A new study published in the Journal of Political Economy has found that a relatively simple, low-cost intervention can meaningfully improve college students’ sleep — and, in turn, their academic performance, marking what researchers describe as the first field experiment to demonstrate a direct causal link between the two.

The research, led by health economist Osea Giuntella of the University of Pittsburgh, comes amid a growing body of evidence connecting sleep quality to overall health, well-being and cognitive function. While previous studies had shown a strong correlation between sleep and academic performance, causal evidence linking the two using real-world tools like wearable trackers had remained limited.

A widespread problem among young adults

The study’s starting point reflects a broader issue researchers say is common on college campuses nationwide. “Sleep deprivation is extremely common among young adults, yet universities have struggled to find affordable ways to improve student performance,” Giuntella told ScienceAlert.

To test possible solutions, Giuntella and his fellow researchers studied 1,149 student participants across several waves of the experiment. At baseline, the students were sleeping an average of just 6.6 hours per night, and nearly 29% of weeknights involved less than six hours of sleep — well below the roughly seven to nine hours generally recommended for adults.

How the experiment worked

During the intervention phase, all participating students were given wearable Fitbit trackers to monitor their sleep patterns. Researchers then randomly assigned the students into two groups.

The treatment group was encouraged to get at least seven hours of sleep on weeknights, received personalized bedtime reminders, and was offered a modest financial incentive — $4.75 per night for four weeks — for meeting their nightly sleep goal. The control group, by contrast, simply wore the Fitbit trackers without receiving any instructions or rewards tied to changing their sleep habits.

Two central questions

Giuntella said the research team set out to answer two related questions. “First, could a simple behavioral intervention help students develop healthier and more persistent sleep habits?” he told ScienceAlert. “Second, while many studies had documented a strong correlation between sleep and academic performance, there was very little causal evidence using wearables and real-world settings showing that improving sleep actually leads to better educational outcomes.”

Sleep gains that outlasted the incentives

The results showed a clear effect during the intervention period. Students in the treatment group saw a 26% increase in the share of nights they met their seven-hour sleep goal, with average nightly sleep duration increasing by 19 minutes compared with the control group.

Notably, the effect didn’t disappear entirely once the financial incentives and reminders stopped. Even after the intervention ended, treatment-group students continued sleeping more than they had at baseline, though the effect diminished to an average of eight additional minutes of sleep per night once the external motivators were removed.

Confirming the connection to grades

According to Giuntella, the research team initially suspected they were onto something meaningful after the first wave of the study in 2019, but the full significance of the finding became clear only after linking the experimental data to students’ official university transcripts. “After the first wave of the study in 2019, we had a good sense that the intervention was improving sleep and that some of the effects persisted after the incentives ended,” Giuntella said. “But what really convinced us we had an important finding was when we linked the experimental data to students’ official university transcripts and found improvements in GPA.”

Students in the treatment group saw their average course performance improve by 0.075 to 0.089 grade points during the semester in which the intervention took place, with a similarly sized effect persisting into the following semester as well.

A modest but meaningful gain

While researchers acknowledge the improvements were relatively modest in magnitude and warrant replication in future studies, they note the results are notable for another reason: the GPA gains produced by the sleep intervention either matched or exceeded academic improvements typically seen in scholarship-style financial incentive programs — but at a fraction of the cost.

Applications beyond college campuses

Giuntella expressed optimism that the approach could extend well beyond university settings. “What excites me most is that these are relatively simple interventions that could be adapted and tested in many different settings,” he said. “Not only universities, but potentially schools and workplaces as well.”

The study’s authors say the findings offer a promising, low-cost model for institutions looking to support student success without the significant financial investment typically required by traditional scholarship or incentive-based academic programs. Given the relatively small sample size and modest effect sizes involved, however, the researchers emphasized that further replication across different student populations and settings would help confirm how broadly the intervention’s benefits might apply.

A new study suggests that people who watch a lot of television in midlife may end up with smaller brain volumes decades later, in regions tied to language and thinking — while, notably, spending long hours sitting at work appeared to carry no such risk.

The findings, drawn from a long-running study funded by the National Institutes of Health, add to a growing body of research suggesting that not all sedentary behavior affects the brain the same way. To help make sense of the results, CNN wellness expert Dr. Leana Wen, an emergency physician and clinical associate professor at George Washington University who previously served as Baltimore’s health commissioner, walked through what the study found and what it does — and doesn’t — prove.

