APOD - Saturn's Moon Helene in Color

Astronomy Picture of the Day

Discover the cosmos! Each day a different image or photograph of our fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation written by a professional astronomer.

2023 April 30

Saturn's Moon Helene in Color
Image Credit: NASA, JPL-Caltech, SSI; Processing: Daniel Macháček

Explanation: Although its colors may be subtle, Saturn's moon Helene is an enigma in any light. The moon was imaged in unprecedented detail in 2012 as the robotic Cassini spacecraft orbiting Saturn swooped to within a single Earth diameter of the diminutive moon. Although conventional craters and hills appear, the above image also shows terrain that appears unusually smooth and streaked. Planetary astronomers are inspecting these detailed images of Helene to glean clues about the origin and evolution of the 30-km across floating iceberg. Helene is also unusual because it circles Saturn just ahead of the large moon Dione, making it one of only four known Saturnian moons to occupy a gravitational well known as a stable Lagrange point.

Tomorrow's picture: stars with colors

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Does sex get better with age?

Plus, hospital care goes remote

View this email online April 30, 2023 by Andrea Muraskin With the lusty month of May around the corner, we talked to a sex therapist about how to have a satisfying sex life, when you're no spring chicken. Also, hospital acute care is going remote, a mom-to-be must come up with $15,000 overnight to save her twins, and scientists discover a sneaky cause of UTIs.  Optimists do it better and other advice for great sex after 60 iStockphoto It’s generally believed that people should be able to enjoy their golden years, but what does that look like? Time for hobbies, travel, spoiling your grandkids? What about great sex? A study published last month in The Gerontologist looks at how well our sexual expectations match up with reality over time. As part of the MIDUS (Midlife in the US) study, hundreds of partnered adults ages 45+ were asked to rate how satisfying they expected their sex lives to be 10 years in the future. Researchers then checked in with the participants a decade later. Their findings seem to demonstrate the power of positive thinking.  Participants who were optimistic about their sex lives reported having significantly more frequent and more satisfying sex than those who had lower expectations. Also, “sexually optimistic” individuals who acquired limitations they didn’t have ten years before – such as pain that made it harder to lift groceries or exercise – reported having more frequent sex compared to individuals who had lower expectations, and did not have those physical limitations.  Natalie Wilton, a therapist who specializes in senior sexuality, says it's no surprise that many people feel pessimistic about sex as they age. “As a society, we buy into a lot of those really dangerous tropes and stereotypes, which make it very difficult for older adults to, I think, feel open about talking about sex. Like that dirty old man's stereotype, or the woman as a cougar, or even kind of infantilizing. We see two older adults and we'll be like, oh, cute, they're holding hands, right? Or when they do do anything related to sex, we're like, oh, that's weird.” She says these kinds of norms discourage discussion of healthy sexuality for older folks, but it doesn't have to be that way. In her practice, Wilton helps clients navigate the changes in their bodies when it comes to sexuality. “I'm always amazed at how people are surprised about talking about sex and older adults, like it's always this great revelation,” she says. “If something was really good right now, why would you want it to stop?”  With some adjustments, she says, there’s no reason to leave sexual satisfaction in the past. Here's some of her advice.  Slow your roll Good sex takes time, Wilton says, even more so later in life. As we age, our sexual response cycle – the time it takes to become aroused before and between sexual activity – becomes slower. Women especially may require more time and more touch beforehand, a feeling of “my mind is there but my body’s not quite there yet,” Wilton says. For older adults with medical conditions whose symptoms worsen at night, she suggests planning sexual activity for the morning or afternoon.  Avoid ouch moments “Mobility is a huge issue,” Wilton says, when it comes to having comfortable sex, but today’s seniors have options. “There's tons that exists on the market, benches and wedges and different kinds of things, but you can also just use the things [like pillows] that you have in your own home.” Even simply changing position can help. A tip: assistive equipment like foam wedges marketed for sexual activity can often be found for much cheaper at medical supply retailers or on Amazon marketed as “back support” and the like.  