Why mushrooms may be the "future" of alternative leather, how to protect your dog from canine influenza, and more.

Vivian Le's reads

The psychological traps of online shopping. Countdown timers. Limited time sales. Low stock. All of these things are "psychological triggers" that online retailers use to get consumers to buy more and buy more quickly. Writing for Vox, Emily Stewart explains how retailers use deceptive design or "dark patterns" to get people to spend more, as well as some tips to avoid "e-commerce" traps.

How old is the Christmas tree? A decorated evergreen pine tree is one of most classic and recognized symbols of Christmas, but the tradition did not begin with the holiday. In fact, it is much more ancient and goes back thousands of years to some of the first societies. Writing for The Conversation, Troy Bickham, a professor of history at Texas A&M University, explains the history of the Christmas tree and how traditions around it have evolved over the years.

Alyssa Nystrom's reads

The 'future' of alternative leather—mushrooms? In 2013, Philip Ross and Sophia Wang started MycoWorks, a biotech company that used "mycotecture"—the creation of materials from the manipulation of mushrooms—to create a material with the same look and feel of leather without using animal parts. Now, the company has more than 75 patents and several collaborations with high-end companies. Writing for the New York Times, Ellen Rosen details how mushrooms could become the next big thing in the alternative leather industry.

How to protect your dog from the 'highly contagious' canine influenza. Across the United States, canine influenza infections are on the rise, with breakouts reported in doggy daycare centers, kennels, and animal shelters. Writing for the Washington Post, Lindsey Bever explains how owners can identify canine influenza and offers tips to help protect your pet from the "highly contagious" illness.