“Full of attitude, energy, and individuality”: That describes the three fuzzy chicks in photographer Jacqueline Burke’s image “The Punk Rockers,” which took the grand prize in the 23rd annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest.The competition received over 17,000 submissions from 108 countries — see the eight images that came out on top. — the Nice News team
Featured Story
5 Niche Volunteering Opportunities You Likely Haven’t Considered
Natalya Kosarevich/iStock
When you think of volunteering, you likely picture someone ladling up hearty bowls of soup at a food pantry or caring for pups at an animal shelter. But while these are among the most popular opportunities out there, there are myriad other ways to give back to society — and no matter how obscure your passion or skill set may seem, we’d bet there’s a position that fits it. Evidence suggests that donating your time and energy improves well-being, boosts cognitive function, and even helps reduce mortality. And one key to finding a fulfilling position that maximizes your contribution? Searching inward. “Start with something that brings you joy or reflects a cause you care about,” Rick Cohen, chief operating officer at the National Council of Nonprofits, tells Nice News. In honor of National Volunteer Week, we rounded up five out-of-the-box ideas to inspire you — check them out below.
How to Boost Your AI Skills and Revenue Earning Potential in Just 2 Days
A thousand AI startups just became obsolete. Anthropic’s Managed Agents lets you build and launch powerful AI agents: no backend, no infrastructure. From prototype to production in days, not months. But the real question is how do you learn how to use it? Outskill can help you master AI in just two days — skills that can make you smarter, faster, more revenue driven, and absolutely irreplaceable in 2026. In the 16-hour AI Mastermind, you’ll learn real AI use cases, automations, and workflows. The best part? Outskill is giving it away completely free for the next 48 hours.
This Tortoise Is Rolling Into a New Chapter, Thanks to Some Creative Vets
Doc Nielsen Donato/Facebook
This tortoise isn’t so slow and steady anymore! A veterinary practice in the Philippines recently came up with a wheely creative solution to help an Aldabra tortoise struggling with its hind legs by making the shelled friend a scooter of sorts. According to Popular Science, a private zoo brought the injured tortoise to Nielsen Donato, the chief surgeon at Vets in Practice. After finding no dislocations or fractures, the team suspected the leg weakness might be neurological or the result of interactions with larger companionsat the zoo. In addition to anti-inflammatory therapy, they decided to install four wheels onto the bottom of its shellfor an extra mobility boost — as you can watch here (highly recommend). The tortoise was eventually sent home after showing mobility improvements, and we’re happy to share that the reptile is walking normally again without wheels. Speaking of turtles, Popular Science also put together a handy guide for what to do if you spot a turtle crossing the road this time of year — spoiler alert, don’t grab the tail.
Science
High Schooler Identifies 2 FDA-Approved Drugs as Potential New Alzheimer’s Treatments
Society for Science
When Leon Wang’s grandfather was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, a disease that impacts over 7 million Americans, the science-minded teenager’s interest in researching treatments was piqued. He then decided to pursue that interest through his high school’s research program — and last month, his resulting project was awarded eighth place in a prestigious nationwide STEM competition. Wang, a senior at King School in Stamford, Connecticut, focused his efforts on identifying existing FDA-approved drugs to repurpose and potentially treat vascular Alzheimer’s dementia: an avenue he found particularly intriguing after learning that it could be a more efficient and affordable path to treatment. “Early in my research, I found that using already in-market drugs for new applications can significantly shorten FDA approval timelines and reduce development costs,” Wang, 17, tells Nice News, adding, “This approach is especially important given that low household income is among the top three social determinants of Alzheimer’s risk, underscoring the need for more affordable treatments.” Learn more about what he found.
Environment
Spotted for the First Time in a Decade, “Cloud Jaguar” Marks Conservation Win in Honduras
Panthera
In 2016, wild cat conservation organization Panthera recorded a jaguar for the first time in the Merendón Mountains between Honduras and Guatemala. A decade then passed with no camera sighting of the elusive species — but on Feb. 6, a jaguar was finally documented once again inimages shared with the public last week. Taken at around 7,217 feet on the tallest peak of the mountain range’s cloud forests, just over 6 feet away from the 2016 sighting, the photos mark the highest elevation at which a “cloud jaguar” has been spotted in Honduras. They also signify a major win for the org’s long-running Jaguar Corridor Initiative, which aims to protect the species by developing safe passages for the animals to roam, hunt, mate, and establish territories. “What makes this especially significant is what it signals about connectivity. This individual isn’t a resident — he’s a traveler, moving through a corridor that links populations in Honduras and Guatemala, and ultimately connects habitats stretching from Mexico to Argentina,” Franklin Castañeda, Honduras country director at Panthera, tells Nice News. See more photos of the jaguar.
A good dog book is to be treasured almost as much as a good dog, and Camille Pagán’s novel is a welcome addition to the genre (if “dog books” isn’t already an official genre, it should be!). The story is narrated by an aging pooch named Harold who’s intent on helping his grieving owner find happiness again after he lost his life partner and co-owner of his bookstore. It’s a “delightfully heartwarming” tale for all the dog people out there — and others too — about the power of love.
It turns out sitting between two ferns for so long gave Zach Galifianakis a green thumb — sort of. He’s the host of a new Netflix series on all things horticulture and home gardening. Learning alongside viewers, Galifianakis interviews curious youngsters and science experts to celebrate the food we eat and the way we grow it. The actor makes for an endearing and self-effacing guide in a playful show that encourages sustainability and honors Mother Earth. All six episodes drop Wednesday for Earth Day.
This Week in History
The First Boston Marathon Is Held
April 19, 1897
Bettmann/Getty Images
As you read this, tens of thousands across Beantown are heaping second servings of pasta onto their plates, carb-loading for tomorrow’s big event (here’s how to watch at home). The Boston Marathon is the oldest annual marathon in the world, created 130 years ago by the first U.S. Olympic team manager, John Graham, who was inspired by the inaugural modern Olympics in Greece the year prior. The initial Boston route was 24.5 miles long, and there were 15 runners in total — John J. McDermott emerged victorious, crossing the finish line in 2:55:10. The photo above is of Arthur Roth, who won 1916’s race with a time of 2:27:16. Just over a decade later, the course was lengthened to 26.2 miles. This year, some 30,000 runners from all 50 states and almost 130 countries are expected to participate, and over half a million people will watch from the sidelines in eight cities and towns. Among the runners will be the fastest female marathoner in the country: Emily Sisson, a two-time Olympic champion who set the U.S. women’s record at the 2022 Chicago Marathon, finishing in 2:18:29.
Cholesterol Conquered’s Artery-Revitalizing Fruit Discovery
Italian researchers discovered one strange fruit that supports healthy cholesterol within weeks — without side effects or living on salads. The good news? This same fruit was shown to revitalize arteries after six months, improving blood flow throughout the body. A Boston doctor’s video explaining which fruit and how much you need has already helped thousands — watch it below.