Check out the toy store “Something like lube is great,” Wilton says, “for women as they get older.” She also encourages her clients to experiment with different toys. “It is actually a really great experience to go into a sex shop, but it's pretty cool that we can go online and look for things, if we don't feel comfortable or even live in a small town that doesn't have great access to that kind of stuff,” she notes. Drug store chains generally carry lubricant, and many now stock a few toys as well. Open up to new ideas Wilton encourages clients to redefine what sex and intimacy looks like, and develop flexibility around that. “Say your partner can't get an erection or your partner doesn't seem to be in the mood. It’s not getting like, ‘oh my goodness, they don't wanna be with me. This is awful. We need to stop.’ If things aren't going the way you want it to, just snuggle instead, give each other a back massage or touch each other differently,” she suggests. “Just kind of give that time and space for things to move and flow a little bit more organically.”  Watch for side effects When it comes to sex, Wilton recommends asking questions and advocating for yourself at the doctor’s office. “Things like diabetes, heart disease, Parkinson's, the whole host of issues that we tend to see more commonly as people get older, often have either a sexual side effect based on the illness itself, or many of the medications may have some kind of side effect,” she says.  To learn more, Wilton recommends the books and website of senior sexuality advocate Joan Price.  Despite challenges, Wilton says the sex you have when you’re older can be the best of your life. “Sometimes we develop a bit more of a confidence for ourselves when we get older, right? We're like, ‘yeah, you know what? I am who I am and I like me.’ Most people, as they get a little bit older, they stop caring about some of those less important things, and I think that promotes a better sex life too.” Check out these interviews and stories for more advice and reflection about keeping the heat turned up as you age: Lubrication and lots of communication: Navigating a new sexual life after menopause Sex, friendship and aging: 'It's Not All Downhill From Here' Can a person with dementia consent to sex? Participate in Public Media Giving Days Next week, we are celebrating Public Media Giving Days. Our work is only possible through the help of listeners, readers and supporters like you. We don’t have investors, owners, or shareholders. We hold ourselves accountable to you. If public media has ever made a positive impact in your life, we hope you’ll consider donating and supporting our mission. Every single gift makes a difference. Donate today. Newsletter continues after sponsor message Unraveling a hidden cause of UTIs -- plus how to prevent them Getty Images/Westend61 When one of my girlfriends complains about a urinary tract infection, I assume she’s been having lots of sex. But according to new research, I shouldn’t jump to conclusions. Learn how to lower your risk of getting this yucky condition that makes it hurt to pee, and sends over 1 million Americans to the ER each year.  Post-pandemic, even hospital care goes remote FG Trade/Getty Images With an IV drip, an oxygen monitor and a tablet for virtual check-ins, David Elder is recuperating from a bone marrow transplant in his living room. Since rules for around-the-clock care relaxed during the pandemic, “hospital-at-home” programs have sprung up around the country. While the comforts of home can be more conducive to healing than a hospital room, critics say the practice can place unfair burdens on family members and endanger patients.  Bill of the Month: She was pregnant and had to find $15,000 overnight to save her twins Zack Wittman/ KFF Health News Once in a while, health insurance plans make exceptions for doctors who are normally out-of-network; if the patient provides documents proving their problem is urgent and they can't access an in-network provider. But for a mother facing imminent risk of pregnancy loss, there was no time for paperwork. For the latest in our “Bill of the Month” series, NPR and KFF Health News investigate a Florida woman’s insurance quagmire, and her quest to get reimbursed.  We hope you enjoyed these stories. Find more of NPR's health journalism on Shots and follow us on Twitter at @NPRHealth. All best, Andrea Muraskin and your Shots editors Listen to your local NPR station. Visit NPR.org to hear live radio from WUFT 89.1 (edit station). What do you think of today's email? We'd love to hear your thoughts, questions and feedback: shots@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 Goats & Soda, Daily News, Best of NPR and more! You received this message because you're subscribed to Health emails. This email was sent by National Public Radio, Inc., 1111 North Capitol Street NE, Washington, DC 20002 Unsubscribe  |  Privacy Policy

