Author: The News Feed
Health benefits of houseplants
by Cyna Mirzai-
The spring season often marks the beginning of plant buying season, with plant lovers and newbies alike searching for new greenery to take home. While houseplants can certainly be used for decoration, there is much more to those green and leafy plants than simply embellishing a space.
Although eating well and exercising have a substantial impact on one’s health and wellness, the environment in which one lives also plays an important role. Integrating varying houseplants into one’s home can create positive changes in stress levels, breathing and overall wellness.
A number of studies show that inadequate access to nature can contribute to higher rates of emotional and physical illnesses. However, since houseplants are seen as an essential connection to nature, multiple studies prove that being in the presence of houseplants can improve cognitive, behavioral and health-related functions.
Plants are notably beneficial for reducing stress. One study found that people feel less physiological and psychological stress after repotting a plant compared with doing a computer task. The study also found the subjects to have significantly lower diastolic blood pressure and a suppressed sympathetic nervous system after repotting their plants.
Similarly, another study found that patients in hospital rooms with plants and flowers indicated significantly more positive physiologic responses evidenced by lower systolic blood pressure and lower ratings of pain, anxiety and fatigue.
While reducing stress is an important factor for one’s mental health, houseplants can also aid in improving one’s physical health. According to the World Health Organization, 3.2 million people die prematurely from illnesses attributable to household air pollution each year. Although opening windows and naturally ventilating indoor spaces can work as a remedy, many plant species can also improve air quality by removing cancer-causing chemicals like formaldehyde and benzene from the air. One study also found that soil in potted plants could help clean indoor air.
There is a myriad of different houseplants to choose from when looking for new flora. If you are new to plants, many botanists recommend starting out with pothos and snake plants. On the other hand, if you have a natural green thumb, try incorporating orchids and Boston ferns into your home.
WATCH: Feed Update
Appalachian Trail: Hiking risks explained
by Anthony Cusat and Hannah Williams —
The Appalachian Trail surrounds the New River Valley and so do many of its risks.
Whether the hike is an extended trip or a day adventure, dangers can be faced by anyone trekking the trails. However, one specific risk stands out amongst the others.
WATCH: Feed Update
Nepotism’s impact on the entertainment industry
by Hannah Williams-
Society throughout the years has had an obsession with celebrity culture, as evidenced by magazines such as People or Us Weekly. Even the possibility of a celebrity being pregnant can spark headlines. When that celebrity’s child is born, the idea of nepotism is questioned, which has become a cause for concern within the entertainment industry.
Frequently used on social media nowadays, the term ‘nepo baby’ refers to any person with a famous parent. Current celebrities that fit into this category include Zoë Kravitz, Maya Hawke or Lily-Rose Depp. While nepotism is not a new concept, its resurgence within pop culture is. Vulture, the pop culture section of New York Magazine, published an article in December about ‘nepo babies’ with what many considered a shocking cover. The article, written by Nate Jones, states the entertainment industry is now built on reboots which can make a famous last name “valuable intellectual property.”
The article became the talk of social media for many weeks following its publication. Several people began looking into their favorite celebrities and whether or not they gained access to the industry based on merit alone. Despite any talent ‘nepo babies’ possess, many argue they would not have found success without the help of their parents and any affiliated connections. It also begs the question of whether or not connections and money are truly the only way to make it in the industry. Gwyneth Paltrow, however, says that ‘nepo babies’ have to work twice as hard to prove that they are deserving of their place despite their backgrounds.
Zooming in, nepotism has become a prominent issue within theatre where ticket sales have often become prioritized over production quality. A lot of uproar was caused when Maude Apatow, the daughter of Judd Apatow and Leslie Mann, was cast as the female lead in the Broadway production, ‘Little Shop of Horrors’. When Playbill announced the casting choice, one user commented that it was “nice to see nepo babies thriving when so many can’t get a job.” Former Broadway actress, Anissa Felix, came to her defense saying having a famous name on the bill helps with ticket sales and attendance rates.
There are many debates on whether or not nepotism can be viewed as detrimental or beneficial to performers. In some cases, it could be both. There is no doubt that the concept will remain in conversation for a long time and some celebrities will have to cope with extensive backlash based on their connections.
WATCH: Feed Update
Vegan leather creates sustainable options for fashion
by Nicole Tutino-
Fashion brands’ selection of materials for their apparel designs impacts the environment through the extraction of raw materials and through apparel production.
Authentic leather is derived from animal skin. According to People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), the tanning process the skin endures to become a leather material results in the release of harmful waste, including “salt, lime sludge, sulfides and acids” into the environment.
PETA notes cows are the usual source of leather; however, other animals, like pigs, sheep and crocodiles can also be sources. A cow releases “between 154 to 264 pounds of methane gas per year,” according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Southeast New England Program (SNEP). Methane — a greenhouse gas — comprises about 30% of global climate change, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA).
Recently, brands have been experimenting with unconventional alternatives to leather, called vegan leather, to reduce their environmental impacts. Vegan leather can be derived from polyurethane, a synthetic plastic material. However, sustainable options include bio-based materials, like fruit waste.
Leather and leather alternatives can be used to create various products within the fashion industry; handbags often use this material.
Copenhagen’s Fashion Week for autumn/winter 2023 required brands to adhere to numerous sustainability guidelines to qualify for participation. During the show, ready-to-wear brand GANNI presented a handbag composed of a vegan leather material constructed from orange and cacti waste and recycled plastic, called Ohoskin.
