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Social connection is just as important for well-being as diet and exercise, according to a slew of studies. Building strong and meaningful relationships can protect against common conditions like diabetes and Alzheimer's disease, as well as improve job satisfaction and creativity. Researchers have discovered psychological barriers that undermine our ability to connect, such as the "liking gap" where people underestimate how well they come across to others. Overcoming these barriers can be as simple as demonstrating attention explicitly in words and sharing intimate thoughts and feelings. Implementation intentions, or concrete plans of action, can also help improve social connections. Both introverts and extroverts can benefit from acting more gregariously, and the benefits of a vibrant social life include a reduced risk of premature death. Medical authorities are now recognizing the importance of relationships, with the World Health Organization establishing a Commission on Social Connection. [Extracted from the article]

A group of manatees, typically found in coastal waters, may have been discovered in Upper Guinea, far from the ocean. Lucy Keith-Diagne, an expert on African manatees, believes that this group may have evolved into a separate subspecies due to their isolation. To confirm their existence and protect them from threats such as dam construction and poaching, Keith-Diagne and her team are conducting an expedition to collect samples of river water for DNA analysis. The results of this study could lead to a major scientific discovery and help conserve these rare animals. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses the hidden costs of goods and services and the need for a system called true cost accounting (TCA) to address these externalities. Currently, the price we pay for products does not reflect the full cost of their production, consumption, and disposal, including environmental and social damage. TCA aims to capture these costs and create a globally accepted accounting system. While some progress has been made in the food and agriculture sector, TCA needs to be applied to all economic activities. The article emphasizes that the goal is not to increase prices for consumers, but to raise awareness and drive change among agribusiness and food companies. [Extracted from the article]

A group of manatees, typically found in coastal waters, may have been discovered in Upper Guinea, far from the ocean. The leader of the expedition, Lucy Keith-Diagne, believes that this group of manatees has been isolated for so long that they may be evolving into a separate subspecies. The team is conducting interviews, searching for signs of feeding, and collecting water samples to analyze for manatee DNA. This discovery would be significant for scientific research and could help protect these rare animals from threats such as dam construction and poaching. [Extracted from the article]

Morup Namgail, a photographer from Ladakh, India, embarked on a mission to photograph a snow leopard under a starry night sky in order to raise awareness about the beauty of the region and the need to protect its wildlife. His brother, Stanzin, who had been working on the project with him, tragically passed away from a heart condition. Despite the loss, Morup continued the project and eventually captured the image he had dreamed of. He believes that his brother may have been reincarnated as a snow leopard and hopes that his work will inspire action to protect the region and its wildlife. [Extracted from the article]

The National Museum of Natural History in France is hosting an exhibition called "Jungle en voie d’illumination" that showcases the unique diversity of tropical forests through light installations. The exhibition takes visitors on a journey through different regions, starting with India and moving to Borneo, New Guinea, the Amazon, Madagascar, and central Africa. The aim of the exhibition is to raise awareness about the importance of protecting these landscapes and habitats. The exhibition will be open until January 21, 2024, at the Jardin des Plantes in Paris. [Extracted from the article]

Two new documentaries, "Arctic Ascent with Alex Honnold" and "A Real Bug's Life," offer contrasting approaches to showcasing nature. "Arctic Ascent" follows rock climber Alex Honnold as he combines his climbing challenge with a scientific study of melting Greenland ice caps. While the series is structured like a conventional adventure reality show, it still captures the danger and unpredictability of the situation. On the other hand, "A Real Bug's Life" is a heavily stylized and constructed series that aims to introduce viewers to the insect world but lacks authenticity. Despite its flaws, "Arctic Ascent" effectively raises awareness about the environment through Honnold's genuine concern and passion. [Extracted from the article]