Psychedelic landscape paintings like those by Lake Tahoe-based artist Phyllis Shafer capture the spirit of the Sierra Nevada Mountains uniquely and vibrantly. Known for her plein air style, Shafer uses oil paints to bring the mountains, lakes, and forests of the American West to life with vivid color and dynamic energy. Rather than striving for photorealism, she embraces a surreal approach, using twisted perspectives to evoke the emotional essence of the landscape. Shafer, who grew up in upstate New York surrounded by nature, credits her rural upbringing for her deep connection to the land. Her move to Lake Tahoe allowed her to further develop her love for plein air painting, as she dedicated her summers to immersing herself in the natural beauty of the Sierra Nevada.

Shafer’s paintings blend realistic observation with imaginative, dreamlike elements. Her skies swirl, trees bend in unexpected ways, and flowers grow to an almost fantastic scale. Each piece seems to dance between the natural world and a surreal vision of it. One striking example is her painting Flicker’s Ascent, where the landscape appears distorted as if viewed through a fish-eye lens, and giant birds fill the sky. Drawing inspiration from both nature and 20th-century American Modernists like Thomas Hart Benton and Grant Wood, Shafer’s work reflects the bold, expressive style of artists such as Georgia O’Keeffe and Charles Burchfield while infusing it with her contemporary twist.

A recent study published in Nature Aging reveals promising news for “weekend warriors”—people who manage to exercise only on a couple of consecutive days each week. Researchers from China used data from the UK Biobank to track over 75,000 participants for an average of eight years. They discovered that those who crammed their physical activity into just two days a week, while inactive the rest of the time, still experienced significant health benefits. These weekend warriors saw comparable results to individuals who exercised regularly throughout the week, suggesting that even concentrated bursts of exercise can have a powerful impact on health. Participants who managed to engage in at least 150 minutes of moderate or vigorous physical activity over two days had notably lower risks for various health conditions, such as dementia, stroke, and Parkinson’s disease.

The study also highlights the importance of exercise for aging populations, with individuals over 65 seeing especially pronounced benefits. Weekend warriors reduced their risk of dementia by 26%, stroke by 21%, and Parkinson’s by 45%. They also experienced a 40% reduction in depression rates and a 37% lower risk of anxiety. Interestingly, the researchers accounted for factors such as sex, substance use, and pre-existing conditions to ensure the results weren’t skewed. The key takeaway is that whether it’s a weekend jog, a long walk, or playing with kids, a few days of consistent exercise can lead to substantial health benefits. While spreading activity throughout the week may be ideal, this research offers hope to those struggling to fit exercise into a busy schedule, showing that even weekend efforts can make a big difference.

India’s Sheetal Devi captivated the world at the Paris Paralympics with her extraordinary skill and determination. The 17-year-old, born without fully formed arms due to phocomelia, has defied the odds to become one of the top para archers globally. In the opening round of the women’s compound open event, she stunned the crowd with a perfect bull’s-eye. Her remarkable ability to fire a bow using her feet and mouth speaks to her resilience and adaptability. Continue reading “Armless Archer Wows the World With Bull’s-Eye in Opening Round at Paris Paralympics” »

At 102 years old, Manette Baillie has become Britain’s oldest skydiver, proving that age is no barrier to adventure. Celebrating her birthday in a way most people half her age wouldn’t dare, she jumped from 7,000 feet at Beccles Airfield in Suffolk, England. This was Manette’s first skydive, and despite admitting she shut her eyes tightly during the leap, the Continue reading “102-Year-old Woman Becomes Britain’s Oldest Skydiver–to Inspire People in Their 80s or 90s ‘Not to Give up Anything’” »

Over the last century, Norway’s forests have experienced remarkable growth, with their size more than tripling, according to a recent report by Statistics Norway. This expansion has been particularly rapid over the past 40 years, driven by increased levels of CO2 and warmer temperatures, which have created ideal conditions for tree growth. The report, which is part of the country’s long tradition of forest surveys dating back to its independence from Sweden in 1905, highlights that Norway was a pioneer in conducting national land forest inventories. Today, Norwegian forests boast over Continue reading “Norway’s Forests Have More Than Tripled in a Hundred Years” »

