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Ohio health department investigates Legionnaires’ outbreak at Christ Hospital
Three deaths reported among six cases since October
More than a third of states sue HHS over a move that could curtail youth gender-affirming care
Nineteen states and the District of Columbia have sued the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, its Secretary, Robert F.
Fantasy Football Tight End Rankings: Week 17 2025
Here we will look at our NFL Fantasy Football Tight End Rankings entering Week 17 of the 2025 regular season.
Provo's Ford's Locker meat processing business faces uncertain future after devastating fire
A fire at Ford's Locker in Provo has resulted in a complete loss, and owners ask for patience as they figure out next steps for the business.
Hawaii vs. Cal prediction, odds, time: 2025 Hawaii Bowl picks from proven model
SportsLine's model reveals its Hawaii Rainbow Warriors vs. Cal Golden Bears best bets for the Sheraton Hawaii Bowl on Wednesday
Explosion at a Pennsylvania nursing home kills at least 2, governor says
The explosion collapsed a part of the building and happened just as a utility crew had been on site looking for a gas leak at Bristol Health & Rehab Center in Bristol Township, just outside Philadelphia.
US signs health agreements with African nations, warns against nonperformance
The U.S. signed four new global health memorandums of understanding (MOUs) with Madagascar, Sierra Leone, Botswana, and Ethiopia, which total nearly $2.3 billion in funding, the State Department said on Tuesday.
DK Metcalf's 2-game suspension upheld after Steelers WR swung at Lions fan, reportedly voiding $45 million in guaranteed money
Hong Kong firms hoping new southbound travel scheme will drive more business
Social media users are selling driving courses to Guangdong car owners while local companies are offering perks to attract business.
MSU defensive back announces plan to enter transfer portal
A Michigan State football defensive back announces he'll be entering the transfer portal
We are living in a golden age of species discovery
The search for life on Earth is speeding up, not slowing down. Scientists are now identifying more than 16,000 new species each year, revealing far more biodiversity than expected across animals, plants, fungi, and beyond. Many species remain undiscovered, especially insects and microbes, and future advances could unlock millions more. Each new find also opens doors to conservation and medical breakthroughs.
WHO updated recommendations on HIV clinical management: recommendations for a public health approach
This document provides an overview of the updated World Health Organization recommendations for HIV clinical management, which focus on optimizing antiretroviral therapy, preventing vertical transmission, and enhancing tuberculosis prevention among individuals with HIV. These updates are intended to support global initiatives aimed at ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030. Key changes include the introduction of new antiretroviral drugs and regimens, revised postnatal prophylaxis and breastfeeding guidelines for managing infants at risk of vertical transmission, and the endorsement of shorter tuberculosis preventive treatments to improve efficacy and adherence. The recommendations are designed to simplify and advance HIV care, promote equity, and contribute to improved health outcomes and quality of life for individuals living with HIV. The updated guidance will be incorporated into the forthcoming revision of the antiretroviral therapy chapter within the Consolidated Guidelines on HIV Prevention, Testing, Treatment, Service Delivery, and Monitoring: Recommendations for a Public Health Approach.
E&E News: The tough lesson US scientists learned from Trump
A yearlong assault on federal science programs taught researchers they can't always count on Washington to be a reliable partner.
This new 3D chip could break AI’s biggest bottleneck
Researchers have created a new kind of 3D computer chip that stacks memory and computing elements vertically, dramatically speeding up how data moves inside the chip. Unlike traditional flat designs, this approach avoids the traffic jams that limit today’s AI hardware. The prototype already beats comparable chips by several times, with future versions expected to go much further. Just as important, it was manufactured entirely in a U.S. foundry, showing the technology is ready for real-world production.
The Science (and Pseudoscience) of Everyday Life
Everyday life is full of small behaviors we treat as moral choices, scientific truths, or acts of civic virtue—often without much reflection. From abandoned shopping carts to climate guilt over pet ownership, from misplaced faith in statistical “significance” to misunderstandings of animal behavior, these examples reveal how intuition, habit, and oversimplified science shape what we believe.
