Crossword puzzles are staples of many Sunday papers, and we’re happy to announce that Nice News is joining the club — literally. Each week, we’ll be including a puzzle from Crossword Club, one of our sister brands and a great daily stop for a fun mental workout. So put your thinking cap on, scroll down, and try your hand at solving today’s game. Then, see how your experience compares to figuring out what is widely considered the world’s first crossword puzzle, published in 1913.
Featured Story
Strengthen Your Memory With These Simple, Science-Backed Techniques
Experiencing forgetfulness is a normal part of getting older — memory can begin declining as early as your 30s — but that doesn’t mean it’s any less frustrating when we find ourselves in the middle of a room with absolutely no idea why we entered it. Experts on the topic emphasize that we shouldn’t waste too much time worrying about the things we can’t remember, because we aren’t actually supposed to remember everything. That said, there are some science-backed tips and techniques you can put into practice to improve your recall. Click below to learn five of them.
LMNTis our favorite way to hydrate. Packed with electrolytes like sodium, potassium, and magnesium so you feel and perform your best, the drink mix can help prevent and eliminate headaches, muscle cramps, fatigue, and more — which is especially important amid the warming weather. Nice News readers can get a free sample pack with any drink mix order, and if you’re an LMNT INSIDER, you have first access to LMNT Sparkling — a bold, 16-ounce can of sparkling electrolyte water.
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This Week’s Top Stories
Tech
World’s First Hydrogen-Powered Superyacht Embodies Eco-Conscious Luxury
Feadship
Superyachts, and the people who own them, tend to get a bad rap. Besides representing excess in a time when many are struggling to make ends meet, the luxurious ships carry a staggering carbon footprint. Enter Project 821: the world’s first superyacht powered by hydrogen. Built by Feadship, a Dutch custom superyacht manufacturer, the nearly 390-foot-long vessel departed its Amsterdam shipyard on May 4 after five years of design and construction. “The aim has been to develop a new, clean technology not just for this project, but for the world,” Feadship Director Jan-Bart Verkuyl said in a statement, adding: “We have now shown that cryogenic storage of liquified hydrogen in the interior of a superyacht is a viable solution.” Hydrogen fuel-cell technology works by transforming hydrogen into electricity, which is then stored in lithium-ion batteries. Unlike diesel, used by most large ships, hydrogen power is entirely combustion- and emissions-free — the only byproducts from the process are water vapor and heat.
Culture
Geologist Says She Identified the Setting for Da Vinci’s “Mona Lisa”
For centuries, the “Mona Lisa” has been captivating admirers and inspiring countless questions about everything from the subject’s expression to the secrets behind its creation. While many of these mysteries will likely remain mysteries, one that might finally be solved is the location of the landscape in Leonardo da Vinci’s iconic painting. Ann Pizzorusso, a geologist and Renaissance art historian, suggests that da Vinci captured several elements of Lecco, a city on the southeastern shore of Lake Como, in the work. “Art historians said Leonardo always used his imagination, but you can give this picture to any geologist in the world and they’ll say what I’m saying about Lecco,” she told The Guardian. One of the key features Pizzorusso focused on was the rocks in the background that appear to be gray-white limestone, which match the type of rock found in Lecco. She also explained that the region’s lake, botany, and bridge align with the painting. Coming full circle, Pizzorusso presented her theories at a geology conference last weekend in, you guessed it, Lecco. “I am actually euphoric about these findings — and there is a near-certain possibility that Leonardo painted [the landscape] from the exact spot where we are holding our conference,” she said ahead of the event. See side-by-side images of the “Mona Lisa” and Lecco.
Science
How Do Elephants Say Hello? The Mammals Vary Their Greetings, Study Says
Just like we adjust our greetings depending on who we’re saying hello to (a hug for a close friend, a handshake for a business associate, or a head nod for a stranger), so do elephants. That’s according to a recent study that showed elephant addresses are more nuanced than previously believed. The study of African savannah elephants in Zimbabwe found 20 gesture types displayed during greetings, including ear flapping and trunk reaching. Researchers also observed different vocalizations, like rumbles, roars, and trumpets, and noted the importance of both smell and eye contact. All of the different greetings, which varied based on sex, have a purpose in the elephant social order, said lead study author Vesta Eleuteri. “Animal greetings help mediate social interactions by, for example, reducing tension and avoiding conflict, by reaffirming existing social bonds, and by establishing dominance status using different behaviors,” she explained to Reuters. Curious to see what these interactions look like? Watch heartwarming footage of elephants at a nature park meeting a new baby rescue.
Sunday Selections
Deep Dives
Keep those pens and pencils close: Writing by hand benefits the brain in ways that typing just can’t beat
Though its name stands for Technology, Entertainment, and Design, TED boasts a repertoire of content that extends far beyond those fields. In this weekly podcast, guests and past TED Talk speakers join comedian Chris Duffy to address topics like how to give advice, how to co-parent, and how to discover your authentic self. The resulting conversations make for a self-improvement show with real substance — and some laughs, too.
Something We Love
Redken Texturizing Beach Spray
Saltwater-soaked hair that dries as beachy waves is a total vibe, but we can’t all dip our heads into the ocean every morning. Luckily, Redken’s got the next best thing. Great for men and women (Assistant Editor Rebekah Brandes and her husband share a bottle), this texturizing spray is lightweight, volumizing, and free from actual sea salt, so you don’t need to worry about it drying out your locks.
This Friday marks 141 years since the Brooklyn Bridge opened in New York,linking Manhattan and Brooklyn, then distinct cities, over the East River. At the time, the now iconic structure was the longest suspension bridge ever built, and even dubbed “the eighth wonder of the world.” It took a little convincing, though, for some residents to feel safe crossing it. So P.T. Barnum came up with a real whopper of an idea to help: On May 17, 1884, the famed circus founder marched 21 elephants and 17 camels across the bridge, which held up perfectly fine. See the original article about the stunt in The New York Times, and then check out historic photos of the structure being built.
LMNT Is the Drink of the Summer
Summer is all about fun, so the last thing you want is to be left depleted and dehydrated by the heat. And the best way to avoid that is by incorporating LMNT into your daily routine. The science-backed electrolyte ratio of 1,000 milligrams of sodium, 200 milligrams of potassium, and 60 milligrams of magnesium will keep you going all season long.
