The Conversation Daily — July 30, 2026
10 stories · July 30, 2026
In this issue
- 1
Preeclampsia rates in minority communities shed light on the social roots of maternal health disparities
theconversation.com · Carina Heckert, Associate Professor of Anthropology, University of Texas at El Paso · Kyle Wiley, Assistant Professor of Sociology and Anthropology, University of Texas at El Paso
Preeclampsia rates vary dramatically across the world, as well as in the United States. Svitlana Hulko/iStock via Getty Images Plus In November 2020, Lupe was in the final weeks of her pregnancy when…
- 2
Should you drink Philly’s tap water?
theconversation.com · Christine Kirchhoff, Associate Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Law, Policy, and Engineering, Penn State
Philadelphia's tap water meets federal standards, but some residents may be concerned about elevated levels of PFAS, lead and sodium. Kemal Yildirim/E+ Collection via Getty Images If you live in…
- 3
Schools are rethinking whether every student needs a laptop
theconversation.com · Janice Mak, Clinical Assistant Professor of Computer Science Education and Educational Technology, Arizona State University
Simply reducing students' screen time at school will not prepare them for a world increasingly shaped by data and AI. Klaus Vedfelt/Digital Vision via Getty Images When the COVID-19 pandemic forced…
- 4
What is a side-channel attack? A cybersecurity researcher explains how computers can leak secrets without being hacked
theconversation.com · Chetan Jaiswal, Associate Professor of Computer Science, Quinnipiac University
Hackers don't necessarily have to break into your computer to suss out what's going on inside it. athima tongloom/Moment via Getty Images When people hear the word cyberattack, they usually imagine…
- 5
What video review controversies in sports reveal about AI and human decision-making
theconversation.com · Pooya Tabesh, Associate Professor of Management, California State University, Los Angeles
Egypt head coach Hossam Hassan argues with referee François Letexier during the Argentina-Egypt World Cup match on July 7, 2026. AP Photo/Erik S. Lesser If you watched the 2026 FIFA World Cup, you…
- 6
Not all Coloradans want to share their cities with Canada geese and their poop – a wildlife manager shares the control methods that work
theconversation.com · Mark Vrtiska, Professor of Practice in Wildlife Management, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Cities such as Denver offer several perks for Canada geese, including a constant supply of water, lack of predators and access to food. David C Stephens/Moment via Getty Images The phone call to my…
- 7
‘The Odyssey’ is a striking portrait of the psychological wounds that can emerge when people violate their deepest values
theconversation.com · Amy S. Badura-Brack, Professor of Psychological Science, Creighton University
Matt Damon as Odysseus in Christopher Nolan's 'The Odyssey.' Melinda Sue Gordon/Universal Pictures Christopher Nolan’s “ The Odyssey,” a new adaptation of Homer’s epic tale of Odysseus’ perilous…
- 8
4 ways wildfires generate tornadoes, lightning and other extreme weather, sometimes miles from the flames
theconversation.com · Yunyao Li, Assistant Professor of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Texas at Arlington
A fire whirl, or fire tornado, rises from flames near Wofford Heights, Calif., in August 2021. David McNew/Getty Images Thick smoke from massive wildfires has been spreading in North America and…
- 9
A government fund of AI stocks to benefit all Americans is a good idea, but hard to pull off
theconversation.com · Patrick J. Schena, Professor of Practice and International Business, Tufts University
Sen. Bernie Sanders frequently raises concerns about what artificial intelligence could do to American jobs. Heather Diehl/Getty Images Creating a government fund to own AI stock and benefit all…
- 10
Flawed studies linking hormone therapy to breast cancer made doctors reluctant to prescribe it for menopause relief – especially for breast cancer survivors
theconversation.com · Versha Pleasant, Clinical Assistant Professor; Director, Cancer Genetics & Breast Health, University of Michigan
Women under 50 may experience early-onset menopause as a result of cancer treatment. Kathrin Ziegler/DigitalVision via Getty Images Although menopause is not a new phenomenon by any means, the past…