The Conversation Daily — August 17, 2026
10 stories · August 17, 2026
In this issue
- 1
Biological sex is neither binary nor a spectrum – a biologist explains how it’s multidimensional
theconversation.com · Ari Berkowitz, Professor of Biological Sciences; Director of the Cellular and Behavioral Neurobiology Graduate Program, University of Oklahoma
Some people may veer more typically female for some traits, more typically male for others, and intermediate for still others. aelitta/DigitalVision Vectors via Getty Images Many people recognize that…
- 2
US government is pushing to gain unprecedented access to your medical records – as data protections are weakening
theconversation.com · Jennifer D. Oliva, Professor of Law, Indiana University
You might assume that what you tell a doctor stays between you, your physician and perhaps your insurer. But the reality is more complicated. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act,…
- 3
The real reason many Americans are cutting ties with their parents and siblings
theconversation.com · Rin Reczek, Professor of Sociology, The Ohio State University
The path to estrangement is usually gradual, marked by mounting tensions and unresolved conflicts. Nick Lehr/The Conversation via ChatGPT Luna, 26, no longer speaks to her father. There was no single…
- 4
AI companies look to the ocean as a place to put more data centers
theconversation.com · Nir Kshetri, Professor of Management, University of North Carolina – Greensboro
Underwater data centers will accumulate sea life, like this Microsoft data center testing module, which in two years underwater attracted algae, barnacles and sea anemones. Microsoft The artificial…
- 5
Dealing with disasters increasingly requires a smartphone – losing access can be a nightmare, but there are ways to prepare
theconversation.com · Lee Ann Rawlins Williams, Clinical Assistant Professor of Education, Health and Behavior Studies, University of North Dakota
In the span of a week in August 2026, powerful storms and deadly flooding knocked out power to a half-million people across the Midwest; Tropical Storm Lala cut power to thousands more in Hawaii amid…
- 6
US teens are smoking and vaping less than their peers abroad
theconversation.com · Holly Jarman, Associate Professor of Health Management and Policy and Global Public Health, University of Michigan · Claire L. Ma, Postdoctoral Research Fellow of Public Health, University of Michigan · Jamie Hartmann-Boyce, Assistant Professor of Health Promotion and Policy, UMass Amherst
Smoking is at a historic low among U.S. kids age 11 to 18. Simon McGill/Moment via Getty Images Smoking and vaping continued to decline among middle school and high school students in 2025, according…
- 7
If you think someone has an eating disorder, should you say something? A dietitian explains how to express concern without body shaming
theconversation.com · Miranda Roberts, Dietitian, Nutrition and Safety Manager, University of Wisconsin-Stout Polytechnic
The key to having a successful hard conversation is compassion and patience. Jacob Wackerhausen/iStock via Getty Images Plus You notice someone close to you has lost a lot of weight. You also notice…
- 8
How is deli meat made? The food science behind the turkey, ham and other cold cuts in your lunch
theconversation.com · Anna Dilger, Professor of Muscle Biology and Meat Science, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
A ham sandwich is, for some, the perfect lunch. ATU Images/The Image Bank via Getty Images Curious Kids is a series for children of all ages. If you have a question you’d like an expert to answer,…
- 9
Plans to improve Michigan’s K-12 schools depend on how the state funds public education
theconversation.com · Jason Burns, Research Specialist, Michigan State University · Madeline Mavrogordato, Professor of K-12 Educational Administration and Policy, Michigan State University
Research shows that increased school funding can improve academic outcomes for students. Paul Sancya/AP Michigan voters will head to the polls in November to elect a new governor and vote for all 148…
- 10
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 in Spokane, Wash., on Aug. 1, 2026. AP Photo/Young Kwak Three large wildfires raced through neighborhoods in and…