How close are your strangers: A country-to-country guide to personal space
Those who have traveled know that the concept of personal space—how close we stand to our colleagues, our friends, stranger—is not universal. In fact, research shows people in Argentina and other South American countries require less personal space than people from Asia. In Saudi Arabia, people Read More...
This non-profit helps people pay their overdue water bills
Isn’t it inhumane that those who can’t afford to pay their water bills can have their water supply shut off? The nonprofit organization The Human Utility thinks so. That's why they have built a website to connect donors with people in need. With some documents like paystubs, people with overdue Read More...
Impact of feet hitting the ground opens up arteries and increases blood flow
Knotting up your trainers and going on a walk or run is widely known to benefit the heart, but did you know that it also improves long-term brain function? New research suggests that the impact of the foot hitting the ground sends pressure waves through the arteries, significantly increasing the Read More...
Ontario is going to give universal basic income a shot
The idea of basic income is being hailed for its potential to reduce poverty and cut out red tape. Finland recently launched its own trial in January, and now the largest province in Canada is experimenting with giving a basic income to randomly selected people with no strings attached. Single Read More...
How to cultivate awe with a walking meditation
Science tells us that brief moments of awe can lead people to be more altruistic, less entitled, more humble and less stressed. We can find awe in many places, in listening to music, thinking abut inspiring people, in contemplation and mindfulness, but one of the best approaches for cultivating awe Read More...
You can finally ride in Google’s self-driving car
After nearly a decade of working on self-driving cars in private, Google is finally ready to take the public for a ride. Its autonomous spin-off, Waymo is adding 500 modified Chrysler Pacifica minivans to the 100 it already has on the roads of Phoenix, Arizona, and has invited locals to sign up for Read More...
Oslo, London, Amsterdam lead push for greener transport: study
Oslo, London and Amsterdam are leading a shift by major cities to eliminate greenhouse gas emissions from transport, helped by new technologies that will help to curb climate change and reduce air pollution, a study showed on Tuesday. European cities filled eight of the top 10 spots, along with Read More...
Today’s energy jobs are in solar, not coal
President Trump has promised to revive the coal industry and double down on fossil fuels, creating “so many energy jobs,” but he has so far ignored the increasingly important role of renewable power in America’s energy economy. Last year, the solar industry employed many more Read More...
Sound waves enhance deep sleep and memory
Gentle sound stimulation — such as the rush of a waterfall — synchronized to the rhythm of brain waves significantly enhanced deep sleep in older adults and improved their ability to recall words, reports a new Northwestern Medicine study. Deep sleep is critical for memory consolidation. But Read More...
Could universal environmental education spur a green revolution?
We know that the only way to save the planet is to restructure the way the world operates. This includes building the necessary infrastructure for producing clean energy, reshaping the economy into a circular one, and maintaining ecosystems that absorb carbon. So how do we ensure that all of these Read More...