The Conversation Daily — July 27, 2026
10 stories · July 27, 2026
In this issue
- 1
How vaccine skeptics use storytelling effectively to create powerful but medically inaccurate messaging
theconversation.com · Katherine Shwetz, Lecturer in Medical Humanities, Rice University; University of Toronto
Vaccine skeptics have been around as long as vaccines have – for more than 200 years. Volanthevist/Moment via Getty Images As long as there have been vaccines, there have been people who doubted their…
- 2
It’s getting hotter in classrooms and on playgrounds – schools aren’t ready to handle extreme temperatures
theconversation.com · Allison Poulos, Associate Professor in the College of Health Solutions, Arizona State University · Jennifer Vanos, Associate Professor of Sustainability, Arizona State University
Retrofitting old classrooms with air conditioners, even when necessary to maintain a cool classroom, isn't always financially possible. RJ Sangosti/The Denver Post As temperatures in Phoenix soared to…
- 3
Bird droppings were a foundation of modern agriculture and American empire
theconversation.com · Edward D. Melillo, William R. Kenan, Jr. Professor of History and Environmental Studies, Amherst College
An advertisement for guano to be used as fertilizer depicts not only seabirds but also a guano island. Bradley Fertilizer Company via Garden History The closure of the Strait of Hormuz, through which…
- 4
Flocking together – how a birding hobby may boost your mental health and build community
theconversation.com · Jennifer G. Andrews, Assistant Professor of Psychology, Morehouse College
Birding is a good way to practice mindfulness, psychologists report. Jennifer Andrews If you’ve ever found yourself stuck in a rut while cooped up all day at a nine-to-five job, or just felt stressed…
- 5
Severe storms battered Pittsburgh twice as often as usual this spring – a meteorologist explains why
theconversation.com · Christopher Davis, Professor of Earth, Geographic, and Climate Sciences, UMass Amherst
In the months of March, April, May and June 2026, Pennsylvania saw a total of 852 reports of severe weather. SeanPavonePhoto/iStock via Getty Images Plus It’s no secret: This year has been a bad one…
- 6
What makes muscles contract? A physiologist explains how muscles move
theconversation.com · Kiki Crawford, Lecturer of Biological Sciences, USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences
A lot goes into making sure your muscles can move your body. Kentaroo Tryman/Moment via Getty Images Curious Kids is a series for children of all ages. If you have a question you’d like an expert to…
- 7
How redefining one word strips the Endangered Species Act’s ability to protect vital habitat
theconversation.com · Mariah Meek, Associate Professor of Integrative Biology, Michigan State University · Karrigan Börk, Professor of Law, University of California, Davis
Northern spotted owls living in old growth forests in the Pacific Northwest were listed as threatened species because of habitat loss. Kyle Sullivan/Bureau of Land Management, CC BY It wouldn’t make…
- 8
A rare bipartisan housing bill just became law – but Americans will still struggle with affordability
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 A sweeping housing measure, which became law on July 11, 2026, is being widely…
- 9
The ball is round – and contrary to some keepers’ views, in this World Cup it has performed just fine
theconversation.com · John Eric Goff, Professor of Engineering Practice, Purdue University
Not every World Cup goal is a classic. Sometimes a half-hearted shot goes in as a result of little more than goalkeeper error. And on those occasions, goalies may be inclined to find an excuse. During…
- 10
Teachers are worried about students cheating with AI, but my survey suggests the deeper issue is learning
theconversation.com · Brett DeJager, Assistant professor of psychology and education, University of Wisconsin-Stout Polytechnic
Students cheating while using AI is a common concern among educators, but not the only one. Phiwath Jittamas/iStock/Getty Images Plus The risk of students using AI to cheat tends to get a lot of…