Sony WF-1000XM6 rears its head as launch information surfaces in new leak
The long-awaited Sony WF-1000XM6 has reappeared before the end of the year in a new leak. This time, a retailer has hinted at availability and launch colour options ahead of schedule.
State Department imposes sanctions on former EU official, disinformation group leaders for ‘censorship’
The US State Department on Tuesday imposed visa sanctions on a former top European Union official and employees of organizations that combat disinformation for alleged censorship – sharply ratcheting up the Trump administration’s fight against European regulations that have impacted digital platforms, far-right politicians and Trump allies, including Elon Musk.
Nevada Upgrades Business Licensing via ‘Orion’
Work on the new portal began in 2023, with the next phase scheduled for 2026. Nevada joins other states in setting up such portals for a variety of tasks, including accessing services such as unemployment benefits.
See photos of sports fans dressed as the Grinch ahead of Christmas
Sports fans across the United States got into the holiday spirit by dressing as their favorite Dr. Seuss character.
Galaxy Z TriFold is probably durable enough, hinge gives way after 150,000 folds in torture test [Video]
Samsung’s brand new Galaxy Z TriFold form factor has arrived and, of course, one of the big questions around it...
City of Gautier signs off on entertainment contract extension for The Sound Amphitheater
On Tuesday, the Gautier City Council unanimously approved an extension for the entertainment contract for The Sound Amphitheater.
Alec Baldwin shares health struggles stemming from 'Rust' fallout
Alec Baldwin recently discussed the physical and mental health issues he's struggled with since the 2021 'Rust' shooting.
Brooks Koepka leaves LIV Golf, potential PGA Tour return uncertain
The five-time major winner will leave LIV Golf after three-plus years; majors are still in play
US health agency to negotiate prices for GLP-1 weight-loss drugs
The U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services said on Tuesday it will negotiate drug prices with manufacturers of GLP-1 medications, in an attempt to expand access to the weight-loss treatments.
Nicki Minaj’s Embrace of Trump-Era Politics Has Fans Asking Questions
The Trinidad and Tobago-born hip-hop artist's motives are under scrutiny.
Heat's Terry Rozier files motion to dismiss charges in federal sports betting case
Rozier previously pleaded not guilty to wire fraud and money laundering charges
Pictures of the year: Entertainment
A selection of some of our top entertainment photos from 2025.
Comings & Goings
Here’s a look at recent changes in the business landscape in the Sioux Falls area.
Have a 3D Printer? You Can Make Your Own iPhone Fold Dummy
Apple is working on a foldable iPhone that's set to come out in September 2026, and rumors suggest that it will have a display that's around 5.4 inches when closed and 7.6 inches when open. Exact measurements vary based on rumors, but one 3D designer has created a mockup based on what we've heard so far. On MakerWorld, a user named Subsy has uploaded a 1:1 iPhone Fold replica (via Macworld), which can be 3D printed to give you a rough idea of the size of the upcoming foldable iPhone.
Science funding was hit in 2025. What does that mean for the future? : Consider This from NPR
2025 was a hard year for science. The Trump administration upended federal funding for all kinds of scientific pursuits, slashing budgets across agencies like NASA, NIH and NOAA. NPR's Rob Stein and Katia Riddle spoke to scientists and officials who worry that those cuts could cause the United States to lose its competitive edge as a global hub for research and innovation, and steer future generations away from careers in science. For sponsor-free episodes of Consider This, sign up for Consider This+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org. Email us at considerthis@npr.org.This episode was produced by Michael Levitt, with audio engineering by Zo vanGinhoven. It was edited by Sarah Handel, Scott Hensley and Amina Khan. Our executive producer is Sami Yenigun.
Scientists warn: We are witnessing multiple irreversible changes in Antarctica
Antarctica faces abrupt, irreversible climate changes as warming nears 1.5 °C, threatening ice, oceans, ecosystems, and coasts worldwide.
The Pixel 10, our favorite Android phone, is nearly 50 percent off right now
Coupon codes FTW.
