Must Reads

• ​A “surreal” look at the cosmos, including a new view of the Milky Way’s massive black hole
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• This Van Gogh-inspired floral wonderland features 18,000 sunflowers and other plants

Environment

New Deep-Sea Octopus Species Is Named After a Pancake

This is one pancake you won’t want to have for breakfast. The Carnarvon flapjack octopus, named in part for its ability to flatten its body like a pancake, has now been officially cataloged by scientists following its 2022 discovery.
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The creature was found nearly 5,000 feet deep off the coast of northwestern Australia along with around 1,000 other new-to-science species. It falls under the Dumbo octopus umbrella, a rare genus known for its flapping, ear-like fins.
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The mollusk’s shapeshifting skills, which also allow it to expand “like a tiny gelatinous umbrella,” per a press release, help protect it from predators. On the flip side, the octopus’ large eyes (relative to its four-centimeter body size) help it seek out prey in the dark depths of the ocean.
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According to study author Tristan Verhoeff, the sea creature, which has blood-red tentacles, adds “extra value” to the region’s marine parks. “This species discovery increases our understanding of Australia’s deep-sea ecology and biodiversity,” he said. “Describing new species is also essential for future work on their ecology, and assessing populations for conservation.” Learn more about the discovery.​

Together With Pacaso

Top Investors Are Buying This “Unlisted” Stock

When the team that co-founded Zillow and grew it into a $16 billion real estate leader starts a new company, investors notice. That’s why top firms like SoftBank invested in Pacaso.
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Disrupting the real estate industry once again, Pacaso’s streamlined platform offers co-ownership of premier properties — revamping a $1.3 trillion market. By handing keys to more than 2,000 happy homeowners, Pacaso has already made over $110 million in gross profits.
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After 41% gross profit growth last year, the company recently reserved the Nasdaq ticker PCSO. But the real opportunity is now, at the unlisted stage. Until May 29, you can join Pacaso as an investor for just $2.80/share. Share in the growth before the deadline.​

This is a paid advertisement for Pacaso’s Regulation A offering. Please read the offering circular at invest.pacaso.com. Reserving a ticker symbol is not a guarantee that the company will go public. Listing on the NASDAQ is subject to approvals. Under Regulation A+, a company has the ability to change its share price by up to 20%, without requalifying the offering with the SEC.

Humanity

Trucking Employment Program Offers Second Chances to Former Convicts

About 6 in 10 former inmates are unemployed four years after their release from prison, per the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. But the Commercial Driver’s License Workforce Development Program, an initiative that helps formerly incarcerated individuals secure trucking jobs, is on a mission to change that.
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In 2024, the New York City Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice partnered with tech company Emerge Career to launch the program, which trains low-risk ex-convicts, then helps them obtain commercial licenses and fosters direct employment placements with trucking companies. Within two months of its kickoff, all 20 participants secured job offers with an average salary of $80,000.
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“Our people are just looking for someone that believes in them and someone that can give them a legit chance,” Uzoma “Zo” Orchingwa, co-founder of Emerge Career, told CBS News. “These are people that — for the most part — have not had a fair shot for being able to be successful and contributing citizens. They just need that one opportunity that’s going to support them.”

Health

Those Living Near Nature Drink and Smoke Less, Study Shows

Trying to kick a drinking or smoking habit? Living in an area with ample green spaces may be the answer. A new study out of the University of Exeter found that people with more nature in their neighborhoods had a lower likelihood of smoking and consuming alcohol daily.
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After evaluating residents in 18 countries and regions, researchers discovered that those in the greenest areas were 13% less likely to smoke and 26% less likely to drink every day compared to those in the least green neighborhoods. And people who didn’t live near nature but intentionally visited it weekly were less likely to smoke, though these visits didn’t impact the prevalence of daily drinking.
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“We don’t think it’s simply a coincidence [that] those who are exposed to nature smoke and drink less,” co-author Mat White said in a news release. “A growing number of studies are showing that when people are exposed to nature, they have fewer cravings for substances like alcohol and nicotine. In part we think this is because they tend to be calmer and don’t need that ‘hit,’ which helps them give up smoking, for instance.”

In Other News

1. “Bourbon brood” cicadas are emerging in Kentucky to the delight of scientists and bug enthusiasts — see the map (read more)
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2. Hundreds of lives could be saved annually with increased life jacket use and more pool fences, per the CDC (read more)
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3. “Spatial RNA medicine,” a new CRISPR tech, could help treat brain injuries and neurological disorders (read more)
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4. A six-inch megalodon shark tooth was found on a Florida fossil diving trip: Check it out (read more)
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5. Ikea is selling air-to-water heat pumps in Germany to promote affordable sustainable energy solutions (read more)

Inspiring Story

An interactive time capsule

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In 2018, five sixth graders at Tennessee’s McCallie School were filmed asking their future selves about everything from their favorite sports to their views on life. And this month, just before graduating high school, those students were ready to respond. “What is the biggest life lesson you’ve learned thus far?” young Christian Lawhorn asks. “Always be kind to others and always love others,” his 2025 counterpart replies. Watch the sweet video.​

Photo of the Day

Robots take selfies too! On May 10, NASA’s Mars Perseverance rover spent over an hour wrangling its arm into the proper positions to take the 59 images forming this composite selfie — but it was “worth it,” said Megan Wu, an imaging scientist with the company that built the camera. In the shots, the rover captured a borehole it made to collect samples for its eventual return to Earth.

Brad’s Deals Found Amazon Prime Perks You’ve Been Missing Out on

Free shipping and exclusive access to shows and movies are great — but your Amazon Prime membership comes with even more benefits you might be missing out on. Whether you’re already a member or thinking about signing up, don’t leave perks on the table. Brad’s Deals uncovered some lesser-known incentives that make Prime worth it.

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Odds & Ends

🐟 The latest summer trend is a little fishy
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🐯 We never tire of adorable baby animal pics​
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📔 Peanuts office paraphernalia? Yes, please
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🥛 Selena Gomez’s new Oreo flavor is horchata’s favorite cookie

Quote of the Day

“Far away in the sunshine are my highest aspirations. I may not reach them, but I can look up and see their beauty, believe in them, and try to follow where they lead.”

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– LOUISA MAY ALCOTT