The Conversation Daily — September 15, 2026
10 stories · September 15, 2026
In this issue
- 1
Pittsburgh’s kindergartners fall below the measles safety threshold, testing the city’s vaccine legacy
theconversation.com · Rebecca Smullin Dawson, Associate Professor of Biology, Allegheny College
Pennsylvania's 2026 outbreak has grown to more than 670 confirmed cases statewide. Sean Rayford/Stringer via Getty Images It takes a lot to knock football out of the headlines in Pittsburgh. But…
- 2
We paid college students about $5 a night to sleep at least 7 hours – and their grades quickly improved
theconversation.com · Osea Giuntella, Associate Professor of Economics, University of Pittsburgh · Sally Sadoff, Professor of Economics and Strategy, University of California, San Diego · Silvia Saccardo, Associate Professor of Social and Decision Sciences, Carnegie Mellon University
Half of surveyed college students said they go to bed after 1 a.m., on average. iStock via Getty Images Plus Paying college students about US$5 a night to sleep seven hours got them a quarter more…
- 3
How libraries in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and other Pennsylvania communities evolved from subscription clubs to vital public institutions
theconversation.com · Bernadette A. Lear, Education, Behavioral Sciences, and Social Sciences Librarian, Penn State
Pennsylvania played a vital role in the growth and spread of public libraries in America. Ben Hasty/MediaNews Group/Reading Eagle via Getty Images As a librarian who researches and writes about…
- 4
To crack the job market, internships can be just as key for young people as the degree
theconversation.com · Matthew J. Mayhew, Professor of Higher Education, The Ohio State University · Courtney DeRoche, Postdoctoral Scholar, Department of Educational Studies, The Ohio State University · Yun-Han Weng, Postdoctoral Researcher, The Ohio State University
College students are facing one of the most precarious labor markets in years. A recent New York Federal Reserve study pointed to a sharp increase in the post-college unemployed compared with other…
- 5
No, AI systems don’t have a drive to survive – a developmental psychologist explains why it only looks that way
theconversation.com · Peter J. Marshall, Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience, Temple University
In the movie '2001: A Space Odyssey', astronauts Frank and Dave don't realize that the AI controlling their ship is reading their lips as they discuss disconnecting it. Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer/Getty…
- 6
Is science journalism dying? Comparing a ‘science crash’ 40 years ago to today
theconversation.com · Bruce Lewenstein, Professor of Science Communication, Cornell University · Chris Mooney, Professor of Practice and Julia G. and Alfred G. Hill Chair of Excellence in Science, Technology, and Medical Writing, University of Tennessee
Newsstands in the 1980s had more magazines of all kinds than they do today. Richard Laird/FPG/Archive Photos via Getty Images When two popular science magazines – out of about 17 in circulation –…
- 7
Dengue-carrying mosquitoes expand their reach into new territories – including Florida
theconversation.com · Andrés Henao, Professor of Medicine and Infectious Disease, University of Colorado Anschutz
The <i>Aedis aegypti</i> mosquito spreads dengue from person to person. Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images The Tampa Bay Times reported the death of an elderly woman on Sept. 8, 2026. Her family says…
- 8
How South Korea is tackling its super-aging problem – and what other aging nations can learn from its experience
theconversation.com · Jeongmin Park, PhD Candidate in Health and Human Development, Penn State · Alexis R. Santos, Associate Professor of Human Development and Family Studies, Demography and Public Policy, Penn State
Healthcare and assistance for the elderly are particular challenges for South Korea's rapidly aging society. Plan Shooting 2/Imazins via Getty Images In December 2024, the share of South Koreans ages…
- 9
Federal stimulus money bought new technology for Philly students, but many schools lost track of where items went
theconversation.com · Suzanne McLeod, Assistant Professor of Educational Leadership, Binghamton University, State University of New York · Kathryn Blackman, Adjunct Lecturer, Teaching, Learning and Educational Leadership Program, Binghamton University, State University of New York
Better tracking systems can help ensure students have the equipment they need. FatCamera/E+ Collection via Getty Images Back-to-school season is underway, and school personnel have been busy cleaning,…
- 10
Trust is a behavior, not a credential – and that explains the Rodgers-Fauci divide
theconversation.com · John C. Besley, Professor of Public Relations, Michigan State University
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers recently called Dr. Anthony Fauci an 'absolute coward' and a 'criminal.' Lauren Leigh Bacho/Getty Images Sport Following an appearance on The Pat McAfee…