Good morning! 🌞 

Today’s all about the ones in the middle.
August 12 marks Middle Child’s Day—a nod to those who grew up sandwiched between an older sibling’s “firsts” and a younger one’s “lasts.” They’re often the quiet glue that holds the family together, the peacekeepers, the adapters, the ones with stories that rarely start with “remember when I got all the attention.” Today, let’s celebrate the middle kids for their resilience, humor, and knack for making their own path.

Innovation

3D-Printed Titanium

Ryan Brooke inspects a sample of the new titanium – Photo by Michael Quin (RMIT University)

Engineers at Australia’s Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) have unveiled a 3D-printed titanium alloy that’s about 30% cheaper to produce than the industry standard—potentially transforming aerospace, medical, and automotive manufacturing. The breakthrough, detailed in Nature Communications and now the subject of a provisional patent, replaces costly vanadium with more readily available elements. The result is a material with a uniform microstructure, improved strength, and greater ductility—key traits for high-performance applications.

Photo credit: RMIT

Lead researcher Ryan Brooke, from RMIT’s Centre for Additive Manufacturing, says the field has long been constrained by reliance on legacy alloys such as Ti-6Al-4V, which limit the full potential of 3D printing. “It’s like we’ve created an airplane and are still just driving it around the streets,” he explained. The team’s design framework not only produces better titanium at lower cost but also offers a faster, more economical way to select alloying elements—predicting and controlling grain structure to avoid the column-shaped formations that can weaken 3D-printed metals.

By solving both the cost and structural challenges, Brooke believes the innovation marks a “full leap forward” rather than a minor upgrade. Early conversations with aerospace, automotive, and MedTech leaders suggest strong interest in alloys that are cheaper, stronger, and more adaptable. “We have been able to not only produce titanium alloys with a uniform grain structure, but with reduced costs, while also making it stronger and more ductile,” Brooke said—an achievement that could accelerate the widespread adoption of 3D-printed metals in some of the world’s most demanding industries.

World News

Grandma for Rent…

A woman and her contracted grandma – credit, Client Partners

When Tokyo-based handyman service Client Partners found Japan’s repair market overcrowded, they pivoted to a warmer, more personal niche: “rent-a-grandma.” Launched in 2011 under the name OK! Obaachan (“OK! Grandmother”), the service pairs clients with women over 60 who provide homemaking, cooking, and companionship—roles that tap into traditional community values while addressing modern social needs. “I never get bored,” said 69-year-old Taeko Kaji, one of the program’s grandmothers. “I get to go out and have these experiences and that’s why taking this job was the right decision for me.”

The idea grew partly from Japan’s rising concern over urban loneliness, where the fast pace of city life can leave people without close family ties. “Some people may never have had a mother in the first place,” explained Client Partners CEO Ruri Kanazawa. “Our grandmother staff members, who cook for the guests and act like a mother to them, help provide the motherly warmth they need.” For clients, the service can be as much about emotional connection as it is about practical help. For the women, it offers a rare employment opportunity in a country where jobs for older females are scarce—especially beyond house cleaning.

Japan’s rapidly aging population has left many older women, particularly widows or those who never married, with limited income options. Historically, elders served as community advisers, teachers, and caretakers. Today, OK! Obaachan revives that role, paying around $55 an hour. Many of the grandmothers once left work to raise families and later returned only part-time; now, they’re finding financial stability and renewed purpose by sharing their skills, experience, and warmth with younger households—proving that sometimes, the best solution to a crowded market is adding a human touch.

Entertainment

YouTuber Raises $10M

YouTuber Ryan Trahan has turned a cross-country Airbnb hunt into a record-smashing act of generosity—raising $11.5 million for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Over 50 whirlwind days, Trahan and his wife visited one U.S. state per day, reviewing a different Airbnb in each stop. Their stays ranged from the quirky to the jaw-dropping: a castle, a lighthouse, a cave, a missile silo, a potato-shaped home, a private island, and even a giant shoe. In the end, they crowned the Treetopia Treehouse in Broken Bow, Oklahoma, as the best Airbnb in the country.

The Treetopia Treehouse, voted as the best Airbnb in the country – credit, Courtesy of Airbnb Community

The villa where Trahan’s journey ended – credit, Courtesy of Airbnb Community

The marathon journey was documented in expertly produced daily videos, each running 20–40 minutes, packed with adventures, coffee-fueled energy, and new friends made along the way. Every time donations hit another million-dollar milestone, the couple celebrated with cake. The campaign drew contributions from 42,000 donors, with major gifts coming from companies like Airbnb, Shopify, T-Mobile, Kia, Dollar Shave Club, Lectric eBikes, and Hobby Lobby. Notable individuals—including Dr. Peter Attia and fellow YouTuber MrBeast—also chipped in six-figure sums.

While the concept may sound unusual, it underscores the internet’s growing power to mobilize large-scale charitable giving through creative storytelling. By blending entertainment, travel, and philanthropy, Trahan turned an unconventional road trip into a nationwide moment of generosity—proving that even the quirkiest ideas can change lives when a massive online community rallies behind them.

Mind Stretchers

❓️ 

I move with stealth beneath the tide,
No sky above, just sea to hide.
With torpedoes tight and sonar eyes,
I travel deep where silence lies.

Yesterday’s Mind Stretchers:

I thrive where others gasp for air,
Need little love or daily care.
Dressed in spikes instead of lace—
I’m green, I’m tough, I own my space. — a cactus 🌵 James Godfrey got this correct! 🌞 

 

Be the first to send us the correct answer for today’s mind stretcher for a shout-out with the answer tomorrow. Just send us the answer and your name to news@dailyupsider.com

If you have any uplifting stories and experience you might want to share, send those over to news@dailyupsider.com for the chance to be featured.

Good Afternoon! 🌞 

Today’s a reminder to hit pause on the hustle.
August 11 is National Son’s and Daughter’s Day—a day to celebrate the little (or not-so-little) humans who make your heart full. Whether your kids are still at home, grown with lives of their own, or furry and four-legged, take some time today to connect. Share a meal, swap stories, or simply enjoy each other’s company—because these moments are the ones that stick.

Health Science

Miracle Mitochondria

Cell with mitochondria – Painting by Dr. Odra Noel, CC BY-NC 4.0

A bold new medical approach is emerging: injecting healthy mitochondria—the tiny, energy-making structures inside cells—into damaged organs to help them recover. The concept, known as mitochondria transplantation, could one day aid in treating heart attacks, strokes, and even revive donor organs before transplant. The idea began nearly 20 years ago when Boston Children’s Hospital researcher James McCully unexpectedly tested it on a pig’s heart that had stopped beating. After injecting freshly extracted mitochondria into the heart, it immediately turned pink and began pumping again. Since then, his team and others have replicated the results in multiple animal models and begun cautiously applying the technique in critically ill human patients.

Animal mitochondrion diagram by Mariana Ruiz Villarreal

One of the most promising uses so far has been in newborns recovering from heart surgery. Cardiac surgeon Sitaram Emani approached McCully with a challenge: some infants with heart defects couldn’t recover after surgery because prolonged loss of blood flow damaged their heart cells’ mitochondria. In a small study, the team took muscle samples from the babies, extracted and tested their own mitochondria, then injected them into their hearts. Of 10 infants treated, eight recovered enough to come off life support—double the success rate seen in similar past cases—with much faster recovery times. Encouraged by the results, the team has now treated 17 babies and is exploring ways to extend the approach to other organs.

Researchers worldwide are experimenting with similar methods for strokes, kidney damage, and donor organ repair. Early animal studies suggest transplanted mitochondria can reduce inflammation, limit cell death, and boost energy production—but only if they are fresh and functional. While scientists agree the concept is intriguing, they stress it is still in its infancy. Many questions remain about how it works, how to deliver mitochondria effectively, and whether large-scale production or even “mitochondria banks” will be possible. “We’re so much at the beginning—we don’t know how it works,” says McCully collaborator Lance Becker. “But we know it’s doing something that is mighty darn interesting.”

