Social media is fertile ground for self-improvement trends, and we're not mad about it. The great thing about the proliferation of viral life hacks is that you can try out different methods and continue with any that add value. On today's menu: April Theory, which reframes spring as the beginning of the year and thus the ideal time to set goals. "It's fascinating to think of April as the new January," psychologist Mayron Piccolo told Verywell Health. "January is often cold, and the weather doesn't necessarily support many people's New Year's resolutions. In spring, nature resets, and it's a great opportunity for us to do the same." Ready to reset? Here are three tips for putting April Theory into practice. — the Nice News team
Featured Story
From Yell Leaders to Former Presidents: The Surprising History of Cheerleading
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Get your pom-poms out — it's time to celebrate one of America's oldest sports! The 2025 Cheerleading Worlds kicked off Friday at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Florida's Walt Disney Resort, and the level of skill and artistry the competitors have been demonstrating has our jaws on the floor. The event also got us curious about the history and evolution of cheerleading. For instance, did you know that it was initially a male-dominated activity? Or that before they sat at the helm of the nation, several U.S. presidents repped their colleges as cheerleaders? Click below to learn more about the pastime and watch how routines have changed over the years.
This Is the Last Chance to Invest in a Major Market Shift
In 1983, Motorola released the first commercial, portable cellphone. In 1993, Nokia turned phones into personal devices. And when Apple released the first iPhone in 2007, the industry changed forever. But that was 18 years ago: Another paradigm shift is happening now, and Mode Mobile is leading the charge. If you want to get involved, you'll have to act fast — the opportunity to invest in the company at $0.26/share is closing in just a few days. The Mode Mobile EarnPhone is the only smartphone that pays users for activities like playing games, listening to music, and even charging their phone. It's this new business model that fueled Mode's electric 32,481% revenue growth between 2019 and 2022. Don't miss your chance to invest at $0.26/share before the opportunity closes.*
"It Was Jaw-Dropping": Scientists Say They Found a New Color Never Before Seen by Humans
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Think you've seen it all? Think again (maybe). According to a study published April 18, a brand-new color never before seen by humans has been identified. The blue-green hue, dubbed "olo," is "more saturated than any color that you can see in the real world," co-author Ren Ng told BBC Radio 4, and isn't normally visible to the human eye. To create the circumstances for olo to be perceived, Ng and his colleagues had five human subjects (three of whom were the researchers themselves) gaze into a tool called Oz vision, which beamed laser pulses into one of their pupils. There are three types of cone cells in the eye — S, L, and M — and each is sensitive to different wavelengths of blue, red, and green, respectively. In the real world, light that stimulates the M cone cells also triggers the nearby S and L cone cells. But the Oz tool enabled researchers to stimulate only M cone cells in the participants' retinas, sending a unique color signal to the brain "that never occurs in natural vision," they wrote. "We predicted from the beginning that it would look like an unprecedented color signal but we didn't know what the brain would do with it," Ng told The Guardian. "It was jaw-dropping. It's incredibly saturated." While some experts are contesting the claim that a truly novel color was discovered, the research does represent an innovative step forward in triggering specific cone cells, and the findings may hold potential to further the understanding of color blindness and other conditions that affect vision. See the turquoise-esque shade researchers say is closest to olo.
Environment
Buzzing to Help the Environment This Earth Day? Turn Your Attention to the Bees
FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty Images
If you haven't been noticing many bees in your backyard recently, you're not alone: 2025 has been a tough year for the pollinators. Commercial beekeepers reported colony losses around 60% this year, and experts estimate hundreds of millions of bees have died in the U.S. since August. "I've never seen anything like this — not the amount of losses," Tom Babcock, a representative for the Maryland State Beekeepers Association, told WBOC. Why exactly is still unknown, with some researchers pointing to changing weather patterns, pests, and poor nutritionas reasons. But what's certain is that although this is a large-scale problem, there are still many things we can all do on our balconies and in our backyards to help the humble heroes that pollinate 75% of U.S. fruits, vegetables, and nuts. With spring upon us, now is the perfect time to look after the busy buzzers in both big and small ways. The Department of Agriculture recommends planting native plants, avoiding (or eliminating) pesticides, and spreading the word. Get more pollinator-friendly tips (including how to build a bee box).
