Posts by Jenifer Sako

Growing older often means a slower lifestyle due to retirement, mobility issues and loss of family members and friends. It can also mean loneliness. A recent study of the elderly in the United Kingdom turned up some alarming results. Hundreds of thousands of people are spending an entire week without speaking to anyone at all....

Teenager Autumn Peltier, an Anishinaabe from Wikwemikong First Nation, has made a name for herself an advocate for the world’s sacred waters. In doing so, she’s met with Canada’s Prime Minister Trudeau, attended the Assembly of First Nations Annual General Assembly and marched for the protection of water—particularly the protection of waters sacred to indigenous...

Looking for a German shepherd or Labrador retriever as a pet? Consider getting on the Transportation Security Administration’s waiting list for one of their training school dropouts. Although they may be the right breed for the job, some pups are just too sweet to take on the task. Sniffing bags for bombs and drugs and...

In an upcoming PBS documentary Octopus: Making Contact, a clip was released that shows an octopus sleeping and changing colors. Octopuses (octopi?) typically change color as a way to camouflage themselves into their surroundings—as far as scientists knew. In the video, the octopus floats upside down, asleep and possibly even dreaming. Whatever she’s doing, she’s changing...

For the first time in its 147 year history, Yellowstone National Park will see its first female chief ranger. Sarah Davis, a National Park Service veteran for 20 years, will be the park’s 18th chief ranger, and the first woman to officially hold the top job (the park has had other women serve in an...

Dandelion have long been touted for their healing and restorative powers in the naturopathic community. Now, even the more scientific minded are starting to take notice of this humble backyard flower. Also known as Taraxacum spp., with Taraxacum officinale the most common variety, these plants are typically dismissed as weeds. Homeowners hate them and will go to...

Margaret Neville was walking through her garden at her farm in South Africa when she noticed an extraordinary creature. A highly unusual insect perched on a branch in her lavender bush. “I was amazed at first sight,” Neville told The Dodo. “Amazed,” just about covers it. The incredible insect had delicate green and white wings...

Studies show praising children for their hard work is better than praising them for being smart. For parents, though, it’s natural to get excited when your child makes the honor roll or gets all As on a report card. You want to let everyone know how brilliant your kids are. But it seems you’re actually...

Once you’ve settled into your flight and prepared to relax for the next few hours, you may be tempted to get a nice, steaming cup of coffee or tea in your hands. Don’t. Airplanes are very public spaces. Between people removing their shoes and clothes mid-flight to the ever present coughing and hacking, planes are...

Many of us spend time meticulously washing out plastic containers, squinting at symbols, picking off labels and smugly popping them into one of several containers to lug out to the curb on recycling day. Job well done. We deserve a (plastic) yogurt cup for our saintly efforts. But there is something you need to know:...

Next time you’re at the airport, look closely at the engines on the planes at the gates. All of them will have an unpainted band near the front edge. As sleek as this kind of paint job may look, the reasons behind the styling goes beyond just looking trendy. YouTuber Mentour Pilot, who runs a...

Celebrity chef José Andrés, who runs a humanitarian relief nonprofit called World Central Kitchen, has dished up over 500,000 meals on three islands in the Bahamas in the wake of Hurricane Dorian. Chef Andrés started the organization to help Haiti after their devastating earthquake in 2010. Since then, they’ve donated meals in other areas hit hard...

A talented, young group of percussionists and buglers made history when they competed and performed for the first time in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, at the Drum Corp Associates World Championships. The group is called FREE Players Drummer and Bugle Corp. These performers, like those in the other groups, have worked hard for their invitation to this...

Having twins means getting twice the love. And being a twins means sharing a unique bond with a sibling for a lifetime. Especially, for the Thistlethwaite girls. A couple of years ago, their mother, Sarah, told People, “I can’t wait to watch them grow up and be best friends.” She’s getting her wish. After a...

Dolphins are one of those species chock full of charisma. Everybody loves dolphins. But when they are colored pink? That’s just magical. One such unusually colored dolphin, called Pinky, was first noticed about 12 years ago cavorting in Louisiana’s Calcasieu River. Now, there are reports that Pinky has given birth–to a pink calf! Experts say...