Good News

‘Designing’ the Future

The first day attendance, in the old town of Basel – credit : Natalia Lorenzo, Maribel Lorenzo, Birgitte Kronsbjerg, Jonas Singer.

For two women with a shared vision, the question wasn’t what happens behind the closed doors of the World Economic Forum—it was, Where are all the artists? For all the political leaders, corporate executives, and big-name thinkers convening in Davos, it seemed strange there was no real platform for authentic creativity. That question sparked an idea: if the WEF could unite the world’s power players to shape the future, artists should be part of that conversation—bringing imagination, cultural insight, and the spirit of the times.

Event artist Replicah (Sabrina Bühlmann) invites the conference to immerse themselves in her street-side installation – credit: Natalia Lorenzo, Maribel Lorenzo, Birgitte Kronsbjerg, Jonas Singer.

That idea became the Future of Humanity Experience, a series of art-and-ideas gatherings launched in Basel during Art Basel Week. Over four full-day sessions, each hosting around 40 global participants, artists, innovators, and thought leaders met to co-create visions for the future. Founders Iwona Fluda and Murièle “Solange” Bolay, who met in Davos through entrepreneurial circles, had already tested the concept with their Future of Humanity Art Walk earlier this year. That smaller Davos project reached over 300,000 people online, drew 4,000 in-person visitors, and featured artists aged 6 to 85 from every continent. In Basel, they expanded the concept into curated exhibitions, presentations, open forums, and shared meals—drawing around 100 artist submissions from as far as Trinidad and Tobago and China.

Co-creators viewing an exhibited work by Maritsa Kissamitaki – credit: Natalia Lorenzo, Maribel Lorenzo, Birgitte Kronsbjerg, Jonas Singer.

For Fluda and Solange, the project is about more than showcasing art—it’s about rebuilding the “public square” as a space where business, politics, and creativity converge. They see art as a catalyst for the kinds of deep, exploratory conversations that are often missing in boardrooms and policy meetings. Bootstrapped and crowdsourced, the Basel edition came together in just nine months, and the founders say it’s only the beginning. With momentum building, they envision the Future of Humanity Experience evolving into a movement and global community—one that gives artists an equal seat at the table when imagining the world ahead.

Environment

A Solar Powerhouse

Copyright Andreas Gucklhorn/Unsplash

For the first time in history, solar power has taken the lead in Europe’s electricity mix, generating more energy than any other source in June 2025. According to new data from energy think tank Ember, solar accounted for 22.1% of the EU’s electricity last month—beating nuclear and leaving fossil fuels far behind. At least 13 member states hit all-time highs, with the Netherlands producing 40.5% of its electricity from solar and Greece reaching 35.1%, driven by expanded capacity and a run of scorching early-summer weather. The surge came at the perfect moment, helping to meet soaring demand from record-breaking heatwaves.

Coal use, meanwhile, sank to its lowest share on record—just 6.1% of EU electricity, down from 8.8% a year earlier. Even Germany and Poland, the bloc’s coal strongholds, hit historic lows, with Germany drawing just 12.4% from coal and Poland 42.9%, well below past levels. Ten EU countries used no coal at all in June, including Ireland, which shut its last coal plant on June 20. Spain and Slovakia are set to follow by year’s end. Belgium, Croatia, France, Hungary, Italy, Portugal, and Slovakia also reached their highest-ever solar shares, fueled by strong public support, falling costs, and community-led projects that share both the benefits and decision-making.

Solar’s rise has been dramatic: in 2008, it made up just 1% of Europe’s renewable power; by 2023, it was 20.5%. Analysts see even more potential, with the Global Energy Monitor estimating that turning disused coal mines into solar farms could produce enough electricity to power a country the size of Germany. Wind is also making gains, supplying nearly 16% of EU electricity in May and June. Still, fossil fuels provided about a quarter of power last month, underscoring the need for better storage, smarter grids, and flexible demand planning. “Low-cost renewables are already helping to get Europe’s energy system off the rollercoaster of fossil energy prices,” says Ember’s Chris Rosslowe. “The next big opportunity comes from adding battery storage and flexibility to extend the use of renewable power into mornings and evenings.” For now, the sun is Europe’s brightest star—and the continent’s energy transition is heating up alongside it.

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Help our mission to share positive, meaningful news! Your support keeps us going without the need to bombard you with annoying ads!

Mind Stretchers

⁉️ 

I thrive where others gasp for air,
Need little love or daily care.
Dressed in spikes instead of lace—
I’m green, I’m tough, I own my space.

Yesterday’s Mind Stretchers:

I don’t speak, yet say your name.
Without me, you can't play the game.
I hold your past and mark your flight—
Stamped in ink, yet not by right. — passport 🛂 Cheri M. got this correct first! 🌞 

The first to send us the correct answer for today’s mind stretcher for a shout-out with the answer tomorrow. Just send us the answer and your name to news@dailyupsider.com or reply to the email.

If you have any uplifting stories and experience you might want to share, send those over to news@dailyupsider.com for the chance to be featured

Good Morning! 🌞 

Happy Saturday
Today is National Book Lovers Day, a quiet reminder of the joy found in turning real pages — or tapping through chapters on a screen — and letting the noise of the world fade for a while. It’s about more than just reading; it’s the art of slowing down, of savoring words like a good glass of wine, and letting stories stretch the mind. If there’s a book you’ve been neglecting, today is the perfect day to return to it. 📚

Innovation

A Revolutionary Hydrogen Powder

Maria Kovalets via Unsplash

Researchers in Australia are redefining the future of hydrogen energy with a new powder-based system that could solve one of the biggest challenges in clean energy: how to produce, store, and transport hydrogen safely and affordably. A team from Curtin University and Velox Energy Materials has developed a method to convert hydrogen into a powdered form using sodium borohydride (NaBH₄), enabling cheaper and safer export. Backed by AUD$5 million in funding from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA), the project now aims to build a pilot facility in Perth to demonstrate large-scale production powered by solar and wind energy.

At the heart of the innovation is sodium borohydride, a compound traditionally used in niche industrial applications. In 2022, researchers at Deakin University embedded hydrogen gas into NaBH₄ using a mechanochemical process that spins the material at high speeds in a sealed chamber. This powdered form offers a major safety advantage: unlike compressed gas or cryogenic liquid hydrogen—which require high pressures or -250°C storage—NaBH₄ powder is stable at room temperature and won’t release hydrogen unless heated. “It doesn’t require a lot of energy, and it’s safe,” said Professor Ian Chen, a nanotechnology scientist involved in the research. “The energy cost is about one-fourth that of compressing hydrogen gas.”

The circular breakthrough came when researchers figured out how to reuse the byproduct left after hydrogen extraction—sodium borate—by reinfusing it with hydrogen, creating a closed-loop system. Curtin University’s Craig Buckley noted that storing hydrogen this way not only lowers safety risks but also cuts transport costs by 15% compared to ammonia, the current low-cost alternative. If production targets are hit, the project could yield up to 550,000 tons of NaBH₄ by 2040, helping Australia become a world leader in hydrogen exports. “This method could play a part in meeting the rapidly rising global demand for Australian hydrogen,” Buckley said.

Good News

From Prison to Purpose

Freepik

Two women from vastly different backgrounds have united around a powerful shared mission: helping women rebuild their lives after prison. Willette Benford, now 60, spent 24 years incarcerated in Illinois before a change in state law granted her early release. While behind bars, she earned her GED and associate’s degree, became an ordained minister, and mentored fellow inmates. Upon her release, she joined Grace House, a nonprofit that provides housing and counseling for formerly incarcerated women—and her journey was just beginning.

Benford’s commitment to change caught the attention of city leaders. She became a legislative assistant for Chicago Alderman Walter Burnett Jr. and later was appointed by Mayor Lori Lightfoot as Chicago’s first director of re-entry. In that role, she helped formerly incarcerated individuals secure jobs, housing, and emotional support—pushing to reform background checks so certain convictions wouldn’t automatically block applicants from city employment. Her work eventually reached the office of Illinois First Lady M.K. Pritzker, who had previously met Benford at Grace House and recognized her unique impact.

