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Shinobi: Art Of Vengeance 'SEGA Villains Stage' DLC Arrives Next Month
Three familiar faces join the fight
Ski For Life: Oregon adaptive sports program opens slopes to students with disabilities
An Oregon Adaptive Sports program allows young people with disabilities to participate in outdoors sports by providing them with adaptive equipment.
How one Baton Rouge political consultant is using AI to gain a competitive edge
As artificial intelligence tools proliferate across industries, Baton Rouge political consultant Mary-Patricia Wray says the technology is giving her firm a meaningful competitive advantage. Wr… Already an INSIDER? Sign in. Already an INSIDER? Sign in
The Road Less Considered: The Overlooked Connection Between Infrastructure, Nature And Public Health
Improving infrastructure with nature in mind, including building wildlife crossings that save animal and human lives.
Nintendo Expands Switch 2's GameCube Library This Week
Pokémon XD: Gale Of Darkness is here
Colorado voters will decide whether to ban trans kids from gendered sports, outlaw gender-affirming surgery for children
Voters will also be asked whether to make child sex trafficking punishable by life in prison without the possibility of parole
Indiana commits $1B to attract high-wage life science jobs
Indiana is dedicating $1 billion to further growth of agriculture and life science businesses and jobs to the central Indiana area over the next 10 years.
We Saw Starfield's Big Overhaul and DLC - Is It Enough to Revive Bethesda's Space RPG?
Starfield is getting new DLC, Terran Armada, along with some major quality-of-life updates. And a PS5 version! We got an extended first look at everything on its way to Bethesda's big outer-space RPG.
State lawmakers playing catch-up on guardrails as AI, big tech pushes into Louisiana
With several massive data centers coming to Louisiana, artificial intelligence is on many lawmakers’ minds. As of press time, they’d brought two dozen bills, most trying to carve out some protections for people as the technology rapidly proliferates and changes life as we know it.
The Morning After: Apple's surprise AirPods Max refresh
The biggest news stories this morning: Samsung ends Galaxy Z TriFold sales three months after launch, NVIDIA and Bolt team up for European robotaxis, Samsung Galaxy S26 review.
Nintendo Switch App Update Introduces Support For Switch 2's New Friend List Features
Noted
The Iran war already has a winner
The spiraling conflict is a lifeline for Vladimir Putin.
How a Madison maestro composed his life, career in American music
John DeMain will soon retire from the Madison Symphony Orchestra and Madison Opera. In a Cap Times interview, he talks about his career and his published memoirs.
Back to Dresden: Lin Dunn's grit in fight for women's sports was baked in South
IndyStar visited basketball legend Lin Dunn in her hometown Dresden, Tenn., where she first realized life wasn't always fair for women in sports
Good vibes only? The science behind optimism and manifestation
Psychologist Deepika Chopra says that optimism isn’t about being positive all the time. It’s about staying open, curious and resilient. In her new book, The Power of Real Optimism, she explains the science behind optimism and evidence-based manifestation, and how affirmations done the right way can lead to success. Follow us on Instagram: @nprlifekitSign up for our newsletter here.Have an episode idea or feedback you want to share? Email us at lifekit@npr.orgSupport the show and listen to it sponsor-free by signing up for Life Kit+ at plus.npr.org/lifekit
PSA: Switch 2 Update Adds Handheld Mode Boost, Here's How To Use It
Enhance your experience with original Switch games
Nintendo Switch 2 System Update 22.0.0 Is Now Live, Here Are The Full Patch Notes
"Handheld Mode Boost" and Switch update
Entertainment and more in the Mid-Ohio Valley
PARKERSBURG — Events and programs for the week from Artsbridge: TODAY * Geppetto Woodcarver’s Wood Quilt display, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., WesBanco, Market Street, Parkersburg * Homeschoolers Music Class, grades K-2 and 3-5, 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Parkersburg Public Library * Art is Life/Life is Art, ages 55+, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., […]
Coal Ridge athletic director named best in state after landmark year of Titans prep sports
Ben Kirk did not dedicate his life to the art of sports for recognition or praise. He did it because he knows how much sports can shape a young kid, and how much impact a...
