6 Things You Need To Know Today (June 8)

It just became the first American state to pass environmental measures that adhere to the Paris climate agreement. It will do its part by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving soil health to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. (Huffington Post)

In a new study conducted by collected data from pregnant women in Asia, the United States, and Europe. The results revealed than 23 percent of women don't gain enough weight and 50 percent gain too much, which increases the risk of both premature births and required cesareans. (The Guardian)

There are enough whales in New York Harbor these days that tour boat companies can take interested parties on outings to see the humpback whales daily. Gotham Wales has been monitoring whale activity in the area since 2011 and reports "an exponential increase in the number of whales since 2011." The resurgence of these majestic creatures is being attributed to cleaner waterways, which result in more algae and zooplankton, as well as stricter limits on fishing." (Pop Sci)

According to a new study published in BMJ on Wednesday, heavy drinking is linked with higher rates of hippocampal atrophy, which is linked with memory loss and dementia—and even moderate, or social drinking, may alter the brain for the worse. Kombucha, anyone? (CNN)

These new fossils push back the date of the origin of our species by 100,000 years. They also give us a glimpse of their eating habits. Remnants prove they were meat eaters, and specifically gazelle hunters. (Science Daily)

The loss of a loved one is one of the most intense things many humans experience—yet many companies lack policies that allow for time off for grieving. Worse still, the companies that do offer time off often have strict rules around the type of grief that makes a person eligible for leave (a stillbirth, for example, generally doesn't make the list). Clearly, this is an area where many improvements can be made! (Harvard Business Review)