people what they want at the end of their lives, and overwhelmingly…
- 7
World Cup propels surveillance to new heights
theconversation.com · Anne Toomey McKenna, Affiliated Faculty Member, Institute for Computational and Data Sciences, Penn State
Under the watchful eye of surveillance cameras, fans leave after the France-Senegal World Cup match in East Rutherford, N.J., on June 16, 2026. AP Photo/Ted Shaffrey The 2026 FIFA World Cup is the…
- 8
Research about global fishing shows value of detailed environmental data, which the Trump administration seeks to limit
theconversation.com · Mark Axelrod, Professor of Environmental and Resource Governance, Michigan State University
People are often concerned about environmental risks lurking near their homes. Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images To help people who are affected by pollution and other environmental…
- 9
Supreme Court rules your cellphone location data is protected by the Fourth Amendment
theconversation.com · Anne Toomey McKenna, Affiliated Faculty Member, Institute for Computational and Data Sciences, Penn State
Police obtained cellphone data for many people who happened to be in this area near the time of a bank robbery. AP Photo/Steve Helber Law enforcement officials frequently draw virtual fences around…
- 10
Fireworks, heat and drought put this July 4th at high risk for wildfires
theconversation.com · Lauren Lowman, Associate Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Wake Forest University
Leaving the pyrotechnics to the professionals is safer and more spectacular. YinYang/iStock/Getty Images Plus Across the United States, the sky will be erupting with fireworks on July 4, 2026, and the…