What the study measured

Researchers analyzed data from more than 1,700 participants who reported on their television-watching habits and workplace sitting time during a single year in midlife. Participants, who ranged in age from 45 to 64 at the study’s outset with an average age of 53, self-reported how often they watched television using a standardized questionnaire, classifying their habits into one of five categories: never, seldom, sometimes, often or very often.

More than two decades later, the same participants underwent brain MRI scans, allowing researchers to examine whether earlier television habits correlated with measurable differences in brain structure later in life.

Smaller brain volumes among heavy viewers

According to Wen, the results were notable. “That’s what this study found, although it’s important to understand exactly what the researchers measured and what conclusions we can draw from it,” she said when asked whether television watching is genuinely associated with brain changes years later.

People who reported watching television “very often” tended to show smaller volumes in several brain regions, including areas involved in cognitive control and language, as well as regions considered especially vulnerable in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease. These same heavy viewers also showed more white matter hyperintensities — changes visible on MRI scans that reflect injury to the brain’s small blood vessels and have been linked in prior research to cognitive decline and dementia.

Why sitting at work looked different

Perhaps the study’s most surprising finding was that sedentary time spent at work wasn’t associated with the same brain changes seen in heavy television viewers — a distinction Wen said comes down to how actively the brain is engaged during each activity.

“This interesting finding suggests that not all sedentary activities are the same,” Wen said. “Watching television is a cognitively passive activity because viewers are primarily receiving information rather than actively processing it. Sitting at work often involves very different mental demands. You may be responding to emails, working on projects and interacting with colleagues. Those activities engage multiple brain networks even though you’re sitting.”

Wen noted that while the study doesn’t prove mentally stimulating activities directly protect the brain, the findings align with a broader body of research suggesting cognitive engagement helps lower dementia risk, and echo earlier studies distinguishing passive sedentary behaviors like television watching from more mentally active ones, such as solving puzzles or engaging with coworkers.

An observational study, not proof of causation

Wen was direct in cautioning against overinterpreting the results. Asked whether the study proves television watching causes negative brain changes, she said simply: “No. This was an observational study, which means it can identify associations but cannot establish cause and effect.”

She noted that people who watched more television may have differed from lighter viewers in ways researchers couldn’t fully account for, even though the study already adjusted for numerous factors, including age, education, physical activity, smoking, alcohol use, diabetes, high blood pressure and body mass index. It’s also possible, Wen said, that subtle brain changes influenced people’s television habits years before their MRI scans were performed, rather than the other way around.

Still, Wen characterized the research as well-conducted, noting it followed participants for more than two decades and relied on detailed brain MRI scans rather than subjective testing. While the findings shouldn’t be interpreted as proof that television directly damages the brain, she said they add to growing evidence that prolonged passive, sedentary behavior isn’t ideal for long-term brain health.

Exercise doesn’t fully offset the risk

One particularly notable detail: the association between heavy television viewing and brain changes held up even after researchers accounted for participants’ physical activity levels. According to Wen, that means someone who exercises regularly but also spends many hours a day watching television may still face additional risks tied to that passive sedentary behavior. “Staying physically active and limiting this kind of prolonged passive sedentary behavior both appear to be important,” she said.

Not all screen time is equal

Wen emphasized that the findings shouldn’t be read as a blanket call to eliminate television or other screen-based leisure entirely. “I don’t think this study means people should stop all screen consumption,” she said, noting that watching a favorite show, following a sporting event or going to a movie can be enjoyable and can help people connect with family and friends — benefits that carry their own health value.

Instead, Wen suggested the more useful takeaway is considering how passive screen time might be displacing other activities. “If several hours of television or scrolling through social media are taking the place of exercise, in-person social interactions, reading or other mentally stimulating activities, that’s not ideal for brain health,” she said. She pointed to an online language class as an example of screen time that engages the brain differently than passive viewing, since it involves active learning and communication rather than passive reception of content.

Other evidence-based ways to protect brain health

Beyond reducing passive screen time, Wen pointed to a range of research-backed strategies for supporting brain health as people age, including regular physical activity, controlling blood pressure, managing chronic conditions such as diabetes, avoiding smoking, limiting alcohol use, getting adequate sleep and maintaining a healthy weight. She also cited a Mediterranean-style diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, fish and healthy fats as a pattern associated with better brain health, along with staying socially connected and treating conditions like hearing loss and depression that can otherwise limit time spent with loved ones.

“No single activity can guarantee protection against dementia,” Wen said, “but the combination of everyday choices, including how we spend our leisure time, can add up over the course of decades.”

