1440 News Digest - Our Most-Read Stories of 2023

Dear readers, 

As we close out 2023, we want to say once more—Thank you. Not simply for reading but for the input and feedback that has helped shape 1440 into what it is today. It's been a great year; during 2023: 

Thanks for being part of the journey—We're looking forward to a wonderful 2024 and beyond!

Drew

Editor-in-Chief 

Below are some important, interesting, or otherwise fun stories that moved 1440 staff in 2023. What was your favorite? Let us know here.

Women's NCAA basketball championship draws record numbers

I loved the excitement surrounding women's sports this year—particularly the NCAA women's basketball tournament, topped by the Iowa-LSU championship (go Hawkeyes!). —Ashley L. 

The hidden power of rituals

As a child of immigrant parents who also moved around a lot, I always felt that the little traditions and habits were what gave us control of otherwise changing and often hectic circumstances. —Mitchell K.

Chicago woman breaks skydiving record at age 104

It's inspiring to witness that age has no barrier; it's about seizing every moment to pursue the passions that ignite your joy in this lifetime. —August M.

Riding with Jimmy Buffett

A captivating narrative about friendship and adventure with the legendary musician that prompts you to reflect on how you’re living your own life and how you show up in this world. —Sony K.

Brain-reading devices allow paralyzed people to communicate via thoughts

I studied psychology and brain sciences at Indiana University and the courses focused on our brain were always my favorite. —Erika B.

Justices, actors, activists, and more

The world mourned the deaths of many iconic cultural, political, and sports figures in 2023. Among the most impactful for me were Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, Matthew Perry, Harry Belafonte, and Tina Turner. —Bobby A.

A paradigm shift in public perception of UFOs

I was impressed by the shift in public opinion toward UFOs (now called unidentified anomalous phenomena) this year, as leaders in government and science sought to take whatever they are more seriously. —Teddy B.

"Please write me"

I found this story to be so heartwarming and loved how a young girl's message found its way back to her 72 years later! —Michelle D.

Flag football among new Olympic additions

As an avid football fan, finding out that flag football was approved to be an official Olympic sport gave me a thrill. It would be great to see familiar NFL stars competing on the world stage to represent the US, but I would also love to see the enthusiasm for the sport brought by other countries. —Scott J.

Ten-year-old amputee breaks track records

As a mother of a child with a rare disease, it really hits home to hear inspiring stories of children defying the odds and living their best lives. —Kellie S.

Surprise avian wedding guest tops international photo competition

I got married this year and, in the past, worked for a wedding magazine, so these photos had me feeling nostalgic. They were the perfect treat to scroll through, bringing me back to an incredibly joyous day. —Amanda B.

Brain implant helps revive cognitive functions post-injury

As someone who is always looking to continue learning about the functions of the body, I am always looking to read about how medical science continues to evolve and help people. —Jessica L.

On this day: Harry Houdini's death

The life of Erich Weisz—professionally known as Harry Houdini—is fascinating to me. An icon surrounded by so many feats and myths ultimately succumbed to the common condition of appendicitis (and it may have been caused by a punch to the abdomen). —Lizzie M.

CRISPR therapy approved to treat sickle cell

This breakthrough brings so much hope to thousands of people living with the pain of sickle cell and the knowledge their life expectancy is significantly lower. It’s inspiring to see the promise of CRISPR being realized and, for the first time, accessible to people who can benefit from it. —Aaron E-L

Fourteen-year-old's Lego recreation lands him a job on "Spiderman"

I thought this trailer was so impressive, but even more so that his skills were recognized, and he was hired by the filmmakers. —Sam B.
 

Justice for Neanderthals
I loved this protective view of our hominin brethren, who are often stereotyped as knuckle-dragging dumb dumbs. They were people, they were artists, they were way more similar to us. —Alissa S.

Ten years on, "Batkid" is cancer-free

While the world watches the day-to-day happenings swirl around us, it’s good to be reminded that there is good out there, lots of it. —Lauren R.

The world's longest study on happiness reveals key to a fulfilling life

Dr. Robert Waldinger’s study on lifelong happiness—which followed thousands of humans over 85 years—found the people who were happiest, who stayed healthiest as they grew old, and who lived the longest were the people who had the warmest connections with other people. Good relationships were the strongest predictor of who was going to be happy and healthy as they grew old. —Tim H.

The rise of Ozempic and other GLP-1 agonists
The downstream effects of the explosion of these antiobesity drugs will be fascinating to watch unfold. Obesity-related ailments account for around $200B in annual healthcare spending in the US, an industry that accounts for 17% of GDP. These drugs have the potential to not only improve the quality of life for millions but drive a paradigm shift in the economy. —Drew S.