The Conversation Daily — August 4, 2026
10 stories · August 4, 2026
In this issue
- 1
The financial dilemma that wound up helping US churches thrive
theconversation.com · Thomas Adam, Professor of Political Science, University of Arkansas
Andover Theological Seminary was founded in the early 1800s to train Congregational ministers. J. Kidder/Yale University Art Gallery/Wikimedia Commons By many measures, Americans are growing less…
- 2
What the panic over Gen Z’s reading habits gets wrong
theconversation.com · Kathi Inman Berens, Professor of Book Publishing and Digital Humanities, Portland State University · Rachel Noorda, Associate Professor of Publishing, Portland State University
Members of Gen Z are more likely to identify as readers if books are folded into their social lives. FilippoBacci/E+ via Getty Images A trove of recent articles bemoan the collapse in recreational…
- 3
Producing spider silk is a biological feat – scientists are using it to develop materials for drug delivery and wound care
theconversation.com · Aliasger K. Salem, Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Iowa
Spiders produce silk from a specialized gland and use it to build incredible web structures. James Rowland/500px via Getty Images “Spider-Man: Brand New Day” turns organic web production into a…
- 4
How to do your own online health research like a scientist – a biostatistician’s step-by-step guide
theconversation.com · Lucy McGowan, Associate Professor of Statistical Sciences, Wake Forest University
The instinct to “do your own research” when it comes to your health is a good one. The challenge often is not lack of information, but the opposite. People are surrounded by studies, headlines,…
- 5
Oil shortages escalate from wars in Iran and Ukraine, with few signs of relief
theconversation.com · Amy Myers Jaffe, Director, Energy, Climate Justice, and Sustainability Lab, and Research Professor, New York University; Tufts University
Customers stand with empty cooking-gas cylinders in Srinagar, India, waiting to be able to refill them. Firdous Nazir/NurPhoto via Getty Images The global energy crisis triggered by two wars is set to…
- 6
Better call mom: Schools still see mothers as the default parent to contact
theconversation.com · Laura K. Gee, Associate Professor of Economics, Tufts University · Kristy Buzard, Associate Professor of Economics and Melvin A. Eggers Faculty Scholar, Syracuse University · Olga Stoddard, Associate Professor of Economics, Brigham Young University
A new school year brings added responsibilities for many parents, especially mothers. Joan Slatkin/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images The start of the school year brings a familiar list of…
- 7
The rise of Yemeni coffeehouses in Dearborn and beyond
theconversation.com · Sally Howell, Professor of History, University of Michigan-Dearborn
A barista prepares drinks at Qahwah House in Dearborn, Mich. Valaurian Waller for The Conversation The mayor of Dearborn, Michigan, Abdullah Hammoud, declared the city the “Coffee Capital of America”…
- 8
Many cancer survivors have impairments that make using mobile devices and websites difficult
theconversation.com · Rachel F. Adler, Associate Professor of Information Sciences, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign · Devorah Kletenik, Associate Professor of Computer and Information Science, Brooklyn College
Better software interfaces can improve quality of life for cancer survivors. FatCamera/iStock via Getty Images Megan (not her real name) had always taken pride in her ability to meet someone once and…
- 9
South Carolina is allowing teachers to give zeros again, but the problem with grading goes deeper
theconversation.com · Laura Link, Associate Professor of Teaching and Leadership, University of North Dakota
Because course grades get averaged, a student who receives just one zero can be dragged down more than a perfect score can lift them. Mariia Vdovychenko/iStock/Getty Images Plus The grades that…
- 10
How hot does it get in the desert? A climate scientist explains its blazing heat
theconversation.com · Shuang-Ye Wu, Professor of Geology and Environmental Geosciences, University of Dayton
Travelers to Death Valley are warned of the extreme heat conditions they may encounter. tobiasjo/iStock via Getty Images Plus Curious Kids is a series for children of all ages. If you have a question…