We know humans have the capacity to cultivate more positive outlooks, and it turns out we may share that beneficial ability with a much smaller, feathered species. According to a recent peer-reviewed paper, when Cornish cross chickens are given access to learning opportunities, their “optimism” increases. Previous research (as well as anecdotal evidence from anyone […]
At the Joya Redonda Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary, located at the foothills of two volcanoes in the tiny Mexican town of San Miguel Atlautla, clusters of orange-and-black butterflies roost among oyamel fir trees each winter. The insects’ migration south from colder regions is one of instinct, but their abundance in this particular area is in large […]
Stores are still filled with pumpkins and candy, but New York is already getting into the Christmas spirit. This week, officials revealed the pick for the 2024 Rockefeller Center tree: an 11-ton Norway spruce, standing 74 feet tall and 43 feet wide. The tree will travel from West Stockbridge, Massachusetts, to New York City early […]
It’s Spina Bifida Awareness Month, the perfect time to spotlight two young athletes who haven’t let their diagnoses hold them back: Meet Liam, 12, and Mohammad, 14. Born in Syria, Mohammad immigrated to the United States with his family and began receiving treatment at Shriners Children’s Northern California. The Sacramento resident developed a passion for […]
New York City’s famed Fifth Avenue runs along some of the most iconic sites in Manhattan: the Plaza Hotel, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Empire State Building, Rockefeller Center — the list goes on and on. And now, a stretch of the 6.2-mile thoroughfare between Bryant Park and Central Park will undergo a major […]
A lollipop can sweeten a trip to the doctor, no matter your age, and the colorful candies may soon be sweetening a diagnostic process as well. Currently, testing for cancer often involves a biopsy: collecting cells or a small piece of tissue via needle or scalpel and checking for abnormalities — a procedure that can […]
With the onset of cooler fall temperatures across much of the United States, it’s unfortunately time to prepare for cold and flu season. While seasonal influenza viruses circulate year-round, rates of the respiratory illness tend to pick up in October, peak in the winter, and ebb in the spring. Many different influenza viruses can cause […]
Go to any movie theater, sports venue, or airport, and it’s obvious there’s an intangible bond that forms from laughing, crying, and simply feeling while brushing shoulders with others. Research has long backed up this sense of connection, but some aspects of the phenomenon remained unclear. Now, a new study is offering insight. The results […]
Across the United States, people are struggling to find homes they can afford. Also throughout the country, an abundance of retail space is sitting empty. A rising real estate trend could make a dent in both problems: turning abandoned malls and shopping centers into affordable housing. Though plenty of malls still see action (anyone else […]
Washington state’s Mount St. Helens is a popular tourist destination for outdoor enthusiasts — but it’s also an active volcano. When an earthquake caused it to erupt in 1980, the explosion of hot lava and ash destroyed much of the surrounding flora and fauna. Two years after the event, the area remained largely barren. But […]
“It’s me, hi, I’m the problem, it’s me.” A catchy Taylor Swift line or a harrowing realization that can keep you up at night? Both — how fun! In all seriousness, though, being self-aware is a good thing. Taking a long hard look in the mirror may not always be comfortable, but doing so comes […]
Toddlers have a lot to think about: Which toy is their favorite? What sound does a cow make? Why can’t they eat that sticky fruit snack that fell on the floor? The ability to evaluate probabilities and possibilities, though, might seem a bit outside their wheelhouse. As adults, we’re used to analyzing the likelihood of […]