The Conversation Daily — September 14, 2026

In this issue

1. 1

   Why does your brain mix up memories? A new study examines how memories are misplaced in your brain’s filing cabinets

   theconversation.com · Ian McDonough, Associate Professor of Psychology, Binghamton University, State University of New York

   Older people may confuse memories rather than forgetting them altogether. LWA/Stone via Getty Images Old age and forgetfulness seem to go hand in hand. But my colleagues and I found that memories…

2. 2

   Physicists zoom into the birth of cosmic rainstorms with new CERN study

   theconversation.com · Jesse Liu, Assistant Professor of Physics, New York University

   Scientists want to learn more about the cosmic rays that create particle showers in Earth's atmosphere. Thomas Bergauer/Flickr, CC BY-NC-ND Every second, particles zip through your body at nearly the…

3. 3

   Wildfire strategy doesn’t need a winner – with 3 camps fighting for dominance, the system can’t keep up with the risk

   theconversation.com · Tony Cheng, Professor of Forest and Natural Resource Policy, Colorado State University · Matt Thompson, Affiliate Wildfire Scientist, Colorado Forest Restoration Institute, Colorado State University

   A firefighter monitors a backfire in California, set to clear away dry vegetation that could fuel wildfires. Josh Edelson/AFP via Getty Images One of the problems with how America deals with wildfires…

4. 4

   School choice proponents say it offers families more options – but those don’t always extend to immigrant students

   theconversation.com · William McCorkle, Associate Professor of Social Studies Education, College of Charleston · Beth Lloyd, Associate Professor of Mathematics Education, College of Charleston

   School choice gives families options, but not all families necessarily have the same ones. Andrii Yalanskyi/iStock via Getty Images Plus Educators, politicians and education observers have long…

5. 5

   Why do I talk in my sleep? A sleep psychologist explains

   theconversation.com · Michael R. Nadorff, Professor of Psychology, Mississippi State University

   Talking in your sleep is more common in children than adults. Cavan Images 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,…

6. 6

   NASA’s Roman Space Telescope will use gravity as a magnifying glass to find distant planets

   theconversation.com · Thomas Fauchez, Research Associate Professor of Physics, American University

   Massive objects bend light, which results in a phenomenon called gravitational lensing. NASA/STScI NASA’s Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope launched on Aug. 30, 2026, beginning a journey that will…

7. 7

   Shingles can cause severe chronic pain – new research on how exosomes alter neurons offers pathways to treatment

   theconversation.com · Andrew Bubak, Associate Professor of Neurology, University of Colorado Anschutz

   Varicella zoster virus, also known as human herpesvirus 3, causes chickenpox and shingles. BSIP/Universal Images Group via Getty Images Shingles can cause pain that is notoriously difficult to manage…

8. 8

   Portugal decriminalized drugs 25 years ago, but the real lesson is what it built around this policy

   theconversation.com · Karyn Sporer, Associate Professor of Sociology, University of Maine · Robert Glover, Associate Professor of Political Science and Honors, University of Maine

   Providing drug users with clean syringes is part of Portugal's harm-reduction approach to substance use. Horacio Villalobos/Corbis News via Getty Images Nearly 70,000 Americans died of a drug overdose…

9. 9

   Why so few older Americans get counseling – and how it could help

   theconversation.com · Lee Ann Rawlins Williams, Clinical Assistant Professor of Education, Health and Behavior Studies, University of North Dakota

   Changes that often accompany later life can raise questions and concerns that people may explore in counseling or therapy. Space_Cat/iStock via Getty Images People are living longer, reshaping what it…

10. 10

    AI is supercharging money scams – here’s what you can do to protect yourself

    theconversation.com · Pawan Jain, Associate Professor of Finance, University of Michigan Flint

    Financial losses caused by AI fraud are skyrocketing, especially among adults over 60. Volodymyr Hryshchenko on Unsplash The phone rings, and it’s your grandson’s shaken voice. There’s been an…