The Conversation Daily — July 31, 2026
10 stories · July 31, 2026
In this issue
- 1
What a western Pennsylvania ’90s-style Pizza Hut reveals about nostalgia
theconversation.com · Jeff Galak, Associate Professor of Marketing, Carnegie Mellon University
A "classic" '90s-style Pizza Hut represents a powerful window into how human beings interact with the past. Tracy A. Woodward/The Washington Post via Getty Images A Pizza Hut in southwest Pennsylvania…
- 2
Leaving vehicle engines idling is unhealthy, expensive – and often illegal
theconversation.com · Richard Marcantonio, Assistant Professor of Environment, Peace, and Global Affairs at the Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies in the Keough School of Global Affairs at the University of Notre Dame, University of Notre Dame
When a vehicle is stopped but the engine is running, it's still burning gas and emitting pollutants. AP Photo/Rick Bowmer A bus company that left its buses’ engines running while parked in Boston…
- 3
Foldable synthetic molecules could infiltrate and bust apart the toxic protein clumps causing Parkinson’s
theconversation.com · Sunil Kumar, Associate Professor of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, University of Denver
Toxic clumps of abnormal proteins damage neurons and cause dementia. Juan Gaertner/Science Photo Library via Getty Images Current therapies for Parkinson’s disease and related conditions primarily…
- 4
Getting outside despite your 9-to-5 job can improve your mental health – here’s how to spend time in nature during and around working hours
theconversation.com · Todd Lookingbill, Professor of Geography, Environment, and Sustainability, University of Richmond
Urban parks are great places to soak in the outdoors without planning an elaborate trip. Todd Lookingbill The modern workday unfolds largely indoors. Long hours spent commuting, sitting in meetings…
- 5
Students are anxious – and it’s no surprise, since we are teaching them to be that way
theconversation.com · Erin Clabough, Professor of Psychology, University of Virginia
Academic pressure to achieve at age 15 can predict depressive symptoms that persist into adulthood. Juan Algar/Moment via Getty Images Temporary anxiety can often surface before the first day of…
- 6
Why you let down your guard on ads when scrolling on social media
theconversation.com · Matthew Pittman, Associate Professor of Advertising and Public Relations, University of Tennessee
Even a few seconds of scrolling will tire your brain and make you more open to bold advertising claims. Money Knack on Unsplash, CC BY My wife stared at me in shock as I ripped opened the package. The…
- 7
Autistic children drown at alarming rates - swim lessons and water safety strategies can save their lives
theconversation.com · Tana Carson, Assistant Professor of Occupational Therapy, Florida International University · Tania Santiago Perez, Associate Teaching Professor of Rehabilitation and Recreational Therapy, Florida International University
Autistic children's risk of drowning is up to 160 times greater than that of their neurotypical peers. Wavebreakmedia/iStock via Getty Images Plus During roasting-hot summer days, more and more people…
- 8
Screen time guidelines for kids and adolescents have shifted as research paints a more nuanced picture
theconversation.com · Gabriel E. Hales, Research Fellow in Media and Information, Michigan State University
What kids are doing on tablets seems to matter more than how long they use them. PeopleImages/iStock via Getty Images Concerns surrounding young people’s screen time are widespread. Australia became…
- 9
Why Trump’s move to gut the Endangered Species Act likely won’t hold up in court
theconversation.com · Patrick Parenteau, Professor of Law Emeritus, Vermont Law & Graduate School
Piping plovers lay their eggs on the ground. They became an endangered species as development encroached on their habitat and made it harder for their chicks to survive. Under the Same Moon/Flickr, CC…
- 10
Yes, breathing wildfire smoke can harm your health – here’s what you can do to protect yourself
theconversation.com · Colleen E. Reid, Associate Professor of Geography, University of Colorado Boulder
Heavy wildfire smoke from Canada's forests turn skies orange in Toronto and across parts of the U.S. in July 2026. Steve Russell/Toronto Star via Getty Images Wildfire smoke from fires burning in…