For most 5 year olds, nailing the ABCs is a worthy accomplishment. But Alec Van Khajadourian isn't most 5 year olds. The youngin is a real-deal piano prodigy and made his debut at New York's Carnegie Hall earlier this week. Alec is the youngest person to ever perform at the storied venue, but he didn't show much stage fright, telling the New York Post ahead of the concert, "I can't wait to get on stage at Carnegie Hall and play for everyone. I'm so excited!" Meet Alec.
To Improve Posture, Adults Should Consider Taking a Play From the Baby Book
seb_ra/ iStock
If you've ever read a parenting book or mommy blog, you've likely come across the importance of "tummy time" for babies — that is, making sure infants spend ample time on their bellies to help them build muscle and avoid flat spots on their heads. But adults can benefit from tummy time, too. Currently trending on TikTok, the activity may be particularly helpful for those who spend most of their days slumped over a phone or computer — and considering the average individual racks up nearly seven hours of screentime daily, we'd bet many of us fall into this category. Lying on your stomach can help improve posture, as it "stretches tight flexor muscles, and strengthens your spinal extensors," physical therapist Thea Katrina R. Cohen told Good Housekeeping. "This then helps keep your spine in neutral alignment." It could alsoease "tech neck," a term for chronic neck or shoulder pain caused by leaning over devices. "Tummy time may reduce the forward curve that these positions create, which creates less tension on the neck and back," noted fellow PT Heather Jeffcoat. Tummy time isn't safe for everyone, and those with back issues or in their second or third trimesters of pregnancy may want to avoid it. But if you're ready to give it a go, click here to learn how to do so safely and effectively (and check out some other exercises that can help with tech neck).
Together With EnergyX
Meet the New Face of Renewable Energy
There's a new leader in renewable energy: Teague Egan. He realized that the future of energy, from EVs to grid-scale storage, depends on lithium-powered batteries. The problem? Extracting lithium wastes loads of water, land, and time. So Teague built EnergyX. EnergyX's patented LiTAS® system extracts 300% more lithium than traditional methods with minimal environmental impact. No wonder GM, POSCO, and others invested $130 million total. The company has the rights to more than 100,000 acres of lithium-rich Chilean land. A third-party study just verified it carries $1.1 billion annual revenue potential. Now, EnergyX is preparing to begin commercial extraction. You can share in its growth as an EnergyX investor today and potentially earn 20% bonus stock.
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Humanity
Why an Engineer Is Reviving Old Pay Phones in Rural Vermont
Neal McNeil/ iStock
We've all been there: We're driving in a remote area and suddenly lose cell service. In the event of a breakdown, accident, or medical situation, this can quickly go from an inconvenience to a nightmare. So after noticing dead zones in rural Vermont, electrical engineer Patrick Schlott made it his mission to provide free public phone services where they're needed most. And he's doing it by tapping into some bygone technology — pay phones. "I realized, wow, there's no cell service for 10 miles in either direction," Schlott told the Associated Press, referencing his first pay phone location outside of a general store in North Tunbridge. "The community could really benefit from something like this." Since then, he's installed two additional pay phones in other locations in response to community requests. The project is a labor of love. Schlott buys old pay phones at flea markets and the like, repairs them, and installs them to operate free of charge, no quarters needed. He also covers the cost of each phone line (about $2 to $3 a month) and acts as an operator — if a user presses zero, the call will be forwarded to his personal cell. For locals, having a backup plan in a worst-case scenario provides peace of mind. "It does make me feel safer if the kids are out and about, that if they had an emergency up this way that they could stop and use this," said resident Hannah McClain, a mother of teenagers. Schlott added that it's an example of how something old can still be incredibly useful: "It's cool to see something retro that has that old-school appeal but also works. To actually hear it ring, to pick it up and have a dial tone, I think there's real power in that."
Environment
Everyday Dogs Sniff Out Invasive Pests in First-of-Its-Kind Study
Clark DeHart for Virginia Tech
In 18 U.S. states, an invasive pest called thespotted lanternfly is notorious for causing ecological and economic damage. Unfortunately, the little insects are hard to control because their egg masses are extremely well camouflaged, so some researchers recently enlisted the help of man's best friend to sniff out what we can't see. "What if we tapped into the tens of thousands of dog owners already doing scent detection as a hobby around the country?" the scientists from Virginia Tech asked. While professionally trained dogs are known for sniffing out everything from drugs to diseases, the team sought to determine if everyday pups could detect the egg masses with similar success to the pros. After 1,000 dog owners showed interest in participating in the project, 182 dog-and-handler teams were ultimately chosen, and used "devitalized" (non-hatching) spotted lanternfly egg masses to train at home or in small local groups. The pups correctly identified egg masses 82% of the time in controlled tests and 61% of the time in outdoor field trials — better than many human-only searches and comparable to professional conservation dogs. The takeaway: Don't underestimate your pup's potential. "With proper training, dog owners can turn their pets into powerful partners for conservation," lead author Sally Dickinson said in a press release. An added bonus? "Anytime you can stimulate your dog, it's good for them," said Bill Wellborn, who participated in the study with his 7-year-old Tibetan terrier, Pepe, pictured here.
In Other News
A plane-sized asteroid will zip past Earth next week — but rest assured, experts say it's "routine" (read more)
Four-day workweeksbenefit employees' well-being and productivity, a recent study found (read more)
The threatened red-legged frog is leaping toward recovery, thanks to AI and on-the-ground efforts (read more)
One of the first homes in Springfield, Missouri, was unearthed by a university archaeology team (read more)
Extreme makeover, storefront edition: A Philadelphia initiative is bringing new life to timeless local shops (read more)
Something We Love
Pooky Lighting I was so happy to find this brand after getting a bit frustrated with the rather generic lighting options popping up in my web searches. It's got a vibe similar to Anthropologie — but sells only lamps. Once you select your base, you can choose the size, shape, and pattern of your lampshade, so the final piece really reflects your specific style. – Rebekah Brandes, Assistant Editor
Dottie Dorion is among millions of Peloton cyclists who strive to pedal their way onto the leaderboard. But the 91-year-old was frustrated that the company's age categories topped out at 60-plus. So she spent over a year campaigning to get Peloton to create new brackets for riders 90 and over — and finally got her wish. "You can never give up," she said. "If you're doing the right things for the right reasons, it's gonna turn out well."
Photo of the Day
Geng Yuhe/VCG via Getty Images
This image may look straight out of a sci-fi film, but it's actually a snapshot of a lenticular cloud seen above China this week. According to BBC Weather, the UFO-shaped cloud forms when "stable, humid air is blown over mountains or a hill," thus producing "a standing-wave pattern." Or so they say …
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