A growing number of American families are making a housing move that would have seemed unusual a generation ago: putting a small, fully furnished home in the backyard specifically for an aging parent. These compact structures, widely known as granny pods, are a type of accessory dwelling unit (ADU) – a self-contained living space built...
Mrinali Dhembla was planning a wedding when the back pain started. She was 26, newly engaged, and working as a digital media strategist. For months, she dismissed early warning signs, including rectal bleeding, low-grade fevers, and chronic constipation. When a doctor finally delivered the news, she refused to believe it. “I still remember the doctor...
The U.S. Mint has created many memorable coins throughout history. Some came from production errors, and some from wartime material shortages. But some were designed for special events. In 1976, the mint produced bicentennial quarters to honor the 200th anniversary of the United States’ independence. Because of their cultural and historical significance, these collectible coins...
Galileo Galilei is often recognized as the father of modern science. He lived from 1564 to 1642, and has made impressive contributions to our understanding of physics, mathematics, astronomy, and philosophy. One of his most famous contributions was his improvements to the telescope, which led him to observe Saturn’s rings, Jupiter’s moons, Venus’s phases, and...
Eggs are a kitchen staple, even in households that don’t like omelets or similar “egg-y” dishes. They’re a basic ingredient in most baked goods because of their binding and rising capabilities. You won’t taste them in a muffin or cake, but you will definitely notice their effect on the shape and fluffy texture. Eggs are...
Medication comes with risk, even easily accessible over-the-counter types. This includes ibuprofen, naproxen, and aspirin, all nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Ibuprofen is more commonly known under brand names, like Advil, Motrin, and Nurofen; naproxen is known under the brand Aleve. Many individuals don’t think twice about popping these pills to fix a headache or take...
There are seemingly limitless ways to enjoy coffee. There are purists who drink it black, and aficionados who add milk and/or sugar. But that’s only the tip of the coffee culture iceberg. Cafe menus often include flavors like caramel, vanilla, hazelnut, Irish cream, or maple syrup. At home, people may add salt, coconut oil, butter,...
In 2008, Japan set the Metabolic Syndrome Countermeasures Act as a new health mandate for its citizens. Contrary to public misconception, the Metabo Law does not criminalize being overweight. Instead, the legislation is meant to encourage residents to lose weight if it’s needed to improve their health. It involves annual waist measurements for people between...
James Balog is a conservationist and environmental photographer with a long history of skepticism. Since the 1980s, he would scoff at people speaking about the drastic effects of climate change. After years of these firmly-held beliefs, his mind was changed in one momentous instant. In the early 2000s, he and his crew were in the...
The traditional career path is becoming less common. In the past, people could work hard, climb the ranks of their profession, and retire with a good pension. Today, careers are much more complicated. Between frozen salaries, a lack of quality jobs available, and fear of being replaced by AI, there’s the rising cost of living....
High-quality wildlife photography can make far-off nature feel up-close and personal. Most individuals never see dangerous predators like tigers in their natural habitat, but through pictures and videos, they can feel connected to big cats and be inspired to learn more about them. But wildlife photography is far from simply wandering through a jungle with...
Sometimes, the hardest part of driving is finding a good parking spot. Parking lots can be treacherous, especially around malls, government buildings, airports, and large retail stores. There’s the circling around the area, waiting for somebody to leave. Then there’s the race to claim the space before someone else does. And there’s the cowboy dual...
