How are you at Twister? Sorry if that’s a personal question, but this is a story about flexibility, and its underrated role in contributing to overall well-being. Enter: Yoga. “In many yoga styles, there’s movement or flow between the postures, some of which themselves are dynamic,” kinesiology professor Jessica Matthews told Popular Science, explaining that the practice is good for “moving the joints through a functional range of motion at controlled speeds.” Here are 13 positions to do every day to improve your flexibility.
Must Reads
Want to find out which animals have been traipsing through your ’hood? Learn how to identify tracks and other signs of wildlife
This Online Brain Game May Help Offset Age-Related Cognitive Decline, Study Finds
Planet Flem/ iStock
Make room, crossword puzzles: A recent study out of McGill University found that a gamified online training program may help combat age-related cognitive decline. Called BrainHQ, the program significantly increased production of acetylcholine, a chemical in the brain that naturally decreases as we age and dwindles even more for those with dementia. The activities, which take less than five minutes each and can be completed on nearly any computer or mobile device, include exercises in brain speed, memory, navigation, intelligence, attention, and people skills. After completing them for 30 minutes a day over a 10-week span, participants experienced restored health in the system that produces acetylcholine at “levels typically seen in someone 10 years younger,” per lead author Dr. Etienne de Villers-Sidani. He said in a press release: “This is the first time any intervention, drug or non-drug, has been shown to do that in humans.” So what’s next? Posit Science, the company behind BrainHQ, has already been awarded a grant to test if those with mild cognitive impairment, a pre-dementia condition, will see improvement after completing the exercises. In the meantime, you can start playing for free.
Together With Dr. Marty
Is Your Dog Stuck in the Paw-Licking Cycle?
Celebrity dog trainer Cesar Millan handles troubled dogs on his series, Dog Whisperer. But today, Millan is now addressing an even bigger problem affecting millions of dog parents nationwide: Pups who struggle with scratching, paw-licking, and skin irritations they can’t seem to escape. As Millan reveals, the underlying reason could be a hidden trigger lurking inside commercial dog food — even expensive, premium brands. Millan struggled with the same frustrating problem with his own pack until he discovered a simple yet effective breakthrough that finally stopped the paw-licking and constant itching for good. Right now, he’s inviting dog owners to copy his exact method for restoring silky-smooth coats, healthy paws, and comfortable, itch-free skin.*
The Strongest Material in the World Could Mean the End of Potholes
Mikhail Yakovlev/ iStock
Potholes are damaging, dangerous, and just plain annoying, but an ultra-strong substance could pave the way for smoother roads in our future. Derived from graphite, graphene is 1 million times thinner than a human hair yet stronger than steel and diamond — and in a recent trial in Essex, England, graphene-enhanced asphalt was successfully rolled out on a public road. “We are very encouraged with the results of the trial,” Councillor Tom Cunningham told SWNS. “These dramatic improvements are what we need in the long term, as it means our roads will potentially need less repairing and maintenance.” The trial began in 2022 and deployed a surface material containing graphene, which is considered the strongest material in the world. When graphene is added to asphalt, the resulting substance — called Gipave — is more flexible than asphalt alone and less likely to crack in cold temperatures or soften in warm ones. It’s also thought to be more environmentally friendly, as fewer repairs could result in fewer carbon emissions. And while Gipave is more expensive than traditional hot rolled asphalt, it’s expected to be cheaper over a road’s lifetime. Learn how graphene-enhanced asphalt performed compared to traditional road material.
Culture
Frank Lloyd Wright “Time Capsule” House Lands on Register of Historic Places
Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation
Frank Lloyd Wright has long been known for his iconic designs — and now, another rare work from the architect will be preserved for posterity. The New Hampshire Department of Natural & Cultural Resources announced earlier this month that the Kalil House, located in the city of Manchester, has joinedthe 150-plus Wright-designed buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Kalil House is one of seven structures built in the Usonian Automatic style, which was meant to provide affordable houses for middle-class families after the Great Depression. The home didn’t quite meet that criteria, though, as it used 2,580 concrete blocks weighing over 150 tons in total, and wound up costing $75,000 — about $50,000 more than expected. Still, with a single story, no basement or attic, and a flat roof with a long overhang, the structure is a prime example of the short-lived style, and its interior boasts all of the original furnishings Wright designed. It hasn’t undergone any significant renovations since its completion in 1957 and “retains an extremely high level of integrity,” the Department noted. Steven Kalil, the first residents’ nephew, previously told NPR: “Really what’s special about this is it’s a time capsule.”
In Other News
North America’s first coastal refuge for captive whales is in the works in Nova Scotia, Canada (read more)
Taking estrogen in perimenopause may lower three major health risks later in life, per a new study (read more)
For the first time,NASA scientists might soon be able to sample material from an interstellar comet (read more)
A dome-headed dinosaur species that lived 75 million years agowas discovered through fossils in Montana (read more)
Work anytime, anywhere: After a four-day work week trial, one company is testing out even more flexibility (read more)
Inspiring Story
Apart in distance but never in heart
They wrote each other intercontinental letters for 43 years — and earlier this month, they finally met in person. Sonya Clarke Casey from Canada and Michelle Anne Ng from Singapore have been pen pals ever since a school program put them in touch in 1983, when they were both in fifth grade. And though they’ve now connected IRL, they have no plans to stop writing to each other. “This friendship I believe will be all the way through to when we grow old together,” Ng said.
Photo of the Day
Ferda Demir/Getty Images For HBO Max
Coulrophobes, we chose a zoomed-out photo of this event just for you: Pennywise the (terrifying) Dancing Clown took to the skies above Cappadocia, Turkey, earlier this week, one of many appearances on five different continents to promote the upcoming TV series It: Welcome to Derry. Check out the trailer, if you dare.
Babbel Makes Learning a Language Actually Doable
Learning a new language can feel daunting, but Babbel breaks it down into bite-size, 10-minute lessons that actually fit into your life. Whether you’re planning an international trip, reconnecting with your roots, or just looking for a fun way to keep your brain sharp, Babbel helps you start speaking in as little as three weeks. And now’s the perfect time to try it: Babbel’s Fall Sale gets you 60% off for a limited time.
