Must Reads

• Speaking of Christmas songs, this tune is officially the No. 1 hit of all time

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• A movie theater in Seoul has become an increasingly popular community space for older adults in South Korea

Science

First-of-Its-Kind Footage Suggests Dolphins and Orcas Work Together to Hunt

Preparing a meal with friends can make the process all the more fun (and efficient), and some marine mammals might agree. Footage captured off the coast of British Columbia shows northern resident orcas trailing dolphins as they hunted for salmon, potentially marking the first evidence of these two species collaborating.
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In a study published last week, scientists posited that the "cooperative foraging" helps the killer whales detect their prey, while the dolphins benefit from feasting on the food scraps once the salmon is caught. "These whales are top salmon hunting specialists. They're highly specialized and highly skilled predators. To see them following dolphins as though they were leaders was really counterintuitive — and really exciting," lead study author Sarah Fortune told The Guardian.
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Another exciting finding: After tagging whales with cameras, scientists were able to listen in on a dolphin-orca hunt, and the recordings indicated echolocation clicks from both species. "Our tagged whale would echolocate, and then there'd be a period of silence, and then we'd hear dolphin echolocation clicks," Fortune said, adding, "And this raises a question: Are both species listening to each other? Are they eavesdropping?"
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The researchers still have more to dig into in terms of how the setup is beneficial to the animals, as previous evidence points to orcas being "lone wolves" when it comes to hunting practices. But for now, you can check out the footage.

Together With Elf Labs

The $4 Billion Deal Everyday Investors Missed

In 2012, Disney acquired Lucasfilm for $4 billion — one of the most profitable entertainment deals ever made. But everyday investors never had the chance to participate, missing the upside.
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​Elf Labs spent a decade securing over 500 trademarks and copyrights featuring Cinderella, Snow White, and other iconic characters to ensure that dynamic changes.
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The company is building a tech-powered character universe, using AI, immersive technology, and 12 patents to activate these globally recognized characters across entertainment, gaming, and consumer products — a market estimated at over $2 trillion.
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Analyst interest increased even before any national rollout, following multiple unsolicited $70 million-plus offers. And unlike the Lucasfilm deal, investors can get in while the company is still private.
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Timing matters here — a limited allocation remains, and up to 25% bonus shares expire tonight.

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Environment

Students and Scientists Are Studying New York's Trash to Improve Recycling

Your trash may seem gross to you, but to a group of scientists and students at New York's Stony Brook University, it's a gold mine of information. Since early 2024, the team has spent weeks each year sorting and analyzing thousands of pounds of solid waste as part of a five-year, $4 million study aimed at improving the state's recycling rates.
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"We would like to know exactly what's in garbage, and the only way you can do that is either by theorizing it or getting your elbows into the pile," David Tonjes, a researcher with the university's Waste Data and Analysis Center, told CBS News last year.
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Alongside professors and graduate researchers, students at the center sort waste into 69 categories, carefully weighing and documenting their findings, according to 7News. Already, their efforts have proven how much room there is for positive change. After one Long Island project, they discovered that about a third of the glass, metal, and plastic from household trash should have been recycled. "If we did better, if we recycled everything, we would triple our recycling," Tonjes said.
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Beyond understanding trash, the study's findings will help shape public policy and education so residents are better equipped to sort waste properly. The university's civil engineering department is also developing new technology, such as AI-powered video tools, to automate waste analysis and improve safety and efficiency for recycling workers, per Good Good Good. "We love garbage and we want the world to be a better world," graduate student Hailey Lee told CBS.

Health

Behind the Mood-Boosting Power of Smelling Pine Trees

A whiff of pine can conjure images of Christmas trees, snow-capped mountains, and cozy fireside chats. But our feel-good reaction doesn't have to do with anything inherent in the scent, scientists say. Instead, it's our association with it that matters. For many of us, pine elicits fond holiday memories — hanging ornaments, placing presents under the tree, and spending time with family — so our brains link the aroma with comfort and joy.
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"There is nothing that is in pine that has any specific, inherent pharmacological influence at all on humans," Rachel Herz, a neuroscientist at Brown University, told Popular Science. For those who've never smelled pine and don't have any associations with it, it has no effect, she added. Herz explained that our brain's amygdala-hippocampal complex (or primary olfactory cortex) handles our perception of scent, connecting specific aromas with past experiences.
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"What I always like to say is that aromatherapy works, but not in the way people think it does," she said. "If I have an emotional association around a certain smell, that's going to be instantly activated upon smelling a particular scent." Assuming the association is positive, this will lead to an automatic mood-boost, which can then pave the way for nostalgia. "You might reflect on a memory of a time you went camping as a child, for example, but that is not necessary," she said.
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In other words, pine's aroma and your unconscious mind team up to produce pleasant feelings when you sniff a pine-scented candle or freshly cut Christmas tree. So if you're feeling overwhelmed this holiday season, consider taking a moment to stop and smell the pine.

In Other News

1. The comet 3I/ATLAS is expected to make its closest approach to Earth Friday, a rare research opportunity (read more)
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2. Hotels on the Grand Canyon's South Rim are reopening today after a water pipeline repair (read more)
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3. Scottie Scheffler is the PGA Tour player of the year for the fourth straight time, nearing Tiger Woods' record (read more)
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4. Modern pollinators are drawn by colors and scents — but some ancient plants used infrared heat, per a new study (read more)
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5. Two dozen endangered sea turtles are rehabbing in Florida after getting cold stunned off the New England coast (read more)

Inspiring Story

"Hero in training"

Zambia's South Luangwa National Park is home to lions, leopards, elephants, and more — and Ody the dog is there to protect them. The pup recently graduated from training to join an anti-poaching squad in the park, where he'll help sniff out illegal items like stolen ivory. Watch Ody in action.​

Photo of the Day

There's been an immense outpouring of love for Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele Singer, following the news of their deaths on Sunday, and that has included fans adorning Reiner's star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame with flowers, notes, and trinkets. Read some of the touching tributes from the prolific director's friends and admirers in the film industry.

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Odds & Ends

🎄 Connecticut is a mecca for Hallmark fans
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🍝 Exploring the nostalgic power of Olive Garden (and other chains)
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🐶 Learn how Katherine Heigl helped transform her dogs' health*
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📱 A smartphone game that helps shelter pets in real life
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​*Indicates a Nice News brand partnership or affiliate

Quote of the Day

"When we let our light shine, we draw to us and are drawn to other bearers of light."

– BELL HOOKS