DALLAS — Klay Thompson fired back at former teammate Kevin Durant this week after Durant argued that the reshaped Philadelphia 76ers roster grades out ahead of the championship Golden State Warriors teams the two once won titles on together.

The exchange began Saturday when Durant, speaking at a USA Basketball charity event in Ladera Ranch, California, said LeBron James and the 76ers now have enough offensive firepower to contend for the 2027 championship. “The last time they put three 20-point scorers on a team, they said it was unfair, which was the [Warriors] team I was on,” Durant said. “[The 76ers] have got four 25-point scorers on this team. So, hell yeah, I think they’re going to be a contender. They’re going to be a fun team to watch. It’s going to be League Pass-worthy.”

A podcast debate spills onto Instagram

The comments resurfaced online after a clip from “The E-Lab” podcast, which broke down the roster comparison, was posted to Instagram over the weekend. Host Tevin J. Payne commented on the post that Philadelphia was talented but nowhere near the level of the Warriors team Durant joined in 2016.

Durant responded directly to Payne on Monday, listing individual accolades for each of Philadelphia’s projected starters to make his case. “Ain’t close lmao,” Durant wrote. “Joel, MVP recently. Jaylen Brown, recent Finals MVP, Tyrese Maxey, All-Star the last 3 years. We all know what Bron does. Klay Thompson, never a MVP candidate in nothing, 22ppg. Draymond, 14ppg, 7 rebounds 6 assist, Steph a MVP just like Joel was. I don’t get how the Warriors team is better on paper.”

Thompson responds directly

Thompson, tagged by name in Durant’s comment, posted his own reply to his Instagram story, tagging Durant’s account in the process. “Aye man, u good?” Thompson wrote. “What u using my full government name for?”

The exchange also drew a response from former NBA forward Evan Turner, who weighed in on X over Durant’s characterization of Thompson’s individual accolades. “‘Was never an MVP in anything’ is a tad bit aggressive, LOL,” Turner wrote.

Thompson’s numbers during the Durant era in Golden State

During the 2016-17 season — Durant’s first with the Warriors — Thompson averaged 22.3 points, 3.7 rebounds and 2.1 assists across 78 games, marking the third of his five career All-Star selections. Thompson has won four championships overall, including two alongside Durant in 2017 and 2018.

Philadelphia’s revamped roster

The 76ers have undergone a significant offseason transformation. Philadelphia acquired Jaylen Brown from Boston earlier this summer and signed James on July 24 to a two-year, $8 million contract that includes a player option and a full 15% trade kicker. James, 41, made close to $53 million with the Los Angeles Lakers last season before agreeing to the significantly reduced deal in Philadelphia. Embiid, Maxey and Brown each averaged at least 25 points per game during the 2025-26 season.

Thompson’s current situation in Dallas

Thompson, 36, is entering the final season of the three-year, $50 million contract he signed with the Dallas Mavericks in 2024, which pays him just under $17.5 million for 2026-27. He becomes eligible for unrestricted free agency in the summer of 2027.

Last season, over 69 games, including eight starts, Thompson averaged 11.7 points, 2.1 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 21.7 minutes per game — all career lows. He shot 39.3% from the field and 38.3% from beyond the arc.

According to Christian Clark of The Athletic, citing multiple sources with rival teams, the Mavericks have explored trading Thompson but have yet to find a deal. Clark also reported that Thompson would welcome a potential move to Los Angeles, where he spent part of his childhood and continues to keep a home.

Dallas currently carries 16 players on standard contracts after matching a two-year offer sheet from New York for center Moussa Cissé — one more than the league’s roster limit allows, adding pressure on the front office to make a corresponding move.

Under new team president Masai Ujiri, the Mavericks’ offseason additions have included Zaccharie Risacher, Santi Aldama and Marcus Sasser via trade, along with draft picks Morez Johnson Jr., Sergio De Larrea and Tobi Lawal.

Miami has repeatedly been mentioned around the league as a potential landing spot for Thompson, with the Heat reportedly preferring to wait for a buyout rather than surrender assets in a trade. According to Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel, an anonymous NBA scout estimated Thompson could command roughly $5 million on the open market in that scenario.

Durant’s own new chapter

Durant, for his part, is now with the Houston Rockets, where he averaged 26 points, 5.5 rebounds and 4.8 assists in his first season with the franchise and earned All-NBA Second Team honors. Houston and Dallas share the Southwest Division and will face off four times during the upcoming regular season, setting up potential further meetings — and perhaps additional exchanges — between the two former Warriors teammates.

