When life gets a bit hectic, do you ever find yourself imagining a trip to a secluded cabin in the woods — perhaps with a fireplace and no internet connection? That fantasy is infiltrating the travel industry, with, “slow life,” “solo traveling,” and “digital detox challenge” all trending on Pinterest, according to a 2024 report from the social media platform. This “quiet travel” boom, driven largely by younger generations, stands in contrast to jam-packed itineraries that focus on fitting everything in during a vacation.
Must Reads
Meet the YouTube star who also happens to be an elite Frisbee player
Manuka Honey Inhibits Growth of Breast Cancer Cells, Study Says
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In addition to sweetening tea, manuka honey has long been valued for its health benefits. Due to its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, the substance may help heal wounds, reduce acne, improve oral health, and more. And now, a new study out of UCLA has pinpointed another exciting application: treating a common type of breast cancer. Researchers conducted preclinical experiments and found that oral administration of manuka honey significantly reduced tumor growth by 84% in mice with estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer cells, or ER-positive breast cancer, without affecting healthy cells. ER-positive breast cancer means the cancer cells grow in response to the hormone estrogen, and it comprises around 80% of all hormone receptor-positive cases. “The findings provide hope for development of a natural, less toxic alternative to traditional chemotherapy,” said first author Dr. Diana Marquez-Garban. “Although more research is necessary to fully understand the benefits of natural compounds in cancer therapy, this study establishes a strong foundation for further exploration in this area.” The researchers also found that these benefits could extend to other cancers — keep reading.
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A new subject is right on track to viral fame, and it’s not a water tumbler, organization hack, or dance routine. The rising star is the Sydney Metro, Australia’s largest public transport project. The $15 billion expansion of the transportation system is circulating worldwide via hundreds of photos and videos on Instagram and TikTok. So what’s the hype all about? The newly opened line is a welcome breath of fresh air for the car-centric city, with modern upgrades like driverless trains traveling at over 60 mph and futuristic stations adorned with showstopping art installations. “It’s amazing to be able to say that we here in Sydney also have an awesome metro just like these other big cities,” Josh Barton, who took the first ride on the new line late last month, told The New York Times. “It was a really historic moment,” added Nyilawoan Oatsomm, also among the initial group of riders. Virtually step aboard the Sydney Metro.
Humanity
A New Teaching Approach May Help Kids Who Aren’t Reading at Grade Level
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In the late 1980s and into the ’90s, TV commercials for Hooked on Phonics were hard to miss. Though the method for teaching kids to read has largely fallen out of fashion, a new approach that draws on some of its tennents is showing promise across the country. The increased adoption of the new curriculum, called the science of reading, comes as the latest iteration of the National Assessment of Educational Progress’ report found that only about 1 in 3 fourth graders are reading at or above their grade level. Per a 2023 report from Stanford researchers, the science of reading is “a process by which the sequential emphasis of five pillars — phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension — can improve overall literacy by building understanding of sounds, letters, words, sentences, and eventually paragraphs step-by-step.” “It was a big shift in my teaching, in my understanding of how students learn to read,” New York City first grade teacher Melissa Jones-Diaz told CBS News.
In Other News
Scientists are developing a way to recycle plastic indefinitely by turning the material into a gas.
Moodini, a young steer, is looking for a happy home after spending two months on the lam in the Massachusetts woods.
Brad Paisley and Kimberly Williams-Paisley are launching their second free grocery store to help those facing food insecurity in Nashville, Tennessee.
A rare “ghost orchid” was spotted in the wild in Britain, the first sighting in the country in 15 years.
Inspiring Story
Accidents happen
A 4-year-old went to a museum with his family and, you know where this is going, accidentally broke a 3,500-year-old artifact. While such stories have made headlines before, this one took a very sweet turn: The museum manager not only said all is forgiven, but also proceeded to invite the family back for a special tour to “sweeten” the previous experience. To add to the happy ending, the Bronze Age jar will be restored by a specialist.
Eyes on Paris
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At just 19, Ezra Frech is on a mission to change the world — more specifically, to change how the world views disability. The Team USA track star set a world record in the high jump in 2023 and earlier this year became the first above-the-knee amputee to commit to a Division I track and field program. But the University of Southern California freshman is looking beyond those milestones. “I truly want to destigmatize disability,” he said in an NCAA article. “I believe through the promotion of the Paralympic Games, through proper representation of our community in the mainstream media, we can change that. We can normalize disability globally. And that’s my passion. That’s what I think my purpose is. So it goes way beyond athletics.” Today, at 1 p.m. ET, he’ll compete in the men’s T63 high jump, the classification for athletes with a single above-the-knee amputation who run with a prosthesis.
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