Got leftovers from yesterday's barbecue? Epicurious has a few ideas for how to make the most of what's left in your fridge. Think: transforming grilled chicken into delectable cheesy chicken melts, adding bits of pulled pork to a plate of breakfast nachos, or just tossing a bit of everything on some homemade dough and calling it pizza.
Scientists Develop New "Aging Clock" to Help Predict Dementia Risk Years Earlier
gorodenkoff/ iStock
Getting older is undoubtedly a gift, but how do we determine just how quickly our bodies are aging when we can't see what's going on inside? A team of researchers have developed a new "aging clock" to determine the rate at which people are aging — and all that's needed is a single MRI scan. Developed by scientists from Duke, Harvard, and the University of Otago in New Zealand, the novel tool, called DunedinPACNI, uses data from a person's brain scan to estimate their aging rate and predict the risk of developing dementia and other age-related diseases long before symptoms appear. The hope is that the results will empower individuals to make healthy changes while time is still on their side. Although more research is needed for the tool to be utilized in health care settings, the scientists say the data is encouraging. For example, in one analysis of 624 individuals ages 52 to 89, those the tool deemed to be aging the quickest were 60% more likely to develop dementia in the following years, and began to have memory and cognitive issues before those aging more slowly. "We really think of it as hopefully being a key new tool in forecasting and predicting risk for diseases, especially Alzheimer's and related dementias, and also perhaps gaining a better foothold on progression of disease," study co-author Ahmad Hariri said in a statement. Watch a video to learn more about the tool.
Together With National Park Foundation
Love Nature? You Could Win the Adventure of a Lifetime
If you're dreaming of a nature-filled summer vacation, the National Park Foundation is offering the perfect opportunity: It's giving one lucky winner the chance to explore any national park of their choice. You could win $10,000 in cash for travel expenses from Forbright Bank and 500,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® miles to help you get there. The National Park Foundation is the official nonprofit partner of the National Park Service, and by entering the giveaway, you'll help sustain the places you love for current and future generations — and maybe win the trip of a lifetime.
Air Conditioning as Art: Researchers Utilize an Ancient Technique to Cool the Air, in Style
Virginia Tech
Air conditioning isn't just a modern-day luxury — during extreme temperatures, it can help prevent heat-related illnesses and even death. But let's face it: Turning on the AC can get expensive and require lots of energy. So to help folks beat the heat sans electricity or chemicals, researchers at Virginia Tech 3D-printed clay structures that double as art pieces while cooling down the surrounding air. How do they work? When warm air passes through the porous columns, which contain sand and water, the latter evaporates and cools the air by up to 10 degrees Fahrenheit. While the artwork is modern, the "evaporative cooling technique" is ancient, going as far back as 2500 B.C. when people in Egypt would fan jars of water to cool the air. "We're trying to get the best of those types of ancient techniques but put them in a modern context and see how we could optimize it further," Stefan Al, an architect who helped come up with the new concept, told Dezeen. The columns have been used to design a wall partition that is currently being tested, but the materials could also be deployed to create other cooling structures, like chairs or building facades. "The beauty of this technology is you have free cooling," Al said, "all you need to do is put water through it." See more renderings of the designs.
Environment
Calling All Young Climate Leaders: Philanthropy Collaborative Is Awarding $25M to Youth-Led Orgs
useng/ iStock
If you know someone between the ages of 15 and 35 who has a climate solution up their sleeve, listen up: A philanthropic collaborative is giving away $25 million to young people at the forefront of climate action, and there's an open call for applicants ready to bring their big ideas to life. Through a partnership between the Enlight Foundation, The Patchwork Collective, and Lever for Change, the Emerging Climate Champions Award will provide multi-year grants of $1 million to 25 community organizations led by individuals in the 15-35 age range. The goal is to bring more funding directly to youth-led climate initiatives, which only receive $14.2 million in annual grants. "Young people face the most significant risks amid the escalating threats of climate change, yet they are often underfunded and lack support," Xin Liu, the founder and president of Enlight Foundation, said in a statement. "Our aim with this open call is to invite young leaders from all around the world to share their lived experiences and put their innovative ideas into action." Learn more about how to apply — from now until Sept. 22.
In Other News
Long time no talk: A radio telescope received a surprising signal from a NASA satellite that "died" in 1967 (read more)
Suriname is the first country in the Amazon to be certified malaria-free by the World Health Organization (read more)
A rare "roll cloud" stretched across the horizonamid a heat wave in Portugal: See the misty pics (read more)
Jennifer Aniston will star in a new series inspired by Jennette McCurdy's bestselling memoir (read more)
"Amazing sight." A mama bear was recorded swimming across a Massachusetts reservoir with cubs on her back (read more)
Join the Nice Book Club
Ready for another Nice Book Club meeting? Next week, we'll be hosting a conversation with Brad Aronson, author of HumanKind. He'll be sharing insight on how small, everyday acts of kindness can make a big difference — not just in your life, but in the world. You won't want to miss this one: Click below to RSVP to the free, virtual event, taking place July 9 at 5 p.m. ET.
Meet Zara Lachlan: At just 21 years old, the U.K. native is a three-time Guinness World Record holder. After completing a 97-day journey that she began in October, she officially became the first woman to row across the Atlantic from Europe to South America, the youngest person to row solo across the Atlantic from Europe to South America, and the youngest woman to row any ocean solo, unsupported, and nonstop. She covered 3,794 nautical miles in a 24-foot-long boat — and walked away with an epic tale to tell. "I just really enjoyed the whole experience. I thought I would be a lot more scared than I was," Lachlan said.
Photo of the Day
Gong Wenbao/VCG via Getty Images
It's time to go out and smell the lotus blossoms in Beijing! The annual Lotus Exhibition is currently underway in Beihai Park, with tourists and locals alike admiring the aquatic plants that are known for thriving in muddy conditions. See more pics of the blooming flowers.
Laird Superfood Is a Lifeline for Health-Conscious Shoppers
After the recent cyberattack on United Natural Foods, a primary distributor for natural and organic food retailers, Lairdsuperfood.com became a lifeline for health-conscious shoppers. With over 100 functional food and beverage products, Laird Superfood delivers directly to your door. Whether you're craving a protein-packed snack or a mushroom-infused coffee to fuel your day, the online store ensures you don't have to navigate sparsely stocked shelves or settle for less.
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