The Conversation Daily — October 6, 2026
10 stories · October 6, 2026
In this issue
- 1
What is a professional patient advocate, and why might you need one?
theconversation.com · Jennifer Schlinger, Clinical Associate Professor of Social Work, University of North Dakota
Imagine your mom has just been discharged from the hospital to a rehabilitation center after hip replacement surgery. She has the paperwork, the facility’s address – and a long list of questions. Will…
- 2
Does your sleep tracker get it right? A Pittsburgh neuroscientist weighs in
theconversation.com · J. David Creswell, Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience, Carnegie Mellon University
A growing share of people wear a tracking device to bed, hoping it can tell them something about how they slept. andreswd/E+ Collection via Getty Images On a typical night, I go to bed wearing a…
- 3
Why old dogs might be able to teach Alzheimer’s researchers new tricks
theconversation.com · Julie Moreno, Associate Professor of Environmental and Radiological Health Sciences, Colorado State University
Old dogs have a leg up on mice when it comes to dementia research. Megan Dujardin/Unsplash, CC BY-SA Most people know someone with Alzheimer’s disease. When I was growing up, my grandmother struggled…
- 4
Optogenetics wins the Nobel – one neuroscience breakthrough in a line of technological innovations helping scientists map and control the brain
theconversation.com · Kimberlee D'Ardenne, Assistant Research Professor in Psychology, Arizona State University
Optogenetics is illuminating the inner workings of the brain. akinbostanci/iStock via Getty Images Plus The brain is unbelievably complicated, which is both daunting and fascinating for…
- 5
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…
- 6
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…
- 7
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…
- 8
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…
- 9
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…
- 10
Annie Dillard brought poetry into prose, pioneering a mystical form of creative nonfiction that critics both admired and misunderstood
theconversation.com · Amy Cannon, Associate Professor of Writing, USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences
Annie Dillard is rightly celebrated as a pioneer in creative nonfiction after her death on Sep. 15, 2026, at age 81. But the dazzling, disorienting feel of Dillard’s work might be best understood as…