Across the country, college students are preparing to move into their dorms and get a new year started. But which schools are best at setting young adults up for success once they graduate? LinkedIn used that question as its guiding light for its annual Top Colleges ranking, listing what it determined to be the 50 best institutions for long-term career success. See the list and learn the methodology behind it.
The story of a family wallpaper business that’s “on a roll” again
Culture
Can’t Fall Asleep the First Night in a New Place? Here’s Why (and What to Do)
Oleg Breslavtsev—Moment/Getty Images
If you can easily fall deep into dreamland the first night in a new place, you’re one of the lucky ones. But if not, you’re likely experiencing what’s called “first-night effect,” a common phenomenon that can be traced back to our ancestors staying vigilant in unfamiliar places.
“It doesn’t matter if it’s a Marriott hotel or it’s the savanna,” Ahmad Mayeli, a psychiatry professor and sleep researcher, told the Associated Press. “Your brain hasn’t gotten the memo that this place is completely safe.” In his research, Mayeli has found that most people not only get about 20 to 30 minutes less total shut-eye in a new environment, but they also sleep less deeply. He added the effect is particularly pronounced in children, adolescents, and older adults.
As for what can be done to avoid staring at the ceiling of said new spot, Lisa Strauss, a psychologist specializing in cognitive behavioral treatment of sleep disorders, suggests spending more time in the bed before trying to sleep.That could mean reading, getting cozy by bringing familiar objects like a favorite pillow or blanket, or saying positive phrases to help ground yourself, like, “May you know that you are safe. May you know that you are loved. May you be at peace.”
Another tip? “If tomorrow matters, get there a night early, so you’ll sleep like yourself when it counts,” advised Mayeli. Get more tips to sleep better wherever you are.
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Cougars, also known as mountain lions or pumas, may seem pretty scary, but it turns out we have a surprising reason to thank the stealthy predators. The big cats help prevent deer-vehicle collisions by influencing deer to stay away from the roads, according to a study published last week.
Researchers tracked wildlife across the Olympic Peninsula in Washington state, analyzing camera trap detections and spatial data from vehicle-wildlife collisions. They found that in areas where cougars were active, deer were 15% less likely to be found near roads. The shift in deer behavior was correlated with a 67% drop in the odds of a traffic accident involving deer. (Rest assured: Cougars helped reduce deer-vehicle collisions by scaring them into more remote areas, not killing them.)
It’s another example of how every species, big and small, plays a role in the wider ecosystem, co-author Mark Elbroch explained in a statement: “When we talk about pumas, we often focus on the risks they pose. But we rarely stop to consider the many ways they benefit us as well,” he said. “Living alongside large carnivores isn’t simply about protecting wildlife; it’s about protecting the many ways they quietly benefit us every day.”
Health
New Vaccines to Help Prevent Colon Cancer Are in the Works
JHVEPhoto—iStock Editorial/Getty Images Plus
Not one but three vaccines to help prevent colon cancer are in the early phases right now, according to the Associated Press. All three are geared toward people with Lynch syndrome, a faulty gene that affects about 1 in 279 people and raises the lifetime risk of colorectal cancer to as high as 80%, in addition to increasing the risks of other cancers.
The standard protocol for those with the gene is yearly colonoscopies to spot and remove polyps. These potential vaccines aim to be more preemptive than annual screenings, actually teaching the immune system to intercept colon cancer before it manifests as a tumor. In a trial of 45 people with Lynch syndrome, one of the vaccines was well tolerated, with participants presenting with no serious side effects and showing a measurable immune reaction to the jab.
“It gives me hope,” Stacy Norton, a doctor who was part of the trial at Texas’ MD Anderson Cancer Center, told the AP. She has already survived a Lynch-caused cancer and has two children in their 20s who inherited the mutation. Read more about the new vaccines.
In Other News
A new wearable device is helping people track their blood pressure in real time throughout the day (read more)
The world’s oldest cheddar-maker is using novel heat pumps to save a chunk of electricity and money (read more)
Never-before-seen Nintendo cartridges are headed to auction this month and could fetch millions (read more)
Welcome Mrs. Met! Check out the newest inductees to the National Mascot Hall of Fame (read more)
Meet the new lizard fittingly named after a character on HBO’s House of the Dragon (read more)
Inspiring Story
Boarded as strangers, departed as friends
Patricia Robinson’s 90th birthday plans almost got derailed when her flight to Kelowna, British Columbia, had to turn around halfway through due to wildfires. But two kind seatmates got word that she needed a ride, and the unlikely trio road-tripped to their destination together. “I just had a really good feeling about the both of them,” she said. “They were just very chivalrous, gallant, young men ... my instincts and trusting these two young men were bang on.”
Photo of the Day
Andreas Arnold—picture alliance/Getty Images
In some parts of Germany, back-to-school season calls for the “school pretzel,” a tradition in which first-grade students get pretzels so big they often require both hands — or maybe even a buddy — to hold them, as you can see in the bakery shot above. Here’s a homemade pretzel recipe to participate in the first-day festivities, whether or not you’re hitting the books.
Why People Are Ditching Store-Bought Blinds For 3 Day Blinds
Bright summer days are great outside, but maybe less great when the sun’s blasting through your windows. Custom window treatments from 3 Day Blinds help control the light and the heat. For a limited time, the summer sale lets you buy one and get a second 50% off on custom blinds, shades, and drapery.
