News

Editorial coverage from the Cape Coral USA Wire newsroom.

Science
Why haven’t farm animals evolved against humans? A biologist explains why there won’t be a chicken uprising anytime soon
Curious Kids is a series for children of all ages. If you have a question you’d like an expert to answer, send it to CuriousKidsUS@theconversation.com.
SyndicatedAlida de Flamingh, Assistant Professor of Evolutionary Genomics, University of TennesseeOct 19, 20263 min read
Science
NASA’s Mars orbiter fleet is getting old – here’s how that could affect future exploration
Currently, about 16,000 satellites are orbiting Earth, providing everything from GPS service and weather reports to phone service in remote locations to people across the globe.
SyndicatedMargaret Landis, Assistant Professor of Earth and Space Exploration, Arizona State UniversityOct 19, 20265 min read
Technology
Why calling for a ‘kill switch’ is the wrong way to think about reining in AI
In the wake of high-profile hacking incidents involving advanced artificial intelligence agents, some politicians and business executives have been calling for an AI kill switch: a safeguard that could shut down these AI systems in an emerg…
SyndicatedTrent Wintermeier, Ph.D. Candidate in Rhetoric and Writing, The University of Texas at AustinOct 19, 20264 min read
Technology
Sexual violence concepts launched online are spilling into the real world – harming women and young men and overwhelming counselors
Andrew Tate, a self-described misogynist and an online influencer with millions of followers, faces charges in several countries of allegedly causing physical harm, including rape and sex-trafficking women and girls.
SyndicatedMorgan E. PettyJohn, Assistant Professor of Social Work, University of Texas at ArlingtonOct 16, 20266 min read
Culture
Why the 26 secretary of state races this November matter more than they did before Trump’s drive to assert federal authority over elections
From Alaska to Florida, there once was an important job in government that most Americans rarely thought about: the secretary of state.
SyndicatedThom Reilly, Professor and Co-Director of the Center for an Independent and Sustainable Democracy, Arizona State UniversityOct 16, 20265 min read
Government
Starlink slowdown underscores Ukraine’s reliance on the US in the battle for the skies
If Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy needed a reminder that Ukraine’s war with Russia may well be decided in the skies by the nation with the most advanced weaponry, then it was delivered this week – seemingly by the United States.
SyndicatedGerard Toal, Professor of Government and International Affairs, Virginia TechOct 16, 20265 min read
Technology
For centuries, bird migration was a mystery – a tech revolution is changing that, and could help save these amazing creatures
For more than 2,000 years, scientists have scratched their heads over one of the most basic mysteries of the natural world: Where do birds go?
SyndicatedPeter P. Marra, Dean of The Earth Commons, Professor of Biology and the Environment, Georgetown UniversityOct 16, 20266 min read
Business
Americans want electric cars – they just can’t find them
Within three months of the U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran on Feb. 28, 2026, the average price of gasoline for American drivers climbed from US$2.94 to $4.35 a gallon.
SyndicatedJohn Paul Helveston, Associate Professor of Engineering Management and Systems Engineering, George Washington UniversityOct 16, 20265 min read
Health
Can social media bans protect young people’s mental health? Early research suggests that bans aren’t the answer
The year 2026 has been an expensive one for social media platforms.
SyndicatedAri Lightman, Professor of Digital Media and Marketing, Carnegie Mellon UniversityOct 16, 20266 min read
Environment
Is the world pricing the risk of a US diesel export ban?
A spike in diesel prices is hammering broad sectors of the U.S. economy – especially agriculture and shipping – and becoming a flash point ahead of the November 2026 midterm elections.
SyndicatedMichel Robe, Professor of Finance and Distinguished Chair, University of RichmondOct 15, 20265 min read
Government
Young voters fear mass shootings but are divided on gun control
Nearly 50 million Americans ages 18 to 29 are eligible to vote in the upcoming midterm elections, and about 60% say they plan to. If they follow through, it would break midterm turnout records for voters under 30.
SyndicatedJillian Turanovic, Professor of Sociology, Co-Director of the CU Center on Crime and Justice, University of Colorado BoulderOct 15, 20265 min read
Health
Social Security benefits will rise 3.6% in 2027, but that may not be enough to offset healthcare costs
Monthly checks for the nearly 76 million Americans who receive Social Security benefits will rise by 3.6% in 2027. The increase, announced on Oct. 14, 2026, is the largest since the one that took effect in 2023.
SyndicatedPankaj Agrrawal, Professor of Finance, University of MaineOct 13, 20264 min read