Ohoskin, an Italian fabric company, claims their bio-based vegan leather reduces their carbon emissions by 90%. Carbon dioxide remains a major greenhouse gas contributor to global warming.
Although Ohoskin features polyvinyl chloride — a synthetic material — the plastic used is recycled.
Known for luxury sustainable and ethical designs, the Stella McCartney brand partnered with Bolt Threads to create a handbag composed from a fungi-based leather, called Mylo. The Mylo vegan leather begins with mycelium, the foundation for mushrooms.
Mansur Gavriel, a luxury handbag and shoe brand, announced a new bucket bag featuring recycled apple skin to imitate leather. The brand states the bag is waterproof which increases its usage opportunities. The brand included additional materials in the bag’s creation, such as polyurethane, polyester and cotton, which raises sustainability concerns.
Vegan leather products can include polyurethane, which is a synthetic material produced using fossil fuel resources. Non-renewable resources, like fossil fuels, contradict sustainability’s main goals.
While concerns over vegan leather exist, brands’ exploration of plant-based materials allows a lower-impact alternative to traditional leather production.
Since leather is used in other fields, such as upholstery, sustainable vegan leather can expand beyond fashion.
Locals and experts weigh in on bank security
by Emaryi Williams-
The collapse of the Silicon Valley Bank on Friday, March 10, and the closure of Signature Bank that following Sunday have raised new questions about banking in the United States.
People in the New River Valley (NRV) are sharing their thoughts as well.
“It’s kind of worrying, I hope they [banks] are keeping our money secure,” said Margaret Greene.
“Personally, I’m not worried about it,” said Will Coleman, “I’m insured to get paid back.”
According to the Federal Deposit of Insurance Corporation (FDIC), numerous bank failures have occurred throughout the Commonwealth, dating back to 1935. Some banks within the NRV have come close to failing and needed assistance, with the latest happening in Blacksburg at the First of Montgomery County Bank and in Wytheville at the Mountain Security SB in 1986.
Assistant Branch Manager of the Atlantic Union Bank in Christiansburg, Tiffany Shepherd said while people are worried about their coverage, recognizing the difference between types of banks is key to soothing fears.
“They were rapid growth banks. They had a lot of dealings with start-up companies, cryptocurrency, and investing in those types of things” Shepherd said.
Shepherd explained that problems with Silicon Valley and Signature Bank occurred when their investments went downhill and people began pulling money out. She said people who bank with more traditional banks will most likely not experience that problem.
“We’re [Atlantic Union] more of a traditional bank, like the bigger banks you see around – like Wells Fargo and Tuist,” Shepherd said. “The way we invest and do our assets is a little different than the way that they do.”
If a bank does fail, Shepherd said due to insurance provided by the FDIC, people are covered up to $250,000.
“Assuming that these banks had something in place because they are required to by law, they had customers come and close out their accounts and move it to another bank,” she said.
The assistant bank manager said that banks and even credit unions are insured by either the FDIC or the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA). The rule of coverage is one of the ways people can protect their monetary assets.
“Say you have an account that you’re on by yourself, you are covered up to $250,000. Say you add someone on the account as a joint, then they also are insured up to $250,000…so the more people you have on that account, the better it is,” Shepherd explained.
Shepherd said while traditional banks are solid and it has been 121 years since Atlantic Union has experienced even a quarterly loss, she understood that people might still want extra assurance. Shepherd advised worried individuals to use the FDIC’s EDIE calculator.
“You can go in and put in all of your accounts, how they’re set up – with you, or joint owners, or payable on death – and it’ll show you if you’re covered or not. That way, you’ll know if you need to do something to make sure you’re fully covered,” Shepherd said.
Business developer blocked from leasing at Kent Square
by Ben Walls-
Delaware business developer Joseph Boss continues to fight on his behalf for opening two restaurants at 202 South Main Street and 204 South Main Street in Blacksburg.
“I’m committed to bringing change,” Boss said. “I want to invest more into the community of Blacksburg, not less.
“I want to be involved in the culture down at Virginia Tech and to improve it and make it better.”
Boss wishes to open one bar named “The Sandman” and one pizza restaurant named “Weirdoughs.” Meanwhile, the Town of Blacksburg’s Planning and Building Department has denied his building permit application twice in 16 months.
Boss added he has “scratched his head” and does not know what criteria he is missing for Blacksburg to approve his applications. Boss admitted in the past year the town has made criticisms to the restaurants’ access to the bathrooms and the patios outside, however.
The two restaurant locations would occupy spaces that a Subway and a Starbucks location formerly leased in the Kent Square development. The development itself spreads across nearly 100,000 square feet in Blacksburg’s original 16 squares, and it includes a parking garage, an art gallery, a dental office, a jewelry store and condominiums currently.
According to Boss, acceptable liquor licenses have been approved, and restaurant employees who will have starting hourly rates at $15/hour have already been selected for work.
Frustrated with the town’s response to his proposals, Boss turned to creating a change.org petition to create grassroots support and inform the Blacksburg public about his cause.
The petition titled “Save Weirdoughs and The Sandman from The Town of Blacksburg’s abuse of power” has dozens of supporters wishing for answers why a building permit has not been approved.
“Weirdoughs and The Sandman are two new businesses (restaurants) that invested hundreds of thousands of dollars into the community of Blacksburg,” Boss said as the petition’s writer. “These businesses are projected to hire over 100 employees in the community and pay 30% higher wages than the local average.
“They [were] both already approved as restaurants for Starbucks and a Subway. So we ask why is there an issue now?”
> THE NEWS FEED < 