Nvidia's DLSS 5 promises to bring you out the other side of the uncanny valley
GTC: The latest generation of Nvidia’s AI image enhancer brings characters to life
US National Academy of Sciences awards four Spaniards for explaining how life escaped an evolutionary dead end
After research spanning more than 30 years, Jordi Bascompte, Bartolo Luque, Fernando Ballesteros, and Enrique Muro managed to explain the abrupt change in living beings that allowed the appearance of plants and animals, including humans
First case of severe mpox disease reported in major city: ‘Life-threatening’
First severe mpox clade I case identified in NYC resident who traveled abroad. Health officials say local transmission risk remains low for the community.
McKee nominates Beacon Bank president to chair R.I. Life Science Hub
If confirmed by Senate, William Tsonos would replace Neil Steinberg, who stepped down in July 2025.
How plants moved from sea to land and changed Earth forever
A geoscientist explains how the first plants came to exist on Earth, long before the dinosaurs, and how their growth shaped life on our planet as we know it.
Apple’s AirPods Max 2 bring H2 chip, boosted ANC in April for $549
Apple's over-head headphones gets an update after over five years.
Asteroid Reveals The 5 Key Genetic Ingredients For Life on Earth
Could they be widespread in the Solar System after all?
Was The “Kotlin Crisis” 550 Million Years Ago The Earth's First Extinction Event?
Imagine the majority of life on Earth vanishing... and no one notices for 550 million years.
A Life in Science: The role of data in advancing medicines
New in our A Life in Science series, we hear from Audrey Clapéron, Translational Biology Director, about the essential role of data in
Partisanship and science
I recently participated in a symposium of the Denver-based Institute for Science & Policy, during which I had a “fireside chat” with Tony Mills of the American Enterprise Institute. Mills has written extensively on the politicization of science, and the two of us had a very enjoyable hour-long conversation on the topic. You can watch it below. The main questions we dealt with are why there is such a vast partisan gap in trust of science, and to what extent this is a unique moment. Mills helpfully brings a good deal of data to the discussion, as he did in this useful piece at Issues in Science & Technology. Tusk depends on reader support. To support this work, please become a paid subscriber. Subscribe Note this graph, drawing on a range of survey data to demonstrate partisan attitudes toward science since 1970s. As it demonstrates, there’s been a very sharp partisan divergence in confidence in science during the Trump Era, starting prior to the Covid pandemic. At least in part, we can attribute this to a rise in populist anti-science rhetoric embraced by Trump, his appointees, and those in his media orbit. But as the graph also shows, the partisan divide has existed in the past, and it’s not always in the same direction. The largest divergence in party views toward science prior to 2016 was in the 1970s, when liberals equated scientific achievement with the military-industrial complex and thus trusted it less. That era of scientific mistrust is often overlooked. Indeed, as Mills notes, the Moon landings (1969-72), which today are considered one of the last great moments of national unity, were experienced nothing like that at the time. There was sharp debate back then over whether the Apollo missions were worth the vast expenditures when the country had so much else to deal with. It’s outside the dataset, and we don’t have the partisanship lens for it, but the 1950s was another deeply anti-science decade, with critics of intellectuals and college professors alleging their ties to communism and their lack of commitment to basic American moral beliefs. This was the subject of Richard Hofstadter’s 1962 book Anti-Intellectualism in American Life, in which he quotes religious leaders like Franklin Graham: [In place of the Bible] we substituted reason, rationalism, mind culture, science worship, the working power of government, Freudianism, naturalism, humanism, behaviorism, positivism, materialism, and idealism. [This is the work of] so-called intellectuals. Thousands of these “intellectuals” have publicly stated that morality is relative—that there is no norm or absolute standard.… This fervor was heavily whipped up by Sen. Joe McCarthy (R-Wisconsin), although it’s clear that not all his fellow Republicans were on board with his red-baiting. What ended that era? The simple answer is the 1957 launch of Sputnik. Americans became afraid that they were losing to Soviet scientists, and suddenly university researchers and government projects were awash with funding. In our conversation, I asked Mills about the possibility of us having a Sputnik moment again that would rally the American public in favor of science today. Mills argued that the COVID-19 pandemic was essentially a Sputnik moment — a terrifying threat to all Americans that required scientific advances to address. But thanks in part to political polarization and the populist and conspiratorial leanings of Donald Trump, we got the opposite of a unifying moment. Many Americans turned against science, despite science actually stepping up in that moment. As we discussed in the chat, it’s not clear what scientists could or should be doing in this moment to increase faith in their work. As Mills notes, one of the chief complaints against scientists and professors is that they’ve become too political; scholars becoming even more political might not help them achieve their goals. This (mainly Republican-driven) anti-science era will end, of course, but it’s not clear what event will bring that about. Share
Can science slow down aging?