Supreme Court rules against Trump, bars deploying National Guard in Chicago
The decision is the major defeat for Trump and his broad claim that he had the power to deploy military forces in U.S. cities.
Earth's seasons vary wildly, even at the same latitude, new research finds
Earth's seasons look very different at locations not far from each other, 20 years' worth of satellite data reveals.
Texas men accused of stealing from Maryland Heights business
Two men from Texas are accused of stealing more than $17,000 of equipment from a Maryland Heights business.
A look back at Washington politics in 2025
A look back at Washington politics in 2025, a year marked by the return of President Donald Trump to the White House. (AP Video: River Zhang)
Fantasy Football Championship-Round Tips: Advice to help you secure the trophy in Week 17
College business storylines I’m tracking heading into 2026
College Football Playoff expansion is just one of a few storylines worth tracking heading into the New Year during a chaotic period for the enterprise.
The top Smithsonian science stories of 2025
The Smithsonian advanced our knowledge of the universe on scales big and small in 2025.
In Brooklyn's Park Slope neighborhood, children's entertainment comes with strings
For more than 30 years, Puppetworks has delighted Brooklyn's Park Slope neighborhood with performances of The Tortoise and the Hare, Pinocchio, Aladdin and, during the holidays, retellings of stories like The Steadfast Tin Soldier.
In Brooklyn's Park Slope neighborhood, children's entertainment comes with strings
For more than 30 years, Puppetworks has delighted Brooklyn's Park Slope neighborhood with performances of The Tortoise and the Hare, Pinocchio, Aladdin and, during the holidays, retellings of stories like The Steadfast Tin Soldier.
Here's what's open for business in Wichita Falls over New Year's
Here's what hours to expect from retailers, grocers and restaurants on New Year's Day in Wichita Falls.
<i>D CEO</i> Editors’ Picks: Our Favorite Business Stories of 2025
From investigative reports to surprising profiles of under-the-radar innovators, these are the stories that stood out in the past year.
Love’s factoring business gets bigger, buying trio of companies
Love’s is adding to its factoring business with the acquisition of three companies.
Love’s factoring business gets bigger, buying trio of companies
Love’s is adding to its factoring business with the acquisition of three companies. The post Love’s factoring business gets bigger, buying trio of companies appeared first on FreightWaves.
Office for Health Data, Outcomes, and Engagement Strategy (HDOES)
Learn more about Mount Sinai's Office for Diversity and Inclusion and its mission to advance equity, education, and health care for all.
The battle for control of Warner Bros.: A timeline of key developments
Netflix wants to buy Warner Bros. and HBO, but Paramount refuses to go away, launching a hostile bid. Here's a timeline of key developments.
‘Truly extraordinary’ sports reporter dies at 41 after fall from LA building
His family paid tribute to "Our Darling Ducky."
Christmas Day sports: Here's a look at the premier matchups on the holiday
The evolution of the Christmas Day sports calendar in the U.S. has given fans a respite if they need a break from family gatherings or just some entertainment while they sip on eggnog.
Christmas Day sports: Here's a look at the premier matchups on the holiday
The evolution of the Christmas Day sports calendar in the U.S. has given fans a respite if they need a break from family gatherings or just some entertainment while they sip on eggnog.
A Daring Scene on Broadway This Season Has Audiences Talking, in More Ways Than One
NEW YORK (AP) — On any given evening as the lights come up on Act 2 of “Liberation,” Bess Wohl's intergenerational Broadway play about a women’s consciousness-raising group, you can hear supportive cheers of “Whoo!” and “Yeah!” — and sometimes, a round of applause. All before a single word has been ...
Mike Tomlin on D.K. Metcalf taking swing at Lions fan: 'Don’t condone the behavior, but I support D.K.'
Cincinnati's second-largest private company relocating headquarters to Texas in 2026
RelaDyne will relocate its headquarters from Cincinnati to Houston in 2026 but will expand its Hebron facility and create dozens of jobs.
Maine's got game: Sports stories that made headlines in 2025
From pro teams to the college scene, it’s been a bustling year for the sports business in Maine.
