We’re less than two weeks out from the Boston Marathon, and one of the race’s most loyal fans has been immortalized along the famous course. For years, a golden retriever named Spencer cheered on runners while holding his signature “Boston Strong” sign, earning him the affectionate title of “the Boston Marathon dog.” Sadly, the pup died in February 2023, so community members rallied together to erect a statue of Spencer near his usual marathon post in the town of Ashland. The monument was unveiled on Saturday. “He was a symbol of hope, unconditional love and it’s something we should all strive for. He was more than we ever deserved. Certainly more than I ever deserved,” owner Rich Powers told CBS News.
A new medicine for high blood pressure called Tryvio was approved by the Food and Drug Administration last month. Manufacturer Idorsia says the once-daily oral medication helps adults dealing with high blood pressure that’s uncontrolled by other drugs, also called resistant hypertension. Tryvio works by blocking a hormone called endothelin. “Blocking receptors to endothelin produces vasodilation,” Dr. Oscar Cingolani, director of the hypertension program at Johns Hopkins Medicine, explained to Verywell Health. “That means that the diameter of the small arteries of our body dilates, and therefore, the blood pressure decreases.” While other medicines are available, high blood pressure can be challenging to manage — and it’s quite common, affecting 1.3 billion people worldwide. Tryvio is the first endothelin receptor antagonist for resistant hypertension and the first new type of drug for lowering blood pressure in four decades, so it’s been a “long time coming,” per Verywell.
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Environment
Photo Stations Are Helping Conservation Efforts, One Pic at a Time
Shenandoah National Park/ Facebook
The average American has thousands of photos on their smartphone. So why not channel those picture-taking instincts into a cause that boosts conservation efforts? That’s the goal of Chronolog’s photo stations. Installed in parks, wetlands, and nature reserves around the world, the stations feature phone-sized mounts so visitors can take pictures of nature from a specific angle. The images are then used to make “people powered” time-lapses. For example, you can observe a changing old-growth forest in Washington or check out coastal restoration progress in Australia. According to Chronolog’s website, the more than 100,000 photos submitted to date have helped document erosion, water levels, and wildlife species, while also helping communities engage with nature. The latter is perhaps what makes the project so special. “In reality, there are probably ways you can collect data more efficiently,” Jon Schmitkons, a research assistant professor at New York’s Binghamton University who manages the school’s Chronolog network, told Bing U News. “But then there’s the community engagement side of things, and that’s where the Chronologs are really useful: getting people to go out there and see sites they wouldn’t normally see or learn more about the places they walk past every day.” Find a Chronolog photo station near you or learn how to install one in your community.
Culture
250-Year-Old Revolutionary War Sketch Offers Rare Eyewitness Account
Museum of the American Revolution
Philadelphia’s Museum of the American Revolution recently received a donation of a nearly 250-year-old drawing of Continental Army soldiers and camp followers. The pen-and-ink sketch, seen above, shows the soldiers marching through Philadelphia on Aug. 25, 1777 — and it’s one of the few works created by a Revolutionary War eyewitness that still survives today. “This sketch is the first wartime depiction of North Carolina troops known to exist, and only the second-known depiction of female camp followers of the Continental Army done by an eyewitness,” the museum explained in a press release. The piece previously hung in art collector Judith Hernstadt’s New York City apartment, where Matthew Skic, a curator at the museum, spotted it. He immediately knew it was something noteworthy — “I was shocked to see what I saw!” Skic told Artnet. He added in a statement: “This sketch is extremely important to our understanding of the daily operations of the Continental Army. It helps us visualize the everyday lives of these troops — the joyous, the difficult, and the mundane.” See the back of the sketch, which shows five male figures.
In Other News
It’s World Autism Awareness Day! Read about a program for neurodivergent travelers that’s seeking to help millions of parents who have children with autism.
“Change is beginning, slowly”: A health test that previously impeded Black patients from getting kidney transplants when they needed them is finally being fixed.
A new digital reconstruction of a sixth-century Chinese ruler offers a glimpse at his face for the first time. See what Emperor Wu looked like.
In ascientific first, David Attenbourough’s latest documentary series, Mammals, captured footage of leopards hunting at night.
Something We Love
Zenni Optical Zenni Optical is Assistant Editor Rebekah Brandes’ go-to for finding new frames. The site has a huge range of styles and types — all of which are affordable and returnable — and its robust search function includes filters like lens height, pupillary distance, comfort features, and more. Plus, you can see how the glasses will look on your face with Zenni’s neat virtual try-on option.
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Inspiring Story
Clowning around for a cause
With colorful noses, bright costumes, and big smiles, clown doctors (or therapeutic clowns) are on a mission to make hospital visits a brighter experience for everyone. “We use imaginative play to try and puncture the tension that can build up in wards, in the families, and the staff,” Australia’s Dr. Snooze said.
Trains filled with adorable pets? Sign us up. These two dogs greeted each other as their owners waited for one of Taipei’s new pet-friendly trains, which had a test run on Sunday.
The Dealmaker Pant Offers All-Day Comfort
If you’re tired of juggling multiple wardrobes for different parts of your life, the Dealmaker Pant from Public Rec might be your solution. Crafted with premium, performance-driven materials, these pants seamlessly transition from commanding the boardroom to grabbing drinks with friends.