In 2023, Pritzker appointed Benford as senior advisor on women’s issues. Together, they’re leading efforts to expand mental health care, housing, and job access for women leaving prison. “She brings an intelligence and a vigor to this work that I don’t think anybody else could do,” said Pritzker. The two are now launching a pilot program to provide childcare, housing, and job training for 100 newly released women—a bold step toward systemic change. “You just really shouldn’t judge people,” Pritzker said. “It’s really amazing what two women from two completely different backgrounds can do when they join forces.”

Environment

A Sustainable Farming

Professor Anne Kapuscinski (center) with (from left to right) Student Research Assistants Madison Medina and Macy Van Vlielt, Project Manager Stavros Boutris, and Pie Ranch Agriculture and Conservation Specialist Anika Tonnesen. Photo: Carolyn Lagattuta

At a coastal farm in Pescadero, California, scientists from UC Santa Cruz are exploring how wastewater from aquaculture—specifically water from tanks housing rainbow trout—can sustainably fertilize plants. Since October, the research team has been collecting “backwash” from trout tanks and using it to irrigate native plants at Pie Ranch, a nonprofit farm focused on land restoration and regenerative agriculture. The goal is to determine whether this nutrient-rich water enhances plant growth compared to traditional well water, with early findings expected in the spring. Some of the trial plants are already being used to help restore land damaged by the 2020 CZU wildfire, in collaboration with the Amah Mutsun Land Trust.

Leading the study is Professor Anne Kapuscinski, a longtime environmental scientist whose work typically centers on minimizing aquaculture’s ecological impact. But here, she’s looking to bridge the gap between fish farming and crop cultivation. “At a farm like this, you could easily grow the fish and grow the crops, and never the twain shall meet,” Kapuscinski said. “But I think the idea of integrating these systems makes a lot more sense, if you’re trying to build climate resilience.” The project, backed by the UC Santa Cruz Center for Coastal Climate Resilience, required syncing trout waste production with seedling readiness—a process that involved months of coordination, according to Leonard Diggs, who leads the farm’s regenerative agriculture work.

The team is comparing growth data from three native plant species, with half irrigated using fish water and the other half using well water. Researchers are measuring everything from plant biomass to changes in soil biodiversity. Many of the plants have cultural significance and will be used in land healing efforts led by the Amah Mutsun Land Trust, which requested that their medicinal uses remain confidential. “What we’re doing today... is restoring the path of being scientists and learning about how to take care of mother earth,” said Chairman Valentin Lopez. For Kapuscinski, the research is about more than results—it’s about showing that integrated, resilient farming systems are possible. As aquaculture expert Kevin Fitzsimmons notes, “Farmers have specialized so much that there’s few going back to this holistic, integrated way of farming.”

Support Daily Upsider!

Help our mission to share positive, meaningful news! Your support keeps us going without the need to bombard you with annoying ads!

Mind Stretchers

⁉️ 

I don’t speak, yet say your name.
Without me, you can't play the game.
I hold your past and mark your flight—
Stamped in ink, yet not by right.

Answers to yesterday’s Mind Stretchers

I don’t tick, but I do run,
Turning over when I’m done.
Grains fall slowly, never loud,
I trap time in a fragile shroud. — an hour glass, James Godfrey got this correct first! 🌞 

Be the first to send us the correct answer for today’s mind stretcher for a shout-out with the answer tomorrow. Just send us the answer and your name to news@dailyupsider.com or reply to the email.

If you have any uplifting stories and experience you might want to share, send those over to news@dailyupsider.com for the chance to be featured.

Good morning,

Today’s not just any Friday—it’s International Cat Day, the purr-fect excuse to honor our whiskered overlords. Whether you share your home with a fluffy tyrant or simply admire their unbothered elegance from afar, let’s celebrate the sass, snuggles, and mysterious 3 a.m. zoomies that make cats the undisputed rulers of our hearts (and our furniture).

And if your life is currently lacking in purrs and headbutts, consider adopting and checking out local shelters in your area—you might just meet your new best friend. 😾 

Innovation

A ‘Brain Like’ Computer

Freepik

Chinese engineers have unveiled a groundbreaking brain-inspired computer named Darwin Monkey, designed to mimic the structure and function of a macaque monkey’s brain. Developed by the State Key Laboratory of Brain-Machine Intelligence at Zhejiang University, the system uses over 2 billion spiking neurons and more than 100 billion synapses—roughly equivalent to the neural complexity of an actual macaque. Consuming around 2,000 watts under typical conditions, Darwin Monkey is believed to be the world’s first neuromorphic computer based on dedicated neuromorphic chips.

The system's chip array reportedly supports more than 2 billion pulsed neurons and over 100 billion synapses. - X/@JiningCity

At the heart of the system are 960 third-generation Darwin 3 neuromorphic chips, distributed across 15 blade-style servers. “These are the third-generation brain-like neural processing units independently developed under the leadership of Zhejiang University in collaboration with Zhejiang Lab,” reported People’s Daily. Each chip supports more than 2.35 million spiking neurons and hundreds of millions of synapses, enabling the computer to simulate functions like vision, hearing, language, and learning. The chip array also includes specialized instruction sets for brain-inspired computing and supports online neuromorphic learning mechanisms.

Beyond its impressive architecture, Darwin Monkey has been equipped with intelligent applications capable of logical reasoning, content generation, and solving math problems—powered by the DeepSeek brain-like large model. According to SCMP, the system represents a major leap in neural system integration and brain-inspired operating systems. Global Times adds that the platform can simulate animal brains across a wide range of species, from elegans and zebrafish to mice and macaques, opening up new possibilities for neuroscience research. For comparison, Intel’s 2024 neuromorphic system, Hala Point, supports 1.15 billion neurons—just over half of Darwin Monkey’s capacity.

Good News

A Fearless Hero

Mike Enerio – via Unsplash

A heart-stopping rescue was captured on surveillance footage in Russia, showing a man pulling an unconscious person off the train tracks with less than a second to spare before a speeding train roared past.

In video obtained by The Sun, security footage under a shadowy overpass shows a tall man stumbling toward the tracks as the blinding headlights of an oncoming train pierce through the darkness. Moments later, he collapses face-first onto the rail. It’s unclear whether he was intoxicated, in distress, or suffering a medical emergency. His identity—and that of the man who saved him—remains unknown.

What is known is this: two nearby bystanders noticed what happened. One of them sprinted roughly 20 yards, leapt onto the tracks, and executed what GNN called “an almighty hoist,” dragging the man away just as the train thundered through. Local outlet Komsomolskaya Pravda has issued a public call to find the hero, hoping to honor him for his extraordinary courage. WATCH the video for yourself… if you can handle the adrenaline.

Environment

Balance Returns to Yellowstone

The successful team on Nukufetau – credit Jesse Friedlander, via Island Conservation

For the first time in over 80 years, young quaking aspens are growing tall and thriving once again in northern Yellowstone National Park. Their return marks a surprising ripple effect of an iconic predator’s comeback: the gray wolf. While aspens and wolves may only seem to share bark and fur color, the real connection lies in their shared influence over Yellowstone’s elk population. According to a new study published in Forest Ecology and Management by scientists at Oregon State University, it’s the wolves’ predation on elk that has allowed young aspens to grow and mature.

Gray wolves were eradicated from Yellowstone in the 1930s, leading to an explosion in elk numbers—reaching nearly 17,000 by 1995. Without wolves to keep them in check, elk began feeding heavily on young aspen shoots, especially in winter, preventing new growth from taking hold. “The aspens would grow new sprouts, but then the sprouts couldn’t get any larger [because of the elk],” said lead author Luke Painter, an ecologist at Oregon State University. “The stands basically had older trees … and those were dying out, and then there wasn’t any new growth underneath, of young aspens, to replace those older trees.” But with the reintroduction of wolves in 1995, the elk population declined—and aspens began to bounce back.

