It’s Veterans Day, an opportunity to honor all who have served in the military. If that describes anyone in your life, be sure to give them a ring and let them know how much you appreciate their service — and maybe also tell them about some of the freebies on offer for vets today.
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The Nature’s Best Photography Awards winners are always fantastic — and 2024’s group is no exception
Health
Your Brain Probably Does More Than You Think on Movie Night
Christine Daniloff, MIT; Shutterstock
Some people might say they watch movies to “turn their brains off.” But the brain is actually quite on while watching scenes play out on a screen. Creating the most comprehensive map of the brain’s cerebral cortex to date, neuroscientists at MIT took functional MRI scans of people as they watched clips from a range of flicks, including Inception, The Social Network, and Home Alone. They then set out to learn “how different brain networks are responding to different aspects of the movie,” first author Reza Rajimehr said in a press release. The team identified 24 different brain networks that lit up and functioned differently depending on the type of movie scene — action-packed, dialogue heavy, filled with inanimate objects, etc. One of the other main takeaways was that the brain’s executive networks were prioritized differently during straightforward scenes compared to more complicated ones. “It looks like when the movie scenes are quite easily comprehendible, for example if there’s a clear conversation going on, the language areas are active,” Rajimehr explained. “But in situations where there is a complex scene involving context, semantics, and ambiguity in the meaning of the scene, more cognitive effort is required, and so the brain switches over to using general executive control domains.” So be sure to snack on some brain food alongside the popcorn during your next movie night — you’re gonna need it.
Together With FinanceBuzz
One of the Best Credit Cards for Balance Transfers
We all know paying off debt can be stressful, but there are ways to ease the pressure while you work toward financial freedom. One easy way is by getting a new balance transfer credit card — like this one — to help you pay down your debts even faster. The card comes recommended by the experts at FinanceBuzz for good reason: There’s a 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 21 months, no late fees or penalty rates, and zero annual fees. These benefits are perfect if you’re looking to pay off your debt, and not add to it.
Toddlers Ponder the Impossible, First-of-Its-Kind Study Shows
Fly View Productions/ iStock
Toddlers have a lot to think about: Which toy is their favorite? What sound does a cow make? Why can’t they eat that sticky fruit snack that fell on the floor? The ability to evaluate probabilities and possibilities, though, might seem a bit outside their wheelhouse. As adults, we’re used to analyzing the likelihood of events. If 181 million people are playing Powerball, we know (despite all hope we’re wrong) that we’re probably not going to win. But we also know if we don’t buy a ticket at all, it’s impossible for us to win. And according to a first-of-its-kind study, toddlers practice the same type of mental judgment. “Even young toddlers already think about the world in terms of possibilities,” co-author Lisa Feigenson, co-director of the Johns Hopkins University Laboratory for Child Development, said in a news release. Watch the adorable experiment researchers set up to arrive at this conclusion.
Culture
All Aboard! Historic Turkish Train Stations Will Be Transformed Into Cultural Destinations
santirf/ iStock
Istanbul is already brimming with things to see and do. Now, the major Turkish metro is going all-in on new projects that will make the city’s roster of can’t-miss destinations even longer, turning two historic train stations into cultural hubs. Built in the early 20th century, the picturesque Haydarpaşa Station, seen here, will be transformed into Istanbul’s first “art and culture island” after shuttering in 2010 due to a fire, per Time Out. The other hub will be at Sirkeci Station, the former terminus for the famed Orient Express, and both renovation projects are set to be completed by 2026. “Both Haydarpaşa and Sirkeci will feature public gardens as well as art and culture [buildings and events], and railway transportation activities will continue in both of the stations,” Culture and Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy told local paper Hurriyet Daily News. He added there are two things visitors won’t see: “These stations will not feature shopping malls or hotels.”
In Other News
A light therapy device was approved by the FDA to help treat a leading form of vision loss (read more)
Roblox, an online gaming platform, is upping its safety features for kids under 13 (read more)
Portugal’s Azores archipelago approved the largest marine protected area in the North Atlantic (read more)
The plot thickens: A new Star Wars trilogy is on the way (read more)
A mother-baby koala cuddle sesh was captured in too-sweet-for-words drone footage (read more)
Something We Love
Sweet Nothings Spoonable Smoothies These spoonable smoothies are a go-to in my freezer, especially on busy days. Packed with all organic, plant-based ingredients, the small cups help ensure I get my daily dose of fruit and veg. They’re available in a handful of flavors — strawberry, dark chocolate, and peanut butter, to name a few — but the tropical greens one is my favorite. — Natalie Stone, Managing Editor
The helpers are still showing up in the wake of Hurricane Helene: News anchor Jose Sandoval found his niche by delivering daily Spanish-language broadcasts to keep western North Carolina’s growing Latino population in the know about recovery efforts. “Even if we’re exhausted, we’re tired, we know we have to keep doing this for the community,” he said.
NASA’s Juno mission recently made another close flyby of the planet Jupiter, delivering a trove of images back to Earth. Those raw images are now being processed by scientists, photography professionals, and space-enthused citizens, creating enhanced photos like this one. And if you think this snapshot is stunning, just wait until you see the full image (and all the rest).
FinanceBuzz: Take a Break From High Interest Rates
Whether you’re trying to pay off debt faster, have a big upcoming expense, or just don’t want to worry about late fees, this card — reviewed and vetted by FinanceBuzz experts — might be a good choice. It’s packed with perks like 0% interest for almost two years, no late fees, added identity theft protection, and more.