Geneticist Anne Brunet explores what aging really is, how lifestyle choices might influence longevity, and the promising frontiers of aging research.
Dippin' Dots, Bay Tek Entertainment Partner for Arcade Game
“Dippin' Dots Drop,” a redemption game, brings the ice cream brand to life on the arcade floor.
Medicaid autism therapy boom triggers crackdown
Spending quadrupled over five years amid a proliferation of fraudulent billings.
UK mortgage shelf-life nosedives amid market uncertainty; oil rising again
Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial news
How to recover after a workout
It's normal to feel some pain or soreness after a workout. But how much is too much, and more importantly, how do you get relief? This episode, build out your post-workout recovery routine. A sports medicine doctor, nutritionist and professional athlete break down everything you can do from the moment your last workout finishes to right before your next one begins – to feel better in your body, minimize your injury risk and get the most out of that gym session. This episode was originally published on Jan. 30, 2025Follow us on Instagram: @nprlifekitSign up for our newsletter here.Have an episode idea or feedback you want to share? Email us at lifekit@npr.orgSupport the show and listen to it sponsor-free by signing up for Life Kit+ at plus.npr.org/lifekit
How Lee Health is giving advice to patients with chronic conditions
Six-week workshops build decision-making, problem-solving and confidence beyond medication so patients can improve day-to-day quality of life.
Large-scale neuroimaging datasets often lack information specific to women’s health, constraining AI’s analysis potential
Addressing this gap will require collecting widespread data on pregnancy, menopause and other life events women experience—and could bring us closer to the “holy grail” of linking brain and behavior.
Blind dates and guessing games: Reel8 creates entertainment, community through videos
Reel8 Productions creates social media videos featuring content that speaks to the interests, lifestyles and commonalities of Northwestern students, according to Co-Founder and Executive Director of reel8 and Medill senior Judy Zeng. Inspired by channels like Jubilee and Cut, the founding members of the unscripted video production club wanted to create similar videos with a...
Extreme Ocean Pressure Is Feeding Deep-Sea Life in a Way Scientists Never Expected
High pressure in the deep ocean may squeeze nutrients from sinking “marine snow,” feeding deep-sea microbes and altering how carbon moves through the ocean.
YVCF habitat fund awards 3 grants targeting invasive weeds, river health and post-fire recovery
The Wildlife Habitat Improvement Local District Endowment Fund has awarded three grants to support habitat projects across Routt County, backing work on invasive weeds, river health and post-fire forest recovery, according to a statement released...
Here's what the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra's Privacy Display does to its battery life
Benchmarks and tests to see what's going on under the surface
Done With Corporate Life, Black Women Are Starting Businesses in Droves
They are becoming entrepreneurs at a faster clip than any other demographic—and a chillier corporate world has a lot to do with it.
‘Cruel hoax’ or ‘work-life balance nirvana’: whatever happened to the four-day work week?
It has been years since the four-day work week was floated as a solution to everything from traffic congestion to burnout. So why aren’t we all doing it now?
Paula Doress-Worters, Who Redefined Women’s Health, Dies at 87
Paula Doress-Worters, the mother and activist who opened the door to once-taboo conversations about women’s health in America, has died at 87. Paula was a member of the Boston Women’s Health Book Collective, a group of young women who got together to assemble the groundbreaking manual later known as “Our Bodies, Ourselves,” that dove-into subjects like sexuality, birth control, abortion and post-partum depression. Sunday TODAY’s Willie Geist remembers a life well lived.
Mario Kart World Hori Racing Wheels Releasing For Switch 2 This Month
Pre-orders now available for the 'Mini' and 'Deluxe' versions
Amazon Spring Sale 2026: The best early deals for wildlife observation
We've brought you the best early deals on our favorite wildlife observation equipment ahead of Amazon's Spring Sale — here's everything we know so far.
