Cardiologist Eric Topol has spent nearly two decades studying "super agers" — the people who live particularly long, healthy lives — and recently published a book on the topic of longevity. Through all that research, he identified an overarching theme: "If there is one thing that has the most exceptional evidence for healthy aging, it's exercise," Topol recently told The Washington Post. Learn more about his approach to working out (spoiler alert: strength training is the MVP, and it doesn't have to be expensive or complicated).
Learn how ancient Mayan languages are spreading throughout the U.S.
Environment
Plants Can "Hear" Pollinators Coming, Researchers Say
jon666/ iStock
It can be annoying when bees buzz in our ears — but if you're a pollinating plant, that sound may actually be music to your ears. New research funded by the Human Frontier Science Program suggests that plants can not only pick up on the sounds visiting pollinators make, which include wing flapping and noises related to landing and taking off, but they can also "respond." To figure this out, the researchers played recordings of buzzing noises from snail-shell bees, an efficient snapdragon pollinator, next to a group of the flowers. Their findings? The buzzing caused the snapdragons to generate more sugar and nectar, a change that could be seen at the genetic level. These sounds "could be used to treat economically relevant plants and crops," speculated Francesca Barbero, a professor of zoology who worked on the project, in a statement. She added: "The multitude of ways plants can perceive both biotic factors — such as beneficial and harmful insects, other neighboring plants — and abiotic cues, like temperature, drought, and wind in their surroundings, is truly astonishing."
The Hearing Device Offering Clarity Beyond Compare
Picture this: You're in a crowded restaurant enjoying dinner with your friends, family, or coworkers. There's music playing, people all around, and it's difficult to hear the conversation. What do you do? You could lean in, try to read lips, ask for repeats, or — hear us out — you could give hear.com's Horizon IX a shot. This bestselling hearing aid makes conversation effortless, even in noisy spaces. Thanks to dual processing technology, speech gets separated from background noise, delivering clarity beyond comparison. It's no wonder more than 540,000 customers love the Horizon IX. Ready to hear better? Click below to see if you qualify for a 45-day no-risk trial.
Never-Before-Seen Resilient Bacteria Hid Out in NASA Spacecraft Clean Rooms
NASA/JPL-Caltech/UA/Lockheed Martin
Before they launch into the stratosphere, spacecraft are quarantined in clean rooms, highly controlled environments designed to prevent microbes from going along for the ride. But in a new study, scientists revealed that 26 novel "extremophile" bacteria species were found growing inside clean rooms used for NASA's Phoenix Mars lander before its 2007 launch. So why is a bacteria invasion good news? The scientists found no evidence that the lander — or Mars — was contaminated, and their discovery could help further their understanding of "which microorganisms might survive the harsh conditions of space," co-author Alexandre Rosado said in a news release. What's more, the resilient microbes may hold insight that would benefit humans. As the researchers investigate the extremophiles' genes, some of which have been associated with DNA repair, resilience to radiation, and detoxification of harmful substances, their findings may pave the way for "biotechnological innovation," on Earth, said first author Junia Schultz. "The genes identified in these newly discovered bacterial species could be engineered for applications in medicine, food preservation, and other industries." And per study co-lead Kasthuri Venkateswaran, there's still plenty of room for discovery. He said: "Together, we are unraveling the mysteries of microbes that withstand the extreme conditions of space — organisms with the potential to revolutionize the life sciences, bioengineering, and interplanetary exploration."
Humanity
"Nepo Baby" Jack Henry Robbins Lends Humor to PSA for Real Babies
National Diaper Bank Network
If you've spent time on social media lately, you may have come across actor Jack Henry Robbins — son of Susan Sarandon and Tim Robbins — poking fun at himself in a series of videos. The 36-year-old has been playing off the recent discourse around "nepo babies," or people who've gotten a leg up from having successful parents, by unabashedly (and jokingly) using his famous mom and dad for clout. Now, Robbins is lending his humor to a more serious cause: helping real babies. The actor teamed up with the nonprofit National Diaper Bank Network to star in and co-direct a PSA raising awareness for the millions of American parents who lack basic necessities for their little ones. According to the organization, 1 in 2 families with young children are in need of diapers. "The fact that half of U.S. families with young children can't afford diapers is a serious issue, so it's an honor to use my comedy and nepo baby character for something so clearly good and important as their mission to end diaper need," Robbins shared in a news release. Watch the PSA.
In Other News
A galaxy shaped like the Milky Way but over 10 times larger was spotted as it appeared 11.1 billion years ago (read more)
More than 4,000 acres of tallgrass prairie were restored in Illinois, a boon to the grasslands' bison (read more)
Sevenpaintings seized during the Spanish Civil War have been returned to a former Madrid mayor (read more)
Trace amounts of gold andother precious metals may be seeping into Earth's mantle from its core (read more)
Human teeth evolved from the "body armor" of ancient fish, a new study says (read more)
Organization We Love
SixDegrees.org Since writing about Kevin Bacon's nonprofit, SixDegrees.org, earlier this year, I've been keeping up with the initiatives the foundation has launched. I'm continually impressed with the intention behind each campaign, including its latest: #IGetIt, which launched May 1 for Mental Health Awareness Month. The campaign's goal is to normalize dialogues around mental health and make support more visible and accessible. The actor is just one of the celebrities and advocates who've used the hashtag to share tools and make clear to whoever needs to hear it: "You're not alone, and we get it." Check out the free resource guide below. – Rebekah Brandes, Assistant Editor
One man's trash holds another man's childhood story
When Noah Simmons purchased an old laptop at a Virginia estate sale for $20, he figured he'd add the device to his retro gaming collection. He only realized its true value when he discovered a story that had been written on it over 20 years ago, by 11-year-old Drew Smallwood. Detailing a fun time with friends in a treehouse, the tale struck a chord with Simmons: "It touched my heart and reminded me of similar times in my own life." So he tracked down the now 33-year-old Smallwood, and the pair bonded over the serendipitous experience. Watch a video of their conversation.
Photo of the Day
WAHYUDI/AFP via Getty Images
A dose of sweetness for your Tuesday morning: Ade, an orangutan less than a month old, was snapped snuggling with mom Susi at the Kasang Kulim Conservation Institute in Kubang Jaya, Indonesia, last week.
Ditch the Phrasebook and Start Speaking for Real With Babbel
There's nothing worse than staring blankly at a waiter while they rattle off the specials in a language you don't understand. With Babbel, that won't be you. Instead, you'll confidently order the perfect dish, ask for local recommendations, and maybe even flirt a little in French. (Hey, why not?) Babbel's expert-designed language lessons teach you how real people speak, so you can have actual conversations instead of just repeating random words from a phrasebook. For a limited time, Nice News readers can take 65% off for Memorial Day — Babbel's best sale of the year.
No comments:
Post a Comment