The Conversation Daily — September 2, 2026
10 stories · September 2, 2026
In this issue
- 1
Yosemite, again in corporate crosshairs, embodies the long war over US national park privatization
theconversation.com · Michael Childers, Associate Professor of History, Colorado State University
Yosemite National Park is home to three groves of massive ancient sequoia trees. Jim West/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images Reports that the Trump administration is working to transfer part…
- 2
Decades after 9/11, toxic dust and PTSD may be accelerating brain aging among first responders
theconversation.com · Roberto Lucchini, Professor of Occupational and Environmental Health Sciences, Florida International University
The aftermath of the World Trade Center attacks casts a long shadow on survivors. Adam Gray/Getty Images Hundreds of first responders have told me they remember exactly how they felt during the World…
- 3
Caterpillar twitches in an ultraquiet chamber are helping biologists understand how these insects hear without ears
theconversation.com · Aishwarya Sriram, Ph.D. Candidate in Biological Sciences, Binghamton University, State University of New York · Carol Miles, Associate Professor of Biological Sciences, Binghamton University, State University of New York · Ronald Miles, Professor of Mechanical Engineering, Binghamton University, State University of New York · Sara Aghazadeh, Ph.D. Candidate in Mechanical Engineering, Binghamton University, State University of New York
A tobacco hornworm caterpillar is exposed to vibrations in an anechoic chamber. Binghamton University, State University of New York In a quiet summer garden, a caterpillar perches on a branch,…
- 4
Trump is proposing a US Space Academy – if created, it could blur the lines between NASA and the military
theconversation.com · Wendy Whitman Cobb, Professor of Strategy and Security Studies, Air University
President Donald Trump shows off a signed copy of his executive order at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, flanked by NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman, right, and Kevin Hassett, director of the…
- 5
Daejon Love case highlights online romance scams: Research reveals scammers’ tactics – and how to defend against them
theconversation.com · Fangzhou Wang, Assistant Professor of Criminology and Criminal Justice, University of Texas at Arlington
Sometimes, true love is too good to be true. kate3155/iStock via Getty Images Imagine matching with someone on a dating app who seems to have it all: charm, wealth, a glamorous lifestyle and serious…
- 6
Pyrograzing turns ordinary livestock into fire prevention heroes, so why isn’t it used on public lands more often?
theconversation.com · Briana Swette, Social-Ecological Systems Scientist, Boise State University · Kelly Hopping, Associate Professor in Human-Environment Systems, Boise State University
San Manuel, Calif., Assistant Fire Chief Ralph Tovar holds a young goat whose herd just spent a day eating brush and grass to reduce wildfire risk. Robyn Beck/AFP/Getty Images In grasslands across the…
- 7
Why millions of people around the world are contracting 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…
- 8
Severe flooding raises deadly overdose risk in rural Appalachia, study finds – and the harm lasts for years
theconversation.com · Kristina P. Brant, Assistant Professor of Rural Sociology, Penn State
Flooding has torn apart homes in eastern Kentucky several times in recent years. Michael Swensen/Getty Images When she went to sleep on July 27, 2022, McKayla wasn’t worried about the storm that was…
- 9
What happens when your hospital is also your insurance company? We’re starting to see the effects
theconversation.com · Geronimo Bejarano Cardenas, PhD Candidate, Health Services, Policy & Practice, Brown University · Grace Mackleby, Research Scientist of Health Policy and Economics, University of Southern California
Is your hospital under the same corporate roof as your health insurance company? Michael Siluk/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images Historically, hospitals have provided care for people, while…
- 10
They’re content creators with thousands of adoring fans – so why do they feel so terrible?
theconversation.com · Julianna Pillemer, Associate Professor of Management and Organizations, New York University
Previously, only the truly famous – actors, rock stars, pro athletes – were at risk of experiencing the psychic pain of public scrutiny. Malte Mueller/fStop via Getty Images If given the chance to…