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Good morning Staker! Here’s what’s cookin’ today. A new study says exercise is effective for treating depression, a hockey card treasure trove, and the tour duo you’ve been waiting for announces new dates 🎶

Let’s get into it!

A study conducted by an independent network of researchers called the Cochrane collaboration analyzed the results of 73 clinical trials involving over 5,000 people taking various antidepressant medications.

The study also looked at the exercising habits of the trial participants and found working out might be just as effective as taking medication in treating depression.

"We found that exercise was as effective as pharmacological treatments or psychological therapies as well," says Andrew Clegg, a professor at the University of Lancashire in the U.K.

The conclusion wasn’t drawn to cast doubt on the very real efficacy of antidepressant medicine when appropriately prescribed; rather, the researchers found vigorous exercise can replicate the effects of such medication by restoring several key aspects of brain chemistry.

"Exercise can help improve neurotransmitter function, like serotonin as well as dopamine and endorphins. So there is certainly overlap between exercise and how antidepressants offer relief," said psychiatrist Dr. Stephen Mateka, medical director of psychiatry at Inspira Health.

The Cochrane collaborators also found exercise might increase production of “brain growth factors,” chemicals known to promote neuroplasticity; depression is believed to stifle it, which in turn stifles a person’s ability to adapt to changing circumstances and surroundings.

It’s widely believed that dramatically reducing the global production of plastic is a vital step in preventing further effects of climate change.

Now a study published the other day in The Lancet Planetary Health has found the threat to human health posed by plastic could double from its level in 2016 to what’s projected for 2040, if no changes are made.

The British and French researchers used a concept called DALYs to measure the impact further plastic production will have, which refers to the number of healthy years lost due to health hazards posed by plastic, including its production during oil and gas extraction.

The researchers said they’re the first to put an actual number on how many years of healthy life will be lost due to plastics and microplastics. In 2016, the number of DALYs was 2.1 million globally; if nothing changes in current output levels, that number will rise to 4.5 million by 2040.

Windsor, Ont. native Donald Badder found a collection of hockey cards in his father’s cigar case in 1988 and asked if he could have them.

Ask and ye shall receive! In 1988, it was a bunch of old hockey cards; in 2026, it was $50,000 at an auction hosted by Miller & Miller Auctions Ltd. in New Hamburg, Ont.

It turned out Badder was in possession of 51 cards from the 1924-25 Champ’s Cigarettes hockey card series. Among them was a card featuring the Stanley Cup, long before its expansion into the multi-ringed giant trophy it is today.

Champ’s was the first card maker to feature Lord Stanley’s Mug, and Badder had it and a few other highly-sought-after gems in his secret treasure chest.

“It was quite a find, and from 1988 until now, they were stored in a safety deposit box and he wanted to wait until the 100-year anniversary before letting them go,” said Ben Pernfuss, the auction house’s consignment director for sports,

The Stanley Cup card alone sold for $27,000—well above the expected maximum of $12,000. Another card featuring former Toronto Maple Leaf and New York American, Hap Day, went for $18,000.

Lionel Richie is teaming up with Earth, Wind & Fire for yet another leg of the massive Sing A Song All Night Long Tour.

The R&B stalwarts will hit the road on June 24 in Saint Paul, MN for the first of 26 dates across North America.

They’ll play major cities like Chicago, New York, Boston, Denver, Atlanta, Seattle, and many more, including two Canadian dates in Toronto and Montreal on July 4 and July 5, respectively.

Richie said he’s fired up to get back on the road with his R&B and funk counterparts, all of whom have been wowing audiences for decades with songs that defined much of the ‘70s and ‘80s.

Neither Richie nor EW&F have released new records in over a decade. Richie’s last album was 2012’s Tuskegee, and EW&F’s was 2013’s Now, Then, & Forever.

Let’s be honest, though…if you’re buyin’ tickets for this tour, you’re goin’ for the hits. All Night Long, September, Hello, Boogie Wonderland, Stuck on You, Shining Star, and Endless Love are all expected to be played, among many more greatest hits.

Presale tickets are on sale today at 10 a.m. ET, while the general sale begins at the same time on Friday.

Now that’s odd

Let’s keep the odd one out theme going! In today’s trivia we’re testing you on ’odd one out’ from the world of movies 🎥

Complete the game and earn a shot at a $25 eGift Card ;)

Winner will be notified on Thursday afternoon. Keep an eye on your inbox and don’t forget to check your spam folder!*