Scientists discover hidden water beneath Mars that could have supported life
New research suggests Mars may have remained habitable much longer than scientists once thought. Ancient sand dunes in Gale Crater appear to have been soaked by underground water billions of years ago, leaving behind minerals that can preserve signs of life. Even after surface water disappeared, subsurface flows may have created protected environments for microbes. These hidden habitats could be key targets in the ongoing search for past life on Mars.
White House war promo videos marry action movies, sports and video games to real-life combat footage
Some critics, including an official with the U.S. Catholic Church, have accused the administration of trivializing a real-life conflict.
The MacBook Neo is ‘the most repairable MacBook’ in years, according to iFixit
Apple’s new MacBook Neo isn’t just the most affordable MacBook — it’s also the company's most repairable laptop in “about fourteen years."
Sports leagues making it harder to watch games is reaching insulting level —with no end in sight
Alvin Tarshis loves the NBA. He loves the Knicks. He’s 88 years old, and he’s lived in Boca Raton, Fla., since 1997, and a few years back, a most delightful creation came into his life: NBA...
I overcame addiction and opened my own candle business
I was arrested, relapsed, and hit rock bottom. After getting sober, I rebuilt my life and opened a thriving candle studio in New York.
This Microsoft Office and Laptop Bundle Is Just $260: Great for Budget-Conscious Business Owners
A portable workstation and a lifetime productivity suite for $260? Entrepreneurs, pay attention.
From rockets to cancer research, here’s how the number pi is embedded in our lives
As people celebrate Pi Day this March 14, the mathematical constant continues to be part of everyday life for scientists and engineers.
How often do people really fart? Scientists built smart underwear to find out
Researchers have created “Smart Underwear,” a wearable device that measures flatulence by detecting hydrogen produced by gut microbes. Early tests suggest people may pass gas about 32 times a day—much higher than previous estimates. The device gives scientists a new way to track gut microbial activity in everyday life. It will power a new nationwide study called the Human Flatus Atlas to map normal patterns of gas production.
Indigenous knowledge confirms what scientists observe: Large birds are disappearing
Many Indigenous peoples and local communities live in close contact with nature and learn to identify the wildlife around them from an early age. New research published in the International Journal of Conservation draws on that knowledge to better understand a scientifically documented trend: large bird populations are shrinking. Álvaro Fernández-Llamazares, an ethnobotanist with the […]
Music Icon, 80, Shares Health Update in Rare Appearance
The “Jolene″ singer also joked about her dating life during her first public appearance since announcing “health challenges” last year.
Utah measles outbreak speeds up but there are few changes to daily life
Health officials in the outbreak's epicenter are relying on social media and talk radio to reach residents. Many aren't listening.
Micah Bob Finds His Foundation in Materials Science
UC Davis materials science and engineering student Micah Bob studies sustainable cement alternatives to reduce carbon emissions. As graduation approaches, he reflects on the transformative course, research experiences and campus life — including MASC and Video Game Orchestra — that shaped his journey.
Republicans release AI deepfake of James Talarico as phony videos proliferate in midterm races
Senate Republicans released an online ad this week in which a real-looking but fake version of a Democratic candidate, fabricated with artificial intelligence, appears to speak directly into the camera for more than a minute.
Gorgeous PS5 RPG In Legendary Series Out Today on PS Store
I very solid PS5 RPG spin-off from one of gaming's most legendary series is available to purchase on the PlayStation Store now.
Tomb Raider I-III Remastered Gets A Switch 2 Release, Free Upgrade "Coming Soon"
New 'Challenge Mode' update launches alongside it
‘Every Brilliant Thing’ review: The interactive Daniel Radcliffe
Daniel Radcliffe stars in the Broadway premiere of 'Every Brilliant Thing,' an interactive performance piece written by Duncan MacMillan and Jonny Donahoe that meditates on what makes life worth living.
Marvel Maximum Collection Brings Six Superhero Titles To Switch This Month
Physical pre-orders open alongside the digital launch
Lydia Jovi Cruz BFA’27 brings science to life through visual storytelling
The only artist in a family of scientists and doctors, Cruz found a calling somewhere in between.