Sharks Sports & Entertainment's 2025 Holiday Assist
The San Jose Sharks partnered with Family Giving Tree for their Holiday Assist program this season, including a $30,000 Community Assist Grant from the Sharks Foundation.
Sharks Sports & Entertainment's 2025 Holiday Assist
The San Jose Sharks partnered with Family Giving Tree for their Holiday Assist program this season, including a $30,000 Community Assist Grant from the Sharks Foundation.
Duke Health nurse charged with additional sex crimes after third victim comes forward, police say
Jomil Tugado faces three felony counts each of sexual contact/penetration under the pretext of medical treatment and sex acts by a government or private institution employee. He also has three misdemeanor charges of sexual battery.
'Star Trek: Strange New Worlds' reveals casting for Sulu and Bones
'Star Trek: Strange New Worlds' has revealed the casting for two fan-favorites characters that will appear in season 5's finale episode.
Meet the third-generation Louisiana gas station CEO who chairs trade group for $906B industry
Growing up in the 1990s in tiny Mansura, about 30 miles southeast of Alexandria, Annie Gauthier dreamed of becoming a historian and later toyed with the idea of law school.
UCLA Fielding School of Public Health recognizes 7 distinguished alums as the 2025 'Hall of Fame' honorees
Recipients include Dr. Anne Rimoin, professor in the UCLA Fielding School’s Department of Epidemiology and Gordon-Levin Endowed Chair in Infectious Diseases and Public Health.
Oklahoma City, fans across the state will never forget the year of sports in 2025
KOCO 5 Sports Director Bryan Keating replays some of the many major and championship sports moments from 2025 in Oklahoma City
Year in review: Trump's economy : The NPR Politics Podcast
As we approach 2026, the NPR Politics Podcast is taking a look back at the year that was in different political areas. Today, we look at President Trump's handling of the economy, including his tariff policy.This episode: political correspondent Sarah McCammon, White House correspondent Danielle Kurtzleben, and chief economics correspondent Scott Horsley.This podcast was produced by Casey Morell & Bria Suggs, and edited by Rachel Baye. Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi.Listen to every episode of the NPR Politics Podcast sponsor-free, unlock access to bonus episodes with more from the NPR Politics team, and support public media when you sign up for The NPR Politics Podcast+ at plus.npr.org/politics.
Elon Musk, AI and the antichrist: the biggest tech stories of 2025
A look back at the biggest tech stories of the year, from the rise and fall of Musk’s Doge to lucrative investments into AI
College football bowl and CFP picks, predictions: Legendary Vegas expert reveals best bets
SportsLine CFB expert Bruce Marshall reveals best bets for every College Football Playoff and bowl game
Ben Sasse announces stage 4 pancreatic cancer diagnosis
The former U.S. Senator and University of Florida President shared a candid message about mortality, faith and family.
Vince Zampella, video game pioneer behind megahit Call of Duty, dies at 55
One of Vince Zampella's crowning achievements was the creation of the Call of Duty franchise, which has sold more than half a billion games worldwide.
Iowa City sports superfan 'Smiley' dies at 79
One of the most famous sports fans in Iowa has passed away.
Favorite 'Dogs: Back Browns to Push Steelers to the Brink
Pittsburgh might have the AFC North sewed up ahead of its Week 17 matchup, which is why Will Hill sees the Browns keeping it close.
Popstar! Best of 2025: The Fan-Voted Entertainment Rewind That Defined the Year
/PRNewswire/ -- From blockbuster premieres to viral moments, Popstar! Best of 2025 is a fan-voted celebration of the movies, shows, music, and cultural moments...
Farewell, Sports Haven: A Video Tribute
The oil drum-shaped, off-track-betting hall that opened on Long Wharf in 1979 closed on Nov. 30. Local filmmaker Travis Carbonella chronicled its final days.
A national grant expands faith and health education - News
A new grant is helping Missouri State faculty teach students how to recognize and respond to the influences of faith and spirituality in care settings.
