Want to go to Rome but finding it altogether too expensive? There’s a dupe for that. Fantasizing about the picturesque Maldives? There’s a dupe for that, too. If you’re completely confused as to what we’re talking about, here’s the gist: International travel is becoming both more common and more expensive, so jet-setters have come up with “destination dupes” that are similar to coveted locations, but much cheaper overall. For example, those wanting a trip to London might consider Liverpool to the north instead. Learn about more destination dupes.
Must Reads
They grow up so fast! Go inside a “dog college” in Pennsylvania
Sharks are not making as many (metaphorical) waves lately — at least for humans. According to recent data from the Florida Museum of Natural History, 2024 turned out to be an “exceptionally calm year for shark bites.” Breaking down the numbers, there were 47 unprovoked attacks last year, a nearly 33% reduction compared to 2023. This figure comes in “well below” the 10-year average of 70. There was also a significant drop in fatalities, per the newly published report. Nevertheless, the prospect of a shark attack is still plenty terrifying, especially for anyone who was traumatized by their first viewing of Jaws. So if you want to reduce your odds even more, the experts have plenty of tips, including swimming with a buddy during the day (not at dawn or dusk), staying close to shore, and removing reflective jewelry.
The Best Hearing Aid in 2025: “The Clarity Is Insane”
Picture this: you’re in a crowded restaurant enjoying dinner with friends, family, coworkers — take your pick. There’s music playing and people all around, making it difficult to hear the conversation, so you’re leaning in, trying to read lips and asking for repeats. Sound familiar? There’s a better way to stay in the conversation, thanks to this tiny hearing aid. Hear.com’s bestselling Horizon IX hearing device makes conversations and hearing effortless, even amid background noise, something many other hearing aids fall short of. And the clarity is truly next-level. Click the link below to join 540,000 customers and give the Horizon IX a try.
“Dancing Together Bonds Us”: The Delightful World of Line Dancing in the Black Community
J. Lawler Duggan/For The Washington Post via Getty Images
The decadeslong tradition of line dancing in the Black community is gaining more traction and visibility of late thanks to social media, NBC News reports. It’s not hard to see why: Photos and videos of soul line dancers so clearly emanate a sense of joy. Dancers of all ages can come together in all kinds of places — sidewalks, studios, bars, backyards, you name it — to let loose and bust moves in unison. “That sense of being together and moving together as one is really where the joy comes from,” April Berry, a master dance instructor based in Pittsburgh, told the outlet. She added: “Dancing together bonds us together.” For Donna Dawson, the CEO and founder of line dancing group TruKuntry Steppas, that yearning for community has been especially contagious lately. Her classes have grown so much that they often dance outside, so everyone can take up space and put the rest of the world on pause for a while. “[Line dancing] gives you peace of mind and takes you away from the outside world,” she said. “Once you start line dancing, nothing else matters.”
Science
Art and Science Illuminate the Same Subtle Proportions in Tree Branches
Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam (Vincent van Gogh Foundation)
This article was written by Mitchell Newberry, a research assistant professor of biology at the University of New Mexico, for The Conversation. Do artists and scientists see the same thing in the shape of trees? As a scientist who studies branching patterns in living things, I’m starting to think so. Piet Mondrian was an early 20th-century abstract artist and art theorist obsessed with simplicity and essence of form. Even people who have never heard of Mondrian will likely recognize his iconic irregular grids of rectangles. When I saw Mondrian’s 1911 “Gray Tree,” I immediately recognized something about trees that I had struggled to describe. By removing all but the most essential elements in an abstract painting, Mondrian demonstrated something I was attempting to explain using physics and fractal geometry. Learn more about the science of branching, the art of trees, and how they intersect.
In Other News
Physicists detected a subatomic particle in the Mediterranean that may be the most energetic of its kind(read more)
Female protagonists in top-grossing films rose to a historic high in 2024, reaching parity with men (read more)
High water levels triggered adrainage pipe in California, creating a mesmerizing whirlpool effect (read more)
A small Florida town needs a new doctor, and locals are putting big perks on the table to recruit one (read more)
Check out a rare “super pod” of more than 1,500 dolphins frolicking in Monterey Bay (read more)
Inspiring Story
Moving up at Down North
Down North, a pizzeria in Philadelphia, has a mission that goes beyond turning out great slices and pies. Owner Muhammad Abdul-Hadi has hired a staff of formerly incarcerated individuals to give them a chance at a fresh start. “We’re building a revolution for the people,” he said.
Photo of the Day
Benjamin Salb
Macro photographer Benjamin Salb won the Royal Entomological Society’s 2024 Photography Competition for this shot of a tiny fly species — with relatively massive eyes. “I love photographing gnat ogres because they’re such a challenge. They’re ridiculously small and very flighty,” he said in a statement. “This is my most successful attempt so far, and I am very pleased with how the detailed eyes came out.” See the rest of the winning insect images.
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