Olivia Rodrigo could not hold back tears as she debuted her new song “less” — officially titled “Less Than” — during a live performance at a surprise underplay show, with footage of the emotional moment going viral overnight as fans shared their reactions across social media.

The 23-year-old pop star and three-time Grammy winner performed the track at an intimate concert at Brooklyn’s Warsaw, a venue with a capacity of just 1,100, as part of a series of small-scale shows supporting her newly released album, “you seem pretty sad for a girl so in love.” According to Variety’s review of the concert, the show was announced only hours before it took place, on a sweltering Thursday afternoon in New York City, sparking a scramble for tickets that were available only at the venue’s box office.

A packed, sweltering show

Fans lined up in extreme heat to secure entry, with temperatures reaching a real-feel of 105 degrees outside the venue, according to Variety. Despite the conditions, Warsaw was packed well before the scheduled 8 p.m. start time, with the heat proving just as intense inside the venue itself.

Rodrigo, dressed in a red flowered schoolgirl dress and black go-go boots, opened the set with the album’s lead single, “Drop Dead,” a vocally demanding track that offers few opportunities to catch a breath during its upper-register chorus, according to Variety’s account of the performance.

An emotional highlight of the set

After a run of newer material, Rodrigo moved to the keyboard for a stretch of ballads pulled from her earlier albums, including “Drivers License,” before returning to preview four additional songs from her latest record. That stretch included fan favorites “Maggots for Brains” and “The Cure” — the latter of which Rodrigo described as “probably” her favorite song on the new album, according to Variety — along with the emotionally charged live debut of “Less Than,” also referred to by fans simply as “less.”

The song deals with the end of a romantic relationship, recalling an attempt to recreate a favorite date before ultimately acknowledging the relationship’s collapse. According to lyrics documented by Just Jared, the track includes lines describing a trip to Big Sur that “only confirmed this isn’t what it should feel like,” building toward a chorus in which Rodrigo sings about the emotional toll of the relationship’s end, including the lyric, “If loving me means crying on the curb at LAX, well, then I guess I wish, I wish, I wish you loved me less.”

Rodrigo previously spoke about the song’s origins, explaining that it was added to the album later in the writing process as something of a creative exercise. “A song like ‘less’ was added, obviously, later in the album making process, and I think it was us trying to practice a little bit of restraint,” she explained, according to Just Jared’s earlier coverage of the track’s release.

Fans respond to the emotional moment

Video clips capturing Rodrigo visibly emotional while performing the song spread quickly online following the show, with fans expressing sympathy and support in the comments beneath the viral posts. According to Geo TV’s coverage of the reaction, fans wrote messages including, “i literally can’t handle it,” and “OH SHUT UP SHUT UP.” Others offered similar responses, with one fan writing, “damn what did they do to my girl i’m not doing well,” and another adding, “i get you, girl, I’m crying too listening to this.” A separate comment read, “guys I really need to give this woman a hug ffs.”

A high-energy set despite the emotional peak

Beyond the emotional performance of “Less Than,” Rodrigo maintained her typically energetic stage presence throughout the rest of the show, according to Variety’s review. She was described as bouncing, spinning, holding out her arms and pumping her fists while leading the audience through several singalong moments. The set ultimately closed with two of her earlier hits, “Good 4 U” and “Déjà Vu.”

Variety’s review noted that the newer material from the “Pretty Sad” album, while performed cleanly, is likely to loosen up further as Rodrigo continues performing the songs in additional live settings, a common pattern for newly released tracks still being worked into a touring set.

What’s next for Rodrigo

The Brooklyn show marked one of the first performances tied to Rodrigo’s newly released album. According to Variety, additional older songs are expected to be incorporated into her setlist as she prepares to begin more extensive touring, with her own Daisy Chain Fields festival in Southern California among the upcoming stops where fans can expect to hear more from the new record performed live.

Similar emotional reactions are expected to continue as Rodrigo brings songs like “Less Than” to larger stages in the coming months, given the intensity of fan response already generated by its live debut in the small, intimate setting of the Brooklyn show.

Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 8 has arrived with the most significant redesign the foldable line has seen in years, and early reviews suggest the changes amount to more than just a cosmetic refresh. Here’s a breakdown of what’s drawing praise from reviewers — and why the device is standing out in an increasingly crowded foldable phone market.

