Boost your local wildlife by rewilding your lawn or just mowing it less
Removing the lawn from your home and allowing it to grow wild with flowers and native hedges can do wonders for local wildlife and pollinators. But if you’re not ready to remove your lawn or your neighborhood doesn’t allow it, consider this: In a new study, researchers found that even a modest Read More...
Microsoft is backing plans to build a high-speed rail in the Pacific Northwest
Imagine it’s derby day between the Seattle Sounders and Portland Timbers, with the treasured Cascadia Cup on the line between these two MLS franchises and their passionate fanbases. In years past, the Timbers Army has caravanned up I-5 in a crawl, facing traffic as they leave the Rose City and Read More...
How to get your mind to stop overthinking
Human beings’ boundless quest for answers is an attempt to master problems before they arise and feel a sense of certainty. It’s a survival tactic. It’s not a problem when, let’s say, your job requires you to think of every possible outcome of a situation to determine what could happen Read More...
This beautiful lampshade is made from old cabbage leaves
Designers from London are making beautiful lamps from an unlikely source: old cabbage leaves. The beauty of a cabbage leaf might not be obvious to everyone, but when it’s dried, molded, and coated with non-toxic chemicals, it really starts to shine. The organic lamp, called “Veggie Read More...
You must see this powerful image of black med students at a former plantation
"I don't think as a kid I ever saw a minority physician.” These are the words of Russel J. Ledet, a second-year medical student at Tulane University School of Medicine. Ledet is an African American, and like many of his peers, he grew up in a community where he rarely saw black people in Read More...
Scientists created a biodegradable adhesive. Here’s why that’s a big deal
While it's good that there are plastics that biodegrade when they're thrown away, the glue used to join pieces of those or other materials together isn't quite so eco-friendly. Scientists have recently set about addressing that problem, however, by developing a biodegradable adhesive. Created by Read More...
This is why the Netherlands is closing so many prisons
Earlier this week we wrote about the criminal justice nonprofit, Vera, which is teaming up with Google to create detailed, transparent data on prisoners. Policymakers have no access to such data, so the idea is that it will help them make more informed decisions to shape the country’s flawed Read More...
Why more parents are enrolling their kids in nature-based education
According to a new in-depth study, addiction to digital technologies is causing numerous forms of health problems for children—including more social isolation, lack of physical development, and decreased vitamin D because of light exposure, which causes premature thinning of the neocortex. Read More...
Experts say vegans must be aware of B12 deficiency. Here’s how to avoid it
We’re proud of our Optimist readers who eat a vegan diet. That’s why we feel excited to share stories about the latest tips and trends within the vegan community. With that in mind, experts lately have been warning that people eating a vegan diet need to make sure they get enough B12 - because Read More...
Everything you need to know about Saturday’s winter solstice
Saturday is the 21st of December, aka the winter solstice, aka the shortest day of 2019 for everyone living in the Northern Hemisphere. If pagan rituals are your thing, this is probably a big moment for you. If not, the official first day of winter is neat for other reasons, too. For instance, Read More...