There are three cultural observations overlapping this week — a rare convergence that gives us the opportunity to learn about them all. Both Lunar New Year, the Chinese spring festival, and Ramadan, the Muslim holy month, began on Tuesday. And Lent, the 40-day preparation for Easter in many Christian faiths, started yesterday with Ash Wednesday. Learn more about each of these, including how they’re similar.
Must Reads
A feel-good story about a turkey named Astoria who has her own entourage
Snow is the real star of the Olympic Games — learn more about its wonder
Health
Welcome to the First “Dementia Village” in the US
Agrace
In Fitchburg, Wisconsin, a suburb south of Madison, a health care company called Agrace is launching America’s first “dementia village,” where residents can grab groceries, stroll gardens, dine out, and safely return home — all while being supported by caregivers and other staff. “We want to create an environment where we restore as much autonomy and personal spontaneity as possible for those living with dementia,” Agrace President Lynne Sexten told WMTV 15 News. The vision — which is inspired by a similar program in the Netherlands — is to make the community feel more like a neighborhood than a nursing home. “Families aren’t happy, the people living in these memory care units aren’t always happy, and so really what we wanted to do was try to find a better solution,” Sexten added. Learn about the $40 million project that’s starting construction in spring — and expected to house up to 65 residents next year.
Together With FinanceBuzz
A Cash Back Match Credit Card That Stands Out From the Crowd
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Hello, Future Olympians! Girls’ Hockey Participation Is Surging Across the US
Sarah Stier/Getty Images
The U.S. women’s ice hockey team is chasing gold in Milan (tune in for the final today at 1 p.m. ET!) — and back home,they’re inspiring a new generation of girls to chase their own dreams on the rink. Up there with flag football and lacrosse, hockey is one of America’s fastest-growing youth sports. And according to USA Hockey, girls’ participation has climbed 65% over the past 15 seasons, slowly changing the face of a male-dominated pastime. Players as young as age 4 are hitting the ice, honing teamwork skills, and learning the art of falling and getting right back up. “It’s a tough sport, but it really gives this level of resiliency to the kids,” Kari Walker, a hockey mom of five, told CBS News. Hear from the young players.
Environment
Little Whiskers Help Elephants in a Big Way, Study Finds
VilliersSteyn/ iStock
You may not be able to tell from afar, but get up close with an elephant’s trunk and you’ll see it’s actually covered in about 1,000 whiskers. Though small compared to the rest of their bodies, these hairs play a significant role in helping the massive mammals feel and sense the world around them, according to a recent study. Using micro-CT scans to create 3D-printed models, researchers found that the blade-like whiskers are soft and flexible at the tip but become progressively thicker and more rigid toward the base. This structural “gradient” appears to be key to trunk sensitivity. The whiskers help elephants detect the precise location where the trunk meets an object — an adaptation that compensates for their poor eyesight and enables them to lift items as small as peanuts and as delicate as berries. “Each whisker acts as a tactile sensory organ, extending their reach,” lead study author Andrew Schulz told Reuters. “They constantly feel their way through their surroundings with their trunks, searching for food and exchanging social touch.” Beyond contributing to a better understanding of elephants, these insights could eventually inspire robotic sensors with similar flexible-to-rigid gradients for improved precision and sense of touch.
In Other News
NASA’s Curiosity rover discovered possible evidence of “past ancient life” on Mars (read more)
Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band are kicking off their Land of Hopes and Dreams Tour next month (read more)
Thanks to two teens, Illinois public high schools will soon be required to teach climate change (read more)
The first-ever video of a shark in Antarctica’s deep waters challenges notions about where the predators roam (read more)
Rarely seen drawings by Lucian Freud are on display in London — take a peek at some of his unfinished work (read more)
Inspiring Story
Awesome is right
In just 48 hours, Hank and John Green raised $4.13 million for charities through their annual Project for Awesome live stream last weekend. The philanthropic (and very funny) brothers chatted with a range of guests about global issues while collecting donations for Save the Children and other nonprofits. “The thing that I always feel coming out of these conversations is just how many people are out there doing good in the world,” Hank said during the event.
Eyes on Milano Cortina
GABRIEL MONNET—AFP/Getty Images
The Winter Games have already delivered so many highlights, but there’s still much more to come in these last few days — including today’s debut of ski mountaineering, or “skimo.” It’s the first new sport introduced to the Winter Olympics since snowboarding in 1998, and tasks athletes with climbing a mountain on skis using special skins to grip the snow. They then remove their skis to continue climbing in boots and once at the top, put skis back on to race down at full speed. The women’s and men’s sprint events are happening today, with a mixed relay on Saturday. Learn more about how it works and watch a video of the sport in action.
Cholesterol Conquered’s Fruit Discovery
Italian researchers discovered one strange fruit that supports healthy cholesterol, without side effects or having to live on salads. This same fruit was shown to revitalize arteries after six months, improving blood flow throughout the body. A Boston doctor’s video explaining which fruit and how much you need has already helped thousands — watch it below.