Painter’s team tracked 87 aspen stands in northern Yellowstone in both 2012 and 2020. They discovered that 43% of the sites had young aspens with trunks at least two inches thick at chest height—something not observed since the 1940s. Even more striking, there was a 152-fold increase in aspen saplings during that period. This rejuvenation is expected to benefit many other species, including woodpeckers, wrens, and beavers, which rely on aspens for shelter and resources. “The reintroduction of large carnivores has initiated a recovery process that had been shut down for decades,” Painter said in a statement. “This is a remarkable case of ecological restoration… Wolf reintroduction is yielding long-term ecological changes contributing to increased biodiversity and habitat diversity.”

Mind Stretchers

⁉️

I don’t tick, but I do run,
Turning over when I’m done.
Grains fall slowly, never loud,
I trap time in a fragile shroud.

Yesterday’s Mind Stretchers:

My click-clack songs are old but grand,
I stamp out words by human hand.
No screen in sight, no glowing face—
Just ink, and rhythm, and metal grace. — a typewriter! Debbie Ettinger got this first! 🌞 

Be the first to send us the correct answer for today’s mind stretcher for a shout-out with the answer tomorrow. Just send us the answer and your name to news@dailyupsider.comor reply to the email.

If you have any uplifting stories and experience you might want to share, send those over to news@dailyupsider.com for the chance to be featured.

Thursday, August 7th, 2025

Good Morning! 🌞

It’s Thankful Thursday, and today we’re giving gratitude in the form of tortillas, spice, and everything nice. That’s right—we’ve got a delicious feature on tacos waiting for you inside. Whether you’re a hard-shell hero or a soft tortilla soul, we’re diving into the tasty little wonders that always seem to make everything better.

So grab a napkin (or a margarita), and let’s taco 'bout it.

Health Sciences

DNA’s Chemical Shield

Freepik

A newly developed chemical probe may offer a way to protect healthy cells from DNA damage—addressing one of the eight core hallmarks of aging. The breakthrough centers on the mitochondria, which, despite being famously dubbed the “powerhouses” of the cell, play many roles beyond energy production. Mitochondria contain their own DNA (mtDNA), separate from the nuclear genome, and when that mtDNA becomes damaged, cells tend to degrade it rather than repair it. Over time, this loss can contribute to serious conditions such as heart disease, neurodegeneration, and chronic inflammation.

Infographic by Linlin Zhao, University of California Riverside

Now, researchers at UC Riverside have developed a chemical probe that can prevent that degradation. Published in Angewandte Chemie International Edition, the study explains how the molecule binds to damaged mtDNA and halts the enzymatic process that would normally destroy it. “There are already pathways in cells that attempt repair,” said Linlin Zhao, UCR associate professor of chemistry. “But degradation happens more frequently than repair due to the redundancy of mtDNA molecules in mitochondria. Our strategy is to stop the loss before it becomes a problem.” The probe combines two components: one that finds and binds to damaged mtDNA, and another that ensures it targets only mitochondria—leaving the nuclear genome untouched.

The Hallmarks of Aging – credit Rebelo-Marques et al, Frontiers, CC 4.0. BY-SA

Lab tests and live cell experiments showed that the probe helped preserve mtDNA levels even after exposure to toxic stress, like that caused by nitrosamines—pollutants found in processed foods, water, and tobacco smoke. Treated cells retained more mtDNA, supporting energy production in key organs such as the heart and brain. Loss of mtDNA has been linked to diseases like diabetes, Alzheimer’s, arthritis, and inflammatory bowel disease, partly because escaping mtDNA fragments can trigger inflammation. “If we can retain the DNA inside the mitochondria, we might be able to prevent those downstream signals that cause inflammation,” Zhao said. Remarkably, the chemically tagged mtDNA remained functional: “We thought adding a bulky chemical might prevent the DNA from working properly,” she said, “but to our surprise, it was still able to support transcription.” With more studies ahead, the discovery marks a shift from reactive repair to proactive protection. “This is a chemical approach to prevention, not just repair,” Zhao said. “It’s a new way of thinking about how to defend the genome under stress.”

History

Ancient Megalithic Tombs

Photo courtesy the Complex of Landscape Parks of the Wielkopolska Voivodeship.

Two ancient tombs have been discovered in Poland’s Dezydery Chłapowski Landscape Park, offering fresh insight into a distinct Neolithic society known for its monumental burial mounds. The find, made using remote sensing during routine fieldwork, is reminiscent of the famous "Polish Pyramids"—megalithic tombs attributed to the Funnel Breakers, a Neolithic culture known for constructing elongated triangular graves covered in earth. A well-known cluster of such tombs lies in Kuyavia, between Izbica and Wietrzychowice, with massive stone doorways weighing over three tons. Built around 4,000 BCE, they earned nicknames like “giants beds” and “Kuyawy mounds” and stretched an impressive 360 feet long.

One of the so-called Polish Pyramids at Wietrzychowice – credit, MOs810, CC BY-SA 4.0.

The newly identified tombs appear to be a slightly younger variant, possibly dating to 3,500 BCE. These mounds are trapezoidal in shape and stretch up to 656 feet in length—significantly longer than their predecessors. Funnel Breaker burial tradition typically involved placing a single individual in a seated position at the far end of a narrow corridor, surrounded by grave goods. Although no human remains were found in the recent discovery, archaeologists remain hopeful that upcoming excavations might yield artifacts—such as the distinctive ceramics or double-headed stone axes often associated with this ancient culture.

Led by Dr. Danuta Żurkiewicz and Dr. Iwona Sobkowiak-Tabaka of Adam Mickiewicz University, the excavation team noted a striking feature: both tombs face east, aligning with a broader pattern seen in megalithic architecture across Europe. However, unlike the Kuyavia examples, these tombs are missing their massive stone gate markers. According to a translated report from the Polish Press Agency, this is no mystery—"people have always needed stone throughout the ages," and it's likely that the gate stones were quarried away long ago to be reused for houses and enclosures.

World News

Michelin Star Taco

Freepik

In a delicious twist on the old adage "less is more," a tiny taco stand in Mexico City has done the unthinkable—earned a coveted Michelin Star. With only four items on the menu and seating for just 11 diners crammed shoulder-to-shoulder, Taquería El Califa de León in the Colonia San Rafael neighborhood rose above thousands of competitors to make culinary history. In the first-ever Michelin Guide to Mexico, Chef Arturo Rivera Martínez became the first taco stand owner to receive the prestigious honor, which denotes “high quality, worth a stop.”

“The secret is the simplicity of our taco,” Rivera Martínez told the Associated Press. “It has only a tortilla, red or green sauce, and that’s it. That, and the quality of the meat.” Much like a pizza lives or dies by its dough, the taco’s foundation—the tortilla—is where excellence begins. The Michelin Guide called it “excellent… elemental, and pure.” The taquería’s signature dish, the Gaonera taco, named after famed Mexican bullfighter Rodolfo Gaonera, features thinly sliced beef, seasoned simply with salt and lime. The sauces? According to Michelin, they’re “almost unnecessary” next to the punch of the taco's core ingredients.

Despite its humble, bare-bones setting, El Califa de León has earned a place in Mexico’s growing legacy of global culinary recognition. With its rich blend of traditional and immigrant cultures, regional diversity, and agricultural abundance, Mexico is a gastronomic powerhouse ready for the world stage. “What a joy it is to honor the uniqueness of the Mexican gastronomic landscape in Mexico City,” said Gwendal Poullennec, International Director of the Michelin Guides. “The first and very promising selection is an illustration of how the country is showcasing its regions, with their cultures and traditions that are as distinctive as they are distinguishable.”

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Mind Stretchers

⁉️

My click-clack songs are old but grand,
I stamp out words by human hand.
No screen in sight, no glowing face—
Just ink, and rhythm, and metal grace.

