Aug 28, 2026 · 6 min listen · Last updated August 28, 2026
From storyflo. This is your daily audio brief. It's Chloe, August 28th. Ten stories — evidence-led, no fluff, small inputs compound. Let's get into it. First, from The Forbidden Files. How To Build Radiating Self Confidence: Your Brain Is Making A Bet On Itself.
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Daily Science Brief · August 28th
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How To Build Radiating Self Confidence: Your Brain Is Making A Bet On Itself
Confidence is often seen as this elusive quality that everyone wants but few truly understand. It’s not a fixed trait you’re born with; rather, it’s more like a habit that can fluctuate over time. You might feel a surge of confidence in one situation and struggle in another, which highlights its situational nature. Many people mistakenly believe confidence is a magical quality that only certain individuals possess, but that’s a myth. It’s important to recognize that confidence can be developed and maintained through effort and experience.
The article emphasizes that confidence isn’t about “faking it until you make it.” Instead, it’s about understanding the underlying mechanics of confidence and actively working to cultivate it. This means recognizing that your confidence can change based on your experiences and the context of your life. It’s not a permanent state but rather something you can nurture and grow.
To truly build confidence, you need to grasp the different types of confidence and how they manifest in various situations. The author suggests that by implementing practical steps, you can start to sow the seeds of confidence in your life. This approach is grounded in understanding that confidence is not a destination but a continuous journey shaped by your actions and mindset.
Singapore made a crow-friendly city. Now it wants to shoot them
Singapore is reigniting its crow-shooting campaign due to rising complaints about aggressive crow behavior towards pedestrians and cyclists. Officials believe that previous non-lethal measures, like trapping and tree pruning, haven’t worked well enough. The National Development Minister stated that combining shooting with other methods could help reduce the crow population over time. However, some experts argue that this approach doesn’t tackle the root causes of the issue, which stem from urban conditions that favor these birds. Studies show that as cities grow, crows thrive because they find ample food and nesting spots, highlighting the need for more comprehensive solutions.
People with more mobility in the labor market experience less discrimination
Employees who can easily change jobs are less likely to experience workplace discrimination. When dealing with a discriminatory employer, job mobility acts as an important incentive: If you can leave more easily, your employer will often make greater efforts to combat discrimination and retain you. That's what André van Hoorn writes in Economic and Industrial Democracy.
Low oxygen could limit insects' uphill escape from climate warming
Reduced oxygen levels and air pressure at higher elevations may limit insects' ability to move upslope to escape a warming climate, with potential consequences for the essential services they provide, like pollination, according to a new review in the journal, Functional Ecology.
Spanish bikemaker rebadges Chinese retro scrambler
Rieju, a Spanish motorcycle manufacturer, is back at it with a new model called the Scrambler 607. However, it’s not really a brand-new bike; it’s essentially a rebranded version of the Marshal Scrambler 600, which is made in China. This practice of rebadging is becoming a hallmark of Rieju’s business strategy.
The Scrambler 607 might appeal to those looking for a retro scrambler style, but it’s worth noting that it doesn’t bring anything fresh to the table. If you’re in the market for a unique ride, you might want to dig a little deeper.
Bizarre Fossil Turns Out to Be a 24-Legged Insect Science Somehow Missed
A fascinating discovery has emerged from a fossil that’s been misidentified for decades. Initially thought to be a juvenile crustacean, this 324-million-year-old specimen is now recognized as a new insect species, named Chosha praecursor. Researchers from a recent study published in Nature used advanced imaging techniques to clarify its features, revealing its distinct 24 legs and crustacean-like abdomen.
This reclassification sheds light on the evolution of insects, suggesting that their transition from aquatic to terrestrial life was more gradual than previously believed. The study also examined other related fossils, indicating that early insects may have been amphibious, thriving in both land and water environments. This research helps bridge a significant gap in the fossil record, providing new insights into the origins of insects and their adaptations over millions of years.
Back in the early 2000s, I recall talking at length with my university friends about the ecosystems we wanted to visit before it was too late—our bucket list of endangered ecosystems. We filled these lists with places we worried would collapse from the mounting pressures of a changing climate. Top of my list was the Great Barrier Reef. Even then, signs of its vulnerability were becoming apparent. Rising ocean temperatures posed an increasing threat, while sediment runoff from land mismanagement and outbreaks of crown-of-thorns starfish were ever-present stressors.
Pisces is the final boss of the zodiac, and this eclipse shows you where the real power starts.
This article dives into the idea that Pisces represents the most evolved energy in the zodiac, especially highlighted by the recent eclipse. The author reflects on the complex feelings that arise during this time, describing a sense of longing and the overwhelming nature of life. They emphasize the importance of containment and surrender, using Dolly Parton as an example of someone who balanced giving and holding space.
The Pisces/Virgo axis has been active since September 2024, and the upcoming eclipse on August 27-28 marks a significant moment in this cycle. The author suggests that while Virgo focuses on details and planning, Pisces embodies the parts of life that can't be measured or controlled. This tension between the two signs has been a theme over the last two years, reminding us that life has its own rhythms, often beyond our meticulous plans.
There are thoughts, there is the silence that is the absence of thoughts, and there is the silence that lies behind both your thoughts and their absence. The first silence, the absence of thoughts, is the silence of the mind; the second silence, the silence that lies behind both your thoughts and their absence, is the silence of the heart. The silence of the mind is a temporary, fragile state that requires effort to be maintained. The silence of the heart is effortless. It is your nature. It does not need to be cultivated or maintained. It is simply your natural condition.
Community programs linked to lower forest loss in Indonesia’s Borneo during COVID-19
A recent study published in Lancet Planetary Health highlights that villages in West Kalimantan, Indonesia, experienced less forest loss during the COVID-19 pandemic when they received health and livelihood support from conservation groups. This suggests that social safety nets can play a crucial role in protecting forests during economic downturns. The research combined household surveys with satellite data, providing a unique perspective on how the pandemic impacted both rural livelihoods and forest preservation.
Interestingly, the study found that forest loss in these communities dropped significantly as weak timber demand and travel restrictions made logging less viable. Villages with alternative income sources were less dependent on forest resources, which is promising for conservation efforts. Before the pandemic, areas supported by NGOs had 52% lower forest loss compared to those without such support. This research underscores the importance of community support in safeguarding vital ecosystems, especially in times of crisis.