Today is Indigenous Peoples Day, a celebration that coincides with the Columbus Day federal holiday. According to Randy’L Teton, a citizen of the Shoshone-Bannock Tribe and U.S. Forest Service employee, the occasion is “a call to support the ongoing journey toward justice, equity, and healing for all Indigenous Peoples.” Read her reflection on the day, and consider celebrating by making a donation to the Warrior Women Project.
We can learn a lot from ducks — including what to eat
Culture
At the Poetry Pharmacy, Shoppers Pick Up Prescriptions for the Soul
Courtesy of the Poetry Pharmacy
Five milliliters of metaphor, two tablets of iambic pentameter, and a spoonful of symbolism: That might be the prescription you pick up at the Poetry Pharmacy, a London bookstore centered on the power of verse to heal all manner of emotional afflictions. Its shelves are lined with books categorized by emotion — calm, comfort, words for love — as well as vials of “Poemcetamol” capsules containing tiny scrolls for everything from exhaustion to existential angst. A cheeky glass cabinet emblazoned with a skull and crossbones and the word “poison” holds the dangerous stuff, while a cafe within the store doles out coffee and cakes. The second Poetry Pharmacy branch to open (the original is in Bishop’s Castle, Shropshire), the unconventional apothecary set up shop in late spring in collaboration with the bath and body brand Lush. It’s located on the ground floor of the cosmetic retailer’s location on Oxford Street, so customers can head upstairs for more self-care selections after browsing. “There’s something that poetry does that no other art can quite do,” founder Deb Alma told Positive.News. “It goes very quickly to the heart of something … as though speaking intimately from one person to another, very, very directly.” See some of the “prescriptions” on offer.
Together With RAD AI
Invest in the AI Startup That Just Soared to $85M Valuation
Over 7,800 investors are already on board with one of the fastest-growing AI-tech startups in the world — and now’s your chance to join them. RAD Intel has skyrocketed from a $5 million to $85 million valuation in about three years, helping brands like Hasbro, Skechers, and Sweetgreen create meaningful connections with their audiences. With RAD’s proprietary tech, Fortune 1000 brands are delivering content that resonates, driving up to 3.5 times ROI. PwC is predicting AI could add up to $15.7 trillion to the global economy by 2030, and RAD is capitalizing on this momentum with high-profile clients and undeniable traction. But time is running out to get involved: Invest by Oct. 15 at midnight PST to get 10% in bonus shares.
This is a paid advertisement for RAD AI’s Regulation CF offering. Please read the offering circular and related risks at invest.radintel.ai.
Health
How Today’s Workout Can Affect Your Brain 2 Weeks From Now
cienpies/ iStock
There are countless fun stories about people getting their best ideas when they run. And a new study seems to back up that anecdotal evidence, showing that yesterday’s workout — or even one from a couple weeks ago — may be to thank for some of those satisfying “aha” moments. Using brain scans and data from wearable devices, researchers tracked a person’s brain and behavioral activity for five months. They found the effects of everyday activities and experiences can linger for over two weeks. “Our brains do not respond to daily life in immediate, isolated bursts,” reads a press release from Finland’s Aalto University. “Instead, brain activity evolves in response to sleep patterns, physical activity, mood, and respiration rate over many days. This suggests that even a workout or a restless night from last week could still affect your brain — and therefore your attention, cognition, and memory — well into next week.” Looking ahead, the scientists hope this insight will prompt improved mental health treatments. “Linking brain activity with physiological and environmental data could revolutionize personalized health care, opening doors for earlier interventions and better outcomes,” said research lead Ana Triana.
Science
Spicy Food Study Explores the Science of Expectations
kitzcorner/ iStock
We’ve all probably heard something along the lines of “keep your expectations low to avoid getting disappointed.” It turns out that sentiment may need rephrasing, at least when it comes to food. In a recent study on the experience of eating spicy food, researchers focused on two key components: the sensory (how spicy do participants find the food to be?) and the hedonic (how much did they enjoy it?). The team found that positive expectations engaged different parts of the brain than negative expectations, with the former activating learning mechanisms and the latter focused solely on pain. “This is a really important point,” co-author Kenneth Kishida told Popular Science. “When participants [are] expecting something positive, their brain appears to go into a state where it can integrate and incorporate information.” On the other hand, negative expectations put the brain into protection mode. The researchers speculate thismay stem from evolutionary adaptations: “Positive expectations may promote exploration and reward-seeking, while negative expectations may prime defensive/avoidance responses,” fellow author Yi Luo told the outlet. So next time you’re setting the table, consider combatting your inner critic and channeling some positivity — your taste buds might thank you!
In Other News
Here comes the Hunter’s moon! The biggest supermoon of the yearwill be aglow later this week — find out when to look up.
Fossils of the oldest known predatory birds were discovered in Montana, and their age indicates the species coexisted with dinosaurs.
Something We Love
baza178/ iStock
Earth.fm Earth.fm has been described as “like Spotify but for natural landscapes.” You can listen to nature sounds of all kinds from across the world. Lately, I’ve been listening to the sounds of autumn to really immerse myself in the fall season, but forest bathing is another favorite. Earth.fm is a self-funded charity and all revenue is used to source more recordings, support artists, and maintain the free website and app. — Marika Spitulski, Writer
Ever since the Ruffins learned they were having conjoined twins, they’ve been preparing for this milestone: the day their boys were successfully separated. That extraordinary moment arrived in August and now, shortly after their 1st birthday, they’ve arrived at home. “Seeing them each in their own beds was an indescribable feeling,” mom Shaneka said.
Photo of the Day
NASA/JPL-Caltech/ASU/MSSS
Though it may look like a shot from an Earthside desert — maybe in Arizona or Nevada — this is actually a view of Mars’ surface. And it’s not just any view: It’s a portion of the clearest-ever image of the red planet’s landscape, captured by none other than NASA’s Perseverance rover. See the photo in full.
Keep Life Organized With This All-in-One HP Printer
The HP Smart Tank 6001 is more than just a printer — it’s your family’s personal productivity tool. From school projects and family photos to schedules and important documents, this printer helps you tackle it all. Right now you’ll get $125 off plus two years’ worth of ink, so you can print, scan, and copy without worrying about running out.