Scientists at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory have developed an innovative chemical process that could revolutionize plastic recycling by effectively “vaporizing” common plastic waste, such as bags and bottles, into hydrocarbon building blocks. This new process works on polyethylene and polypropylene, the primary components of most consumer plastics, including single-use bags and rigid containers. The breakthrough allows these plastics, often seen as challenging Continue reading “New Process ‘Vaporizes’ Plastic Bags and Bottles to Help Make Recycled Materials” »

Composting human bodies, also known as “terramation,” is gaining popularity as an eco-friendly alternative to traditional burial and cremation. The process involves transforming the body into nutrient-rich soil through natural decomposition, a practice that appeals to environmentally conscious individuals. Sean Hanna, who lost his partner Stephen Staunton to brain cancer, found comfort in this method as it aligned with Staunton’s love for gardening and mushrooms. Staunton had always imagined becoming part of nature after death, and through Earth Funeral, Hanna was able to fulfill this wish. The terramation process, which includes washing the body, wrapping it in a biodegradable shroud, and placing it on a bed of organic materials, is not only gentle but also environmentally sustainable, creating soil that can nourish the earth without the pollution associated with cremation or the resource demands of a traditional burial.

The rise of terramation reflects a growing awareness of the environmental impact of conventional funeral practices. While traditional burial remains a common choice, it requires significant resources, including the production of caskets and the use of concrete vaults, which contribute to environmental degradation. Cremation, though less resource-intensive, still releases substantial amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. In contrast, terramation is a carbon-neutral process that produces more soil than the original body weight, allowing families to use this nutrient-rich material in meaningful ways. For instance, after Staunton’s body was composted, the soil was used to fertilize trees in Washington’s Olympic Peninsula, a place he loved. As terramation facilities expand, like Earth Funeral’s new facility in Las Vegas, more people are choosing this green alternative, finding peace in the idea that their remains can contribute to the cycle of life in a positive and sustainable way.

Fridgescaping, a trend popularized by Lynzi Judish, takes the concept of interior decorating to a surprising new frontier: the inside of the refrigerator. Judish, who had already adorned nearly every corner of her New York home, turned her attention to her fridge, transforming it into a curated space as charming as any room in her house. With picture frames, flowers, and thematic decor inspired by shows like “Bridgerton,” Judish’ fridgescapes go beyond mere organization; they create a whimsical, artful display that has sparked both admiration and criticism. For Judish, this practice isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s also a way to inspire healthier eating habits by making her fridge an inviting space where fresh produce is front and center.

However, the fridgescaping trend has sparked debate, especially on platforms like TikTok, where its elaborate nature is often seen as excessive or frivolous. Critics argue that decorating a refrigerator to this extent turns a functional space into a performative one, prioritizing style over practicality. Some, like Rebecca Bingham, have even satirized the trend, highlighting its absurdity by creating over-the-top fridgescapes filled with non-food items, only to remove them after filming. Despite the polarizing opinions, fridgescaping remains a playful expression of creativity for those who enjoy it, turning the mundane task of storing groceries into an opportunity for artistic indulgence.

Recent research has revealed that horses are far more intelligent and strategic than previously believed. Although horse enthusiasts have long recognized the remarkable abilities of these majestic animals, scientific understanding of their cognitive skills, especially in terms of future planning, has been limited. A study published in Applied Animal Behaviour Science challenged this perception, demonstrating that horses can plan to achieve specific outcomes. In the study, 20 horses were trained to associate tapping a card with receiving a treat. When a “stop” light was introduced, initially, the horses continued to tap regardless of the light. However, when a mild punishment—a 10-second pause in the game—was implemented for incorrect taps, the horses quickly adapted their behavior, showing a strategic understanding of the task at hand. Continue reading “Researchers Discover Horses Are Much More Intelligent and Strategic Than We Previously Thought” »