Every other week, we scour the web to bring you interesting bits and pieces from around the world. Enjoy!

Why Chores Are Good for Children

Chores often get shunted aside in the race to get kids into the best schools and activities. But chores can actually play an integral role in children’s development. This article explains the link and also provides some handy tips on how to get your child to do her chores without nagging.

1.2 Billion Taste-testers Say You’re Welcome

Some smarties at IIT Jodhpur decided to crunch the number of flavors in Indian cuisine. The result is a fascinating glimpse into food chemistry and how it differs for Eastern and Western palates. It also explains why most people outside of India have such love/hate reactions to our food. Now pass the palak paneer.

Use Your Indoor Voice

Surprise! Or, maybe not. The open plan office may be trendy, but it’s terrible for worker productivity and creativity. This excellent take down of every ‘cool’ boss’s dream office proves privacy is just as important as transparency. Moderation in all things, right?

Learning To Cheat

For most of us, a cog sheet was a right of passage. But students in Bihar took it to another level last week when family members were filmed clinging to window sills and drain pipes in order to aid children taking the 10th board. Hopefully, a larger conversation (and action!) about education and exam reform will be the result, along with the artificial scores.

Teaching Us To Be Good (Or Bad)

This fascinating read shows how teacher’s conscious or unconscious biases can shape kids’ abilities in various subjects. This has far-reaching affects, effectively shutting women out from STEM fields from a very early age. If you’re a teacher, it will make you question your own unconscious assumptions; if you’re a parent, it will make you that much more determined to level the playing field.

Speak Softly and Carry A Stuffed Animal

We’ve all been there—whether in the same flat or next door, a crying baby at night can drive even the weariest to insomnia. The NYT Mag’s advice gurus give some sound and funny advice on how to approach neighbors with a newborn about toning down the noise.

Feel-Good Video Makes Us … Feel Good

Sure, it’s technically an advertisement. And sure, the dancing skeletons are a little weird. But that doesn’t mean this video, set to Macklemore’s “Same Love,” doesn’t leave us with a warm, fuzzy feeling.

The Toughest Animal on Earth

Move over, cockroach, there’s a more indestructible creature in town! Tiny, tiny tardigrades – never more than 1.5 millimeters! – can survive all manner of things which would kill ordinary animals, including outer space. Might explain why they’ve been around for the past 500 million years!