UK Edition - Today's top story: The brain isn't hardwired to read – here's how we pull it off and why some are better at it than others August 26, 2026 UK Edition   You may be reading this newsletter with ease, but exactly how your brain enables this is a bit of a scientific mystery. In evolutionary terms, reading hasn’t existed long enough for the brain to have a dedicated centre for it. To learn how to read, we must therefore hack separate brain regions that evolved for completely different purposes. New research has uncovered the fascinating neuroscience of reading – explaining why some of us find it easier than others. While some parts of this distributed reading network have a genetic component, others respond strongly to practice and learning. Because there isn’t just one reading centre, there isn’t just one way to read – as demonstrated by those who are deaf, blind or have dyslexia. In other news, ask anyone how much sleep a human being needs, and they’ll most likely respond, “eight hours”. But research shows this isn’t necessarily the magic number – our age, body clock and individual needs all play a role. And in India, a ‘super El Niño’ could make the monsoon drier and more dangerous at the same time.   Miriam Frankel Senior Editor, Science Insights   Krakenimages.com/Shutterstock The brain isn’t hardwired to read – here’s how we pull it off and why some are better at it than others Mikael Roll, Lund University There is not only one way to learn to read, as people who are deaf, blind or dyslexic demonstrate. Mafi R/Shutterstock.com How much sleep do I need? Why you can forget the eight-hour rule Derk-Jan Dijk, University of Surrey; Anne Skeldon, University of Surrey Eight hours isn’t necessarily the magic number for sleep. Your age, body clock and individual needs all matter. Monsoon driven flooding on the outskirts of Mumbai, July 2026. Divyakant Solanki / EPA A ‘super El Niño’ could make India’s monsoon drier yet more dangerous Ligin Joseph, University of Southampton El Niño summers can mean less rain overall, but more extreme daily rainfall. World $40 trillion debt balloon is a warning sign for US economy and the world Muhammad Ali Nasir, University of Leeds After topping a record US$40 trillion, US national debt looks set to climb further. Latest sanctions on Iran risk strengthening Tehran and undermining US credibility Bamo Nouri, City St George's, University of London; Inderjeet Parmar, City St George's, University of London Washington has promised to unleash “economic D-Day” on Tehran and its allies. But Iran has lived through US sanctions for nearly 50 years. Politics + Society How political life in Britain became so dangerous Matthew Flinders, University of Sheffield The security of politicians has increasingly been in the spotlight. Britain’s quarter century: crime falls, sea-levels rise and education yet to recover from COVID Graham Farrell, University of Leeds; Hayley J. Fowler, Newcastle University; Helena Gillespie, University of East Anglia; Helen Roy, UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology; University of Exeter; Jim Watson, UCL; Stephen Potter, The Open University; Toby Davies, University of Leeds How big policy areas like crime, education, transport and energy have changed. Arts + Culture Between Land and Tide: giant starfish washes up in Portsmouth in this apocalyptic performance art Matt Smith, University of Portsmouth There is something apocalyptic in this performance. Why poetry is a powerful form of climate communication Heena Dave, University of Stirling In poetry, speculation might help us make sense of what it means to live with an uncertain climate future. Business + Economy How Brick Lane became the latest neighbourhood to battle against a data centre Michael A. Lewis, University of Bristol; University of Bath; Phil Tomlinson, University of Bath The government has fast-tracked approval for a data centre at the site of a historic brewery in east London. Education What children worry about when they start secondary school – and how to support them Rhiannon Packer, Cardiff Metropolitan University; Adam Pierce, Cardiff Metropolitan University; Kieran Hodgkin, Cardiff Metropolitan University Feeling prepared helped children with their worries. Science + Technology The real reasons you procrastinate – and how to stop, according to science Itamar Shatz, University of Cambridge Around 20% of adults procrastinate regularly. Yet a lot of what we hear about this common behaviour is wrong. More newsletters from The Conversation for you: World Affairs Briefing • Imagine climate action • Global Economy & Business • Europe newsletter • Something Good • Politics Weekly • Education Focus About The Conversation We're a nonprofit news organisation dedicated to helping academic experts share ideas with the public. We can give away our articles thanks to the help of universities and readers like you. Donate now to support research-based journalism   Featured events View all The Women's Library at 100: celebrating a century of collections 2 March - 30 September 2026 •