When A. A. Milne published his first Winnie the Pooh book nearly a century ago, the author couldn’t have predicted that his stories of adventures in the Hundred Acre Wood would be a fixture in childhoods for decades to come. And now, the beloved fictional teddy bear is reaching a major milestone: centenarian status. Pooh […]
The idea began in California’s Sierra Nevada, a towering spine of rock and ice where rising temperatures and the decline of snowpack are transforming ecosystems, sometimes with catastrophic consequences for wildlife. The prairie-doglike Belding’s ground squirrel (Urocitellus beldingi) had been struggling there as the mountain meadows it relies on dry out in years with less snowmelt and more unpredictable weather. At lower elevations, the foothill yellow-legged frog (Rana boylii) was also being hit hard by rising temperatures, because it needs cool, shaded streams to breed and survive.
For many families in Los Angeles County’s Altadena neighborhood, Christmas will look different this year. The Eaton Fire tore through the area in January, destroying nearly 9,500 buildings — including homes and churches. But as residents continue rebuilding their lives, a cherished, 105-year-old holiday tradition has emerged unscathed. Christmas Tree Lane is a magical stretch […]
Better sleep. Protection against anxiety and depression. Lower risks of heart disease and dementia. A longer life. According to a wealth of research in the field of behavioral medicine, these are just some of the well-being boosts associated with having a sense of purpose. Are you in possession of this powerful elixir for living well? […]
When people use hand gestures that visually represent what they’re saying, listeners see them as more clear, competent and persuasive. That’s the key finding from my new research published in the Journal of Marketing Research, where I analyzed thousands of TED Talks and ran controlled experiments to examine how gestures shape communication.
Cultivating optimism isn’t always easy, but there is something profoundly liberating about choosing to orient toward joy, despite any obstacles that may stand in the way. In that spirit, Nice News is kicking off 2026 with a list of things to look forward to. From global sporting extravaganzas like the Winter Olympics and the FIFA […]
Ever been to the Albanian Riviera? How about Botswana? Or the Dolomites? According to a recent report from Chase, all three are trending destinations for 2026 travel. The food outlet Infatuation, one of the financial institution’s subsidiaries, also released the restaurant trends we can expect to see — and combined, the intel offers intriguing dining […]
Self-improvement strategies abound, so opting in to one can sometimes feel like ordering the soup du jour: “That sounds good. Maybe I’ll try it!” But what’s right for one person may not be right for another — or even for the same person at a different point in time. That’s why Tchiki Davis, founder of […]
For years, philosophers and psychologists have debated whether empathy helps or hinders the ways people decide how to help others. Critics of empathy argue that it makes people care too narrowly — focusing on individual stories rather than the broader needs of society — while careful reasoning enables more impartial, evidence-based choices.
As the saying goes, everyone has a story to tell — but sometimes it can be hard to find a safe person to share it with. That’s why StoryRX exists: The collaboration between New York-based nonprofit Life Story Club and health care providers encourages older adults at risk of social isolation to join weekly meetings […]
It’s a new year, and millions of people are swapping wine and cocktails for sparkling water and nonalcoholic beer in observance of Dry January. But there’s another lifestyle challenge taking place over the next few weeks as well, and it’s a bit of a mouthful (literally): Veganuary. The goal is to eat only plant-based foods […]
In 1998, Claire Wiegand-Beckmann sold a card table for — wait for it — a whopping $541,500. A New York antique dealer bought it at Sotheby’s for such a pretty penny because of its makers: John and Thomas Seymour, a renowned father and son duo who crafted furniture in the late 1700s and mid-1800s. And […]