Yesterday’s Answers to the Mind Stretchers:

I rise when things get hot,
But break if shaken on the spot.
Red or silver in a tube I lie—
Guess too high, and I say goodbye. — a thermometer! James Godfrey got this correct first 🌞 

Be the first to send us the correct answer for today’s mind stretcher for a shout-out with the answer tomorrow. Just send us the answer and your name tonews@dailyupsider.comor reply to email.

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Good Morning! 🌞 

Wood just got a serious glow-up. In today’s sneak peek, we’re looking at Superwood — a breakthrough material that’s light enough to rival carbon fiber, tough enough to stop bullets, and strong enough to challenge steel and concrete.

Born from heat, pressure, and a little chemistry magic, this isn't your average 2x4. Stick around as we dig into how scrap wood became one of the most promising materials of the future.

Innovation

Bulletproof, Fireproof ‘Superwood’?

credit – InventWood

New advances in wood processing have created a material that's fire-resistant, bullet-stopping, and light enough to compete with carbon fiber. Known as “Superwood,” the engineered material is being promoted as a potential replacement for high-strength staples like steel and concrete—usable in everything from construction beams to tennis rackets. The breakthrough dates back to 2018, when researchers discovered how to treat scrap wood with heat and chemicals to alter its molecular structure. The treated wood is then compressed so forcefully that its natural channels collapse, creating a board just one-quarter its original thickness but significantly stronger than untreated wood.

credit – InventWood

Now sold by a company called InventWood, Superwood is attracting attention across industries. Backed by $50 million in funding—including U.S. Department of Energy grants and private investment—the company sees Superwood as a versatile replacement for steel, concrete, and even plastic in some consumer goods. “It could replace steel I-beams in houses or even the exterior of a laptop computer,” said InventWood CEO Alex Lau. Unlike steel, Superwood doesn’t warp or sag under high heat, and it resists burning—its surface chars into an insulating carbon shell. Wall Street Journal columnist Christopher Mims described handling the material as like touching an “otherworldly object,” thanks to its strength, lightness, and stiffness.

While GNN has previously covered engineered wood products like cross-laminated timber (CLT)—used in skyscrapers and Portland’s $2 billion airport terminal—Superwood pushes the concept further with added fire-resistance, flexibility, and reduced weight. InventWood is launching its first commercial Superwood product as home siding, a use case with fewer regulatory hurdles. Production is ramping up at a new 90,000-square-foot facility, with expanded applications expected in everything from buildings to consumer electronics.

Earth Science

An ‘Infinitesimally Small’ Coincidence

Credit, Richard M. Wicker – Denver Museum of Nature and Science

For staff at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, analyzing a 67-million-year-old dinosaur vertebra was nothing unusual—until they discovered its origin: directly beneath their own building. Months earlier, the museum had launched exploratory drilling to explore a switch from fossil fuel-based utilities to geothermal energy. During that process, a core sample taken from 800 feet underground unexpectedly brought up a fossil. “A drill core sample,” explained Dr. James Hagadorn, the museum’s curator of geology, “is basically like a doctor using a syringe to draw blood from a patient.” In this case, the “blood” was a narrow cylinder of rock and sediment—one that somehow captured a vertebra intact. The odds of hitting a fossil so precisely? “Infinitesimally small,” Hagadorn said.

The specimen is now officially Denver’s oldest and deepest fossil, dating back to the late Cretaceous Period. It likely belonged to a Thesculosaurus or Edmontosaurus, both plant-eating dinosaurs that once roamed the region that’s now the Great Plains. “We knew those dinosaurs were (nearby in other parts of) Colorado or Wyoming, but we didn’t know that they were in Denver, too … but we suspected it right at this time period,” Hagadorn told AP. “Now, we have another plant eater that’s been cruising around Denver munching on, who knows, gingers and palm leaves and other ferns and plants 67 million years ago.”

As for retrieving more of the fossil, Hagadorn admits he’d love to dig down another 787 feet to see if the full skeleton lies below—but there’s a catch. “We need parking!” he said, noting that the fossil sits directly beneath the museum’s lot. Still, the discovery offers thrilling new insight into Denver’s prehistoric past—all from a simple step toward cleaner energy.

Entertainment

A $14.75 Million Sled

"Rosebud" is a prop sled from the movie "Citizen Kane." Michael Buckner/Variety/Getty Images

“Rosebud,” the iconic wooden sled from Orson Welles’ 1941 masterpiece Citizen Kane, has been sold at auction for $14.75 million. The sale took place through Dallas-based Heritage Auctions, which called the price “remarkable” for such an “iconic prop.” Before the sale, the sled underwent scientific testing to verify authenticity, revealing signs of production use, original paint, and removed rails—likely scrapped during wartime metal drives. “With its red paint, stenciled lettering and unmistakable aura, this sled embodies the very symbol of Kane’s lost innocence and one of cinema’s most enduring mysteries,” the auction house said. In the film, the sled is tied to Charles Foster Kane’s dying word—“Rosebud”—and serves as a symbol of his lost childhood.

Only three original sleds from the film are known to have survived. One was purchased by Steven Spielberg for $60,500 in 1982; another was sold for $233,000 in 1996. This newly auctioned sled had been in the possession of filmmaker Joe Dante since 1984. Best known for Gremlins and Innerspace, Dante stumbled upon the sled while filming on the old RKO lot and quietly kept it safe for decades—occasionally sneaking it into his own films. “I’ve had the honor of protecting this piece of cinematic history for decades,” said Dante. “To see Rosebud find a new home — and make history in the process — is both surreal and deeply gratifying. It’s a testament to the enduring power of storytelling.”

The sale was part of Heritage’s latest entertainment memorabilia auction, which included other legendary Hollywood artifacts such as the granite tablets from The Ten Commandments and Indiana Jones’ whip from The Last Crusade. Heritage executive vice president Joe Maddalena called it the auction house’s “most important” yet. “These aren’t just props. They’re mythic objects,” he said. “They tell the story of Hollywood’s greatest moments, one piece at a time, each tied to a memory, a performance, a legend. We’re honored to bring them to the fans, collectors and institutions who will preserve them for the generations to come.”

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Help our mission to share positive, meaningful news! Your support keeps us going without the need to bombard you with annoying ads!

Mind Stretchers

⁉️ 

I rise when things get hot,
But break if shaken on the spot.
Red or silver in a tube I lie—
Guess too high, and I say goodbye.

Yesterday’s Answers to the Mind Stretchers:

I have an eye but cannot see,
A slender spine that pierces me.
I draw no blood but make things tight,
And in skilled hands, I stitch just right.
What am I? — a needle! Cheri M. got this correct first! 🌞 

Be the first to send us the correct answer for today’s mind stretcher for a shout-out with the answer tomorrow. Just send us the answer and your name to news@dailyupsider.com or reply to email.

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Good Afternoon! 🌞 

It’s August 4, aka National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day—the perfect excuse to treat yourself (no justification needed).

Weird but true: This iconic treat was born from a happy accident in the 1930s when Ruth Wakefield ran out of baker’s chocolate and used chopped Nestlé bars instead. She thought they’d melt completely… but nope. They held their shape—and history was made.

Here’s a quick recipe if you want to whip up a batch today and make your kitchen smell like heaven:

Innovation

Meta’s Motion Bracelet

Freepik

Engineers at Facebook’s parent company, Meta, have developed a device that turns hand gestures into computer commands. The interface is especially good at translating small movements like dotting a lowercase "i" and converting handwriting into text. Worn like a regular bracelet, the device reads electrical signals from wrist muscles and turns them into computer inputs—without requiring calibration or any invasive setup.

Meta’s Neuromotor Interface – credit, Reality Labs, via Springer Press

The technology was developed inside Meta’s Reality Labs, marking one of the division’s first notable outputs since the collapse of the “Metaverse” project, which CEO Mark Zuckerberg once said would “define the future of social connection.” That vision turned into a financial disaster, with Reality Labs losing $14 billion in 2022 and another $15 billion in 2023. During Meta’s “Year of Efficiency,” the division came close to being shut down entirely, with 10,000 layoffs preceding a shift toward more practical, sci-fi-like innovations.

