The Conversation Daily — August 21, 2026
10 stories · August 21, 2026
In this issue
- 1
Using thunderquakes to X-ray Earth – a new study shows urban seismology in action
theconversation.com · Nolan Roth, Postdoctoral Researcher in Marine Geology and Geohazards, The Ohio State University · Tieyuan Zhu, Associate Professor of Geophysics, Penn State
As lightning lights up apartment buildings, the thunder creates useful vibrations. Philip Fong/AFP via Getty Images When lightning strikes, it superheats the air around it and creates a shock wave…
- 2
More protein in your breakfast or snacks won’t give you more muscle without more work – a biologist separates the science from the marketing
theconversation.com · Linda M. Boland, Professor of Biology, University of Richmond
Do you really need all those protein supplements in your diet? Djavan Rodriguez/Moment via Getty Images Growing up, my brothers were fascinated by the first “Rocky” movie. They were trying to get…
- 3
The importance of teaching students what AI can’t do
theconversation.com · Billy J. Stratton, Professor of English and Literary Arts, University of Denver
Emile Bernard's 'Madeleine in the Bois d'Amour' (1888). Art Media/The Print Collector via Getty Images It’s disconcerting to envision human thought becoming redundant or deemed inferior due to…
- 4
Antarctic krill fishing is now concentrated in the exact pattern conservation rules were designed to prevent
theconversation.com · Kim S. Bernard, Professor of Biological Oceanography, Oregon State University
A trawler fishes for krill in the Southern Ocean. AP Photo/David Keyton The companies fishing for Antarctic krill have harvested so much so quickly that the season had to close in August 2026, three…
- 5
A seemingly technical change to international student visas could disrupt teaching and research at US universities
theconversation.com · Abigail Boggs, Assistant Professor of Sociology and Education Studies, Wesleyan University
New visa changes for international students are the latest step the Trump administration has taken that can make it harder for students to come to the U.S. to complete their degrees. LVector/iStock…
- 6
Why millions of people around the world will contract measles in 2026
theconversation.com · Kathryn H. Jacobsen, Professor of Health Studies, University of Richmond
Bangladesh has been experiencing measles outbreaks since May 2026, with more than 900 measles deaths. Sony Ramani/NurPhoto via Getty Images The World Health Organization estimates that in 2026 nearly…
- 7
16% of Pennsylvania teens have considered suicide – but everyday connection may help
theconversation.com · Xue Zhang, Assistant Professor of Biobehavioral Health, Penn State · Jonathan Wright, Assistant Research Professor of Health and Human Development, Penn State
Teens who feel connected at home, school and in their community are less likely to experience suicidal thoughts, research shows. The Washington Post/The Washington Post Collection via Getty Images…
- 8
Jason Arday and the new politics of plagiarism
theconversation.com · Roger J. Kreuz, Associate Dean and Feinstone Interdisciplinary Research Professor, University of Memphis
Cambridge professor Jason Arday was found dead at his home in London on Aug. 14, 2026, days after he resigned from his position amid accusations of plagiarism, which he had denied. Nordin Catic/Getty…
- 9
Trump’s slapdash Reflecting Pool renovations stand in stark contrast to years of deliberation and engineering ingenuity that went into its creation
theconversation.com · Jennifer Tucker, Professor of History, Wesleyan University
Work on the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool began in 1919. Bettmann/Getty Images In the latest twist in one of the strangest ongoing scandals in Washington, D.C., U.S. Attorney for the District of…
- 10
Parents putting screens in front of their kids is more about their own stress than other factors
theconversation.com · Enid A. Moreira, Doctoral Student of Child and Adolescent Clinical Psychology, Florida International University · Daniel M. Bagner, Professor of Psychology and Director of Clinical Training, Florida International University · Shayl Griffith, Associate Professor, Department of Counselling, Recreation, and School Psychology and the FIU Center for Children and Families, Florida International University
About 70% of caregivers say that managing their children's screen use is a primary source of parenting stress. Maria Korneeva/Moment via Getty Images It is 6 p.m. after a full workday. A tired parent…