Two Democratic senators are pushing for legislation to change the Federal Aviation Administration's standards around seat sizing and spacing on aircrafts. Sens. Tammy Duckworth and Tammy Baldwin have introduced a new bill, which would also require the FAA to set new standards for aircraft evacuations that are more realistic in case of emergencies. The agency currently requires passengers to be able to evacuate within 90 seconds of an emergency. Advocates worry this may not be enough time given the cramped conditions.
BRAIN STUDY
It turns out the shape and size of our brains could have a lot to do with how our brains actually function. A new study published in the journal Nature challenges the idea that our thoughts, behavior and feelings are based on interconnected neurons communicating with each other. The study doesn't dispute the theory but found that the unique shapes and curves in each of our brains impact our thoughts and behavior. One of the researchers compares the brain to a pond saying the shape of a pond affects the waves and ripples created by a pebble. The study's lead author said the findings offer new opportunities to understand the effects of diseases such as dementia and stroke.
The beginning of the year is critical for those in need of blood transfusions as people tend to stop donating during the holidays. The winter in general also experiences a dropoff as donors get sick more frequently.
President Joe Biden is set to tour damage and be briefed on recovery efforts after devastating storms hit California in recent weeks, killing at least 20 people and causing destruction across 41 of the state's 58 counties.
The federal government says it will begin a targeted crackdown on nursing homes’ abuse of antipsychotic drugs and misdiagnoses of schizophrenia in patients.
Pallbearers in La Verkin, Utah, carry a casket at a funeral for victims of Michael Haight, who killed his wife, their five children, and his mother-in-law before turning the gun on himself. The funeral was held on Jan. 4, 2023. (Rick Egan/The Salt Lake Tribune via AP)
