Akin to the Oscars' "in memoriam" section, a recent article from The New York Times Magazine is a touching tribute to some of the "artists, innovators, and thinkers" who died in 2025. It covers the heavy hitters — Jane Goodall, David Lynch, George Foreman — as well as some lesser-known visionaries and celebrities, like a park ranger who spent six decades "guiding souls" in Glacier National Park and a bonobo who "had a lot to say." Read "The Lives They Lived."
Must Reads
Why do we kiss under mistletoe, and what has it got to do with bird droppings?
Love Can Help Heal a Damaged Heart, New Review Suggests
baona/iStock
In some instances, a deep emotional loss — like the death of a loved one — can result in a temporary condition called broken heart syndrome. Now, there's more evidence to suggest that the opposite may also be true: Strong and supportive relationships can help improve heart health for people with cardiovascular disease. Heart disease is the leading cause of death worldwide, and there is increasing recognition that recovery is not just physical but emotional and social as well. A review of 12 trials involving adults with heart disease and their partners evaluated the effectiveness of couples-based interventions in four areas: modifiable cardiovascular risk factors, cardiac well-being, mental health, and relationship quality. It found that 77% of the analyzed studies reported health behavior improvements in patients — i.e., sticking to exercise programs, taking required medications regularly, and quitting smoking. While most cardiac care involves only the patient themself, couples-based programs like the ones reviewed include partners in the process of implementing lifestyle changes. This approach recognizes that loved ones are often key in aiding recovery, helping out by cooking healthy meals, encouraging exercise, and reminding their partners to take their meds, for example. These boons are leading more hospitals and health care systems to emphasize family-oriented care, according to a news release. And such programs may have the added benefit of helping partners improve their own heart health.
Together With Money
The Surprisingly Easy Way to Lower Your Car Insurance
Car insurance rates have climbed quietly this year — and many drivers don't realize they may be overpaying. This short, simple survey from Money can show you personalized car insurance offers in seconds, with no obligation. It's an easy way to check if switching could save you money before the year wraps up. Compare car insurance options below and see what you could save.
Colorado Completes Construction on North America's Largest Wildlife Crossing
Colorado Department of Transportation
North America's largest wildlife crossing is now open for business, and its top clientele are expected to be elk and pronghorn. The Greenland Wildlife Overpass covers nearly an acre (200 feet wide by 209 feet long) above Colorado's Interstate 25, between the towns of Larkspur and Monument. The structure, finished ahead of schedule, completes a larger wildlife crossing system aimed at making 18 miles of highway safer for the animals that call the region home. Before the system was built, there was an average of one wildlife-vehicle crash a day during movement seasons, per a press release from the Colorado Department of Transportation. "Wildlife now can kind of go on a little bit of an adventure that they weren't [able to] before," Kara Van Hoose, with the state's parks and wildlife department, told Colorado Public Radio. She added: "Unfortunately, wildlife can't read. So it's not like we could put signs up saying, this is safe here, go here." Though this particular crossing was made specifically with elk and pronghorn in mind, all manner of wildlife are expected to take advantage of the more open landscape, including moose, mule deer, black bears, mountain lions, and smaller animals.
Science
New Plant-Based Plastic Can Fully Dissolve in the Ocean Within a Few Hours
We've long heard about the potential health dangers of microplastics, which are incapable of fully breaking down and end up in just about everything, including our food and water. In hopes of reducing such pollution, researchers from Japan have recently developed a new type of plastic: one that's entirely plant-based and biodegradable. It's not the first time a biodegradable plastic has been created, but while many versions take a long time to disintegrate, this one can fully decompose in marine environments in just a few hours. The key component to the material, dubbed carboxymethyl cellulose supramolecular plastic (or CMCSP), is a wood pulp derivative. Researchers combined that with organic salt choline chloride, an FDA-approved food additive, to create a substance that's colorless, as strong as traditional plastic, and so flexible that it can stretch to up to 130% of its original length. Because CMCSP so easily dissolves in salt water thanks to its "salt bridges," an optional coating can be added to prevent unintentional decomposition. The research team is confident that CMCSP is not only a practical choice for real-world products, but also a genuine solution to the microplastic problem. "Nature produces about one trillion tons of cellulose every year," lead author Takuzo Aida said in a news release. "From this abundant natural substance, we have created a flexible yet tough plastic material that safely decomposes in the ocean. This technology will help protect the Earth from plastic pollution."
In Other News
George Washington's most famous portrait, the one that inspired the $1 bill, is headed to auction (read more)
A rare dinosaur skull will go on display at the National Museum of Natural History for one week only (read more)
Spain is opening climate shelters in the summer to protect the publicagainst scorching heat (read more)
Muppet Show fans, rejoice! A teaser for the upcoming 50th anniversary special is here (read more)
In Brisbane, Australia, a wild koala took its first bus ride, courtesy of a conscientious driver — see a pic (read more)
Inspiring Story
Helping patients feel like kids again
It can be tough to feel festive when you're sick, but Texas Children's Hospital wanted to change that by putting on a special holiday market just for patients. Surrounded by colorful decorations, the kids get to browse a cornucopia of goodies, picking out gifts for parents, siblings, and caregivers. Besides helping children get into the Christmas spirit, the market provides a sense of normalcy that can be hard to come by during treatment. Watch a video of patients enjoying the festivities.
Photo of the Day
NASA/JPL-Caltech/University of Arizona
After nearly 20 years circling and photographing the red planet, NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter recently snapped its 100,000th image. A high school student — not a scientist — chose the milestone image's subject matter, nominating the pictured region (called Syrtis Major) through HiWish, an online portal where members of the public can suggest Martian regions for future photography and study.
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