1. A completely new, wider design

For the first time in seven generations, Samsung split its foldable lineup into two distinct devices, and the standard Galaxy Z Fold 8 emerged as the more surprising standout. According to Engadget’s review, the phone borrows design elements from Samsung’s own back catalog while also drawing inspiration from rival devices, resulting in a wider, squatter form factor that reviewers say improves the overall experience. Engadget awarded the device a rating of 8.9 out of 10, specifically praising the “new wider design” as a “big win.”

2. Screen dimensions built for how people actually use their phones

Unlike previous Fold models built around a tall, narrow shape, the Z Fold 8 uses a shorter, wider build resembling a passport, according to Bloomberg’s review. That shape translates to screen dimensions better suited for watching video and consuming widescreen content — a meaningful shift, since Bloomberg noted this design direction represents the next major trend in foldable phones, with Apple’s own first foldable iPhone expected to adopt a similar shape later this year.

3. A cover display that’s genuinely useful on its own

Forbes Vetted’s two-week testing period highlighted the phone’s 5.5-inch cover display as a particular standout. According to the review, the smaller external screen proved ideal for quick tasks like responding to Slack messages, while unfolding the phone transformed it into what the reviewer described as “a multitasking powerhouse” for more involved work.

4. A genuine productivity powerhouse when unfolded

Once opened, the Z Fold 8’s 7.6-inch inner display becomes a legitimate workspace. Forbes Vetted’s reviewer described using the phone to review spreadsheets, make real-time edits and triage questions on the fly during an on-site work project — functionality made possible by Samsung DeX, which effectively turns the Android device into a laptop-like experience by allowing apps to open in windowed mode. Paired with a case that includes a stand, along with a wireless keyboard and mouse, the phone can function as a compact computer when needed.

5. Split-screen multitasking built in

Beyond DeX, the Z Fold 8 supports native split-screen functionality, allowing users to run multiple apps simultaneously on the expansive inner display — a feature Forbes Vetted specifically called out as helping streamline multitasking during real-world testing.

6. Flagship-level performance

The Z Fold 8 runs on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor, according to SamMobile’s detailed specifications breakdown, giving it performance on par with other 2026 flagship devices. While Forbes Vetted noted the phone benchmarked slightly softer than some competitors during testing, the review emphasized that most everyday users are unlikely to notice any meaningful difference in real-world performance or power management.

7. Strong battery life and faster charging

Engadget’s review specifically praised the Z Fold 8’s battery life as a standout strength, alongside improvements to both wired and wireless charging speeds compared with prior generations. According to SamMobile’s specs rundown, the device is equipped with a 4,800mAh battery — a meaningful capacity for a foldable device that has to power two separate displays.

8. Long-term software support

The Z Fold 8 ships with Android 17 and One UI 9, backed by a commitment to seven years of major operating system updates, according to SamMobile. That extended update window puts the device in line with Samsung’s broader push toward longer software longevity across its flagship lineup, a factor that can meaningfully extend a device’s practical usable life well beyond its initial purchase.

9. Improved durability and display technology

Reviewers have also highlighted upgrades to the phone’s underlying construction. According to SamMobile, the Z Fold 8 features a slimmer crease along its foldable display and an improved anti-reflective coating, addressing two of the most persistent criticisms leveled at earlier foldable phones — visible screen creasing and glare in bright environments.

10. Competitive positioning against Apple’s first foldable

Perhaps most notably, the Z Fold 8 arrives positioned to compete directly against Apple’s rumored first folding iPhone, expected to be unveiled later this year, according to Bloomberg’s reporting. With Samsung having already established a wide-format foldable that reviewers are responding to positively, the Z Fold 8 gives the company a meaningful head start in shaping consumer expectations for what a mainstream folding phone should look and feel like — right as competition in the category intensifies.

Pricing and availability

The Galaxy Z Fold 8 was announced July 22, 2026, during Samsung’s Galaxy Unpacked event, with the 256GB configuration priced at $1,900 in the U.S. and €2,000 in Europe, according to SamMobile. The device became available for purchase starting Aug. 5, 2026.

A few trade-offs to weigh

Despite the largely positive reception, reviewers noted some drawbacks worth considering. Engadget’s review flagged the phone’s price as a genuine downside, along with the absence of a dedicated zoom camera and the need for a case or additional accessories to take advantage of magnetic charging and accessory attachments. Buyers weighing the standard Z Fold 8 against the pricier Z Fold 8 Ultra should also note that the Ultra offers a taller profile, a larger cover display and improved cameras, making it the better fit for users who prioritize photography and prefer a narrower, more traditional foldable shape.

