If you want to blame anyone, blame President James K. Polk. During the Mexican-American War (1846-48), partisans of the "All Mexico" movement argued for the annexation of Mexico in its entirety as a condition of peace, but Polk -- faced with opposition to the war from Northerners such as Whig...

One woman tried to push her child into joining her in denouncing anti-abortion advocate T. Russell Hunter, but the boy did not seem ready to jump on board. Hunter posted a video to the YouTube channel of his organization, Abolitionists Rising, in which he and other activists spoke to attendees...

As it turns out, having "woke activist" on your resume might not be such a great thing in the current job market. On Tuesday, the Washington Free Beacon reported that Isra Hirsi, the daughter of Minnesota Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar, is struggling to find employment after graduating in May from...

BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM The slimy and sticky qualities that make okra divisive on dinner plates might just help clean our water. Researchers have found that natural polymers from common plants like okra and fenugreek are surprisingly effective at capturing and removing microplastics, the tiny, persistent pollutants that have infiltrated oceans, rivers, and even our drinking water. Published in ACS Omega, the study shows that okra and fenugreek extracts can remove up to 90 percent of microplastics from a range of water sources, including ocean water, freshwater, and groundwater. The findings point to a plant-powered method that could someday replace synthetic, less environmentally friendly water treatment chemicals. From a kitchen staple to a clean water tool Rajani Srinivasan and her team at Tarleton State University have been exploring plant-based solutions for environmental cleanup. Their research focuses on using polysaccharides, natural, sticky polymers found in many plants, to clump microplastics together so they can be more easily removed from water. To make the plant powders, researchers soaked sliced okra and blended fenugreek seeds in separate containers of water overnight. The dissolved polymers were then extracted and dried into powder. Lab analysis confirmed that the powders were rich in polysaccharides, making them ideal candidates for microplastic removal. Lab results show strong performance Initial tests using distilled water mixed with microplastics showed promising results. Just one gram of either plant powder in a liter of water removed a significant amount of the plastics within an hour: Fenugreek removed 93 percent. Okra removed 67 percent. A 1:1 mixture of the two reached 70 percent efficiency in just 30 minutes. Importantly, the plant powders outperformed polyacrylamide, a synthetic polymer widely used in wastewater treatment. When the researchers moved on to real-world water samples from across Texas, they found the results varied depending on water type: Okra was most effective in ocean water, removing 80 percent. Fenugreek worked best in groundwater, with removal rates between 80 and 90 percent. The okra-fenugreek combination showed the highest efficiency in freshwater, removing 77 percent. Srinivasan explained that these differences likely stem from the diversity in microplastic shape, size, and type across different water sources. A biodegradable and nontoxic alternative Currently, water treatment plants often rely on synthetic chemicals like polyacrylamide to remove contaminants. But these substances come with their own risks. The plant-based powders, on the other hand, offer a nontoxic, biodegradable solution. “Utilizing these plant-based extracts in water treatment will remove microplastics and other pollutants without introducing additional toxic substances to the treated water,” says Srinivasan. “This reduces long-term health risks to the population.” The research was funded by several organizations, including the U.S. Department of Energy, the Welch Foundation, the National Science Foundation, and Tarleton State University. As microplastic pollution continues to mount, this promising breakthrough highlights how traditional knowledge and modern science can meet in surprising ways—with a little help from the garden. Source study: ACS Omega— Fenugreek and okra polymers as treatment agents for the removal of microplastics from water sourcesThe post Okra and fenugreek extracts remove up to 90 percent of microplastics from water first appeared on The Optimist Daily: Making Solutions the News.

BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Summer is prime time for pressing pause. Between sunny skies and school breaks, it’s the season when many people plan getaways. But vacations are more than just a fun escape. They play a vital role in well-being, helping people reset, reconnect, and return with renewed energy. Psychologist and behavioral expert Art Markman emphasizes that time away is not only enjoyable, but also essential for restoring balance in a fast-paced life. Vacations offer the opportunity to step outside daily routines and reconnect with both ourselves and the people who matter most. Vacation or trip? Choose with intention Not all time away is created equal. There are generally two types of getaways: relaxing vacations and activity-filled trips. A vacation is centered around rest and ease. Think lazy mornings, spontaneous outings, and afternoons spent by the water. This type of getaway works best when daily life feels overwhelming or nonstop, offering a slower pace and the chance to truly recharge. By contrast, a trip is about exploration and novelty. These tend to involve sightseeing, new experiences, and structured itineraries. While they may be more demanding in the moment, trips often leave us with meaningful memories and a sense of accomplishment. The key is identifying what kind of break you need. Whether it’s the quiet of a hammock or the buzz of a new city, you should plan it intentionally. How breaking routine slows time When every week blends into the next, it’s often because routines dull our sense of time passing. Our brains stop registering new details when our days are predictable, making time feel like it’s slipping by. Vacations interrupt this rhythm. Experiencing something unfamiliar, whether a different environment or a change in pace, activates new pathways in the brain. Days feel fuller, and looking back, they seem longer and more memorable. Taking a break from routine isn’t just refreshing; it can change how time is experienced. Use vacation time to reconnect with people Busy schedules often push relationships to the background. Vacation time provides a rare window to restore those connections. Spending time with loved ones, especially those who live far away, can rekindle bonds that are hard to maintain through texts or phone calls alone. These in-person moments bring more than joy. They help create a sense of continuity between the past and present. Whether it’s catching up with extended family or simply being fully present with your partner or kids, shared experiences on vacation can strengthen the foundation of your relationships. Plan ahead to truly disconnect from work One of the hardest, yet most important, parts of vacation is stepping away from work. Even a quick email check-in can mentally pull you back into work mode, making it harder to fully relax. To get the most from your time off, set clear boundaries. Prepare your team in advance so they can handle urgent matters without you. Identify tasks that can wait until you return and delegate those that can’t. This way, you can enjoy your break without worrying about what’s happening at the office. Markman shares that he prefers taking two shorter vacations rather than one long one, because it makes it easier to stay fully unplugged during each break. By planning intentionally, you create the space needed to return recharged and ready to dive back in. Make your time off meaningful Whether you’re relaxing, adventuring, or reconnecting with loved ones, summer getaways can be deeply restorative when approached with care. The goal isn’t just to escape; it’s to enrich your life, slow time down, and create space for reflection and joy. By planning your vacation with purpose and setting boundaries around work, your summer break becomes more than time off. It becomes a true investment in your well-being.The post How to plan the perfect summer break: balance connection, adventure, and true rest first appeared on The Optimist Daily: Making Solutions the News.

What do you think of when you think of awful disasters? If you’re like many of us, especially here in the United States, things like Hurricane Katrina come to mind. Or perhaps your mind will be drawn to something like the devastating 1994 Northridge earthquake in southern California. Sadly, there are so many awful disasters […] The post Ten Totally Forgotten Deadly American Disasters appeared first on Listverse.

Explore how metal bands like Disturbed, Metallica, and Limp Bizkit created unexpected pop crossover hits with creative cover songs and originals. The post 10 Metal Bands Who Accidentally Created Pop Hits appeared first on Listverse.

Sometimes not answering is also an answer.July 10, 2025 by Daniel Greenfield Leave a Comment Sometimes not answering a question is also the answer. Biden’s doctor, Kevin O’Connor, has been the subject…

After it went viral and over half a million people saw it.July 10, 2025 by Daniel Greenfield Leave a Comment On June 28th, Front Page Magazine revealed that Zohran Mamdani had spoken at a mosque whose…