Good News in History, December 16
1,492 years ago today, Emperor Justinian I of Byzantium, did Europe’s posterity a great favor and ordered the compiling of all Roman juridical writings from the beginning of the Empire into 50 books. Preserved to this day thanks to monastic manuscripts and called the Digest or Pandects, it is simply one of Humanity’s most extraordinary […]
Good News in History, December 15
70 years ago today, American country star Johnny Cash released the single “Folsom Prison Blues.” The song combines elements from two popular folk styles that Cash used often in his songwriting, and was ranked 51 on Rolling Stone Magazine’s 100 Greatest Country Songs. Cash was serving in the military in Germany when he came up with […]
Good News in History, December 12
162 years ago today, Edvard Munch was born. The greatest Norwegian painter, who blighted and delighted the world’s consciousness with The Scream, would live a long troubled life that manifested in dozens of breathtaking works in pastel, oils, canvases, and cardboards, one of which would command the highest figure ever summoned for a painting at auction when […]
Singing with Other People Improves Health More Than Singing Alone
Singing has been linked to numerous benefits for health, wellbeing, disease resistance, and recovery from injury, but when singing in a group, these benefits are seen to be superior to those seen in solo singers. The research, though not new, still makes for a pretty darn good reason to join a caroling group or church […]
Good News in History, December 11
300 years ago today, the American Founding Father George Mason was born. The Virginia planter, politician, and neighbor to George Washington, refused to sign the US Constitution as a delegate to the Convention. His objections influenced lawmakers, like fellow Virginian James Madison, to write, and later include, a Bill of Rights. Mason wrote the Virginia […]
Diets Rich in Tea, Coffee, Berries and Nuts Linked to Better Long-term Heart Health in New Study
People who regularly consume polyphenol-rich foods and drinks, such as tea, coffee, berries, cocoa, nuts, whole grains, and olive oil, may have better long-term heart health, according to a new study. The research, led by King’s College London, found that those with higher adherence to polyphenol-rich dietary patterns had lower predicted cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. […]
Amputee Thrilled With Hand Transplant is Now Left-handed: ‘Feels so incredible, as if I’ve had it my whole life’
A woman who lost all her limbs after contracting an infection and getting sepsis while on vacation in Spain eight years ago is now thrilled after receiving a new hand. Kim Smith and her doctors were trying for a double hand transplant during the 14-hour surgery, but the right hand had to be abandoned. Despite […]
Mesmerizing Lantern Display Lights Up December With Mile-Long Homage to Wildlife
A stunning display illuminated by more than 2,000 lanterns spread over a mile is being called Britain’s largest Holiday lights display. Thousands of visitors have been flocking to Twycross Zoo, in Warwickshire, England, to see their dazzling spectacle called Lanterns Of The Wild, since it opened on November 14. Thousands of hand-crafted and hand-painted lanterns […]
New Underwater Tool Lets Ecologists ID Fish From Their Sounds–46 Species So Far (LISTEN to 5 of Them)
Underwater coral reefs are filled with thumps, pops, and snaps from shrimp and fish, and ecologists often use underwater microphones to monitor the health of marine environments. But until now, ecologists have largely been unable to interpret these sounds because reefs are crowded with hundreds of different species—very few of which have had sounds accurately […]
Good News in History, December 7
527 years ago today, Gian Lorenzo Bernini was born. This Italian master sculptor and architect created the Baroque style, one of the four great European architectural styles. Praised by lords, celebrated by peers, patronized by Popes and cardinals, and hailed as the next Michelangelo and as the equal to Shakespeare in contribution to his art, […]