Need an excuse to get your friends together regularly? It might be time to start a club. There are book clubs, of course, but if that’s not your jam, plenty of other offline activities are ripe for gatherings — knitting, game nights, cookbook club, and so many more. Get some ideas here.
Must Reads
These bookstores are owned by best-selling authors, from Judy Blume to George R.R. Martin
Proposed Reuse Symbol Aims to Reshape the Way We Think About Recycling
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Is a new era of recycling upon us? Researchers at the University of Portsmouth are arguing that a universal reuse symbol would encourage a switch from single-use to reusable packaging. The suggested move is among the latest in the global effort to alleviate plastic waste and its associated pollution. The proposed reuse symbol — which is purple and features a circular arrow curling toward the right — is the result of a yearlong global design initiative that resulted in 236 design submissions from 29 countries. Not meant to replace the iconic chasing arrows recycling symbol, the reuse graphic conveys an even more effective method of waste management: reducing what enters the system in the first place. “While policy and infrastructure are essential to reducing waste, behavioral science shows that people rely heavily on visual cues when making everyday decisions,” researchers Cressida Bowyer and Kate Whitman wrote for The Conversation. “Symbols reduce mental effort and help people navigate complex systems quickly and intuitively.” Should the reuse symbol be widely implemented, it would reposition recycling as a lower-priority option over reusability in the overall waste hierarchy. Bowyer and Whitman, who also co-authored a report on the benefit of a systemic shift toward reuse, acknowledge the symbol’s success is reliant upon supporting infrastructure but are hopeful it could be the tool that defines the next chapter in waste management. See the new symbol.
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More Pediatric Hospitals Are Employing Facility Dogs to Provide Comfort to Kids
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When 14-year-old Aspen Franklin was hospitalized for a life-threatening immune disorder, she found solace in a furry companion: a Labrador-golden retriever mix named Hadley. “She has a calming presence,” Aspen told the Associated Press. “That is a comfort to me.” Hadley is one of four full-time working facility dogs at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. Different from traditional volunteer therapy dogs, facility dogs are trained to provide emotional support to patients during procedures and encourage them to move around. They’re also often given access to more vulnerable areas of a hospital, such as the child protection program. Facility dogs typically come from nonprofits, and while hospitals cover care costs like food and veterinary visits, the pups live with their handlers. There’s a growing body of research pointing to the benefits of these dogs, including reducing pain and signs of stress in patients and improving the well-being of staff. And more medical facilities across the U.S. are taking note. This past March, for instance, Maryland’s Johns Hopkins Children’s Center welcomed two facility dogs. “They can provide a little bit of normalcy, a little bit of comfort, in a really stressful, sterile environment that kids might not feel comfortable in,” said Kerri Rodriguez, director of the Human-Animal Bond Lab at the University of Arizona. As for Hadley, she and her canine coworkers are beloved employees in the hospital, where their photos line hallways and they receive plenty of attention, treats, and breaks. “Hadley loves life,” said her handler, Schellie Scott, adding: “It’s like being the assistant to a famous person.”
Culture
NY High Schooler Pays Tribute to Influential Student-Run Radio Station in New Doc
Courtesy of Jason Feldman
At Syosset High School on Long Island, New York, teens learn the three Rs — reading, ’riting, and radio production. The school is home to the influential student-run radio station WKWZ 88.5 FM, which has been broadcasting since 1973. The station has served as a stepping stone for public figures like filmmaker Judd Apatow, former CBS radio anchor Linda Kenyon, and ESPN broadcaster Jake Asman, all of whom were on-air personalities while students. Another name hoping to make his mark on the media industry? High school senior Jason Feldman. Currently co-station manager, Feldman is also the auteur behind The Subterranean Penthouse: The Story of WKWZ, a recent documentary that pays tribute to WKWZ’s early days while celebrating how far it’s come. After noticing the station’s light was starting to dim, the second-gen DJ set out to both revive and preserve it. The doc, released earlier this year, features previously unseen archival footage and emotional interviews with alumni. “It’s not just about radio,” Feldman tells Nice News. “It’s about giving students a place to find their voice, build confidence, and discover something they may want to pursue in the future.” He adds: “Seeing how much this station has already meant to so many people makes me excited about the impact it can continue to have on future students.” Watch the documentary.
In Other News
A breakthrough ovarian cancer drug that improves and extends lives was approved for use in the U.K. (read more)
Dozens of new species, including a glowing blue spider, were discovered in a remote area of Angola (read more)
Scientists believe a rare meteorite in the Sahara Desert is proof our solar system once had another planet (read more)
97,000 (more) Connecticut residents will have all or part of their medical debt erased (read more)
The top 10 highest-paying jobs for U.S. teens include babysitting and tutoring, per a recent report (read more)
Inspiring Story
Finding peace in Lego pieces
When U.S. men’s national soccer team captain Tim Ream is struggling with his mental health, he finds comfort in completing Lego sets. “It forces you to kind of shut out what’s going inside and just focus on the pieces and the way they fit,” he said. And with the U.K.-based charity Virtual Soccer Schools, Ream is sharing the lessons he’s learned from Legos — and soccer — with kids who may be dealing with the same struggles. “You do as much as you can to relate to them and what they’re going through,” he said. “Not speaking at them, but speaking with them is the biggest thing.”
Photo of the Day
Luc Claessen—Velo/Getty Images
We’re in the home stretch of the 37th Giro d’Italia Women road cycling stage race. A total of 147 elite cyclists from 21 teams, some pictured here during Stage 5 earlier this week, are competing in the grueling nine-stage race, which concludes tomorrow. Follow along for updates.
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