Missouri sportsbook promos: Get nearly $3,000 in welcome bonuses with Missouri sports betting promo codes now
The best Missouri sportsbook promos are available now that sports betting is legal in the state. Get the latest Missouri sports betting promo codes and claim up to $3,000 in bonuses
FanDuel SN channels could be sold as broadcaster scrambles for funds
If a sale falls through, Main Street Sports Group could ultimately be shut down following the current NBA and NHL seasons.
Beloved sports reporter dies at 41 after fall from LA building
Australian sports reporter Duncan McKenzie-McHarg, who covered international tennis for Stan Sport, died Wednesday in Los Angeles at age 41.
College football transfer portal: Georgia's Kirby Smart sounds off ahead of CFP
Georgia coach Kirby Smart is no fan of college football's new 'announcement' era
NFL playoff picture: Broncos still control division and seeding fate
The Broncos can still win the AFC West and clinch the No. 1 seed in the conference.
Federal cuts and a race to replace McConnell. Here’s a look at top state politics stories in 2025
Kentucky Public Radio has covered a tumultuous year of federal cuts and shifts, the lawsuits challenging them, state governance and another hefty legislative session. Rediscover our top politics stories of 2025.
The Kennedy dynasty: the future of America's most famous political clan
All you need to know about the family’s younger generation
The Gear That Defined Tech Editor Josh Ross's 2025: AI, Cameras, WorldTour Bikes, and More
It wasn’t just about the fastest bikes or the lightest parts. This year my favorites included items, both bike related and not, that fostered connection, solved real problems, and brought me joy.
Why Apple's Foldable iPhone May Be Smaller Than Expected
Apple's first foldable iPhone, rumored for release next year, may turn out to be smaller than most people imagine, if a recent report is anything to go by. According to The Information, the outer display on the book-style device will measure just 5.3 inches – that's smaller than the 5.4-inch screen on the iPhone mini, a line Apple discontinued in 2022 due to poor sales. The report has led some people to wonder why Apple would settle on such a compact form factor.
Durant out, D-Backs cash in, Mercury rise
Arizona sports fans saw surprises, stumbles and standout moments in 2025.
I Tried Samsung's Galaxy Z TriFold and Z Fold 7. Here's How the Foldable Phones Differ
Does Samsung's Galaxy Z TriFold stand a chance against the lightest book-style foldable phone of the year? Let's compare the two.
Why Sports Is The Fastest Way To Break CTV’s Programmatic Ceiling
Programmatic media buying is expected to account for the majority of growth in the CTV market in 2026. This year alone, over 90% of CTV ad dollars were transacted through programmatic pipes. That data isn’t surprising. Programmatic has solved a real problem by helping brands reach TV viewers with targeted precision at much lower costs. […]
Family nurse practitioner offers membership health care services
Hayden resident Brandon Lehman said the Love Wellness Ltd. subscription medical model of direct primary care that includes unlimited visits for a monthly membership fee is a good fit for his needs and is “efficient...
Brand Innovators Outlook 2026: Entertainment
The entertainment industry faces a year of change and adjustment in 2026. New technologies and merger activity will keep movies, TV and live events in play. With the limitations of the COVID pandemic firmly in the rear-view mirror, the sector anticipates consumers will indulge in movies and live events, and brands will find new ways […]
A Quarter Of American Families Face Financially Overwhelming Medical Expenses
By Dennis Thompson HealthDay ReporterTUESDAY, Dec. 23, 2025 (HealthDay News) — More than 1 in 4 Americans are struggling with financial toxicity, with big medical bills dragging down both their money and their health, a new study says. Nearly 27% of U.S. residents faced high medical expenses or ...
Former WALB reporter inducted into Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame
WALB congratulates Pam Oliver on her well-deserved induction into the Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame.
Venue Adjustments for Intermountain Health Freestyle International Presented by Stifel
PARK CITY, Utah (Dec. 23, 2025) — U.S. Ski & Snowboard announced updates to the Intermountain Health Freestyle International presented by Stifel, originally scheduled to take place at Deer Valley Resort. Due to unseasonably warm weather, both the aerials and moguls World Cup events will be moved.
