If you're looking for a unique Valentine's Day gift for your environmentally minded loved ones, consider the trees. The nonprofit TreePeople is selling Valentine's Day dedication cards with adorable love- and tree-related messages like "I love you so mulch" and "Pining for you." Each card (made from 100% recycled paper, of course) "helps foster a greener environment and contributes to local tree restoration efforts," per the organization. The perfect gesture for the tree hugger in your life.
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Tech
The First Smart Glasses With Hearing Aids Receive FDA Clearance
PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images
Traditional hearing aids have competition — a new technology that combines both hearing and vision solutions has just received FDA clearance. Nuance Audio Glasses provide a "groundbreaking open-ear hearing solution seamlessly integrated into a pair of stylish smart glasses," per manufacturer EssilorLuxottica, and will soon be sold over the counter in the U.S. Approximately 1.25 billion people experience mild to moderate hearing loss globally, according to the World Health Organization, but many abstain from wearing traditional hearing aids due to factors like social stigma, price, and discomfort. The first software as a medical device to receive FDA clearance, Nuance Audio Glasses seek to dissolve those barriers by appealing to folks who may be hesitant to don hearing assistance instruments. "We didn't just aim to combine two medical devices — we created an entirely new smart glasses form factor to support the two human senses we depend on the most," said Francesco Milleri, chairman and CEO of EssilorLuxottica. "It is not only groundbreaking, but also incredibly accessible." Along with the U.S. clearance, the glasses are set to launch in several European markets in the first half of the year.
Together With World Tree
Ending Soon: Make an Impact and Up to 5X Returns
What if your next investment could help the planet? World Tree's Eco-Tree Program makes that a reality — but you don't have long to act. As North America's largest grower of Empress trees, World Tree plants hardwoods that grow three times faster than traditional trees, sequester massive amounts of carbon, and regenerate farmland. Just a quarter acre could offset your carbon footprint for an entire year. If you invest in time, you'll make a meaningful environmental impact and may share in profits, with up to a five times return potential in 8-12 years. Your investment links your portfolio to a sustainable future, advancing your financial goals while helping the planet. Just don't wait too long — this investment opportunity is officially in its final week.
In making an investment decision, investors must rely on their own examination of the issuer and the terms of the offering, including the merits and risks involved. World Tree has filed a Form C with the Securities and Exchange Commission in connection with its offering, a copy of which may be obtained here: invest.ecotreeprogram.com.
Humanity
Local Artist Draws Homes Lost in LA Wildfires for Free
Maya Brattkus
Two guitars hang on the avocado-hued wall of a living room, just above a white dresser holding up speakers and a record player. A comfy-looking chair sits to the right, adorned with a colorful, patterned pillow and two blankets. The vibe is cozy, warm, and eclectic. Today, that living room — and the rest of the house it's attached to — is gone. It was one of at least 16,000 structures that were damaged or destroyed in the Los Angeles wildfires in January. But its memory is being kept alive by its former resident's close friend, 27-year-old Maya Brattkus, who drew it as a gift for the homeowner and her partner to hang up wherever they live next. After completing that drawing, Brattkus took her talents a step further: She posted the image on Reddit, offering to draw more lost homes for free. She said she'd also draw houses that weren't lost, in which case she'd charge a small sum and donate the proceeds to victims. "After being evacuated and watching our community go up in flames, I fell into a pretty dark place," Brattkus, who grew up in LA and watched the temple where her Bat Mitzvah was held burn on TV, tells Nice News, adding: "The process of drawing their home was cathartic for me and helped me begin to process the grief of what was going on in a small way." Read our interview with the artist and see more of her work.
Science
Bonobos Consider What Humans Know — And Try to Influence Our Behavior, Study Says
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Scientists have long debated: Are humans the only species who wonder what others are thinking? According to a new study from Johns Hopkins University researchers, the answer is no. Their experiment revealed that not only did bonobos actively try to communicate with a human, but they also seemed to consider what that person was thinking — and even tried to change his behavior. To figure this out, co-author Luke Townrow enlisted three male bonobos and asked another person to hide a treat under a cup, sometimes when Townrow wasn't looking. If Townrow could locate the treat, the ape sitting across from him could have it. He found that when it was clear to the bonobos that Townrow hadn't seen where the treat was hidden, they would repeatedly point to the correct cup, at times quite insistently. "It's quite surreal. I mean, I've worked with primates for quite some years now and you never get used to it," Townrow told NPR. "We found evidence that they are tailoring their communication based on what I know." The apes' behavior in a controlled setting demonstrated a capability that scientists had previously only observed in wild chimps warning each other about threats. "There are debates in the field about the capabilities of primates, and for us it was exciting to confirm that they really do have these rich capacities that some people have denied them," co-author Chris Krupenye added in a statement.
In Other News
An endangered spotted tapir was born at a Washington zoo Sunday, a conservation program success (read more)
Over $100 million was raised for Los Angeles wildfire relief efforts at last week's FireAid benefit concerts (read more)
Scientists developed an eco-friendly alternative to an extremely durable, non-recyclable class of plastics (read more)
The first motorcycle to rake in over $1 million at auction is a 1915 canary-yellow Cyclone roadster (read more)
A former Days Inn in Iowa will reopen as affordable housing for those experiencing chronic homelessness (read more)
Something We Love
Primally Pure Skin Care Primally Pure dominates my skin care routine. I especially love the Clarifying Cream because it feels light but keeps my skin moisturized and glowing. I also recently began using the brand's Bian Gua Sha Stone and can highly recommend that as well; it's the most relaxing way to wind down before bed and practice some self-care. – Natalie Stone, Managing Editor
Three seniors at an Iowa high school — Clinton Ring, Paul Clanry, and Daveson Hartman — are being hailed as heroes after rescuing a man who fell on active train tracks directly behind the school last fall. Clanry saw what was happening from his classroom window and didn't hesitate to recruit his friends to help. "It was just, you know, a selfless act. They didn't wait and ask for permission, they just said, 'we're doing this,'" science teacher Matt Erlandson shared.
Photo of the Day
Manoli Figetakis/Getty Images
On Wednesday, Cristiano Ronaldo's 40th birthday, a larger-than-life statue in his likeness was unveiled amid a crowd of enthusiastic witnesses in New York City's Times Square to celebrate the soccer star's legacy. "I stayed up all night for this," said fan Oaja Dindiyel, adding: "That's the GOAT!" Watch the statue's unveiling.
10 Amazon Prime Perks You Should Be Using, Courtesy of Brad's Deals
Free music and podcasts, access to lightning deals, and Whole Foods discounts are just a few of the many lesser-known incentives that Amazon Prime has to offer. Brad's Deals compiled 10 Prime perks that you might not knowabout to make sure you're getting the most out of your membership.
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