One deputy. Two missing men. What went wrong?

Plus, how a new school in Texas is igniting a passion for teaching in its students.

View this email online by Suzanne Nuyen April 30, 2023 Good morning. This week, Tucker Carlson was fired, Bed Bath & Beyond went bankrupt and "Dark Brandon" joined the presidential race. Plus, Scott Simon muses on the EU's beef with Miller High Life.    Best of NPR Two young men of color disappeared in Naples, Fla., three months apart, from the same street. They were last seen with Steven Calkins, a white sheriff's deputy, who became the only person of interest in both cases. Nearly two decades later, no one has ever been charged. What went wrong?  Michel Fortier/Naples Daily News NPR, WGCU Public Media, the Naples Daily News and The Fort Myers News-Press have teamed up to revisit this case in The Last Ride, a new true crime podcast. Catch up now before the last three episodes air:  🚨 Join civil rights attorney Ben Crump and filmmaker Tyler Perry in the first episode to explore the main details of the case. 🚨 Hear more about Felipe Santos' story next. Calkins says he gave Santos a ride to a Circle K gas station in 2003. He was never seen again. 🚨 In 2004, Terrence Williams became the second man to go missing after a similar encounter with Calkins. His mother and stepfather began their own investigation after the sheriff's office was unresponsive. 🚨 Next, Explore the inconsistencies between the three polygraph tests Calkins took after the disappearances. 🚨 Then, listen to friends from Calkins' past shed more information on his life before moving to Florida. Was he a good guy or a bad cop?   Catch new episodes of The Last Ride on Tuesdays. Participate in Public Media Giving Days Next week, we are celebrating Public Media Giving Days. Our work is only possible through the help of listeners, readers and supporters like you. We don’t have investors, owners, or shareholders. We hold ourselves accountable to you. If public media has ever made a positive impact in your life, we hope you’ll consider donating and supporting our mission. Every single gift makes a difference. Donate today. subscriberid%%--> Newsletter continues after sponsor message The Week That Was Kaylee Greenlee Beal for NPR  This high school in San Antonio, Texas, has a bold experiment for raising the next generation of educators. The teens here all want to become teachers someday, and they're practicing their skills on students at the nearby elementary school. 🎧 Listen to why they're so passionate about the classroom.  Oklahoma currently has three overlapping abortion bans, with different and sometimes contradictory definitions and exceptions. This means patients like Jaci Statton are given confusing information when they seek medical treatment for their pregnancies. Statton's molar pregnancy wasn't viable — and it was cancerous. But doctors told her they couldn't give her a medical abortion unless she was much sicker and "crashing" in front of them.  The possibilities for your WFH office are endless if you're an employee at Airbnb. The company implemented its "Live and Work Anywhere" policy a year ago. Workers are happier, and it's working out for Airbnb, too: Its attrition rate is at an all-time low and falling, and the company has hired more women and underrepresented minorities. The U.S. has one of the highest rates of people in prison or jail in the developed world, and experts say incarceration can have severe health impacts. Recent data shows a 46% jump in federal and state prison deaths in 202 from the year before. Research suggests prison could accelerate aging, and many who make it out are released with conditions like cancer, heart disease, and infectious diseases they developed while incarcerated. Podcast Picks  Planet Flem Throughline: The past is never the past, and every headline has a history. Go back in time to understand the present with hosts Rund Abdelfatah and Ramtin Arablouei. 🎧 What makes an apology real? In this episode, listen to the stories of three apologies throughout history, explore how they worked, and decide whether they were effective. Seeking a Scientist from KCUR: There's no need to fear the future with Kate the Chemist on your side. Host Kate Biberdorf talks to scientists who guide us into the great unknown. 🎧 Kate's first episode tackles one of the scariest aspects of the future: aging. Is getting older inevitable, or is it something we can control? And if we could live forever, should we? The Sounds of America, from WAMU and NPR: 1A's award-winning series is an annual collaboration with the Library of Congress showcasing recordings that are being preserved at the National Recording Registry. 🎧 Listen to Carla Hayden, America's 14th librarian of Congress, discuss this year's inductees. WAMU will highlight a special artist or recording every week. Scott's Thoughts Comite Champagne via AP Bureaucrats are not known for metaphors. That’s probably good. Government regulations should read, “The tread of a tire shall be at least 2/32 of an inch in depth,” not, “The tread of a tire should be as deep as a falcon’s eyelash.”   But I was surprised when I learned more than 2,000 cans of Miller High Life Beer were intercepted at the port of Antwerp, Belgium. They were drained, then crushed (metaphor alert!) like ping-pong balls by a bulldozer.    Miller High Life’s slogan has been "The Champagne of Beers" for more than a century. But EU officials saw that as some kind of a spurious claim that this Milwaukee brewski is trying to pass itself off champagne.   It’s tempting to mock EU regulators as tedious desk jockeys. But I wonder if they haven’t opened a whole new line of bureaucratic engagement.    The next time Shakespeare is performed in the EU and a love-struck Romeo exclaims, “But soft! What light through younger window breaks? It is the east, and Juliet is the sun,” an EU regulator could leap onstage to say, “Hold up here. Juliet is a 13-year-old girl. She is not the sun. That's a ball of fiery plasma about 93 million miles from the Earth, depending on the time of year. Go on, Romeo.”   And Katy Perry might have a new hit in the EU if she sings, “Baby, you’re a device containing combustible chemicals.” How lyrical!   On our show this week: a farewell to, and from, Harry Belafonte. Listen to your local NPR station. Visit NPR.org to hear live radio from WUFT 89.1 (edit station). This newsletter was edited by Carol Ritchie. 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 Music, 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