It’s been almost a week since the 2024 Summer Olympics concluded, and we’re finding ourselves sorely missing the excitement of international sport. Thankfully, the Paralympics are right around the corner and NPR rounded up a list of athletic events — ranging from typical to the weird and wonderful — that can occupy our collective attention until the 2026 Winter Olympics arrive.
A brief (and pup-approved) overview on the rising trend of pet wills
Health
Optimism May Help Older Women Stay Mobile Longer, Harvard Study Suggests
vorDa/ iStock
Nice News readers already know that looking on the bright side can improve one’s well-being, but recent research out of Harvard is offering further evidence on the health benefits of a positive perspective. A longitudinal study found that an optimistic outlook could slow age-related physical decline in women. The analysis involved nearly 6,000 women over age 65 who were recruited from 40 clinical centers around the country. At the beginning of the study, participants were asked to fill out a questionnaire that gave researchers insight into their levels of optimism. During the baseline tests, higher optimism was associated with higher grip strength and a greater number of chair stands, but not with a greater walking speed. During follow-ups, however, walking speed declined more slowly in the women who were more optimistic, as did the number of chair stands they could do. “More optimistic individuals may be more likely to stay physically active and have other healthier behaviors — e.g. healthier diet — that may help them maintain physical functioning,” author Dr. Hayami Koga told Newsweek. And because prior research indicates that optimism can be increased through practice, the team’s findings may have exciting implications in the future of geriatric care.
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French Street Artist JR Seeks to Unite People Across Divides
Emanuele Cremaschi/Getty Images
“Can Art Change the World?” That’s the name of the nonprofit French photographer and collagist JR set up to empower communities through art and education. It’s also a question the 41-year-old — whose provocative black-and-white street installations grace buildings all over the globe — continually addresses in his work. A social activist and the co-director of an Oscar-nominated film, JR turned heads in 2016 for making the Louvre’s iconic glass pyramid “disappear.” More recently, the artist created the sculptural anamorphosis “La Nascita,” which saw him rend a massive gash through the center of Milan’s train station in a 3D optical illusion, and carried the torch ahead of the 2024 Paris Games. Through it all, his goal, and the method by which he’s affirmatively answering the aforementioned query, is clear: bringing people together. “I always seek to attract people’s attention toward something, generally other people,” JR previously told The Wall Street Journal.
Environment
In New Mexico, an Unlikely Partnership Works to Reduce Wildfire Risk
USDA Forest Service photo by Preston Keres
In a moving example of the power of coming together for a common cause, the Gila National Forest and Our Lady of Guadalupe Monastery, an order of Benedictine monks, are joining forces to reduce wildfire risks across western New Mexico. The monastery has been leading the charge in engaging community members to both understand wildfire risks and take part in actively preventing more damage. “I have discovered a lot about how partnership is very important in order to maintain an ecosystem and battle against devastating fire,” Brother Santiago told the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service. “That word partnership is the key word, right?” Beyond helping the forestry team get “buy-in” from the community on the importance of fire safety maintenance (like clearing and thinning brush), the brothers also add something less tangible — but perhaps even more important. “The Benedictines have unique perspectives, values, and insights they bring to the table,” said Daniel London, who works for the USDA.“It’s also valuable to have someone outside the government stressing the importance of this work. They live here. They have a special connection to it. They’re some of the best people to share this important message.”
Legendary Cuban singer Celia Cruz, also known as the “Queen of Salsa,” is the first Afro-Latina to appear on U.S. currency.
Swipe right: A “dating site for animals” paired up two leopards, Freddo and Lena, to help save their species.
A text-to-speech brain implant is allowing a man with ALS who lost his voice to communicate again.
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The job market can be hard for anyone, but it’s especially difficult for formerly incarcerated people. That’s where the West Oakland Job Resource Center comes in. The Northern California nonprofit offers employment training and career coaching for underserved residents, providing job seekers with “a beacon of light.”
Photo of the Day
JOHN THYS/AFP via Getty Images
What you’re looking at is a literal carpet of flowers in Brussels — an annual art installation in the Belgian city’s historic square, the Grand-Place. Usually, the carpet is primarily composed of begonias, but this year’s artist decided to break with tradition, using fresh dahlias for more than 80% of the work. See more photos.
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