The Conversation Daily — September 16, 2026
10 stories · September 16, 2026
In this issue
- 1
If you’re on GLP-1 drugs and plan to fast for Yom Kippur, here’s what you need to know
theconversation.com · Reed Berger-Fleishman, Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine and Surgery, University of Illinois Chicago
Fasting for Yom Kippur ends at nightfall with a family meal. halbergman/E+ via Getty Images Millions of people worldwide – as many as 1 in 8 adults in the U.S. – are on GLP-1 medication, such as…
- 2
Why an overactive immune system attacks the bodies of people with lupus but still leaves them vulnerable to infection
theconversation.com · Andrew Monteith, Assistant Professor of Microbiology, University of Tennessee
Lupus can cause a painful, widespread rash. pocketlight/E+ via Getty Images Despite having an overactive immune system, people with lupus may still struggle to fight bacterial infections. My team and…
- 3
Lockdown or active shooter drill? The distinction matters for children’s safety and well-being
theconversation.com · Emily Greene-Colozzi, Assistant Professor of Criminology and Justice Studies, UMass Lowell
Most states have laws that mandate lockdowns, but the exercises differ greatly in practice. Catherine McQueen/Moment via Getty Images School shooting preparedness drills have been a routine though…
- 4
Before the infinity nets, there was ‘The Pacific Ocean’ – what origin stories focusing on Yayoi Kusama’s mental illness miss about her art
theconversation.com · Audrey Storm, Ph.D. Candidate in Art History, USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences
Yayoi Kusama reached toward the concept of infinity through polka dots. Y. Cheng/South China Morning Post via Getty Images Stories of Yayoi Kusama’s life often begin after she moved to New York City…
- 5
Data center projects in Pennsylvania face stronger local scrutiny after Shapiro’s executive order
theconversation.com · Michael Helbing, Adjunct Professor of Law, Penn State
The cooling towers of an electric station are seen beyond an Amazon Web Services data center construction project in Berwick, Pa. Paul Weaver/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images Governors across…
- 6
The greenest building is the one still standing after a disaster
theconversation.com · Fernanda Cruz Rios, Assistant Professor of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering, Drexel University
Construction choices are often the difference between a house surviving a hurricane or being torn apart. Mark Wallheiser/Getty Images When Hurricane Michael tore through the Florida Panhandle in 2018,…
- 7
Online mental healthcare is here to stay: Here’s how to navigate your options and find the right clinician
theconversation.com · Shari Harding, Associate Professor of Nursing, UMass Chan Medical School
Virtual access to mental healthcare is now very common, but figuring out how to choose a provider can be confusing. Alisa Zahoruiko/iStock via Getty Images Plus As a mental health nurse practitioner…
- 8
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,…
- 9
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…
- 10
How does ‘Salmonella’ contaminate everything under the sun? A food safety specialist explains how you can stop its spread
theconversation.com · Kimberly Baker, Food Systems and Safety Program Team Director, Clemson University
Will salmonellosis turn your eggs sunny-side up into a biohazard? wildpixel/iStock via Getty Images Does it feel like Salmonella is contaminating everything these days? From the food you eat and the…