One of the latest internet oddities is a test with a premise so simple it might just blow your mind. “Is my blue your blue?” measures color categorization by showing you various shades and asking whether you think they’re blue or green — there are no wrong answers; everyone sits somewhere along the spectrum of seeing blue. Ally’s boundary is at hue 179, bluer than 85% of the population, while Natalie and Rebekah are at 175, and Marika 169. See where you land.
NASA’s “Hidden Figures,” the women who inspired the book and movie of the same name, were honored on Capitol Hill this week
Health
US Sees Sudden, “Unprecedented” Drop in Opioid Overdose Deaths
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In Vermont, there’s been a 22% decline in drug deaths in 2024. In King County, Washington, the first half of the year saw a 15% drop. Ohio? Thirty-one percent fewer overdose deaths so far. And Missouri had a 34% decrease in the second quarter. Those places have all been hotspots in the opioid epidemic, and the sudden, swift declines seen this year could indicate a national street drug death drop of around 15% — higher than the CDC’s recent estimate of 10.6%, a rate already being celebrated as a win. That’s according to Nabarun Dasgupta, an expert at the University of North Carolina. He recently released an analysis of the “unprecedented” numbers, which could correspond to 20,000 fewer deaths in 2024. “This is exciting,” Dr. Nora Volkow, head of the National Institute on Drug Abuse, told NPR. “This looks real. This looks very, very real.” It’s not just researchers who are seeing the trend: The people working to fight the epidemic on the ground are noticing changes, too. “A year ago when overdose deaths continued to rise, I was really struggling with hope,” said Brad Finegood, who directs the overdose crisis response in Seattle. He added: “Today, I have so much hope.”
Together With Pique
Start Your Morning With Matcha
Do you know which food has 30 times the antioxidant activity of blueberries? It’s matcha green tea — and antioxidants aren’t its only superpower. But not all matcha is created equal, which is why we turn to Pique Life’s Sun Goddess Matcha. It’s 100% organic and ceremonial grade, as well as quadruple toxin screened for impurities. You won’t find another matcha with such strict standards to ensure the ultimate purity for daily drinking. For a limited time, Nice News readers can get up to 15% off and free shipping for life on Sun Goddess Matcha. Plus, Pique offers a 30-day satisfaction guarantee, so you either love it or get your money back!
Researchers Believe They’ve Identified Occupant of Coffin Found Beneath Notre Dame
LIONEL BONAVENTURE/AFP via Getty Images
The 2019 fire at Paris’ Notre Dame Cathedral prompted a series of archeological excavations, including one in 2022 that uncovered a mysterious set of lead coffins beneath the church. The use of lead indicated that the occupants were of elite status, but researchers were only able to identify one at the time, a high priest named Antoine de la Porte who died in 1710. Two years later, they now have a theory for the identity of the second occupant: Renaissance poet Joachim du Bellay. The French artist, who died in 1560, fits the profile for a few reasons. The first is that the skeleton showed a deformity that indicates a penchant for horseback riding, leading archeologists to use the nickname “the horseman.” Du Bellay, as it turns out, was an avid rider. There were also signs of bone tuberculosis and meningitis, and the poet often wrote about being in poor health. Finally, he had friends in high places, which would explain the coffin’s makeup and location. “He matches all the criteria of the portrait,” Éric Crubézy, the research director at France's National Center for Scientific Research, said at a press conference, per Euronews. “He is an accomplished horseman, suffers from both conditions mentioned in some of his poems … and his family belonged to the royal court and the pope’s close entourage.”
Environment
London’s Low-Emission Zone Prompted an Uptick in Kids’ Activity
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London’s ultra-low emission zone — an area covering all 32 city boroughs that requires vehicles to meet certain emissions standards or else pay a fee — is the largest clean air zone in the world. And a new study has revealed an unexpected benefit to the rule: It’s made kids more active. Within a year of the zone taking effect in 2019, 40% of London students aged 6 to 9 who participated in the study switched from “passive” to “active” means of getting to school, like walking, biking, or taking public transit. A shift in the other direction, from active to passive, was rare. In the control group, meanwhile, only 20% of students switched from passive to active, and roughly the same amount went from active to passive. “Walking and biking and scootering to school is better for the child, better for the family, and better for the environment,” Alison Macpherson, an epidemiologist who was not involved in the study, told Grist. “It’s a great way for children to start their day.”
Gilmore Girls For me, fall brings along one constant: rewatching an undeniably cozy early 2000s series, Gilmore Girls. The mother-daughter story spans all seasons of the year, but there’s something particularly autumnal about the quirky small town setting and endless scenes shot while the main characters enjoy coffee and pancakes at Luke’s Diner. My annual rewatch is especially timely this fall, given that Kelly Bishop — the actress who plays opinionated grandmother Emily Gilmore — recently released a memoir in which she dishes all about the show. — Ally Mauch, Associate Editor
Jayson Biggins might have one the cutest volunteer gigs on the planet. The Vancouver-area pilot works with wildlife organizations to help rescue seal pups that have been injured or abandoned — and the young animals are seriously adorable.
Photo of the Day
National Toy Hall of Fame
This is childhood nostalgia in a photo. The iconic toys — including balloons, Apples to Apples, and Hess trucks — are all up for induction into the National Toy Hall of Fame. And the public has a say in which ones make it in: Cast your player’s choice ballot.
Upgrade Your Fall Wardrobe (Affordably) With Quince
Summer has its perks, but we can likely all agree that fall takes the cake when it comes to everyday fashion. From cozy cashmere sweaters to classic denim pieces, leather jackets, and more, Quince is the spot for affordably upgrading that autumn wardrobe. Because who doesn’t want to look like Meg Ryan in a Nora Ephron movie?
