The Conversation Daily — August 15, 2026

10 stories · August 15, 2026

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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

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…
5

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…
6

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…
7

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…
8

‘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…
9

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…
10

Should you wash your prewashed lettuce? An infectious disease expert explains how to eat your greens safely during the cyclospora outbreak

theconversation.com · Lisa Cuchara, Professor of Biomedical Sciences, Quinnipiac University

Prewashed greens are extremely convenient, but whole heads of lettuce may be less risky during a cyclospora outbreak. CostaPPPR via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA Salads – along with other fresh produce…