It's safe to say the first Nice News Book Club earlier this month was a smashing success — nearly 600 of you tuned in to hear Dr. Shauna Shapiro discuss mindfulness, self-compassion, and her book Good Morning, I Love You (if you missed it, you can watch the recording here). It was such a success, in fact, that we'll be back with another speaker next month! This time, attendees will hear from Stephanie Harrison, author of New Happy and a true Nice News team fave. RSVP for the May 6 event, and if you're not yet familiar with Harrison's work, check out our interview with her from last year.
Dear reader, the first known letter from King James VI, written when he was around 7, is going on display (P.S. The penmanship is unreal)
Environment
A Hero Among Pups: Sharwood the Dog Holds World Record for Donating Blood
Eleanor Riley / The Kennel Club
Did you know that dogs can donate blood? We don't often think of pups as needing transfusions the way humans sometimes do, but everything from injuries to blood clotting disorders can cause canines to require donated blood. And Sharwood, an adorable 8-year-old Gordon setter from England, has risen to the occasion more than any other, saving over 168 pups' lives and nabbing the Guinness World Record earlier this year for the most times a dog has given blood. On July 13, 2024, he completed his 40th donation through the Pet Blood Bank U.K., becoming the first canine in the country to reach that milestone. Sharwood's heroism also earned him the honor of being named a finalist for the 2025 Crufts Hero Award. While he ultimately didn't win, the blood bank's regional coordinator Adelle Fallows emphasized in Sharwood's nomination video just how essential his donations have been. "Our donor dogs are really important," said Fallows. "They come along, they donate blood for those dogs that are in need. They may have been hit by a car, they may have major blood loss, and also have conditions such as immune-mediated hemolytic anemia, where they need blood very urgently." Watch the nomination video and read more about Sharwood in honor of National Pet Day today.
The Best Hearing Aid in 2025: "The Clarity Is Insane"
Picture this: you're in a crowded restaurant enjoying dinner with friends, family, coworkers — take your pick. There's music playing and people all around, making it difficult to hear the conversation, so you're leaning in, trying to read lips and asking for repeats. Sound familiar? There's a better way to stay in the conversation, thanks to this tiny hearing aid. Hear.com's bestselling Horizon IX hearing device makes conversations and hearing effortless, even amid background noise, something many other hearing aids fall short of. And the clarity is truly next-level. Click the link below to join 540,000 customers and give the Horizon IX a try.
"It Amazes Me": Alzheimer's Biomarkers Study Sees Positive Trend
Andrew Brookes/Getty Images
"I couldn't tell a story. I couldn't get my words out," Penny Ashford, 61, told CNN. "I remember sitting at a dinner party one time, and I couldn't finish my thoughts. It was the most unbelievable moment." That experience led Ashford, whose father had Alzheimer's, to enroll in a new study analyzing disease risk by tracking 54 key blood markers. Instead of relying on brain scans and spinal taps, this method uses blood tests to estimate one's risk and support an earlier diagnosis of the progressive brain disorder. The researchers also develop tailored plans to help participants implement personalized health and lifestyle changes to slow the progression of memory loss, addressing blood pressure control, diet, hormonal and nutrient imbalances, and much more. Many of those involved, including Ashford, have seen remarkable brain health improvements. "I've lost count on how many people have shown blood markers of brain disease trend in the right direction, but every time it amazes me," said senior study author Dr. Richard Isaacson. He hopes the blood test method will one day become "the cholesterol test for the brain." For Ashford, the results have been life-changing. After overhauling her lifestyle (e.g. cutting sweets, starting cardio and resistance training, and practicing yoga), her ability to retrieve words has improved. Her measures of amyloid and tau proteins and neuroinflammation, all reliable indicators of Alzheimer's, have also fallen. "It's huge, huge," she said. "I'm so proud of myself. And each success that I have empowers me to do more, keep going, and not let up."
Culture
How an Autism Diagnosis Helped Bella Ramsey on and off the Set of "The Last of Us"
Rich Polk/Deadline via Getty Images
It's been over two years since The Last of Us series debuted and made us look at mushrooms in a new way forever. Now we're just days away from the hotly anticipated Season 2 premiere, airing Sunday. A lot happened on screen last season (for a refresher, here's an official recap), as well as behind the scenes. Bella Ramsey, who stars in the HBO drama alongside Pedro Pascal, recently shared in an interview with British Vogue that they were diagnosed with autism, in part due to a crew member who recognized the telltale signs. "I've spoken a bit about neurodivergence before, but I always for some reason didn't want to," Ramsey, who uses they/them pronouns, said before sharing, "I got diagnosed with autism when I was filming Season 1 of The Last of Us." The 21-year-old actor added that it was "freeing" to get the official diagnosis. "It enables me to walk through the world with more grace towards myself about not being able to do the easy everyday tasks that everyone else seems to be able to do," they said. Read Ramsey's full interview, sprinkled with tidbits about how autism has made them a better actor and what to expect in this next season of the gripping series.
Global Good
🇬🇧 Universal is going across the pond, opening a U.K. theme park (read more)
🇯🇵 Japan launched a four-day work week trial in hopes of supporting families and boosting birth rates (read more)
🇦🇺 Tide is turning: Plastic pollution along Australia's coastlines has decreased by 39% in the last decade (read more)
🏴 Rarely seen royal portraits are going on display at a museum in Edinburgh — take a peek (read more)
🇿🇦 The first "Pangolarium" opened in South Africa to help pangolins, the most trafficked mammal (read more)
Something We Love
Butterfly Puddler My mother-in-law, one of the best gift givers in the world, is intimidating to shop for because she has impeccable taste. My husband and I got her this neat butterfly puddler because we thought it would make a beautiful and practical addition to her garden while helping boost the pollinator population. It attracts butterflies by holding on to natural minerals after water evaporates. She loved it!
The bond between pets and people is undeniable — which is why a British animal charity runs a free, semimonthly pet care clinic for unhoused pet owners. The goal is to offer nonjudgmental vet support and keep pets with their loving companions in a way that's safe for everyone. "What we are doing here is making sure the animals are as well as possible and providing their owners with the peace of mind that their pets are happy and safe," veterinary surgeon Nicola Chouler said.
Photo of the Day
HARDY BOPE/AFP via Getty Images
These animals, crafted from cardboard and plywood, make up "The Herds," a public art project that recently set off from the Democratic Republic of Congo on a journey through major cities in Africa and Europe. The goal is to raise awareness about how the climate crisis is endangering the very animals represented by the life-size puppets. "We believe thousands and thousands of people are watching us," project member Siphokazi Mpofu told AFP. "We believe out of these thousands, maybe 10 will take out something on what we are doing and then take it back to their communities, to their cities." Watch a video of the herd in motion.
Could RYSE Be the Next Ring?
The Sharks of Shark Tank missed out on a 66,756% ROI when they passed on Ring — which eventually sold to Amazon for $1.2 billion. Now, RYSE is shaking up the smart home industry with over $10 million in revenue, 127 Best Buy locations, and more than 10 patents. The company's smart shades are disrupting the market: You can invest early at $1.90/share and earn up to 25% in bonus shares.
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