The Conversation Daily — August 1, 2026
10 stories · August 1, 2026
In this issue
- 1
Wildfires can 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 We often think about weather controlling wildfires: dry air, heat, wind and…
- 2
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…
- 3
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…
- 4
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…
- 5
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…
- 6
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…
- 7
How to avoid tick bites in your yard or while hiking in the woods, and what to do if one starts feasting on you
theconversation.com · Amanda Roome, Co-Director of the Tick-Borne Disease Center, Binghamton University, State University of New York
You don't want a lone star tick, or any tick, to get to this point if you can help it. CDC via Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images Ticks are small, and you might not notice when they bite, but the…
- 8
Foundations can outlive their charitable missions – and that’s a problem
theconversation.com · Thomas Adam, Professor of Political Science, University of Arkansas
Bill Gates' decision to have his foundation shut down by 2045 isn't the norm. John MacDougall/AFP via Getty Images Bill Gates, Jensen Huang and many of today’s tech titans have two things in common…
- 9
When can a power company take your land for data center infrastructure?
theconversation.com · Aaron Walayat, Assistant Professor of Law, University of Dayton
Meeting data center power demands will mean building more transmission lines and acquiring more land to put them on. These lines are in California. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images The artificial…
- 10
‘Heartstopper’ is helping LGBTQ+ fans find hope and community across time and space
theconversation.com · Annaliese Grant, Assistant Professor of Sociology, University of Nevada, Las Vegas · Carrie Grant, Associate Professor of English, Towson University
Nick and Charlie's love story may be coming to an end on TV, but it lives on in the minds of their fans. Samuel Dore/Netflix Despite the success of shows like “ Heated Rivalry ” and “ Euphoria,”…