Plan on getting away for the long weekend? Whether you're going by plane, train, or automobile, be prepared to face crowds — AAA projects 45.1 million people in the U.S. will travel at least 50 miles from home over the Memorial Day holiday period, from today through Monday. Here's what to know before you pack up.
Johns Creek, Georgia, Named Best Place in the US to Call Home
City of Johns Creek
Every year, U.S. News & World Report ranks the best places to live in the U.S. based on factors like value, desirability, job market, quality of life, and net migration (i.e., whether or not the city is attracting new residents) — and for the 2025-2026 list, a few lesser-known gems rose to the top. The No. 1 spot out of 250 major cities went to Johns Creek, Georgia, a northeastern suburb of Atlanta with a population of 78,937 and a median age of 40.2. Johns Creek not only offers a higher value of living compared to similarly sized cities, but also an average commute time of under 30 minutes and a job market that's better than the national average. "We are blessed with a great community, and it's always nice when others recognize that," Johns Creek Mayor John Bradberry said in a statement. "The Council and I will continue to focus on delivering value and a strong quality of life for our residents." To see which other cities scored high marks on the livability scale, check out the full rankings.
Together With Quince
Vacation Essentials for Effortless Style, Wherever You Roam
What's on your travel itinerary this year? Maybe you're sightseeing in Italy, exploring the unique flavors in every region of Spain, or swimming in the crystal blue waters of Greece — but you can't go anywhere without a well-curated travel wardrobe. Thankfully, Quince makes it easy to pack light and look stylish. Discover beach-ready pieces like Italian-crafted swimsuits and organic cotton cover-ups, along with comfortable, versatile staples like the best selling 100% European Linen Pants and airy cotton poplin dresses. Quince offers everything you need for that effortless vacation look, all at an affordable price. Wherever you're headed this year, do it in style with Quince.
Eye Pupils Open Window Into Memory Recall, Study Finds
filo/ iStock
If you're wondering how well someone is remembering something, the clues may be right in front of your eyes — or rather, in their eyes. It's long been known that our pupils tend to enlarge when we're focused or thinking intensely. A recent study went a step further to investigate whether the eyes do the same thing when it comes to long-term memory recall. To test this, researchers asked 28 volunteers in Hungary to study 80 words that aren't often used in the Hungarian language, all presented on a screen at a specific point along the edge of an invisible circle. The participants were later shown a combination of old and new words that were centered on the screen. As participants recalled where previously recognized words originally appeared on the screen, the researchers tracked their pupil sizes. They found that when people recognized a word they'd previously seen, their pupils dilated — and when they could remember the word's original location, the effect was even more pronounced. The eye-opening findings (pun intended) could potentially be applied in a variety of ways, from court cases to teaching environments: "Pupil dilation could serve as a non-invasive marker of memory quality in settings such as education, clinical assessment, or legal testimony — especially when evaluating the depth or reliability of someone's memory," Mohamad El Haj, a neuropsychologist and professor who was not involved in the study, told Popular Science.
Environment
Why Simply Looking at Well-Designed Gardens Can Help People Unwind
Ueya Kato Zoen
We'd argue it's hard not to feel a sense of peace in the presence of a beautiful garden. But some gardens seem to induce more calming vibes than others, and now, researchers have pinpointed why that might be. In a study published last week, researchers observed 16 students as they viewed two different gardens in Kyoto, Japan: Murin-an, a meticulously designed garden, and a less maintained university garden. They recorded the students' eye movements during the viewings, their heart rates before and during, and their moods before and after. The takeaway: When viewers looked at the Murin-an garden, their gazes shifted more quickly and covered more distance, which correlated with boosted moods and a drop in heart rates. The students also reported feeling more relaxed at Murin-an and more interested in revisiting it than the university garden — all of which is no coincidence, per study author Seiko Goto: "These sceneries encourage the viewer to observe longer to understand the composition and meaning of the scenery, while the gaze wanders more and faster." Looking ahead, the researchers believe their findings could be used to improve therapy and facilities for older adults. Said Goto: "Gardens are generally seen as a hobby for the wealthy, but if appreciating Japanese gardens can induce a relaxing effect, which intuitively everyone feels, it could be used as a form of therapy in hospitals and welfare facilities."
In Other News
LA's mayor signedan order that will support the local film and TV industry, making it "easier to film" in the city (read more)
Jupiter was once double its size, according to a recent study on our solar system's largest planet (read more)
"Turn doomsday into optimism." An underwater sculpture park in Florida is boosting coral and morale (read more)
Neurosurgeons introduced a new framework to better care for patients with traumatic brain injuries (read more)
A green-hued butterfly believed to be extinct in San Francisco has been spotted fluttering in Fog City again (read more)
Inspiring Story
Mamba forever
Last week, Kobe Bryant's oldest daughter, Natalia, graduated from the University of Southern California — and the 22-year-old made sure to include her late father in the academic milestone. See her moving Mamba tribute.
Photo of the Day
Harry How/Getty Images
The countdown to the 2026 Winter Olympics and Paralympics in Milan Cortina is on. Fifty of the most high-profile U.S. athletes are getting ready for the spotlight with the Team USA Promo Shoot happening this week at Universal Studios Hollywood in LA, including speed skater Brittany Bowe, seen above. Bowe already has two Olympic medals under her belt, but she still has her eyes set on winning her first gold. We'll be rooting for you!
Celebrate Your Favorite Grad With a Gift From Quince
It's graduation season — and an accomplishment like that deserves a little something special. Find a thoughtful gift your favorite grad will actually use at Quince. From timeless jewelry and polished bags to elevated home decor and travel-ready essentials, Quince makes it easy to celebrate in style. Can't choose? Let the grad decide with a personalized Quince gift card.
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