Sharon Oosthoek

ON A CALM MORNING in late summer 2019, Jim Bailey was kayaking on Lake Superior near Thunder Bay, Ontario, when he found himself paddling through thick green scum, the likes of which he’d never seen in those waters. Puzzled, he headed into the open bay where he could see green patches stretching out about 3 kilometers....

Only the most successful campaigns are highlighted on social media, giving a skewed impression of success...

Probiotics aren't just a human health fad - their medicinal properties may be the best way to stop white-nose syndrome wiping out North America's bats

Think surfing and you probably picture Hawaii or the California coast. But you can surf the Great Lakes too. In fact, there’s a small, dedicated group of women doing just that. They’re called the Lake Surfistas.

SOMEWHERE ON A windswept cliff on the edge of the Hawaiian island of Kauai grows a plant that looks like a cabbage on a stick. It’s the last wild plant of its kind, and its exact location is a closely guarded secret. Hawaiians call it alula (AH-lou-lah). Even on this island chain, known for its exotic greenery, the alula stands out. Its rosette of wide, leathery leaves sits atop a short, bulbous stem. Creamy yellow flowers give...

Mental health professionals are sounding alarms over pandemic-related depression and anxiety. But some experts say there is another emotion we need to take just as seriously – boredom. While some of us are run off our feet (hello frontline workers), others are stuck at home with little more than sourdough to occupy our days. “People trivialize boredom,” says James Danckert...