Led by engineers Patrick Kaifosh and Thomas Reardon, the team used deep learning to build generalized models that decode muscle signals across different users—no customization required. Accuracy improved with more user data, and personalization boosted performance further. The Bluetooth-enabled bracelet can convert handwriting to digital text at roughly 20.9 words per minute—about 16 words slower than average mobile typing. Potential users include people with disabilities, those with paralysis, below-the-elbow amputees, or anyone managing multiple monitors or machines at once.

Good News

Heiress Funds Wellness

The Alice L. Walton School of Medicine building – credit, Timothy Hursley, Courtesy of Alice L. Walton School of Medicine

A new medical school has opened in Arkansas with a bold mission: train doctors in preventative medicine and whole-health care. Funded by Walmart heiress Alice Walton—one of the richest women in the world—the Alice L. Walton School of Medicine (AWSOM) was born out of her frustrations with a healthcare system she sees as reactive and profit-driven. Her personal health struggles, combined with witnessing the shortcomings of care in rural areas, pushed her to act. The Bentonville-based school received 2,000 applications from across the country and accepted just 48 students. Its curriculum includes unconventional components like art, gardening, and cooking—lessons aimed at promoting health creation over disease management.

This confronts a harsh reality: while the U.S. excels in acute care and high-tech procedures, it falls short in preventing chronic illness. Nearly half of American adults are obese—more than any other developed country—largely due to poor diet and lifestyle. In a TIME Magazine profile, Walton said she wants to see what healthcare could look like if doctors worked to stop illness before it starts. “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,” as Benjamin Franklin once said. That ethos runs through the school’s foundation. Dr. Sharmila Makhija, a gynecologic cancer surgeon from Alabama chosen by Walton to lead AWSOM, shares a similar passion for improving care in underserved areas. “The foundation [of the curriculum] is traditional medicine but enhanced with the humanities and the arts to improve the delivery of care—so we improve on how we [act] with patients and how we partner with patients,” she told TIME.

AWSOM offers 50 hours of nutrition education—more than double the national average—and includes culinary training using produce from a rooftop garden and nearby farm. “If you hope to be able to keep a 40-year-old human healthy, you should be able to keep a tomato plant healthy,” sums up the school’s philosophy: build empathy and prevent illness at its root. Students will also develop community service and research projects, with applicant selection heavily weighted on how they planned to improve healthcare in their communities. Still, both Walton and Makhija stress that rethinking education is just the first step. If graduates return to broken, profit-driven systems, the mission fails. That’s why AWSOM is partnering with clinics and institutions open to testing new models. “It’s all about rethinking and re-envisioning what the education of the next generation of health care workers will be like,” says Makhija. “Alice and I are very keen on creating a sustainable model of education, both in how we deliver the curriculum that can be replicated, as well as fiscally, so that other schools can use a similar model.” The first five years of AWSOM will be funded entirely by Walton’s personal fortune.

Environment

Bucket Brigade Heroics

– courtesy of Sadi Synn

A beached minke whale spent six hours stranded on shore in Seldovia, Alaska, before returning to the water with the help of locals, according to a report from Alaska. The 15-foot whale, believed to have been poisoned by an algal bloom, was found on the rocks at low tide—an exposure that could have killed it in as little as 20 minutes. The Seldovia Village Tribe responded to an alert from the Alaska SeaLife Center, which asked that the whale’s exact location remain undisclosed. They sent environmental coordinator Stephen Payton, whose job includes marine mammal response. “I just went out as fast as I could, not really knowing what to expect, and it’s a long ways out there down MacDonald Spit,” Payton said. “So luckily, one of the locals that was responding was able to pick me up on a four wheeler and drive me.”

When Payton arrived, about 15 residents had already formed a bucket line, pouring seawater onto the whale’s underside, which was exposed to sun damage and scratched by the rocks. Others covered it in wet beach towels while considering next steps. Minke whales, though the second smallest baleen species, still weigh several tons. The animal thrashed occasionally, and no one attempted to physically move it. The whale had been lying on its side with its blowhole facing the sea—an especially dangerous position, since minke whales can suffocate on land in under 20 minutes. Local efforts extended its survival window from minutes to hours until the tide turned.

As the tide rose, the whale was able to right itself and swim away. It was later seen in nearby waters, alive and spouting. “We are grateful for the calm presence and respect shown by those nearby during this time,” the Seldovia Tribe wrote on Facebook. “Moments like these remind us of the powerful connection between our community and the natural world around us.”

We’re happy to share that, after roughly six hours on shore, the minke whale has successfully returned to the water on its own. We are grateful for the calm presence and respect shown by those nearby...

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Mind Stretchers

⁉️ 

I’m round or square, I crumble with grace,
You’ll find me fresh or in a jar's embrace.
With chips or jam, I’m quite the treat—
Soft or crisp, I’m fun to eat.
What am I?

Yesterday’s Mind Stretchers:

I have a handle but I’m not a door,
I have teeth but I don’t roar.
I help you eat, but never talk—
What am I, with every poke and stalk? — a fork! Debbie Ettinger got this correct first! 🌞 

The first to send us the correct answer for today’s mind stretcher for a shout-out with the answer tomorrow. Just send us the answer and your name to news@dailyupsider.com or reply to the email.

If you have any uplifting stories and experience you might want to share, send those over to news@dailyupsider.com for the chance to be featured

Good Afternoon! 🌞

Today is National Sisters Day—a sweet reminder of the bond that goes beyond age, distance, and who got the bigger slice of cake. Whether you grew up sharing bunk beds, secrets, or just a deep-rooted connection, sisters have a way of knowing us better than we know ourselves.

Biological or chosen, young or grown, loud or low-key—here’s to the sisters who’ve been by our side through it all. Let’s carry that love into today’s edition!

Innovation

Roofie Radar Tattoo

Freepik

A new tattoo-style sticker could soon offer a powerful defense against drink spiking—detecting the presence of GHB, commonly known as a “roofie,” in less than a second. Developed by researchers in South Korea, the temporary skin-worn patch reacts instantly to even trace amounts of γ-hydroxybutyrate, a tasteless, odorless substance often used in drug-facilitated assaults. Unlike existing drink-testing cards or strips, which can be slow and conspicuous, this sticker offers a discreet, near-instant solution.

To create the sticker, researchers embedded a special chemical receptor into a gel applied over tattoo-style film. When exposed to GHB, the receptor turns red—providing a clear, visual alert. A thin layer of diluted glue on the back allows the patch to stick to skin just like a temporary tattoo. “In practice, a wearer could dip a finger into a beverage, touch the drop to the sticker and see the result almost immediately,” said Dr. Kyong-Cheol Ko of the Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology. Tests across various drinks—including vodka, beer, whiskey, and coffee—showed the patch could detect as little as 0.01 micrograms of GHB per milliliter, far below dangerous levels.

One standout feature is the sticker’s ability to retain the visual indicator for up to 30 days, which could be critical if the detection needs to serve as evidence of tampering. The findings, published in ACS Sensors, highlight the potential of this low-cost, easy-to-use technology to enhance personal safety in social settings. Funded by the National Research Foundation of Korea and the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, the sticker could be commercially available soon—marking a major step forward in preventing drug-related drink spiking.

Entertainment

August Movie Recommendations

Freepik

August is coming in hot with some heavy hitters—epics, espionage, and eerie prequels all on the menu. Here's what to watch (and what already dropped this week, in case you're behind):

✅ Already Streaming

1. Chief of War (Apple TV+)
Jason Momoa's 18th-century Hawaiian war drama finally landed. He co-created and stars as Ka'iana, a warrior fighting to unite the islands before colonizers do their thing. The vibe is Shogun-meets-Polynesia, with Momoa speaking Olelo and swinging for legacy TV.

