The Conversation Daily — August 14, 2026

10 stories · August 14, 2026

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In this issue

1

One of the most common brain disorders is one of the most misunderstood – how functional neurological disorder is both ‘all in your head’ and beyond it

theconversation.com · Mackenzi Moore, Program Manager, University of Colorado Anschutz

From hysteria to conversion disorder, to psychogenic or psychosomatic illness, functional neurological disorder has gone by many names. anilakkus/iStock via Getty Images Plus “It’s all in your head.”…
2

Staying hopeful and true to oneself is a lesson these 5 kids books offer to kindergartners and other children

theconversation.com · Liz Rosenberg, Professor of English, General Literature and Rhetoric, Binghamton University, State University of New York

Reading can be a way for children to safely try out experiencing something new, or possibly stressful, like starting school. Jorm Sangsorn/iStock/Getty Images Plus What does a child need to prepare…
3

Small businesses at the gateways to America’s national parks face 4 big risks – including changing boundaries and extreme weather

theconversation.com · Nancy Forster-Holt, Clinical Associate Professor of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, University of Rhode Island

Rafting on the Colorado River is one of the outdoor activities available at the Red Cliffs Lodge near Moab, Utah. George Rose/Getty Images A record 332 million people visited U.S. national parks in…
4

Radio telescopes help scientists map molecules in space and uncover where and how stars form

theconversation.com · Olivia Harper Wilkins, Assistant Professor of Chemistry, Dickinson College

ALMA, a powerful radio telescope in the Atacama Desert of Chile. J.F. Salgado (ESO), CC BY You may have heard the phrase “ we are made of star-stuff.” This statement by the astronomer Carl Sagan…
5

Quitting alcohol changes the brain and can increase the risk of compulsive drinking – new research in mice

theconversation.com · Danny G. Winder, Professor and Chair of Neurobiology, UMass Chan Medical School · Marie Doyle, Instructor in Neurobiology, UMass Chan Medical School

Activity in certain areas of the brain may drive alcohol cravings. Yana Iskayeva/Moment via Getty Images For some, abstaining from alcohol can subsequently increase compulsive drinking. Our research…
6

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…
7

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…
8

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…
9

‘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…
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…