Health
Good Oral Health Is Linked to Longer Lifespans
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Another compelling reason to up your flossing game and book that dentist appointment: Keeping your teeth clean could help you live longer, according to research. "I've been in this business for over 50 years," Judith Jones, a professor who studies oral disease at the University of Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry, told Business Insider. "Centenarians have more teeth than the people who don't live that long." Those with dental hygiene issues (e.g. cavities, gum disease, missing teeth) are more likely to experience stroke and chronic conditions, like arthritis and Alzheimer's. But there's also growing research that suggests the microbes that live in the mouth play an even larger role in our physical and mental health than previously believed. Johnathon Baker, an assistant professor at Oregon Health and Science University, explained that the oral microbiome is like a landscape after a volcanic eruption — it starts barren, but quickly grows moss and plants after a few years. In the mouth, the "plants" are microbes, and they can grow abundantly after even a few days of not brushing well. The more buildup, the more species of microbes that can cause infections and decay the barrier between the gums and the bloodstream — potentially leading to periodontal disease, inflammation, and other conditions. On the other hand, good oral hygiene is associated with a longer lifespan and a lower risk of cardiovascular disease. For example, a 2015 study found that those with 20 teeth or more at age 70 had a higher chance of living longer than those with fewer than 20. Another study suggested weekly flossing might lower the risk of an ischemic stroke by 22%. Inspired to get brushing? Check out some oral hygiene tips.
Sunday Selections
Deep Dives
A fitting read to wrap up National Park Week, this 1899 John Muir essay on Yosemite gives today's nature writing a run for its money
The first time artist and author Suleika Jaouad was diagnosed with cancer, she journaled about her experience, a daily ritual she's had as long as she can remember. The second and third time her leukemia reared its head, the practice took on a deeper meaning. Her experience writing through her treatments inspired her new book. Part autobiography, part guide to journaling, it's complete with prompts and can serve as a "companion through challenging times." Order it at the link above, and click here to see her journals and artwork in the home she shares with musician Jon Batiste.
This new movie has all the hallmarks of a Disney classic: an adorable animal hero, a big star lending his voice to the project, and plenty of tugs at the heartstrings. But it's no fairy tale — narrated by Brendan Fraser, the documentary chronicles the real-life trials and triumphs of Leo, an adventurous sea lion pup finding his place in the world. Follow the young mammal underwater as he leaves his mother to explore the Galápagos Islands, meeting new friends and encountering some terrifying foes along the way. You can stream it now on Disney+.
This Week in History
"World of Tomorrow" World's Fair Opens in New York
April 30, 1939
Library of Congress/Corbis/VCG via Getty Images
Massive modernist sculptures, a utopian "city of the future," FM radios, nylon stockings, and even a walking, talking, cigarette-smoking robot all represented the "world of tomorrow" to people in 1939. On opening day of New York's first world's fair, over 200,000 visitorsgathered at the 1,200-acre site in Queens, one of whom was President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Per the Museum of the City of New York, the event was meant to "lift Americans' spirits after the economic woes of the Depression." More than 60 nations took part in the expo, with exhibits highlighting all aspects of modern life, including amusement, government, communication, health, education — and, of course, food: There were 40 sit-down restaurants and 260 concession stands. The fair ran for a second season the following year, though the outbreak of World War II caused crowds to diminish. Watch a 1939 newsreel highlighting the exposition.
Mode Mobile Is Writing the Next Chapter of the Smartphone Story
Uber did it to taxis, Airbnb did it to hotels, and now, Mode Mobile is doing it to the $500 billion smartphone industry. By turning phones from an expense into an income stream, the company has put $325 million back in customers' pockets, resulting in three-year revenue growth of 32,481%. With more than 45 million users already earning, this could be the biggest disruption to smartphones since the iPhone. But the price changes May 1 — invest at $0.26/share now.*
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