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LOS ANGELES — Foundations funded and co-founded by Leonardo DiCaprio and Jeff Bezos have launched a $200 million initiative aimed at reviving 100 of Earth’s most threatened species, marking what organizers describe as the largest single philanthropic fund in history dedicated exclusively to recovering critically endangered wildlife.

DiCaprio’s conservation organization Re:wild and the Bezos Earth Fund are jointly leading the new effort, called the Phoenix Species Project, which the groups announced Tuesday. The initiative will target species facing imminent extinction across 30 countries, spanning mammals, amphibians, reptiles, birds, fish, invertebrates and plants — including endangered lemurs, salamanders, pangolins, pigs and echidnas.

A years-long partnership finally taking shape

The project’s origins trace back several years, growing out of DiCaprio’s long-standing effort to organize a major concerted push to help species whose habitats and survival are threatened by climate change. In 2021, DiCaprio and Re:wild co-founder and CEO Wes Sechrest, a biologist, met with Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and his wife, Lauren Sánchez Bezos, a former TV news reporter and host who now serves as vice chair of the Bezos Earth Fund alongside her husband, who chairs the organization.

That meeting sparked a series of follow-up conversations involving local governments, environmental groups and Indigenous communities focused on how best to reverse the decline of the world’s most vulnerable species — conversations that ultimately culminated in the Phoenix Species Project’s launch.

How the funding breaks down

The Bezos Earth Fund is committing $100 million to the project, according to Variety, with Re:wild matching that amount through support from DiCaprio, along with additional contributions from Age of Union and the Todd Graves Family Foundation.

The initiative will operate in collaboration with Indigenous peoples, local communities, scientists and conservationists across the participating countries. It also supports broader international efforts tied to Target 4 of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, a global agreement that calls on governments to halt extinctions and improve the conservation status of endangered species. The Reverse the Red Action Partnership will work alongside the project to help governments identify priority species and implement recovery actions, while the IUCN Species Survival Commission — described as the world’s largest volunteer conservation science network — is serving as the initiative’s global knowledge partner.

A direct impact for grant recipients on the ground

Local conservation groups are already receiving support through the initiative. Tiana Andriamanana, executive director of Association Fanamby, one of the organizations set to receive a grant, described the funding as a turning point for efforts to protect the golden-crowned sifaka, a critically endangered lemur species found in Madagascar. “We’ve protected the golden-crowned sifaka for years on a budget that would never match what this species deserves, but letting it go extinct was never an option,” Andriamanana said in a statement. “This funding, this global platform and technical support change what is possible.”

Sánchez Bezos frames the effort as a shift from managing decline to recovery

Lauren Sánchez Bezos framed the initiative’s ambitions in stark terms, emphasizing recovery rather than simply slowing species decline. “This project is our answer,” she said in a statement. “One hundred species, 30 countries and a real commitment to bringing them back. Not managing their decline. Recovering them. That’s the whole difference. We know how to do this. We just have to stay committed long enough to see it through.”

Among the species the project will focus on, according to the Hollywood Reporter, are the golden-crowned sifaka of Madagascar, the ancient shark-like bowmouth guitarfish, a small desert succulent illegally harvested for the ornamental plant trade in western South Africa, and tree-dwelling Hickory Nut Gorge species native to specific mountain habitats.

Part of a longer arc of environmental advocacy for both men

DiCaprio has built a decades-long public profile as an environmental advocate, dating back to founding his own foundation in 1998, shortly after finishing filming “Titanic,” with a focus on protecting the planet’s endangered species across more than 40 countries. His advocacy gained further national attention in 2016, when his best actor Oscar acceptance speech — which became the most-viewed best actor speech in YouTube history — closed with a direct appeal about climate change, urging audiences, “Let us not take this planet for granted.”

Bezos, for his part, established the Bezos Earth Fund in 2020, committing billions of dollars toward climate change and environmental restoration efforts globally. The Phoenix Species Project builds on both men’s separate track records of environmental philanthropy, bringing their respective organizations together under a single, targeted conservation effort focused specifically on species recovery rather than broader climate mitigation work.

Organizers describe the $200 million commitment as an initial investment rather than the full scope of the project’s eventual funding, with the initiative structured to provide long-term support for conservation efforts targeting the 100 identified species over an extended period. Additional details on specific country partnerships and individual species recovery plans are expected to be announced as local grant recipients, including groups like Association Fanamby, begin implementing programs in their respective regions.