Inside the explosive growth of sports betting
As part of his investigation into sports betting, Atlantic journalist McKay Coppins gambled $10,000 during last NFL season. He spoke with co-host Tonya Mosley about his experiment, what he learned, and what the explosion of betting is doing to society. “It’s turning all of American life into a Las Vegas table game. There’s always this kind of glittering mirage of profit that you’re chasing, when, in reality, it’s designed to sort of demoralize and crush every regular person who plays.” They also talk about how betting has expanded to politics and international conflict.
Pokémon Legends: Z-A Ranked Battle "Special Season" Begins Today With New Rules & Rewards
It's Shard out here
Why this two-sport US Paralympian will do anything to get what she wants
Dani Aravich's experiences have combined to give her a life motto she takes into her second Paralympic Games: “I will do anything to get what I want.\
Scientists discover a universal temperature curve that governs all life
Researchers have uncovered a universal pattern showing how temperature affects life on Earth. Across thousands of species—from microbes to reptiles—performance rises gradually with warming until an optimal temperature is reached, after which it drops sharply. Although each species has its own preferred temperature range, they all follow the same underlying curve. This surprising constraint suggests evolution may have limited room to help species cope with rapid climate warming.
One-third of Americans skip meals or other needs to afford health care
About half of middle-income households said they have delayed a major life event because of medical costs, new Gallup polls found.
5 ways to resist the urge to keep looking at your phone
So you want to spend less time on your phone. How do you do that when it's designed to suck you in? Life Kit spoke to experts in behavioral science, psychology and technology for real-world advice.
Home businesses: How these Long Islanders maintain work-life balance, boundaries
Maintaining work-life balance can be a challenge, but these entrepreneurs say it's worth it to be able to run their shops from home.
Former Overwatch Director Breaks Silence About Sudden Departure From Blizzard
"I literally thought I'd retire from the place"
What Americans sacrifice due to high health costs
Health cost concerns not only made people borrow money or stretch out prescriptions but delay major life events.
Allianz, Sun Life weigh bids for HSBC Singapore insurance business, Bloomberg News reports
Allianz SE and Sun Life Financial are considering bids for HSBC's Singapore insurance unit after the bank launched a strategic review of the business, Bloomberg News reported on Thursday, citing people familiar with the matter.
Pokémon Pokopia Sales Surpass 2.2 Million Units Globally In First Four Days
The Switch 2 exclusive is off to a strong start
Nonprofit clinics offer crucial lifeline to Georgians living without health insurance
Across Georgia, nonprofit clinics like Good Shepherd in Clayton County are stepping up to provide free medical services for the state's 1.2 million uninsured.
‘Train Dreams’: Novella that inspired Oscar-nominated film is haunting
Written by the late Denis Johnson, who lived part of his life in the PNW, the book that inspired the Oscar-nominated film is a moving read.
Google is making Android phones faster and improving battery life with this change
Google is working on some behind-the-scenes changes that should make Android phones feel faster while also improving battery life. Announced...
One possible recipe for life on Titan is a bust
An experiment mimicking conditions on the Saturn moon suggests that cell-like bubbles don’t form in methane lakes, puncturing hopes for alien life.
The Enduring Unifying Power of Sports
At a time when so much of daily life feels divisive and fragmented, sports remind us how to root together. That may not solve much. But right now, it matters.
Scientists squished microbes into a steel 'sandwich' — and made a profound discovery about life in space
"Extremophile" bacteria could survive asteroid impacts that are strong enough to launch them into space, suggesting that life could travel between planetary bodies.
I Tested the Galaxy S26 Ultra and It's Pretty Amazing, But Here's What Falls Short
The Galaxy S26 Ultra shines with incredible cameras, smart AI features, and a refined design, making it an exceptional phone for creatives, even if it doesn't offer the longest battery life or perfect viewing angles.
Asteroids May Have Laid the Groundwork for Life on Earth
Asteroids would’ve supplied the raw materials, heat, and geologic plumbing to circulate prebiotic matter while also creating freshwater lakes
Jaguar Health Presenting March 12 at the Life Sciences Virtual Investor Forum to Provide Updates on Near-Term Catalysts
SAN FRANCISCO, CA / ACCESS Newswire / March 11, 2026 /Jaguar Health, Inc. (NASDAQ:JAGX) today announced that Lisa Conte, the company's founder, president and CEO, will present virtually on Thursday, March 12, 2026 at the Life Sciences Investor Forum ...
