It’s Nobel Prize week! The first award, for medicine, was given yesterday to Mary E. Brunkow, Fred Ramsdell, and Shimon Sakaguchi for their work studying the immune system. The prize for physics will be awarded today, chemistry on Wednesday, literature Thursday, and the Nobel Peace Prize on Friday. Things will wrap up next Monday, Oct. 13, with the prize in economics. Stay up to date on the winners.
Eating For 2: The Planetary Health Diet Helps Humans and the Environment, Study Finds
Hispanolistic/ iStock
Diets tend to come and go, but a recent landmark study revealed one that could benefit human health for the long haul — and the planet’s health, too. Called the Planetary Health Diet, or PHD, this approach encourages a flexible, mostly plant-based eating plan with moderate animal protein intake. The study authors — an international coalition of experts in nutrition, climate, economics, health, and agriculture — recommendconsuming three to four daily servings of whole grains, at least five servings of fruits and vegetables, and one serving each of nuts, legumes, and dairy. They advise keeping to one serving of red meat, two servings of fish and poultry, and three to four eggs per week. If people around the world adopted the diet, it could yield profound benefits (to say the least), including preventing 15 million premature deaths annually, reducing greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture by more than half, and saving trillions of dollars. “We have a huge body of new literature showing very major health benefits,” said Walter C. Willett, co-chair of the 2025 EAT-Lancet Commission that released the report, per ABC News. And unlike many diets, PHD is “not a one-size-fits-all approach,” Willett added in a statement. “It allows for cultural diversity and individual preferences, providing flexibility within clear guidelines to achieve optimal health and sustainability outcomes worldwide.” In other words, whether you identify as a vegan, vegetarian, or omnivore, there’s room at the PHD table for you. Learn more about the diet.
Together With LMNT
Proper Hydration Starts With Electrolytes
Hydration isn’t just about drinking water — it’s also about getting the right electrolyte balance. LMNT’s electrolyte ratio is based on high-performance nutritional science, designed to help you reach optimal ranges. Each stick pack contains 1,000 milligrams sodium, 200 milligrams potassium, and 60 milligrams magnesium to help you feel your best. No sugar. No artificial colors. No dodgy ingredients. Just pure hydration in bold, delicious flavors like Lemonade Salt. The seasonal release has officially squeezed its way into the permanent lineup so you can enjoy the bright, tangy, and refreshing taste all year long! The best part? Every order comes with a free sample pack, helping you find your favorite flavor.
World-First Elephant Vaccine Found Safe and Effective for Fighting Deadly Disease
Chester Zoo
Currently listed as an endangered species on the IUCN Red List, Asian elephants have dwindled to a population of fewer than 40,000 — but England’s Chester Zoo just announced a major breakthrough in a world-first trial that could help boost that number. Elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus, or EEHV, can kill both wild and captive Asian and African elephants within 24 hours of infection, seriously threatening conservation efforts. Along with the University of Surrey and the Animal and Plant Health Agency, the zoo developed a vaccine that targets EEHV. Scientists demonstrated that the vaccine safely and effectively stimulated a strong immune response in adult elephants during a six-year, proof-of-concept study. “This publication marks a watershed moment — it means we can now say the vaccine is ready for wider use,” co-author Katie Edwards said in a news release. “EEHV has taken the lives of so many elephants, but this offers hope and a massive step toward ending those losses.” Now, thanks to the trial’s success, scientists can conduct further testing in the younger elephants most at risk, and are already planning on building delivery methods for wild populations. They hope that one day, the vaccine can be used to help prevent EEHV worldwide — and speculate that it could also pave the way for vaccination studies focused on other wildlife diseases.
Culture
New Deal Lets Citizens of 4 Caribbean Nations Live and Work Across Borders
Oli Eva/ iStock
Moving to another country to start a new chapter can be exciting — and also quite daunting, thanks to the expenses and heaps of paperwork involved. But four Caribbean nations recently took a cue from the European Union, making a historic agreement to allow their citizens to move freely across borders without visas or work permits. The new deal, which went into effect last week, permits citizens of Barbados, Belize, Dominica, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines to relocate indefinitely to any of the four member states and gain access to education, health care, and other social services in the host country. “We are virtually the same people. We have no historical animosities against each other, and we are very similar culturally,” David Comissiong, the Barbados ambassador to the Caribbean Community, told The Guardian. “So, this is a breakthrough, even though it’s only four countries. The idea is, once the four countries make the start and perfect this regime, that others will join.” As for why now, the implementation of “full-free movement” comes amid concerns about skilled professionals leaving the region in search of job opportunities elsewhere — a trend this agreement aims to address by fosteringstronger economic ties, talent retention, and social integration within the Caribbean. “People should be able to move around and contribute wherever their skills are needed,” said Darren Clarke, a student at the University of the West Indies. “I like the idea that I could one day take a job in Jamaica or Guyana without having to jump through a million hoops.”
In Other News
When a baby with a heart condition needed to travel for life-saving surgery, volunteer pilots stepped up (read more)
A molecule linked to life on Earth was found in the atmosphere of a brown dwarf in our galaxy (read more)
The world’s oldest man celebrated his 113th trip around the sun — learn his secret to living a long life (read more)
“I do,” times 600: Hundreds of couples in Paraguay tied the knot in a mass civil wedding ceremony (read more)
A near-translucent cavefish species resembling a jellyfish was discovered by scientists in China (read more)
Inspiring Story
Keeping history alive
The Na-Cho Nyäk Dun First Nation in Canada’s Yukon territory is using technology to breathe new life into its endangered language. Through cutting-edge holograms, elders are sharing their stories in an effort to preserve and revitalize the Northern Tutchone tongue and culture while making learning more accessible for younger generations. “When I leave to the spirit world, I’m going to leave my knowledge behind on that machine,” said Elder Franklin Lee Patterson, 70.
Photo of the Day
Kiran Ridley/Getty Images
Bonjour from Paris’ first-ever “Marche des Animaux” (Animal March), in which more than 500 dogs paraded down the Champs-Élysées to celebrate World Animal Day. Watch footage from the très chic event.
Sam’s Club’s Biggest Membership Deal Ever
Right now, you can join Sam’s Club for just $15 — that’s 70% off the regular membership price. Joining gets you instant savings, member-only prices, and exclusive deals all year round. Whether you’re stocking up on everyday essentials or planning for the holidays, it’s the perfect time to join. But don’t wait — this offer ends Oct. 31, then it’s gone for good.
