The Conversation Daily — August 3, 2026
10 stories · August 3, 2026
In this issue
- 1
Why the Spokane wildfires became so catastrophic
theconversation.com · Mojtaba Sadegh, Associate Professor of Civil Engineering, Boise State University; United Nations University · John Abatzoglou, Professor of Engineering, University of California, Merced
Andrew Rowley watches a wildfire burning from a distance after evacuating his home on Aug. 1, 2026, in Spokane, Wash. AP Photo/Young Kwak Three large wildfires raced through neighborhoods in and…
- 2
Trump administration moves to block public from enforcing environmental protection laws
theconversation.com · Sarah J. Morath, Professor of Law and Associate Dean for International Affairs, Wake Forest University
A citizen-initiated lawsuit under the Clean Air Act forced a cleanup at ExxonMobil's Baytown, Texas, refinery and chemical complex. AP Photo/Ashley Landis Reducing rampant pollution across the United…
- 3
HOAs are often barriers to sustainable landscaping and solar energy – here’s how they could be bridges instead
theconversation.com · Daniel Kramer, Professor of Conservation, Michigan State University · Madeline Carr, Ph.D. Student in Fisheries and Wildlife, Michigan State University
Many HOAs are designed with a uniform look, often featuring mandatory turfgrass lawns. JamesBrey/E+ via Getty Images If you build a house in the United States today, there’s a good chance you’ll be…
- 4
In memory care deserts, senior centers can help close the gap in brain-related healthcare
theconversation.com · Rasheera Dopson, Graduate Research Assistant in Disability Health, Northern Arizona University · Eric Cerino, Associate Professor of Psychological Sciences, Northern Arizona University · Megan McCoy, Assistant Professor of Social Work, Northern Arizona University · Paulina German, Graduate Research Assistant in Social Work, Northern Arizona University
Senior centers are often vital community hubs for older adults. Vladimir Vladimirov/E+ via Getty Images About 90 miles north of Phoenix, the town of Yarnell nestles atop a winding mountain road.…
- 5
Trump administration is withholding more than $1B in Medicaid funds from California and Minnesota, in latest example of weaponizing real and imagined fraud
theconversation.com · Ben Zdencanovic, Assistant Professor of U.S. History, University of Cambridge
Federal agents execute a search in December 2025 tied to potential Medicaid fraud in Bloomington, Minn. Christopher Juhn/Anadolu via Getty Images The Trump administration announced on July 21, 2026,…
- 6
When expressive humanoid robots are awkward, people become wary – new brain study
theconversation.com · Hasan Ayaz, Professor of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems, Drexel University · Ewart J. de Visser, Technical Director, Warfighter Effectiveness Research Center, United States Air Force Academy · Frank Krueger, Professor of Systems Social Neuroscience, George Mason University · Yigit Topoglu, Research Scientist, Warfighter Effectiveness Research Center, United States Air Force Academy
Expressive humanoid robots are intended to make people feel at ease when interacting with them. Pau Barrena/AFP via Getty Images People become more suspicious of a humanoid robot that makes errors,…
- 7
Spaceflight could change how astronauts swallow, eat and drink in subtle ways
theconversation.com · Sundeep Venkatesan, Assistant Professor of Speech and Language Pathology, Binghamton University, State University of New York
Keeping your food from floating away in space is only half the battle. NASA via Getty Images Imagine trying to swallow a sip of water while your face feels stuffed with congestion, your sense of taste…
- 8
Can we remove or decrease spaces between atoms or molecules?
theconversation.com · Robin Macaluso, Associate Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Texas at Arlington
Under usual, everyday conditions, carbon atoms exist as stacks of hexagonal sheets, but extreme pressure and heat rearrange them to form diamonds. Kateryna Kon/Science Photo Library via Getty Images…
- 9
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…
- 10
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…