Pontifical Academy for Life launches “Scientists for peace” appeal
The Pontifical Academy for Life launches an international appeal to all scientists, researchers, and academics to enact concrete actions to promote ...
For Patients Behind on Rent, L.A. Health Center Provides a Lifeline
St. John’s Community Health Center is tackling Los Angeles’ housing crisis by connecting patients to vital rental assistance.
A roadside emergency leads to a happy ending — and a new friendship
A Temple Health nurse and a pair of Pennsylvania Turnpike workers saved the life of a driver who was in cardiac arrest late last year. They have since bonded.
Marcus Rashford: Barcelona dream under threat in latest development
Manchester United sent Marcus Rashford out on loan last summer to FC Barcelona.Form at FC BarcelonaThe Englishman adapted to life quickly in the Catalan capital and began to provide assists and score ...
'Stealth hit' Pokemon game sends Nintendo shares soaring
Fan buzz around life-simulation game "Pokemon Pokopia" sent Nintendo shares soaring on Wednesday, with some hailing the new title as a welcome antidote to global conflicts.Nintendo shares were up nine percent in mid-morning trade on Wednesday, also likely boosted by the release of the final trailer for the star-studded upcoming "Super Mario" movie sequel.
The Wild League aims to turn sports mascots into conservation champions
Lions, tigers and bears aren’t just among the world’s most iconic wildlife. They’re also among the most popular mascots in professional sports. A new study published in BioScience finds that across 50 countries and 10 team sports, 727 professional organizations use wild animals in their names, logos or fan nicknames. The most frequently represented species […]
Ocean warming may supercharge a tiny microbe that controls marine nutrients
As deep-sea waters warm, scientists expected trouble for the microbes that help keep ocean chemistry in balance. Instead, researchers found that Nitrosopumilus maritimus can adapt to warmer, iron-limited conditions by using iron more efficiently. Because these microbes control key nitrogen reactions that support marine life, their adaptability could help sustain ocean productivity. In a warming world, they may play an even bigger role in shaping marine nutrient cycles.
How pollutants interact inside the body to impact health | Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
Peng Gao studies the “exposome”—the measure of an individual’s total environmental exposures over the course of their life and how those exposures impact biology and health.
New owners bringing community events, vegetables to Jackson’s oldest business
Pleasant Lake couple Debra and Brent Faust are breathing new life into 160-year-old Brown Floral Co. while navigating Brownfield cleanup costs from underground gas tanks.
'Pokémon Pokopia' is a game about rehabilitating a broken world — and I love it
The latest Pokémon game is a cozy life simulator like "Animal Crossing" or "Minecraft," but in a way that feels more grounded to our actual world.
Super Mario Bros. Wonder - Switch 2 Edition Gets A New Overview Trailer
All the multiplayer
Mental health solutions for the digital age
Ask the digital natives of Gen Z about the source of their biggest mental health challenges, and most will say social media and AI.Several of the nearly 400 guests at the third annual Gen Z Wellness Summit, presented by the Friends of Semel Teen Advisory Council at UCLA on March 8, explicitly named the endless stream of content on their phones as serious stressors. “Everybody is addicted to (Tik Tok) as if they were addicted to substances,” said Jantin Asmar, 17, a senior at Virtual Academy in Antelope Valley. “We’re always chasing that dopamine. We’re expecting that dopamine rush and it’s really decaying our interactions with others.” High school student Jantin Asmar was among nearly 400 people who attended the third annual Gen Z Wellness Summit. (Photo by Sandy Cohen) Even young teens feel pressure to be on social media constantly, both to consume content and collect “likes,” said 13-year-olds Chloe and Sophia, both students at Brentwood School. “Everyone’s always on, and you miss stuff if you’re not on it,” Chloe said, adding that social media’s emphasis on appearances is leading to eating disorders: “That’s a big thing for our generation.”The incessant influx of images and updates creates expectations that “weigh teenagers down,” said Linda Kou, 16, a junior at San Gabriel High School.Even though digital spaces allow people to connect with others beyond their immediate surroundings, it doesn’t always translate to real-life community, said Kelah Morgan, 17, a senior at Animo South Los Angeles Charter High School. High school students Kelah Morgan, left, and Linda Kou, shared about the challenges presented by social media. (Photo by Sandy Cohen) “Even if you see people saying that they relate to you online, it might be hard to find people in your personal life who you see every day who you feel comfortable enough to say, ‘You see me online, but this is me in real