How much do you focus on agility in your workouts? The ability to move quickly and with ease is an important part of staying fit as you age — particularly when it comes to avoiding falls — but agility training often gets overlooked in exercise routines. “You’ll feel the mental confidence of your training first, feeling comfortable moving faster,” strength and conditioning coach Brett Poniros told The New York Times. “Then you’ll see the physiological change.” Try the outlet’s 20-minute agility workout.
FDA Unveils Pilot Program to Phase Out Animal Testing
Jessica Rinaldi/The Boston Globe via Getty Images
Over the past few years, the Food and Drug Administration has gradually reduced its dependence on animal testing. But now the agency is going a step further, sharing plans to phase out animal testing requirements — and instead facilitate the use of AI-based models and other “more effective, human-relevant” tools to predict a drug’s behavior and possible side effects. The newly announced pilot program allows select developers of monoclonal antibodies and other drugs to use a non-animal-based strategy, such as computer modeling or organ-on-a-chip systems, rather than having to prove that a new medication or treatment works on animals — the standard practice for decades. Beyond addressing ethics concerns, the change could be a win for humans: “This initiative marks a paradigm shift in drug evaluation and holds promise to accelerate cures and meaningful treatments for Americans while reducing animal use,” Commissioner Marty Makary said in a statement, noting drug prices could also be reduced. As for animal rights advocates, it’s a move many years in the making. “It’s a significant step towards meeting the agency’s commitment to replace the use of animals,” said senior vice president of PETA Kathy Guillermo.
Together With TK
A Routine that Works Wonders
As their name suggests, snowy owls prefer Arctic temperatures, typically nesting near the North Pole. But during the winter, many fly south of Canada and sometimes end up in unconventional places - like suburban Orange County. For the last few weeks, one snowy owl has made Cypress, California, it's home, much to the delight of bird-watchers near and far. "It's like seeing Santa Claus on a beach," one resident, Nancy Caruso, told The New York Times. Lori Arent, the assistant director of the Raptor Center at the College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Minnesota, added that although it's normal for the species to migrate in wintertime, seeing a snowy owl that far south and west is "extremely rare." "The most exciting thing for me is that the public is reacting so positively," California birding teacher Victor Leipzig said. "I was there on Tuesday of this week, and there were people from the local neighborhood who were just thrilled and people who had driven from a hundred miles away to see the bird."
A New Floating Hotel Might Soon Make Waves in Wales
MEYER Floating Solutions
As Europe’s largest waterfront development, Wales’ Cardiff Bay is home to plenty of aquatic activities — paddleboarding, sailing, canoeing, the works. And soon, water lovers might have a new bucket list-worthy spot to explore and stay awhile: a floating hotel. Finnish and U.K. developers recently proposed mooring a 120-room boutique hotel in the bay that could open its doors as soon as 2027. The timing is just right, as a 15,000-seat arena is being built nearby, opening up “room for another hotel,” John Moore, chief strategist at Morfield Floating Hotels, told the BBC. He added the project could be delivered in around 16 months and create some three dozen permanent jobs. Time will tell what the hotel will look like exactly, but it seems it will certainly make a splashy statement: “Our vision is to create a landmark attraction that enhances Cardiff’s waterfront while showcasing what’s possible with modern floating architecture,” Kaj Casén, CEO of Meyer Floating Solutions, said in a statement. “This hotel is more than accommodation — it’s an experience that reflects the spirit of the city and its growing waterfront.” See more renderings.
Health
Social Media Before Bedtime Wreaks Havoc on Our Sleep: Why Screens Alone Aren’t the Main Culprit
Adam Hester/Tetra Images via Getty Images
This article was written by Brian N. Chin, an assistant professor of psychology at Trinity College, for The Conversation.
“Avoid screens before bed” is one of the most common pieces of sleep advice. But what if the real problem isn’t screen time — it’s the way we use social media at night? Sleep deprivation is one of the most widespread yet overlooked public health issues, especially among young adults and adolescents. Poor sleep isn’t just about feeling tired — it’s linked to worsened mental health, emotion regulation, memory, academic performance, and even increased risk for chronic illness and early mortality. At the same time, social media is nearly universal among young adults, with 84% using at least one platform daily. While research has long focused on screen time as the culprit for poor sleep, growing evidence suggests that how often people check social media — and how emotionally engaged they are — matters even more than how long they spend online. As a social psychologist and sleep researcher, I study how social behaviors, including social media habits, affect sleep and well-being. Sleep isn’t just an individual behavior; it’s shaped by our social environments and relationships. And one of the most common yet underestimated factors shaping modern sleep? How we engage with social media before bed. Learn how social media use can disrupt sleep — and how to use it without negatively affecting your rest.
In Other News
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TK
A new computer chip uses beams of light to improve AI systems and curb energy usage (read more)
The 2028 Summer Olympics will include new events with women and men competing on the same team (read more)
Hungry hungry tadpoles: A genetically modified amphibian is helping Australia fight an invasive species (read more)
Something We Love
Pons Leather Sandals Pons avarcas are my go-to comfy shoe. Handcrafted by the third generation of the Pons family in Menorca, the updated take on a traditional Spanish sandal combines craftsmanship, modern technology, and high-quality materials. They can easily be dressed up or down, and are also available for men and kids in various colors and styles.
When Michael Harvey hosted a beach cleanup in Vancouver, Canada, and no one showed up, he posted a now-viral TikTok video to express his disappointment. A week later, the undeterred teacher hit the beach again to pick up trash, and despite the rainy weather, more than two dozen fellow community members arrived to pitch in. “My heart is full. Thank you,” he wrote alongside another video. “To every single person who showed up — in the rain, with muddy boots and big hearts — friends, strangers, students, family.”
