The Conversation Daily — September 21, 2026
10 stories · September 21, 2026
In this issue
- 1
Noise pollution is a serious but often forgotten public health problem
theconversation.com · Laura Coco, Associate Professor of Audiology, San Diego State University
Noise pollution is an occupational health hazard for many workers. urbazon/E+ via Getty Images The human body is remarkably good at getting used to the environment around it. You’ve probably…
- 2
As cities prepare for 2026’s super El Niño, some crucial blind spots can’t be ignored
theconversation.com · Bethany Tietjen, Research Fellow in Climate Policy, The Fletcher School, Tufts University
An affordable-housing crisis and a growing homeless population led Los Angeles to declared a shelter crisis during the 2015-16 El Niño. David McNew/Getty Images This year’s El Niño has the potential…
- 3
The higher your body fat percentage, the less accurate your smartwatch is at measuring calories you burn when exercising – new study
theconversation.com · Jason Kostrna, Associate Professor of Sport and Exercise Psychology, Florida International University
Study participants rode a recumbent bike while wearing four smartwatches and breathing into a metabolic analyzer. Taimy Alvarez/Florida International University Smartwatches have become an…
- 4
What Philly can – and can’t – do to reduce the number of people killed in car crashes
theconversation.com · D. Alex Quistberg, Associate Research Professor, Urban Health Collaborative, Drexel University
A long exposure photo shows traffic driving on Roosevelt Boulevard, one of the most dangerous roads for traffic accidents in Philadelphia. AP Photo/Matt Rourke Philadelphians die in traffic crashes…
- 5
How ‘To Catch a Predator’ indulged America’s appetite for humiliation and punishment
theconversation.com · Daniel LaChance, Associate Professor of History, Emory University · Paul Kaplan, Professor of Criminal Justice, San Diego State University
Robert Pattinson plays former 'To Catch a Predator' host Chris Hansen in 'Showtime.' A24 For a television show that was canceled nearly two decades ago, “ To Catch a Predator ” has been having quite a…
- 6
Nepal isn’t the only disaster-struck country waiting for money from the global climate Loss and Damage Fund
theconversation.com · Tarun Gopalakrishnan, Research Fellow in the Climate Policy Lab, The Fletcher School, Tufts University
A rush of mud, rock and water inundated the town of Trishuli, Nepal, on Aug. 26, 2026, after a glacier collapsed. Pedro Pardo/AFP via Getty Images As it faces the enormous task of rebuilding from a…
- 7
Farmer-poet Wendell Berry’s environmental ethics were deeply rooted in his Christian faith and belief in caring for creation
theconversation.com · Kristy Nabhan-Warren, Elizabeth Kahl Figge Chair in Catholic Studies, University of Iowa
Wendell Berry, right, joins an 'I Love Mountains' rally against mountaintop mining at the Kentucky Capitol in 2013. AP Photo/James Crisp For most of his 92 years, Wendell Berry farmed his Lane’s…
- 8
Mosquitoes are picky eaters – we studied 3 common South Florida species to learn why they like some people more than others
theconversation.com · Kaylee Marrero, Ph.D. Student and Transdisiplinary Biomolecular and Biomedical Sciences Fellow, Florida International University · Matthew DeGennaro, Associate Professor of Biological Sciences, Florida International University
If you’ve ever had to prepare a meal for a picky eater, you know it’s not easy. They may not like certain flavors or textures, and there are often foods you have to avoid altogether. And it turns out,…
- 9
Essential digital technologies are critical infrastructure – they are not always built and managed that way
theconversation.com · Francine Berman, Director of Public Interest Technology and Stuart Rice Honorary Research Professor, UMass Amherst
Passengers fill a terminal at Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas on July 19, 2024, after a major internet outage disrupted flights worldwide. AP Photo/Ty ONeil What do the water system in…
- 10
Dog parks are an antidote to the isolation and divisions that social media can fuel
theconversation.com · Kevin B. Johnson, Professor of Pediatrics, Biomedical Informatics and Science Communication, University of Pennsylvania
A group of regulars meet at the Harford dog park in Radnor, Pa. Kevin B. Johnson, CC BY-NC-SA The case against social media has gotten so well rehearsed that most people can easily merge it into…