Sleep-Alzheimer’s Connection; How Kids Actually Use Smartphones; Can Dolly Parton Heal?

Plus, how meaningless work wears us down

Stories And Podcasts You May Have Missed Credit: Fultz et al., 2019 Getting good sleep may help the brain clear Alzheimer’s toxins. The brain waves generated during deep sleep appear to trigger a cleaning system in the brain that protects it against Alzheimer's and other neurodegenerative diseases. A separate study found that the number of working Americans who get less than seven hours of sleep a night is on the rise. For some Californians, the recent wildfires are just the latest in a series of problems — including floods, blackouts and evacuations. Some are left wondering whether California is the dream they had hoped for. Impeachment inquiry catch-up: House Democrats crossed the Rubicon this week and committed, for the record, to their impeachment inquiry. Meanwhile, more confirmations of the facts of the Ukraine affair meant the end of the investigation process may now be in view. Here's what you need to know about the events of a historic week in Washington and what may be around the corner.  "I hope to have proven that anything is possible with some determination, self-belief and positivity," said Nepalese climber Nirmal Purja, who smashed the speed record for climbing the world's 14 highest peaks. The previous record-holder took more than seven years longer. How long kids use their smartphones and what they are looking at may surprise you. A new survey found just over half of children in the United States — 53 percent — now own a smartphone by the age of 11.  Opinion: What happens to Syrian oil will be important to the future of Syria itself — as a revenue source for a country that will desperately need money. That, rather than its impact on global supply, is what will make what happens to the country’s resources of significance to the world.   Newsletter continues after sponsor message Our Picture Show Picks Mikael Chukwuma Owunna Challenging notions of LGBTQ identity in the African diaspora Mikael Owunna spent six years traveling across Europe, North America and the Caribbean, photographing LGBTQ African immigrants, refugees and asylum-seekers. The result, Limitless Africans, is a narrative celebration of how young queer people from myriad African countries define themselves and their cultures.   A family’s race in California to save its animals As the fire engulfed their small farm in the Santa Clarita Valley, Samantha Hull and her family managed to escape. But they lost their home and many of their beloved animals. This Week's Listens Christine de Carvalho/WNYC Can Dolly Parton heal America? NPR's Ari Shapiro talks to WNYC's Jad Abumrad about his new podcast that explores the life and legacy of the prolific songwriter and her ability to bridge the divide in America. (Listening time, 8:01) ► LISTEN A farmer father's life lessons  Arguster and Lebronze Davis and their 14 siblings grew up and worked with their parents on the family's Alabama farm. On StoryCorps, the brothers remember their father, who taught them how to "do the right thing." (Listening time, 3:03) ► LISTEN How-To Guides From Life Kit Lindsey Balbierz for NPR Helping a child deal with anxiety? Here are some strategies Here are six takeaways that all parents, caregivers and teachers can add to their anxiety toolkits, including information on how anxiety works, how parents can spot it and how to know when it's time to get professional help.    How to pick the TV streaming service you actually want It's a new TV universe, one where you, the viewer, have never had more power to choose what you see. But sorting through the increasing number of services can feel overwhelming and lead to frustration and "subscription fatigue." Here’s a guide to figure out which service works best for you.  Featured Podcast BS jobs: How meaningless work wears us down Yang Liu/Getty Images Have you ever had a job where you had to stop and ask yourself: What am I doing here? If I quit tomorrow, would anyone even notice? Hidden Brain talks to anthropologist David Graeber about the rise of what he calls "b******t jobs," and how these positions can affect the people who hold them. ► LISTEN — By Suzette Lohmeyer What do you think of today's email? We'd love to hear your thoughts, questions and feedback: bestofnpr@npr.org Enjoying this newsletter? Forward to a friend! They can sign up here. Looking for more great content? Check out all of our newsletter offerings — including Daily News, Politics, Health and more! You received this message because you're subscribed to Best of NPR emails. This email was sent by National Public Radio, Inc., 1111 North Capitol Street NE, Washington, DC 20002 Unsubscribe  |  Privacy Policy