Nine mental-health tips for a happier 2026
Regardless of any resolutions you may have for 2026, one thing is for sure: Everyone wants to have a happy new year.While losing weight or saving money may be great goals, the most straightforward path to happiness is caring for your mental and emotional health. A robust body of research shows that simple cognitive and behavioral strategies can reliably boost happiness and reduce stress – and they’re generally free and accessible to all.These strategies don’t have to be super time-consuming, but they do require intention: They only work if you do them.Here, psychologist Valentina Ogaryan, PhD, clinical director of the Simms/Mann UCLA Center for Integrative Oncology, shares her top tips for cultivating more calm, centeredness and happiness in the new year (or anytime):Make time for playPlay isn’t just for kids, and it’s far from frivolous. The National Institute for Play says engaging in silliness, fun and just-for-pleasure activities reduces stress and increases optimism and resilience. A recent review also found that play improves mental health.“Adults can benefit from play as much as children,” Dr. Ogaryan says, “not just as a reward, but something that helps regulate.”So go ahead and dance with your dog, build something with Legos, tell a joke, sing karaoke or do anything else that feels like fun. Don’t worry about being productive, just enjoy yourself. And, if you can, opt for more analog play, Dr. Ogaryan suggests, as a respite from our ever-more-digital world. Move your bodyWhether you dance, ski, do yoga, play pickleball, ride a bike, roller-skate, hike or lift weights, physical movement benefits overall happiness and well-being. A 2018 review study of more than 1.2 million adults in the U.S. found that doing any kind of exercise was “significantly and meaningfully associated” with better self-reported mental health.The sweet spot was 45 minutes of movement three to five times a week, but even short bursts of physical activity can boost brain health, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.“Movement helps support mood and regulate the nervous system,” Dr. Ogaryan says.Plus: exercise can improve sleep quality, and sleep is essential for mental health.Prioritize sleep“Sleep plays a major role in managing stress,” Dr. Ogaryan says. Research shows that lack of sufficient sleep increases the risk of various diseases, including depression.While stress can interfere with sleep, practicing good sleep hygiene can make logging ZZ’s easier. That means maintaining a consistent bedtime; keeping the bedroom cool, dark and quiet; and avoiding social media, news and stimulating shows before bed.Consume lessWe live in a consumer culture, inundated by endless streams of content and advertising everywhere we go, which makes it easy to get overstimulated.“Something really helpful for stress reduction is to simply consume less,” Dr. Ogaryan says – less news, less social media, less information, less noise, less screen time. “It’s about reducing the input,” she says.Consider setting a maximum number of news articles per day, for example, or a time limit on scrolling. Maybe even go device free for an afternoon or a whole day.Practice present-moment awarenessWith so much coming at us all the time, focusing on the here and now can make life feel more manageable, Dr. Ogaryan says: “When everything feels super overwhelming, when everything feels larger than life, let’s make our world a little bit smaller for that moment in time.”She suggests taking things one day, or even one hour, at a time. Ask yourself: What’s my next right action? Release the need to know how everything turns out and liberate yourself from having to handle everything right now. Let the future take care of itself and just focus on the current moment. Then the next one. Have a daily anchorFrom work to the daily commute to family and life responsibilities, our days can feel jam-packed. Dr. Ogaryan recommends creating a centering daily anchor that can fit into even the busiest day.Maybe it’s a 10-minute walk during your lunch break or mindfully enjoying your coffee in the morning. Let your anchor adapt to your needs each day, she says, but be intentional about using that time to ground yourself and calm your nervous system. You might even say to yourself, “I choose this walk to help me become centered,” or “My day already feels stressful, so I’m going to take the next 10 minutes to enjoy this cup of coffee, feel the warm mug in my hand and just be present.” Having an anchor won’t erase the busy-ness from your day, but it will allow you to approach it more calmly.Be kind to yourselfMost of us have a harsh inner critic in our heads who works overtime. But that critical voice only increases our stress, triggering the same fight-or-flight response as caustic words from another person.To feel happier, we need to replace that inner critic with a kinder, more compassionate voice, Dr. Ogaryan says. Studies show that self-compassion is a source of eudaimonic happiness – the kind of happiness associated with purpose and meaning in life.While our knee-jerk