Airports are liminal spaces — in-between places where we’re often rushing or stressing as we await our final destinations — but that doesn’t mean they can’t be easy on the eyes, too. The Prix Versailles, a prestigious architecture award, recently announced its list of the world’s most beautiful airports. Terminal 3 at Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport in Guangzhou, China, took the top spot: See the full list.
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Science
Energy-Efficient Espresso Is Making (Sound) Waves
UNSW/Richard Freeman
A small latte made with sound waves, please. That could soon be on cafe menus, thanks to Australian researchers who have developed “ultrasonic coffee,” an energy-efficient method of brewing that uses high-frequency sound vibrations to pull a shot of espresso.
Unlike traditional techniques that involve super hot water, ultrasonic espresso harnesses sound waves to brew with room temperature water, creating a phenomenon called acoustic cavitation in which tiny bubbles form and pop in the liquid. The bubbles then create pressure that extracts the flavor, caffeine, and oil from the beans, all while using 75% less energy than a regular espresso machine.
But what does it taste like? The same as your usual cup of joe, according to a recent study. Researchers conducted a blind taste test with 100 coffee drinkers and found participants couldn’t consistently differentiate between traditional and ultrasonic espresso — and the ultrasonic filter coffee version actually received higher overall ratings.
“It’s a different process, but you get the same richness and concentration of a normal espresso in under three minutes,” study co-author Francisco Trujillo said in a news release. He added: “These findings showed that using ultrasound did not harm taste, and in some cases even improved it, despite brewing at room temperature and without the heat normally associated with coffee making.”
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“This Is Our Culture”: After World Cup Matches, Japan Fans Pick Up Trash in the Stands
Charlotte Wilson/Getty Images
When the World Cup match between the Netherlands and Japan came to a close in Texas over the weekend, many Japan fans didn’t rush out to beat traffic. Instead, they stuck around to carry on a tradition of picking up litter scattered about the stadium.
The considerate act is undoubtedly headline-worthy here in the U.S., but 20-year-old Eita Tanaka told AFP that cleaning up after yourself is just part of life in Japan. “Japanese people think that when we use a certain place, we were told that you have to make that place look tidier when you leave than it was when you arrived,” he explained.
Another Japan fan, Futo Hagiwara, added: “This is our culture, that means everywhere we go we need to clean it after ourselves, it’s our spiritual way, our attitude.”
It seems the thoughtfulness is contagious — NFL quarterback Jameis Winston was spotted pitching in with the cleanup efforts as well. And perhaps it’ll inspire more of us to pick up after ourselves next time we find ourselves at a stadium ... or even just on a walk around the block.
Humanity
And He Would Walk 3,000 Miles … to Raise $1.5M for Mental Health Awareness
Craig Williamson—SNS Group/Getty Images
Boston was brimming with exuberant Scottish soccer fans on Saturday as the country won its first World Cup match in 28 years — but one among them was likely a lot more winded than the rest. Craig Ferguson had reached the city by foot the day before, completing a 3,200-mile walk from Los Angeles that raised over $1.5 million for mental health awareness.
Calling his journey The Tartan Trek, the 22-year-old set off from the Santa Monica Pier in February after flying to the States from his hometown on the outskirts of Glasgow. He walked more than 30 miles a day while wearing a kilt, chronicling the journey on social media and fundraising for Scottish Action for Mental Health.
His activism was inspired in part by his best friend’s father, who took his own life seven years ago. “Russell was an incredible guy, and seeing what happened to my best friend and his family, it made me want to try and do anything I can to try to prevent it from happening to anyone else,” Ferguson told The Athletic.
His final steps were accompanied by a chorus of bagpipes, and a fleet of other Scotland fans cheered him on as he crossed his finish line on the Boston Common. He added: “I could never have pictured this in a million years. Walking up there and seeing all the support and being embraced by my own country, the country I am so proud to be from, was just amazing.” Watch his emotional arrival.
In Other News
It’s happening: Serena and Venus Williams will compete togetherin women’s doubles at Wimbledon (read more)
An over-the-counter glucose monitor for children with diabetes was greenlit by the FDA last week (read more)
Around 64,000 square miles of coral reefs were found to be climate-resilient, tripling prior estimates (read more)
Goblin sharks, dubbed “the ugliest” on Earth, were filmed for the first time in their deep-sea habitat (read more)
A rare first-edition copy of Wuthering Heights, featuring spelling errors, is headed to auction(read more)
Something We Love
On Humans
My dad recommended this podcast to me and listening to it always leaves me feeling smarter and more curious about the world. Host Ilari Mäkelä interviews scholars in biology, anthropology, and other specialities — asking three main questions: “Where did we come from?” “how did we get here?” and “what kind of creatures are we?”
In an ultimate plot twist, a real couple will tie the knot at the end of every show in the Public Theater’s production of Romeo & Juliet in Central Park. “We loved the idea of celebrating our commitment in such a memorable setting,” Janelly Mendoza, the bride on opening night, told Vogue. “We also felt it was important to show how art can unite people and bring communities together.”
Photo of the Day
Whipsnade Zoo
Hello, sweet feet! This adorable elephant was born at the Whipsnade Zoo in England just days before the World Cup began, and is already knocking the ball around. Side note: If you want the chance to help pick his name from a shortlist, you can donate to enter a prize draw here.
Babbel: New Language, New Adventures
Summer is the perfect time to pick up a new language. With Babbel, a quick 10-minute lesson, a relaxing podcast, or some conversation practice fits easily into even the sunniest, busiest days.The Babbel method is designed to fit any lifestyle — learn your way, at your own pace (perhaps even while sitting by the pool). Start now and you could be having real conversations in a new language within three weeks.
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