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Judges announced for The Conversation Prize for writers 2026
Our competition is looking for the best longform article and nonfiction book idea aimed at a general audience from our community of academics.
OSI archive
MIL-OSI
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The danger of confusing AI mental health support with therapy
AI can produce the language of care, but therapy depends on a trained human presence that listens, responds and remains accountable.
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From Hormuz to the cockpit: How warfare and criminal activity undermine GPS and the race to safeguard navigation
From airliners to supertankers, GPS has long been invaluable for safe navigation, but its signals can easily be jammed and almost as easily faked. Researchers are racing to develop backups.
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Medication abortion: Decisions from federal courts, the FDA or Trump’s Department of Justice could try to end access via telehealth
This year, decisions from the courts, FDA or DOJ could all shut down telehealth for medication abortion, which is how most people in states with bans get care.
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Melatonin can be a safe and effective sleep aid for all ages – but product inconsistencies and improper dosing lead to real harms
Because melatonin is sold as a dietary supplement rather than a drug in the US, there is little to no quality control over the wide array of product types.
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Why it’s OK to say ‘namaste’ in yoga class
In a polarized world, the greeting may be an acknowledgment of our interconnectedness.
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Heat waves can leave homes dangerously hot – even for young, healthy adults
Heat waves can be dangerous, and the conditions indoors can be worse than outdoors. A study of all the single-family homes in Austin, Texas, shows why.
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How everyone pays the cost for patents on seeds, and private companies get rich from keeping them secret
When huge companies assert their patents, smaller businesses and public plant breeders are dissuaded from conducting research that might not be illegal at all.
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Everyone experiences loss and grief – but that doesn’t make it any easier to talk with kids about it
Parents and educators sometimes avoid having conversations about grief with children because they don’t know what to say. Here are some tips for how to approach it.
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How Alan Greenspan’s stint as President Ford’s top economic adviser cemented his passion for public service and prepared him to lead the Fed
The Fed chair who served under five US presidents was more practical and less ideological than his detractors claimed.