1. To succeed at work, you must get along well with all the people with whom you interact, including managers, co-workers, clients, vendors, customers, and anyone else you communicate with. These are the types of soft skills all employers value. Develop these skills and emphasize them in job applications, resumes, cover letters, and interviews. Showing the interviewer that you have the skills the company is seeking will help you get hired.
2. Communication: Communication skills are important in almost every job. You will definitely need to understand and get your ideas across to the people you work with, whether they are vendors, customers, partners, staff, or employers. Having communication skills, you will be able to speak clearly and politely with people in person, by phone, and in writing.
3. Critical thinking: No matter what the job is, employers want candidates who can analyze situations and make informed decisions. Whether you are working with data, teaching students, or fixing a home heating system, you need to be able to understand problems, think critically, and devise solutions. Skills related to critical thinking include creativity, flexibility, and curiosity.
4. Leadership: While not every job opening is a leadership role, most employers will want to know that you can make decisions when push comes to shove and can manage situations and people. The ability to step up to take responsibility in a difficult situation and help resolve problems is something employers look for in prospective employees.
5. Positive attitude: Employers are always seeking people who will bring a positive attitude to the office. They want employees who are friendly to others, eager to work, and generally pleasant to be around. Being able to keep things positive is especially important if you are working in a fast-paced, high-stress work environment.
6. Teamwork: Hiring managers look for job candidates who can work well with others. Whether you will be doing a lot of team projects or simply attending a few departmental meetings, need to be able to work effectively with the people around you. Some skills related to teamwork include the ability to negotiate with others and to recognize and appreciate variety in a team. Another related skill is the ability to accept and apply feedback from others.

As global concerns about climate change intensify, the shift toward renewable energy sources has become a pressing priority for many countries. According to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), the share of renewable energy in global electricity generation reached 29% in 2020, up from 26% in 2019. This increase reflects a growing commitment to cleaner energy, particularly due to investments in solar and wind energy technologies.
Dr. Maria Chen, a leading researcher at the Green Energy Institute, states, "The rapid advancements in technology have made renewable sources increasingly accessible and cost-effective. For instance, the cost of solar energy has decreased by 89% over the last decade, making it a more viable option for both households and businesses." However, she also highlights that challenges persist. "While progress is being made, transitioning to renewable energy at a national scale requires significant infrastructure changes, technological support, and widespread public engagement," she adds.
Countries around the world have set ambitious targets for renewable energy adoption. In Germany, for example, the government aims to produce 65% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030, with a focus on both solar and wind technologies. Similarly, the United States has pledged to reach 100% carbon-free electricity by 2035. Despite these commitments, experts argue that the pace of change must accelerate to meet global climate goals.

Tom was excited when he received a call from a company offering him a "once-in-a-lifetime" investment opportunity. The caller explained that by investing a small sum of money, he could expect returns of over 200% within just a few months. Tom, though thrilled, remembered reading about investment scams and decided to do some research before committing.
Tom quickly discovered that the offer he received had all the signs of a scam. According to a 2023 report by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), investment scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated, targeting individuals through phone calls, emails, and even social media platforms. These scams often promise high returns with little or no risk and usually require an upfront payment. The FTC advises individuals to thoroughly research any investment opportunity, especially those that sound "too good to be true." In the report, financial advisor Laura Martinez warns, "The key to avoiding scams is skepticism. Always verify the legitimacy of any offer before you invest your hard-earned money."
One of the main indicators of a scam is urgency. Scammers pressure people to act immediately, saying the offer will expire soon. Experts recommend that people take their time to evaluate any financial offer and consult with a trusted financial advisor if necessary. Additionally, checking with regulatory bodies like the FTC or the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) can provide crucial information on the legitimacy of investment firms.
Tom followed this advice, checking the company's details with the SEC. Unsurprisingly, he found no record of the company being registered. He promptly ignored the offer and warned his friends about the potential scam. His story serves as a reminder to always be cautious when considering financial opportunities that promise unrealistic returns. Protecting your money requires careful attention and research, especially in an increasingly digital world where fraud is harder to spot.

The concept of "forest bathing" originates from Japan and is known as shinrin-yoku. It involves immersing oneself in a forest environment to reap the psychological and physiological benefits that nature offers. In recent years, forest bathing has gained popularity worldwide as people seek ways to escape the stress of urban life. Studies have shown that spending time in a forest can lower stress levels, improve mood, boost the immune system, and increase overall well-being. The practice doesn't involve actual bathing, but rather encourages people to slow down and take in their surroundings using all five senses.

