Here's one application of virtual reality we didn't see coming: happy cows and better milk.

Leah Asmelash reports the story of dairy farmers in Russia who are installing virtual reality headsets on cows to fool them into thinking it's summer, and then producing tastier milk. The farmers also hope the cows will produce more milk. That's quality and quantity.
Any cheese aficionado worth their Sakura knows that springtime cows produce cheese that tastes like flowers, and studies have shown that environmental conditions impact milk produced. Still, this experiment will need more data to connect the dots between virtual reality and high quality milk. Already, however, the Russian farmers report lowered anxiety levels in the cows outfitted for a virtual summer.
FULL STORY: Russian dairy farmers gave cows VR goggles with hopes they would be happier and make better milk

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Balancing Bombs and Butterflies: How the National Guard Protects a Rare Species
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