Fat’s Where It’s At: Why We All Need Body Fat

by Melissa Hogenboom BBC    Fat has been demonized for years.    Diet culture tells us to burn it, food companies market low-fat products, and weightlifting forums share tips on how to reach as little body fat as possible.    You only need to spend a moment scrolling through social media and you’ll soon find …

The Language Of Customer Service Explained

by Dictionary Scoop    There’s a reason why certain phrases keep coming at us from public-facing workers across many industries.    Decades of trial and error have taught brands which words will put customers at ease, which expressions to reach for, and which to avoid at all costs — such as “unfortunately” or “I don’t …

Report Says World Population Aging Quickly

by US Census Bureau    The share of the world population age 65 and older is projected to nearly double from 10.5 percent to 19.6 percent between 2025 and 2060, according to a new report released Monday by the U.S. Census Bureau.    The report, An Aging World 2025, finds that the global population is …

Just Your Everyday Sweet-Smelling Blog Post

by Kevin Burton    Just what does teen spirit smell like anyway? You know, people have put some thought into this.    Really.    This is from Nica Rodriguez, writing on http://www.thought.is:    “For starters, the smell of a new book should ring a few bells. There is no denying that a new book smells …

Time Outdoors, Just What The Doctor Ordered

by Good News Network    A hospital in south London opened a garden on its rooftop where critical care patients can spend hours in the fresh air and sunlight.    ICU patients visiting the rooftop garden receive “full life support” while experiencing the therapeutic benefits of the natural surroundings.    Located on top of the …

Three Things That All Great Listeners Do

by Allie Volpe Vox    Most of us would like to believe we’re good listeners — but the truth is, we all struggle to really pay attention when someone else is talking.    “Most of the time when you ask people, ‘How well do you think you’re doing at listening to people?,’ they’re going to …

Study Says Music And The Arts Slow Aging

by Good News Network    Culture vultures who regularly take part in arts activities—such as listening to music, visiting a museum, or reading—may be slowing the pace of their biological aging, according to a new study.    Researchers from University College London looked at blood test data and survey responses from more than 3,500 adults …

‘Miracle Tree’ Removes Plastics From Water

by Angela Symons  Euronews.com    A millennia-old purification technique could be the cure for Europe’s microplastic-riddled drinking water.    In a recent study, seeds from the ‘miracle’ moringa tree were found to match or outperform their chemical counterpart in filtering out aged PVC microplastics – one of the most harmful plastic types for human health. …

MIT Study Finds Seeds Can “Hear” Rain

by Good News Network    Seeds may come alive to the soothing sound of rainfall, sensing the drops while they are still beneath the surface, suggests a new study.    A series of experiments at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology demonstrated that rice seeds sprouted faster to the sound of rainfall.    The sound of …

Pleasures And Benefits Of Soaking In The Rain

by Ally Hirschlag BBC    It was the sixth straight day of the heat index topping 100F (38C) in New Milford, Connecticut, when the sky turned a sickening shade of puce.    I was leading an outdoor theatre workshop, and noticed campers gawking at an ominous, miles-long shelf cloud advancing overhead. Then a thunderclap shook …