Are you a butterfly or a firefly? That’s not a trick question — it’s a new quiz from The New York Times on friendship styles. The result options for the fun, 10-question survey also include “wallflower” and “evergreen.”This writer, Associate Editor Ally, is most certainly a firefly; let us know what you get.
A Copy of the Declaration of Independence Is Headed to Auction
Ann Ronan Picture Library/Photo12/Universal Images Group via Getty Images
It turns out you don’t have to plot a Nicolas Cage-level scheme to own one of America’s founding documents — a 1776 copy of the Declaration of Independence is going up for auction with Sotheby’s ahead of this year’s July 4 holiday. The document, one of five surviving subsequent printings of the declaration, was published in a July 11, 1776, issue of The New-York Journal, or, General Advertiser. Though much smaller than the official declaration, which is held in the National Archives Museum, it’s the only copy still in private hands, and holds its own historical significance given that it was disseminated in a newspaper. “Because they preserve the text of the declaration as first written and read, July 1776 printings like this are more original than the ‘original’ engrossed manuscript, the prized treasure in the National Archives,” Sotheby’s explains in the listing. The auction, scheduled for June 26, also includes early copies of the Constitution and Bill of Rights. All together, it’s expected to bring in up to $8.6 million — see photos of the documents.
Together With Tangle News
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 100,000 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.
Years ago, the ozone layer was at the center of many conversations about the urgency of fighting climate change: Human activities caused a hole in the ozone layer, and we had to fix it. You may have noticed that we hear less about it these days, and that’s likely because it’s well on its way to recovery — and faster than expected, according to a new study. Most of the chemicals that damage the ozone were phased out following the 1987 adoption of the Montreal Protocol, considered the most successful global environmental treaty. But one set of gases chosen to temporarily replace those chemicals — hydrochlorofluorocarbons — still destroys ozone, lead study author Luke Western explained in The Conversation. Now for the good news. In their research, he and his colleagues found that levels of hydrochlorofluorocarbons in the atmosphere have been falling since 2021. This is particularly noteworthy, as scientists previously predicted the levels wouldn’t begin falling until 2026. “This marks a major milestone in the recovery of Earth’s ozone layer — and offers a rare success story in humanity’s efforts to tackle climate-warming gases too,” Western wrote.
Tech
Robotic “Third Thumb” Could Be Augmentation Tool for People With Disabilities
University of Cambridge
Higher primates’ two opposable thumbs allow for manipulating objects in a much more precise manner than is possible for species without the appendages. And a new, robotic “Third Thumb” could take that skill a step further, while also increasing interaction with the physical world for people with disabilities. Augmentation designer Dani Clode created the wearable, 3D-printed thumb to boost users’ range of movement, enhance grasping capability, and expand carrying capacity. The device, which straps onto the palm and extends from the side opposite to the biological thumb, is powered by two motors on the wrist that are controlled by pressure sensors attached to wearers’ feet. The tool is being developed in collaboration with the University of Cambridge and Imperial College London. Of the 596 non-disabled people who trialed the Third Thumb at a 2022 science exhibition, 98% were able to “successfully wear, operate, and perform a task” during the first minute of use. Next, the team plans to pilot the device in populations with motor disabilities or impairments, and adapt the design to be more inclusive. Watch it work.
In Other News
Gun violence has decreased in most major U.S. cities this year, with Philadelphia seeing the biggest drop so far.
Wimbledon, set to begin July 1, is upping its prize money to a record amount.
By studying ancient bones, researchers are learning more about the history of malaria.
In a “dazzling” wildlife display,more than 160 whales were spotted off the coast of Massachusetts in a single day.
A 98-year-old man whose liver was donated after his death is believed to be the oldest American organ donor.
Something We Love
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Recommendations are independently selected by our team but may result in a commission to Nice News which helps keep our content free.
Inspiring Story
Warm Welcome
Thanks to the United States’ Welcome Corps program, María del Carmen Chaparro’s family has been able to find a safe home in Oregon after fleeing violence in Colombia. “It was like being born again, like an opportunity to rest and be able to give my children a life without persecution,” said the mom of four.
What a view! Brooklynites were treated to this stunning sunset over the Hudson River last week, which brings us to the reminder that we’re nearly at the longest day of the year, the summer solstice. That means Thursday’s New York City sunset won’t be until 8:31 p.m.
A Brand-New Way to Plan a Vacation
Steller is ushering in a new era of vacationing. The travel planning app helps you take a community-centric approach to mapping out your itinerary. By aggregating video reviews from fellow users, Steller makes it easy to find the best views, drinks, meals, sightseeing destinations, and more.*