However, in today's fast-paced world, finding time to visit a forest can be difficult. Many people live in cities where nature is limited, and busy schedules make it hard to dedicate time for forest bathing. Moreover, some individuals may feel that they need to travel to a remote location to experience the full benefits, but research suggests that even urban parks can provide some of the same advantages. It doesn't have to be a grand forest; even small patches of nature can help people reconnect with the earth.

Interestingly, forest bathing doesn't require any special skills or equipment, making it accessible to everyone. Unlike hiking or other outdoor activities, there is no goal to reach a destination or achieve a certain level of fitness. Instead, the focus is on mindfulness and being present in the moment. While walking is often involved, the pace is slow, allowing participants to notice the details around them—the rustling of leaves, the scent of the trees, and the feeling of the earth beneath their feet.

That said, integrating forest bathing into daily life can still be a challenge. Some people may find it difficult to slow down and disconnect from technology. In these cases, starting with small steps can be helpful. A short walk in a nearby park during a lunch break or spending a few moments in the garden can still offer benefits. Forest bathing doesn't have to be an all-day event; even brief encounters with nature can lead to positive outcomes.

Given these considerations, how can urban dwellers make forest bathing a part of their routine? Here are a few suggestions. First, find pockets of nature within the city, such as parks, botanical gardens, or even tree-lined streets. These spaces can serve as accessible alternatives to larger forests. Second, schedule time for nature, just as you would for any other appointment. Setting aside 20 minutes a few times a week can make a difference. Third, disconnect from digital devices during your time in nature to fully immerse yourself in the experience. Fourth, engage all five senses to enhance the benefits of forest bathing. Finally, remember that there is no right or wrong way to practice forest bathing. Whether it's a short visit to a park or a longer retreat into the woods, the key is to be present and mindful.

After 36 days of battling sharks that kept biting their equipment, scientists have returned from the remote Pacific Ocean with a new way of looking at the world’s largest - and possibly most mysterious - volcano, Tamu Massif.

The team has begun making 3-D maps that offer the clearest look yet at the underwater mountain, which covers an area the size of New Mexico. In the coming months, the maps will be refined and the data analyzed, with the ultimate goal of figuring out how the mountain was formed.

It's possible that the western edge of Tamu Massif is actually a separate mountain that formed at a different time, says William Sager, a geologist at the University of Houston who led the expedition. That would explain some differences between the western part of the mountain and the main body.

The team discovered that Tamu Massif, a massive underwater mountain, is covered with craters and cliffs. Magnetic analysis suggests part of it formed through lava releases at the intersection of three mid-ocean ridges, but another part remains unclear. A theory proposes that a plume of hot mantle rock may have contributed to its formation. Located 1,000 miles east of Japan, Tamu Massif is a shield volcano, 280 by 400 miles in size, with its peak over a mile below the ocean surface. It’s 50 times larger than Hawaii’s Mauna Loa, though its formation remains a mystery that scientists are working to dig into.

The team used sonar and magnetometers (which measure magnetic fields) to map more than a million square kilometers of the ocean floor in great detail. Sager and students teamed up with Masao Nakanishi of Japan’s Chiba University, and Sager received funding support from the National Geographic Society and the Schmidt Ocean Institute.

Since sharks are attracted to magnetic fields, the toothy fish “were all over our magnetometer, and it got pretty chomped up,” says Sager. When the team replaced the gadget with a spare, it was almost ripped off by additional sharks. The magnetic field research indicates that Tamu Massif formed relatively quickly, approximately 145 million years ago. The volcano features magnetic "stripes," which suggest that lava flowed evenly from mid-ocean ridges and changed polarity with Earth's magnetic field reversals. In contrast, the central peak is more jumbled, indicating it may have formed more quickly or through a different process.

Sager isn’t sure what caused the magnetic anomalies yet but suspects more complex forces were at work than simply eruptions from the ridges. It’s possible a deep plume of hot rock from the mantle also contributed to the volcano’s formation, he says. Sager hopes the analysis will also help explain about a dozen other similar features on the ocean floor, as well as add to the overall understanding of plate tectonics.