Four ways to experience true gratitude
Everyone knows that gratitude is a good thing but getting there isn’t always easy. How can this be changed? Trying to be grateful doesn’t work, because gratitude is a spontaneous expression. You may say “Thank you” simply as a polite gesture without much feeling behind it, and you know what Read More...
Origami-like paper sensor diagnoses malaria quickly and easily
Malaria is one of the most dangerous infectious diseases in the world, and after decades of progress, the number of cases is rising again. The main problems is that in rural areas, access to accurate diagnostic tools aren’t always available—especially affordable ones that work efficiently. Now Read More...
These firefly-inspired LEDs are nearly twice as efficient as conventional ones
Imagery from outer space makes it abundantly clear just how many light bulbs are shining in the world every night. If we want to spare the environment and reduce the amount of power these lighting systems consume (while lowering energy costs), creating more efficient light bulbs is a must. Read More...
Hundreds of bird species will benefit from new land-protection bill
Last week, the US Senate passed the most significant land-protection legislation in a decade touching every state in the country and protecting more than 1.3 million acres of wilderness from any damaging human intervention. Among other provisions, the legislation extends an important program that Read More...
Coal is giving way to renewables in India’s energy future
Coal is increasingly falling out of favor as a potential energy source in India. Despite being the world’s second-largest producer and importer, the fossil fuel is becoming less attractive to potential investors because it's too expensive relative to renewable energy alternatives such as wind and Read More...
The truth about going to bed with a wet head of hair
Your mother probably told you when you were a kid that going to bed with a wet head of hair will make you come down with a cold. Or maybe she told you that wet hair will make your pillow a hub for bacteria. These are both common beliefs, but are they true? According to the experts, going to bed Read More...
This home was made almost entirely out of repurposed items
Using recycled and repurposed materials to build new things is a fantastic way to take some pressure off the environment as it decreases landfill waste, reduces the need for raw materials, and saves the energy that comes with having to dismantle and re-manufacture products. But on top of that, Read More...
Innovators are turning “valueless” plastic bags into beautiful products
“Flexible plastics” such as bags of all shapes, sizes, and colors are often deemed as non-commercially valuable as they barely have any weight and are hard to process—meaning they hardly get recycled. Slowly but surely, however, innovators are coming up with brilliant ways to make the most Read More...
Ireland has a brilliant approach for creating a more participatory democracy
By now we’re all aware that democracy has some pretty big flaws. But that doesn’t mean it’s absolutely hopeless. Just look at Ireland’s bottom-up approach to policymaking, which is helping to spur real change on the country’s most contentious issues. Ireland has what’s called The Read More...
Making friends can be tricky. This step-by-step guide will help you
Humans are naturally social-beings. We instinctively crave meaningful relationships and thrive off the ones we have. For some people, it seems making friends is as easy as plucking apples off a low-hanging tree: it’s effortless. But for the more introverted souls, trying to make new friends can Read More...