The Conversation Daily — September 23, 2026
10 stories · September 23, 2026
In this issue
- 1
Trump speculates on diesel fuel export ban as high prices ripple across US economy
theconversation.com · Vidya Mani, Associate Professor, Darden School of Business; Research Associate Professor, Biocomplexity Institute, University of Virginia; Cornell University
Demand for rail freight shipping is up, as trucking becomes more expensive. Both use diesel fuel, but trains are more efficient at carrying heavy loads long distances. Scott Olson/Getty Images Diesel…
- 2
Fiber is both diet fad and fixture for good health – a doctor explains why there is no one-size-fits-all way to increase your intake
theconversation.com · Jean Liew, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Boston University
Many whole foods, such as fruits, vegetables, legumes and nuts, are high in fiber. bit245/iStock via Getty Images Plus The numbers are clear: Americans aren’t getting enough fiber. Research has…
- 3
Dementia caregiving can expose hidden family tensions – but early planning can ease the strain
theconversation.com · Sarah E. Patterson, Research Assistant Professor of Demography, University of Michigan
Caring for someone with dementia can be especially challenging because the condition can profoundly change how a person interacts with their loved ones. Peter Kindersley via Centre for Ageing Better,…
- 4
How the US gave up its edge to China in processing vital rare earth minerals – and what that’s costing
theconversation.com · Charles Edward Gehrke, Sloan Fellow, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
MP Materials mines and processes rare earth minerals in California, including neodymium-praseodymium oxide used in high-performance magnets. David McNew/Getty Images Look around you, and you’ll see…
- 5
Why AI has trouble predicting the fury of hurricane intensity
theconversation.com · Chanh Kieu, Associate Professor of Atmospheric Science, Indiana University
Hurricane Irma rapidly intensified before hitting the Caribbean and Florida in 2017, but intensity is still hard to forecast. NASA Artificial intelligence has revolutionized weather forecasting in…
- 6
Lessons for the 21st century from a 200-year-old book by ‘Frankenstein’ author Mary Shelley
theconversation.com · Eileen Hunt, Professor of Political Science, University of Notre Dame
What if there was just one person left on the planet? David Wall/Moment via Getty Images Even if you have never read it, you know the story of Mary Shelley’s second great work of political science…
- 7
Finding homes for whales and dolphins when parks like Marineland Canada close isn’t easy – a biologist explains why sea sanctuaries aren’t the answer
theconversation.com · Jason Bruck, Associate Professor of Biology, Stephen F. Austin State University
Four of Marineland Canada's belugas (Eve, Secord, Nahanni, and Lillooet) before the facility's closure in 2024. Kristy Burgess, CC BY-NC-ND When Marineland Canada in Niagara Falls, Ontario, closed in…
- 8
A second hurricane just sideswiped Hawaii – why the islands’ usual force field seems to be down in 2026
theconversation.com · Nicholas Grondin, Assistant Professor of Environmental Studies, University of Tampa
A satellite closeup of Hurricane Lowell on Sept. 8, 2026, after it passed just west of Kauai in the Hawaiian Islands. NASA The Hawaiian Islands rarely see significant hurricane damage, but they just…
- 9
‘Fountain’ might make you laugh or scowl but asks important questions – a Philly art historian explains why Marcel Duchamp’s iconic 1917 sculpture still provokes
theconversation.com · Matthew Palczynski, Adjunct Faculty, Art History, Temple University
'Fountain' by Marcel Duchamp at the Barbican Art Gallery in London in 2013. Dan Kitwood/Getty Images Marcel Duchamp’s “Fountain” is not for everyone – and it does not need to be. But it does…
- 10
The Women’s Professional Baseball League is betting that women’s baseball has a future in the US
theconversation.com · Callie Maddox, Associate Professor of Sport Leadership and Management, Miami University
Ashton Lansdell of the Los Angeles Queens bats during the Women's Professional Baseball League Opening Day game against the New York Heights on Aug. 1, 2026, in Springfield, Ill. Chris…