Today’s Solutions: July 14, 2025

Cambridge study: Robot dogs, l

Cambridge study: Robot dogs, laughter and meditation may relieve loneliness

For many people, one of the most distressing parts of the pandemic has been dealing with the feeling of loneliness associated with social distancing rules. A new study shows that robotic dogs, mindfulness, and laughter therapy may be among the most effective interventions to help people cope. As Read More...

A small relief: Influenza case

A small relief: Influenza cases are at record lows this season

A silver lining in the grey cloud of the pandemic is that the dangerous potential intersection of Covid-19 surges and the flu season seems to have been largely avoided. Thanks to ramped up flu vaccine efforts and pandemic health precautions, the CDC has reported only 1,016 influenza cases this flu Read More...

Iconic rock band performs live

Iconic rock band performs live concert in socially distant bubbles

Social distancing at a live rock concert may sound like a pipe dream, but the iconic rock band The Flaming Lips recently proved otherwise. On Monday, the band performed its first concert since the coronavirus pandemic started for a live audience in Oklahoma City, where everyone was entirely Read More...

Research shows that many anima

Research shows that many animals also practice social distancing

For most of us, this is our first experience with social distancing, but among other animals, the practice of maintaining distance to mitigate the spread of disease is quite common. It turns out that many animals including bats, bees, and tortoises also practice social distancing.  Seeking to Read More...

Indians recently planted 250 m

Indians recently planted 250 million trees—while socially distancing

India is committed to keeping a third of its total land area under forest and tree cover. In recent years the country has mobilized millions of people to plant tree saplings across the country, and plans were in place to do the same in the state of Uttar Pradesh on July 5th. The mass-planting Read More...

10 ways to safely celebrate th

10 ways to safely celebrate the 4th of July this year

As COVID-19 cases continue to rise across the US, governors and local officials are urging citizens to continue practicing social distancing, wear masks, and stay home when possible. This means the Fourth of July will certainly look very different this year, but just because you’re at home Read More...

Western lowland gorilla male silverback native to tropical rain forest in Central Africa

These animals socially distance themselves too during times of illness

While it may feel unnatural for us to engage in social distancing, the sacrifices we've made have deep roots in the animal kingdom. From ants and bees to mice, monkeys, and apes, an array of social animals change their behavior to reduce the risk of spreading infections when one member of the Read More...

Study: Face masks and social d

Study: Face masks and social distancing actually work to contain COVID-19

It can feel like a bit of nuisance to follow all the coronavirus guidelines such as wearing face masks in public or keeping six feet apart from others, but a new study published Monday in The Lancet provides the strongest evidence yet that these practices do indeed lower the risk of spreading the Read More...

The surprising reasons a bike

The surprising reasons a bike boom is great for American cities

COVID-19 has drastically changed not only how much we travel but how we get around. With people looking to get out of the house while avoiding public transit, bicycles are suddenly an enticing choice. They promise speed, freedom, and fresh air on newly quiet streets. Sales of bikes in the US in Read More...

Robot barista helps cafe in So

Robot barista helps cafe in South Korea maintain social distancing

As South Korea recovers from the coronavirus, businesses in the country are getting creative to ensure that their customers are safe. Case in point: a café in Daejon, South Korea has hired a robot barista to take care of making and busing drinks around. Thanks to the robot, the café only has to Read More...