reaction may be to self-criticize – “How could you let it get to this point? You didn’t manage your time well and now the project is going to be late. You’re so inept.” – we fare better mentally by treating ourselves with kindness, like we would a friend. That might sound like, “You’ve got a lot on your plate, but you are capable and you’ll get it done. I believe in you.”We may think that speaking kindly to ourselves means letting ourselves off the hook, so we end up becoming lazy do-nothings. But research shows the opposite: People who are self-compassionate are more likely to try harder in the face of failure and ultimately reach their goals.You can thank your inner critic for its good intentions, but resolve to talk to yourself in a kind, compassionate voice.Connect with othersHumans are social animals built for connection. Stress can be isolating and cause us to withdraw, but connecting with others is a salve for the psyche, Dr. Ogaryan says.“We know that not all relationships are always easy, but if we can think about intentional, nourishing connection – even in really small doses – it could really help center us,” she says.Take a moment to laugh with your colleagues, hug your pet, have a conversation with a friend or smile at the barista making your coffee. A study found that even tiny interactions with casual acquaintances and strangers decreases loneliness and improves happiness and well-being.Seek supportIf you try these practices and happiness remains elusive, or if you can’t access the wherewithal to follow these tips, seek support from your physician or a therapist. Mental health conditions are among the most common health issues in the U.S. and around the world – more prevalent than diabetes or heart disease. One in five people in the U.S. experiences a mental illness each year, with depression and anxiety the most common, according to the National Institute of Mental Health.“We can all think about these tips,” Dr. Ogaryan says. “But it’s important to recognize if you’ve done everything you can and you’re still really struggling, it’s really important to seek help.”
The disunity of science is a feature, not a bug
Mathematical models wield miraculous power, but mistaking them for reality has trapped science in a destructive quest for a “Theory of Everything.” Physicist and philosopher Ragner Fjelland argues that this leads to bloated, Frankenstein theories kept alive by clumsy, ad-hoc amendments, which reduce rather than boost science’s power. Fjelland calls for a radical shift in our attitude: we must reorientate towards creating entirely new theories, celebrating rather than lamenting disunity and diversity in science. Science, from the scientific revolution in the seventeenth century to the present day, has more or less developed in a “reductionist” way. The fundamental assumption is that all sciences may be ordered in a hierarchy that can be represented as an upside-down pyramid. At the top we find the human sciences, and at the bottom physics. Strong (or “ontological”) reductionism maintains that all theories at one level can be completely reduced to the lower level, all the way down to theories of atoms and elementary particles, or whatever is “at the bottom.” In the end, all diversity in the world can be unified in one fundamental theory. Hence it is called a final theory, or a Theory of Everything.One of the central figures in developing the idea of a Theory of Everything is the Dutch theoretical physicist Gerard 't Hooft, who received a Nobel Prize in physics in 1999 for his work. He emphasizes the non-empirical status of the theory:There exists no closely resembling alternative theory. This means that any slight change brought about in the rules would make the theory unlikely or inelegant. The theory will be a "package deal": take it, or leave it. This should hold both for the local laws and for the boundary conditions.This endeavor is not new. On the contrary, it goes all the way back to the birth of Western philosophy 2,500 years ago. The Babylonians made regular astronomical observations during a period of 600 years, from 747 BCE until 150 ACE. They developed mathematical techniques to predict astronomical phenomena, but they made no attempts at explaining them. However, the Greeks developed models, both material and theoretical, to explain the observed phenomena.The best example is Plato’s late dialogue Timaeus. Here he introduces a divine craftsman, the Demiurge, who has constructed the universe according to an original plan. Plato seems to have thought that the original plan is what is actually real, while the material world is merely an imperfect realization of it. He therefore does not, in the Timaeus, reconstruct the material universe, but the original plan, which can then be used to explain the material universe.Plato’s aim in producing a theoretical model is to reconstruct the original plan. That is what he carries out in Timaeus—and some modern physicists have embarked on the same project. For example, Einstein’s basic attitude is reflected in the title of Abraham Pais’ biography: “Subtle is the Lord...,” echoing Einstein’s comment, “Subtle is the Lord, but malicious He is not.” In an interview Einstein compared our situation to a child who enters a huge library. The child knows that someone has written the books, but he does not know the languages in which they are written. He suspects that there is a mysterious order, but he does not know what it is.