2. Eyes of Wakanda (Disney+)
Ryan Coogler's animated Black Panther spin-off launched with time-hopping Wakandan warriors on a global scavenger hunt for stolen vibranium. Each episode stands alone—ancient Greece, Dora Milaje, spy plots, the works.

📆 Coming Soon

3. Wednesday – Season 2 (Netflix, 6 August)
Jenna Ortega is back in black. The Nevermore gang returns with new cast: Joanna Lumley as Morticia’s glam mom, Billie Piper as a werewolf mentor, and Steve Buscemi meme’ing it up as the new headmaster. Tim Burton directs. Gaga doesn’t show up till September.

4. Outlander: Blood of My Blood
(Starz US, 8 August / MGM+ UK, 9 August)
The Outlander prequel dials back the clock to Claire and Jamie’s parents’ love stories—plus some time travel chaos for good measure. Fans say the casting's a dead ringer for the originals. Still steamy, still Scottish.

5. Alien: Earth
(Hulu US, 12 August / Disney+ UK, 13 August)
Noah Hawley brings his Fargo brain to the Alien universe. It’s 2120, xenomorphs hit Earth, and a terminally ill girl inside a robot body becomes humanity’s weirdest hope. Timothy Olyphant plays her AI mentor. Biotech horror with some existential dread on the side.

6. Butterfly (Prime Video, 13 August)
Daniel Dae Kim plays an ex-intel agent hunting down the daughter he thought he lost—only to find she’s now a killer for a shady group he started. Family drama with high-stakes shootouts. Kim also produced this one, calling it a “lifelong dream.”

7. The Twisted Tale of Amanda Knox
(Hulu US / Disney+ UK, 20 August)
Grace Van Patten plays Knox in this dramatized take on the real case. Murder, trials, media circus—the works. From a This Is Us writer, so expect emotional whiplash. Sharon Horgan plays the mom.

8. Hostage (Netflix, 21 August)
Suranne Jones is the British PM, Julie Delpy the French President. Then the PM’s husband gets kidnapped mid-state visit and the blackmail starts flying. Explosions, ultimatums, and two women not here for the drama.

9. Long Story Short (Netflix, 22 August)
The BoJack Horseman creator trades animals for humans in this animated family dramedy. Siblings fight their childhood ghosts and each other—often in the back seat of a car. It’s still sharp, just less existential despair.

10. The Terminal List: Dark Wolf (Prime Video, 27 August)
A prequel for the fans. Taylor Kitsch gets the spotlight as Ben Edwards, years before the events of The Terminal List. Chris Pratt pops in, the guns are big, and the moral lines blur fast.

Lifestyle

Dialing Back Time

credit – Pedram Farjam via Unsplash

In a remote stretch of Vermont where cell service drops off for miles, one man is reviving a forgotten piece of infrastructure: the pay phone. Patrick Schlott, an airplane engineer, noticed that residents and passersby in his community had no way to call for help in emergencies. So he took matters into his own hands—purchasing a used pay phone online for around $100 to $500, connecting it via a digital-to-analog converter, and installing it outside the North Turnbridge General Store. No coins, no credit cards—just a free, working phone.

“Everyone’s pretty surprised,” said store owner Mike Gross. “They’re like, ‘Is that a real pay phone? Does that really work?’ And I’m like, ‘Yeah, but it doesn’t cost any money now.’” Locals have already used the phone in all kinds of situations—from car trouble and ride requests to simple check-ins. The idea quickly gained traction, leading to more installations at the Latham Library in Thetford and a roadside booth near Interstate 89 in Randolph.

Though the calls are free for users, the system isn’t without cost. Schlott pays $2–$3 a month per phone for the line, about $5 for call usage, and serves as the network’s live operator. When someone dials “0,” it routes through a privacy-protecting app directly to his personal phone. Just last month, the Latham phone alone logged 370 calls—many from students needing a ride. For now, Schlott’s running the system on spare parts, personal funds, and a healthy dose of goodwill. But with some outside support, he hopes to scale up what he calls an “analog lifeline” for the modern age.

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Mind Stretchers

⁉️

I have a handle but I’m not a door,
I have teeth but I don’t roar.
I help you eat, but never talk—
What am I, with every poke and stalk?

Answers to yesterday’s Mind Stretchers:

What is in seasons, seconds, centuries and minutes but not in decades, years or days? — N! Albert Knox got this correct first! ☀️ 

The first to send us the correct answer for today’s mind stretcher for a shout-out with the answer tomorrow. Just send us the answer and your name to news@dailyupsider.com or reply to the email.

If you have any uplifting stories and experience you might want to share, send those over to news@dailyupsider.com for the chance to be featured

Good Morning! 🌞 

Here’s something to chew on: sharks don’t sleep like we do. Some species never stop swimming—not because they’re restless, but because they’d suffocate if they did. That’s right—sleepy shark? More like mildly meditative torpedo. 🦈

Let this odd ocean fact be your reminder: sometimes you’ve gotta keep moving, even if it’s just to breathe. Now let’s dive into today’s highlights!

Earth Science

A Cat’s Paw Nebula

The Cat’s Paw Nebula – credit, NASA, released

NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope has unveiled a stunning new view of the Cat’s Paw Nebula, cutting through thick cosmic dust to reveal stars in their earliest stages of formation. Released to mark the beginning of Webb’s third year of operations, the image captures a dynamic region of space about 4,000 light-years away in the constellation Scorpius—offering scientists an unprecedented look at how gas and dust come together to form massive stars. With its near-infrared capabilities and higher resolution than Hubble or the retired Spitzer telescope, Webb exposes details that were once impossible to see.

The scene is both intricate and temporary. Massive young stars are actively shaping their surroundings—eroding nearby gas and dust with powerful radiation that produces a faint blue glow. Though these stars are short-lived, their impact is significant: their activity eventually suppresses additional star formation in the region. The nebula, named for its paw-like dust patterns, features standout structures like the “Opera House”—a circular, tiered formation near the top of the image. Bright yellow stars near its base likely generate the surrounding blue hue, while some light sources remain hidden behind dense clouds.

Webb’s image also reveals a tuning fork-shaped area near the Opera House with few visible stars, indicating dense dust filaments in the foreground—prime zones for ongoing star formation. Fiery red clumps scattered across the brown dust mark regions of intense, yet obscured, stellar birth. In clearer patches, some stars appear sharply defined—such as one in the lower left—thanks to their radiation clearing surrounding material. Other dense dust regions, still resisting that radiation, may become future stellar nurseries. One of the most dramatic features is a red-orange oval in the top right, likely a dense, early-stage star-forming area with a visible bow shock—a signature of a young star ejecting material at high speed. Altogether, the image helps astronomers trace the journey from clouds of gas to newborn stars—key to understanding how stars like our Sun are formed.

Good News

Rescue Win: Survival Done Right

Tami Laird and her son Stirling – supplied by Tami Laird

After two days lost in remote California backcountry, a mother and her son were safely rescued thanks to a string of smart, composed decisions that helped search teams find them. Tami Laird and her son Stirling were headed to a Boy Scout camp in Calaveras County on July 11 when her GPS led them off CA Highway 4 onto a rugged dirt road. Though the camp director had warned parents about rough roads, Laird trusted the GPS. That single misstep quickly snowballed—dense woods and patchy signal confused the navigation, and after 30 minutes, it was clear they were far off course. With no clear way to backtrack and their sedan repeatedly stuck, the car eventually gave out, stranding them in a maze of forest roads.

Stirling keeping calm in a bad situation – supplied by Tami Laird

What followed was a textbook example of how to stay safe in the wilderness. Laird stayed with the vehicle, avoided wandering, and spent the night in the car with her son—a difficult but crucial decision. With no cell signal and no way to call for help, they turned their focus to being found. The next day, they crafted a plan: leave handwritten notes at trail intersections and tie strips of a torn bedsheet to trees to increase visibility. One note read, “Me and my son are stranded with no service and can’t call 911. We are ahead, up the road to the right,” along with her phone number. Exhausted from the heat and effort, they paused for the day, trying to conserve energy. As Stirling began to lose morale, Laird suggested playing cards to pass the time—but before they could start, they heard a horn. Help had arrived.

