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 …

The Case Against Daylight Savings Time

By Morgan Coulson Johns Hopkins University    On Sunday, most of the US will advance their clocks one hour for daylight saving time (DST). The change means disruptions in the sleep patterns of over 300 million people—the effects of which will doubtless be felt and seen nearly everywhere.     Surveys from the American Academy of …

Push Past Failure, Try, Try Again In 2026

by Dictionary Scoop    Truman Capote once said, “Failure is the condiment that gives success its flavor.” In the same vein, Benjamin Franklin claimed: “He that can have patience can have what he will.”     Patience and perseverance are fundamental when it comes to conquering the anguish of things not going as planned. Numerous scientists, inventors, …

What Makes You Think You’re So Smart?

by Dictionary Scoop    We all had that friend who seemed to ace every class without even trying. But as it turns out, intelligence isn’t always about grades or test scores. Sometimes, it shows up in the most unexpected ways. Neuroscientists have revealed several everyday behaviors and habits that often characterize highly intelligent people. Do you fit …

Get Rid Of Old, Damaged Plastic Utensils

by Ally Hirschlag and Martha Henriques BBC                         (Part 2 of 2)    Microplastics gush out of our taps and flake off cookware. They find their way into the yolks of eggs, and deep into meat and vegetables. But if we take certain steps, we can eat less of them. Kitchen utensils     The starting …

Without Knowing It, You Eat A Lot Of Plastic

by Ally Hirschlag and Martha Henriques BBC                         (Part 1 of 2)    You can’t see them, but they are there, hundreds of miniscule particles of plastic lurking in your steak. As it cooks in a hot pan, these unwelcome guests liquify, oozing into the meat before solidifying again as it cools down on your …

Music May Help You Overcome Car Sickness

by Kevin Burton    In the library, they want it quiet, so no to the music, unless you have headphone    In just about every other setting, music is good for what ails you. It’s on time, all the time!    That’s why I was not surprised to find this report from Good News Network …

The Science Behind The New “Superwood”

by Kevin Burton    Engineers have created two extraordinary products that made the pages of the Good News Network.    The good news and implications for new and improved consumer products from these more durable materials are just beginning.    We start with the story of “superwood,” written by Andy Corbley.    “New ways to …

Things Get Better With Age, If You Let Them

By Hannah Singleton National Geographic      While aging is often portrayed as a slow decline, scientists say that view overlooks the bigger picture.    “Everyone talks about aging as this decline,” said Michelle Feng, chief clinical officer at Executive Mental Health and a licensed psychologist who specializes in geriatric psychology and medicine. “But aging …