___“We have all been working in what Husserl called the Galilean style; that is, we have all been making abstract mathematical models of the universe to which at least the physicists give a higher degree of reality than they accord the ordinary world of sensation.”Steven Weinberg, Nobel Prize in Physics (1979)___This Platonist view is contrary to a widespread impression of science, symbolized by the picture of the “father” of modern science, Galileo Galilei, with his telescope. According to this impression, Galileo liberated himself from the dominating metaphysics of his day—basically Aristotelian philosophy—and constructed a telescope that he directed towards the sky, showing that Jupiter has four moons. He also performed experiments with bronze balls rolling down inclined planes and found the law of freely falling bodies.However, in other cases Galileo emphasized the unreliability of our senses. It is easy to see why. He defended Copernicus’ heliocentric hypothesis. According to this hypothesis, we are not at rest at the center of the universe, but moving at a tremendous speed through space. Why don’t we observe this motion? Galileo praises Copernicus because “with reason as his guide he resolutely continued to affirm what sensible experience seemed to contradict.” In other places he directly refers to Plato. SUGGESTED VIEWING The quest for a final theory With Michio Kaku Galileo’s Platonism goes back to his early writings. In The Assayer, published as early as 1623, Galileo compared the universe to a grand book that is written in the language of mathematics, and “its characters are triangles, circles, and other geometric figures without which it is humanly impossible to understand a single word of it.” Therefore, things that cannot be described by mathematics—for example, colors, smells and odors—are not real. They are merely subjective.This division into subjective and objective, advocated by Galileo and his younger contemporary René Descartes, is normally associated with a mechanistic world view, which is regarded as the opposite of Platonism. When we reduce something to, for example, molecules and atoms, we move “downwards.” In contrast, the Platonist moves “upwards,” to abstract entities. However, it only shows that when we address fundamental questions, we should be careful in applying everyday spatial metaphors like “up” and “down.”___Nature is complex, and we cannot in general construct mathematical models that adequately describe the world.___The endeavor of finding a Theory of Everything has been heavily criticized. In 2006, the theoretical physicist Lee Smolin published “The Crisis in Fundamental Physics.” He argued that one of the most fundamental principles of science is that we should only regard theories as scientific if we have the possibility to show that they are false by experiments. Although he did not refer to Karl Popper, other critics have referred to Popper and argued that a theory is not scientific if it cannot be falsified (see for example Ellis & Silk 2014).These were not the first physicists to be anti-reductionists. In 1972, the journal Science published an article by the physicist Philip Anderson with the title “More Is Different.” This is the kind of article a scientist would normally write only after he has won a Nobel Prize. However, Anderson won the Nobel Prize for physics five years later, in 1977. The article is amazing, not primarily because it argues in favor of anti-reductionism in general, but because it argues for anti-reductionism within physics itself. Anderson’s conclusion was:At each stage entirely new laws, concepts, and generalizations are necessary, requiring inspiration and creativity to just as great a degree as in the previous one. Psychology is not applied biology, nor is biology applied chemistry.We may say that Plato started the “unity of science movement,” based on Euclidean geometry as the model of all knowledge. A distinguishing mark of geometry is that all possible constructions can be reduced to a few fundamental principles. We have to acknowledge that this approach has limitations. In general, we can easily model technological systems. In addition, we may construct simplified and idealized models that capture important aspects of systems, from various perspectives and for various purposes. But nature is complex, and we cannot in general construct mathematical models that adequately describe the world. In a complex system, each level has its distinct, emergent, properties that are characteristic of this level. Therefore, a complex system should be investigated at different levels and from different perspectives. Instead of exclusively pursuing a scientific ideal based on the unity of science, we should acknowledge the diversity—or even the disunity—of science.