The health benefits of walking have been borne out by science — the activity can improve sleep quality, increase blood flow, and boost moods. While many people believe they need to take 10,000 steps a day to get those benefits, that specific figure didn’t originate in a study. It actually made it into the mainstream due to a Japanese clock company’s marketing campaign ahead of the Tokyo Olympics back in 1964. So how many steps a day should you aim for? As Today recently reported, two studies released last fall determined that afar lower number can reduce the risk of heart disease, cancer, and dementia. Learn what else researchers found and get tips for making your walking routine more intense here.
Tomorrow is the start of National Park Week, an annual celebration that was first held in 1991 to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the National Park Service. This year it runs from April 20-28, and it’s kicking off with free entry to every national park in the country on Saturday. “National Park Week invites us to reflect on what parks mean to us and what they provide for our communities, as well as commit to protecting these cherished places,” the National Park Foundation writes on its website. Each day has a different theme, and there is a lineup of special events, both virtual and in-person. While big name parks like Yosemite and Zion (pictured) are perhaps the most well known, there are a whopping 429 sites in total, ranging from scenic trails to war memorials and historic homes. Check out 12 of the “most underrated” national parks in America, and click here to find one near you.
Together With Tangle
Political News the Way It Should Be
Nice News doesn’t cover politics in-depth, but that doesn’t mean we don’t value civic engagement. We recommend Tangle, a nonpartisan, subscriber-supported politics newsletter read by over 95,000 people in more than 55 countries. The free email digest aims to earn readers’ trust in a very simple way: by providing views from across the political spectrum and clearly labeling what is opinion and what isn’t. Each day, Tangle tackles one big debate in American politics, then summarizes the best arguments from the right, left, and center — so you can read different perspectives and decide what you think.
A recent study has unlocked more insights into the formation of memories, discovering a “novel mechanism” underlying the process — one that involves rapid changes to the structure of DNA, per a news release from The University of Queensland. We’ve long been taught that DNA takes the form of a double helix, and for decades, scientists believed changes to that structure only occurred during replication and transcription. That idea isn’t the full picture, however. “There are actually more than 20 different DNA structure states identified to date, each potentially serving a different role in the regulation of gene expression,” co-author Timothy Bredy explained. In the study, Bredy and colleagues focused on one structure in particular, G-quadruplex DNA (G4-DNA), finding that it builds up in active mice neurons during learning states. That means not only does the form play a role in switching genes on and off, it may also be crucial to the creation of long-term memories in humans. Interested in improving your own memory? Get seven tips from the Mayo Clinic.
Humanity
Meet the First — But “Not the Last” — Person of Color Expected to Fly to the Moon
On July 20, 1969, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin made history when they walked on the moon. Over a half-century later, Victor Glover is on his way to his own historic achievement: being the first person of color to make a lunar journey. A father of four and former fighter pilot, Glover will be leading the manned Artemis II mission, currently scheduled to launch no earlier than September 2025. Although the mission won’t involve a lunar landing, it marks the first time humans will visit the moon in decades and the first time anyone will travel into space aboard the Orion spacecraft. “Inclusion has become one of NASA’s core values,” Glover previously told Time magazine. “My feeling is like that of Vice President [Kamala] Harris when she’s asked about being the first woman in her role. She says, ‘Firsts are great, but you’ve got to make sure you’re not the last.’” Read more of Glover’s story in an NPR profile from earlier this year, including his childhood dream to “drive” a space shuttle.
Global Good
🇪🇺 These two European countries can now run on 100% renewable energy for short periods at a time.
🇬🇧 Barbie mania isn’t over — Heinz just launched a special pink “Barbiecue” sauce in the U.K.
🇧🇪 A rare, 100-year-old train carriage was unearthed in Belgium, with its logo still visible.
🇯🇵 Happy birthday to the world’s oldest-known wombat! The adorable marsupial will soon turn 35 at a Japanese zoo.
🇮🇹 An Italian province decided to invest in families, offering discounts on everything from groceries to nursery schools. Here’s what happened.
Something We Love
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Inspiring Story
Rideshare and care
At the Walmart in Cabot, Arkansas, store janitor Bill Moczulewski, who is legally blind, always shows up for work — even if that means walking 5 miles to his job. It’s an hour-long trek he’d been making for years, rain or shine, until Christy Conrad saw him on his commute one day and offered him a ride. The favor soon became tradition, and a few months ago, Conrad started a Facebook page to ensure Moczulewski always had a lift. Since then, 1,500 community members have joined, forming their own rideshare service specifically for him. “There’s a lot of good people in this world, all over the place, you know,” Moczulewski said.
Photo of the Day
ESA/Hubble & NASA, Acknowledgement: Judy Schmidt
“Twin, where have you been?” NASA wrote in the caption of a post featuring two vibrant Hubble telescope photos of the Twin Jet Nebula. “Unlike ordinary nebulas with one star at the center, this nebula has two stars at the center, making it a bipolar nebula,” the space agency explained. See the second shot and learn more about the cosmic phenomenon.
Are Trapped Emotions Holding You Back? — Free Webinar
Emotions can get trapped in the body, leading to physical pain, illness, and hindering recovery. They may keep us stuck in a state of apathy, fuel our fears, affect our willingness to pursue goals and our ability to achieve them, or make us vulnerable to the energy of others. If you’re looking to make a change, consider registering for a free webinar, hosted by Out of Struggle, taking place May 5 to learn more about how trapped emotions could be impacting your life.