life and what I’m actually going through,’” she said.Solutions for our digital timesThe Gen Z Wellness Summit was intentionally designed as a free, in-person gathering where young people interested in mental health from across the southland could meet in person. “Peer support is the most important element of maintaining our mental health in community,” said Helena Hansen, MD, PhD, director of UCLA’s Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior.Keynote speakers at the summit addressed AI, social connection and self-empowerment, while breakout sessions included discussions about eating disorders, dating, substance use, phone detox and breathwork. Here are some of the day’s top takeaways:Beware of FOPO: Scott Barry Kaufman, PhD, a psychology professor at Columbia University, said that rather than FOMO, or fear of missing out, we ought to be more aware of FOPO: fear of people’s opinions. “Just think about how much your FOPO might be holding you back in your life,” Dr. Kaufman said. “And just that inner contemplation should be enough for you to change your life, because there’s so many things we don’t go after because we have debilitating FOPO.”We don’t need to feel like we’re the best – or what he called “narcissistic self-esteem” – but it’s helpful to acknowledge our own worth, recognize our good qualities and develop self-belief in the skills and talents we’ve cultivated. When we have that – dignity and self-respect, without needing everyone to like us – FOPO is less of a concern.Self-reflection is most effective in community: “When we try to self-reflect alone, we sometimes ruminate,” said Ira Bedzow, PhD, executive director of the Emory University Purpose Project. “But when we self-reflect with people that we trust … (it) allows us to hold ourselves accountable to different ways of seeing and different ways of hearing and different ways of being.”Opening up about our experiences and listening to others are skills we can develop, Dr. Bedzow said.He invited students to participate in what he called a “fishbowl exercise,” where four students sat in a small circle, surrounded by a dozen or so students forming a larger circle. Those in the inner circle answered such questions as: “What stops you from being you today?” and “What helps you feel most like you?”Within minutes, the group in the small circle (the fishbowl), were sharing intimately about their life challenges as those in the outer circle nodded in understanding.After the exercise, one participant said, “I felt like I wasn’t alone, that it wasn’t just me who feels that way.”Another remarked on how “personal” it felt to share face-to-face with others, even strangers.Don’t let AI crush your creativity: Theoretical neuroscientist Vivienne Ming, PhD, has been studying artificial intelligence for more than 20 years. And while she said “it’s reasonable to be concerned” about the fast-growing technology, it can also help humans become better problem-solvers when used strategically.“The smartest thing on the planet today are humans and machines working together creatively,” Dr. Ming said. “What gets more valuable in humans as machines get smarter? Our ability to explore the unknown.“Your unique voice is literally your value to the world … but most of us for most of our lives have been taught to not be unique,” she continued. “Be your own person. Celebrate being different. It is genuinely, measurably, truly valuable.”In a breakout session called “Phone Detox? IYKYK: Living Your Story IRL” led by Don Grant, PhD, students shared their frustrations with AI compromising academic work, art and creativity.“Art is a translation of human experience,” one participant said. “When people use AI, they diminish their own human experience.”Dr. Grant urged them, as “the last generation to remember a world before AI,” to remember the power of imagination and creativity – and to act on it.Remember that social media distorts perceptions: Stuart B. Murray, PhD, PsyD, who directs the Eating Disorders Program and Translational Research in Eating Disorders Program at UCLA, asked the students in his breakout session to take a spontaneous selfie and edit it to conform with society’s beauty standards. All 20 girls in the room immediately got to work, thickening their hair, slimming their faces, plumping their lips.“The pressure to look like what we present on social media can be crippling,” Dr. Murray said. “We now know that social media use is part of a causal pathway into an eating disorder.”Adolescents and young adults are most at risk of developing an eating disorder, he said, with one in three students on college campuses exhibiting clinically meaningful eating-disorder symptoms. More than 4 million people in California will have an eating disorder in their lifetime.Even for those who don’t develop anorexia or bulimia, the ubiquity of modified images online distorts what we consider normal, making us feel worse about ourselves. Remembering that, he and other speakers said, might inspire us to log off occasionally and spend time in the real world with people who love us as we are.