Nature
August 15, 2017

Trees with “Crown Shyness” Mysteriously Avoid Touching Each Other

If you look up toward certain types of towering trees—including eucalyptus, Sitka spruce, and Japanese larch—you may notice a unique phenomenon: the uppermost branches don't touch. Known as “crown shyness,” this natural occurrence results in rupture-like patterns in the forest canopy that seem to perfectly outline the trees' striking silhouettes. Since scientists first started studying the topic in the 1920s, crown shyness has been observed between trees of the same and different species in locations across the globe.

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Travel
August 14, 2017

See the Most Beautiful Scenic Views on a Train Ride Across Canada for Only $397

If you've been searching for the perfect getaway to wrap up your summer, look no further than The Canadian, an affordable adventure offered by Via Rail Canada. Sprawled over nearly 3,000 miles between Toronto and Vancouver, the cross-country journey showcases Canada's most captivating sites. With the goal of “bring[ing] the country’s ever-changing landscape to you,” The Canadian provides travelers with an awe-inspiring, up-close look at Canada's diverse scenery.

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Design
August 13, 2017

15+ Vintage Camper Van Remodels That Will Inspire You To Hit the Road

When it comes to seeing the world, everyone is different. Some folks want to take in the sights by train while others prefer to board a plane to experience new locales. Then, there are people who make travel not just a once (or twice) a year activity, but a cultivated lifestyle. Through mobile living, their home can be anywhere and can change whenever they like.

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Art
August 11, 2017

Unraveled Rope Installations Form Delicate Networks of Roots, Branches, and Veins

Using unraveled rope as a sculptural medium, Janaina Mello Landini creates intricate art inspired by branches. Cleverly titled Ciclotramas—a combination of the words “cycle” and trama, a Latin weaving term—the series of rope installations transforms an ordinary and overlooked material into an eye-catching artistic tool. Most of Landini's Ciclotrama sculptures are composed of a single piece of colorful rope attached to a canvas. By meticulously unbraiding certain sections of the twisted cord, the artist creates a complex network of intertwining branches.

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My Modern Met

Celebrating creativity and promoting a positive culture by spotlighting the best sides of humanity—from the lighthearted and fun to the thought-provoking and enlightening.