Prepare to be mesmerized: Oceanographers on a National Geographic expedition captured the first-ever footage of a Gonatus antarcticus, a rare deep-sea squid that lives in the Southern Ocean. Little is known about the elusive creature — the scientists didn’t even plan the run-in; they happened upon the squid accidentally after ice floes forced them to change their plans. Watch the newly released footage.
We wave, smile, and hug to be friendly toward our fellow humans. And it turns out, humpback whales may also display non-verbal cues to indicate a sense of friendliness with us — in the form of large bubble rings like the one you see here. Researchers analyzed 39 bubble rings created by 11 different whales during a dozen separate encounters with humans. They suggest the bubbles — which are reminiscent of the ones humans might make while blowing smoke — could be an attempt to “playfully interact, observe our response, and/or engage in some form of communication,” Fred Sharpe, co-lead author of a recent study on the behavior, said in a statement. Although it’s known that humpback whales use bubbles for hunting and courtship purposes, this study indicates they may also be an invitation or party trick of sorts to intentionally connect with people. This is no small thing, as the study is part of a bigger project exploring non-human intelligence in the search for extraterrestrial life. The idea is that the more we understand intelligent non-human species, like whales, the better we can detect alien intelligence. Until then, we’ll just admire the massive marine mammals in their playground that is the ocean — watch whales blowing bubble rings.
Together With BOXABL
Father-Son Duo Reinvents Home Construction
Home construction has been slow, costly, and inefficient for centuries. In 2017, Paolo and Galiano Tiramani founded BOXABL to change that — bringing factory-built efficiency to a nearly $5 trillion industry. Where traditional homes take over seven months to build, newhomes can roll off BOXABL’s assembly line nearly every four hours. Equipped with plumbing, electrical, and HVAC, they’re ready to be delivered and lived in. The company has already sold, shipped, and delivered hundreds. Now, the Tiramanis are preparing for Phase 2, in which modules can be configured into larger townhomes, single-family homes, and apartments. And you’re invited to join as an investor — but you’ll want to act fast. Invest in BOXABL today for just $0.80/share before the opportunity ends June 24.
This Prescription Is (Literally) a Walk in the Park
SeventyFour/ iStock
You’ve heard it time and time again: Spending time outdoors is wildly good for our mental and physical health. But hearing that advice from a doctor may be the secret to actually getting people from a comfy sofa to a walking path, according to a recent study. Researchers with PaRx, a park prescription initiative in Canada, surveyed more than 3,500 people to gauge the impact of its social prescribing program. They found that 75% of participants said they would be more likely to visit natural areas if it was recommended by a health care professional. And nearly all — 92% — of the respondents indicated they were unaware of the existence of the park prescriptions. “Research has consistently found that health care practitioners are the world’s most trustworthy professionals,” the researchers wrote in the study. “Our results illustrate the immense value of this high level of trust as both a health and conservation asset.” They went on to note that survey participants suggested more resources — such as free passes, free transportation, and an educational app — would go the extra mile in increasing their interest in these kinds of programs.
Humanity
Historic Autism Institute to Take Shape in Philly Thanks to Eagles Owner’s Donation
Liu Jie/Xinhua via Getty Images
Just months ago, Philadelphia Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie was celebrating a Super Bowl win. Now, he’s kicking off another huge milestone — this time, for autism research. The football CEO announced he’s donating $50 million to create a first-of-its-kind autism institute in partnership with Penn Medicine and Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Per a press release, it’s the largest single donation to U.S. academic medical centers focused on autism research. For Lurie, the purpose is personal: “For 70 years my family has been challenged by [the] presence of autism. Our brother has been an inspiration and kind soul to all of us,” he said during a Tuesday news conference, ABC 6 reports. As for why right now, he explained in an interview with Good Morning America that neuroscience and AI breakthroughs have “opened up all sorts of possibilities.” So it’s no surprise to see that leveraging tech to advance autism research and interventions is mentioned multiple times in the institute’s list of aims. Bigger picture, the center, called the Lurie Autism Institute, will connect scientists, clinicians, families, students, and donors to better understand the spectrum disorder from all angles, as well as prepare and launch clinical trials. The ultimate goal is to “try to speed along solutions and, really, an opportunity to move along with progress in autism science,” Lurie said.
In Other News
The U.S. Open starts today: Here’s a guide to the tee times, groupings, and watching the action (read more)
Anew quantum computer that could “unlock immense possibilities” may be just a few years away (read more)
Traveling to Europe? Eurostar is planning to launch new direct train services to make country-hopping easier (read more)
A metal detectorist found an 11th-century Viking treasure — “I couldn’t really believe it at first,” he said (read more)
Massachusetts’ first plover chicks of the season have hatched, showing resilience in the aftermath of a storm (read more)
Nice News Today
Ready to have more Nice News in your life? Nice News Today, the podcast companion to the newsletter you know and love, is less than two weeks away from officially launching. Host Case Kenny will be in your ears on Mondays and Fridays, recapping the week’s top positive news stories in around 10 minutes. The first episode drops June 23, but you can check out the trailer and follow us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify in the meantime. We can’t wait for you to hear it!
It’s a hard truth, but the gender pay gap continues to persist, with U.S. women earning an average of 85% of what men earn. But that’ll soon change if a nonprofit in Colorado has anything to say about it. The Women’s Foundation of Colorado is on a mission to advance gender, racial, and economic equality for all women in the state. Read more about the mission.
Photo of the Day
Kayla Bartkowski/Getty Images
Welcome to D.C., Marty the Moose! The stuffed animal ambassador traveled from New Hampshire alongside Kodak the Bear this week to show off what the Granite State has to offer — and we’d say he’s doing a great job so far.
Brad’s Deals:Amazon Perks You’ll Wish You Knew About Sooner
You’re already taking advantage of free shipping and access to exclusive shows and movies with your Amazon Prime membership, but did you know there are even more perks waiting to be used? The experts at Brad’s Deals have uncovered these lesser-known benefits to make the most out of your Prime membership — or finally convince you to sign up.