Unbeknownst to them, someone had reported their absence to the Calaveras County Sheriff’s Office, prompting a Search and Rescue mission in what officials described as a “complex network of interconnecting, labyrinth-like roads.” At 5:40 p.m., rescuers found one of Laird’s notes at a remote intersection. Following her trail, they located a second note with more details, and shortly after, the pair and their vehicle. The area was so isolated that only HAM radio frequencies could reach rescuers. Authorities praised Laird’s clear thinking and survival instincts. Her fiancé had also shared her last known location, helping narrow the search. The key takeaway? In remote areas, always tell someone where you’re going and when to raise the alarm. And if you get lost, stay with your vehicle, leave visible clues, and conserve your energy. In thick, signal-blocking woods, those choices often mean the difference between tragedy and survival.

Environment

Extinct Gecko Makes Comeback

Tiny Leaf-toed gecko (Phyllodactylus maresi) – Photo credit: Island Conservation

In a rare and remarkable comeback, scientists have confirmed that a tiny gecko once thought extinct has reappeared on Rábida Island in the Galápagos. The elusive Leaf-toed gecko (Phyllodactylus maresi) was previously known only from 5,000-year-old fossil records. But thanks to recent expeditions by the nonprofit Island Conservation, living specimens have now been found, analyzed, and officially documented—findings recently published in the journal PLOS ONE.

This rediscovery is the unexpected outcome of a 2011 restoration project led by Island Conservation in partnership with the Galápagos National Park Directorate, the Charles Darwin Foundation, and The Raptor Center. By removing invasive rodents from Rábida, the team helped create space for native species to recover. Just a year later, the once-lost gecko made a surprise reappearance. “The return of this gecko highlights nature’s incredible power to heal itself when given the chance,” said Paula Castaño, Impact Program Manager at Island Conservation. “It’s another example of the recovery we’ve seen on islands worldwide: when you rebalance an ecosystem, it can bounce back quickly and dramatically.”

Researchers conducted DNA sequencing and detailed morphological analysis, confirming the Rábida population as a genetically distinct and evolutionarily significant group—closely related to geckos on nearby islands, yet with a unique lineage of their own. “This archipelago still holds hidden surprises, waiting to be discovered,” said Omar Torres-Carvajal, Curator of Reptiles at the QCAZ Museum of Zoology. More than just a rediscovery, the gecko’s return offers renewed hope for other species long thought lost, and a powerful reminder that with the right conservation efforts, nature’s resilience can shine.

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Help our mission to share positive, meaningful news! Your support keeps us going without the need to bombard you with annoying ads!

Mind Stretchers

⁉️ 

What is in seasons, seconds, centuries and minutes but not in decades, years or days?

Answers to yesterday’s Mind Stretchers

— hitting below the belt! Gerry Moore got this correct! 🌞 

Be the first to send us the correct answer for today’s mind stretcher for a shout-out with the answer tomorrow. Just send us the answer and your name to news@dailyupsider.com or reply to the email.

If you have any uplifting stories and experience you might want to share, send those over to news@dailyupsider.com for the chance to be featured.

Good morning,

Hey there, and welcome to August! 🌞

We’re officially in a brand new month—fresh page, fresh energy. To ease you into the day (and the month), here’s a little nature clip to kickstart your morning. Let it remind you to breathe deep, move with purpose, and seize the heck out of today.

Let’s make August count. 💪

Health Science

Venom’s Antibiotic Power

A dwarf sand adder snake – credit Arno Moller, Unsplash

Hundreds of potential antibiotics have been discovered in snake and spider venom—thanks to artificial intelligence doing the heavy lifting. In a global screening effort, researchers used AI to comb through massive venom libraries and surfaced dozens of “promising” drug candidates. While AI has already proven useful in scanning plant compounds and existing drugs for antibiotic potential, this new focus on venom from snakes, spiders, and scorpions opens up an entirely different and largely untapped resource.

Antibiotic resistance currently contributes to more than a million deaths worldwide each year, making the search for new antimicrobial compounds one of medicine’s most pressing challenges. To address this, researchers at the University of Pennsylvania deployed a deep-learning tool called APEX to scan more than 40 million venom-encrypted peptides (VEPs)—tiny, naturally occurring proteins evolved to target nervous systems, blood, and organs. Within hours, the algorithm flagged 386 peptides with the molecular hallmarks of next-gen antibiotics. “Venoms are evolutionary masterpieces, yet their antimicrobial potential has barely been explored,” said senior study author Professor César de la Fuente. “APEX lets us scan an immense chemical space in just hours and identify peptides with exceptional potential to fight the world’s most stubborn pathogens.”

From that initial list, researchers synthesized 58 peptides for lab testing. The results, published in Nature Communications, were striking: 53 killed drug-resistant bacteria like E. coli and Staphylococcus aureus—without harming human red blood cells. “By pairing computational triage with traditional lab experimentation, we delivered one of the most comprehensive investigations of venom-derived antibiotics to date,” said co-author Dr. Marcelo Torres. In addition, APEX identified over 2,000 antibacterial “motifs”—short amino acid sequences responsible for the peptides' pathogen-fighting power. The team is now using medicinal chemistry to refine the most promising compounds, aiming to develop a new generation of life-saving antibiotics from nature’s deadliest molecules.

Culture

A Hidden Mural

BBC

A massive new mural now crowns the roof of the Blenheim Shopping Centre in Penge, south-east London — but unless you're airborne, odds are you won’t spot it. The piece, showing a pair of huge eyes gazing toward the sky, is being called the capital’s largest non-commercial street art by the team behind it. The mural was painted over the course of seven days by Abraham O, a Salvadorian-born artist based in London. “No one is going to see it,” he remarked. The £1,600 project was crowdfunded by local street art group London Calling Blog, who got the green light from developers to paint it — even though the building is already slated for demolition.

The artwork, a pair of vast eyes gazing skywards, sits atop the Blenheim Shopping Centre in Penge.

Environment

Polynesia’s Wild Comeback

The successful team on Nukufetau – credit Jesse Friedlander, via Island Conservation

Tuvalu has achieved a major conservation milestone by eradicating invasive rats from six of its 124 islands—a significant step in protecting fragile tropical ecosystems. The effort also nearly wiped out two other destructive pests: invasive mosquitoes and yellow crazy ants. Supported by Island Conservation and multiple regional and international partners, the project stands as a model for how community-led conservation, backed by government support, can deliver lasting results. “The project has led to the successful eradication of invasive rats from six islets... significantly reduc[ing] the threat to native seabirds, coastal biodiversity, and island ecosystems,” said Mr. Soseala Tinilau, Director of Tuvalu’s Department of Environment.

One of the worst-hit areas was Tepuka in Funafuti Atoll, overrun by yellow crazy ants—fast-moving, aggressive “tramp ants” known for ecological destruction, including the collapse of ecosystems on Christmas Island. Their colonies can grow at alarming rates, expanding by nearly 10 feet per day. Meanwhile, the islands of Sakalua, Motumua, Teafuone, and Teafuatule in Nukufetau Atoll were cleared of rats, restoring hope among residents. “We used to see fewer birds and crabs around, but now they’re coming back, and it feels like our island is breathing again,” one community member shared. Locals also took part in awareness and training sessions, ensuring long-term vigilance against reinfestation.

Richard Griffiths, Island Conservation’s Head of Operations in the Pacific, on Teafuatule, Nukufetau – credit Jesse Friedlander

Backed by groups including the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Program, the project drew on Island Conservation’s expertise from similar efforts on 65 islands globally. The ecological turnaround has already been remarkable. “The last time we were here, we saw very few coconut crabs. Now, birds and crabs are free to flourish,” said Jesse Friedlander, a project manager with Island Conservation. A follow-up mission confirmed the eradication was successful, laying the groundwork for broader application across Tuvalu. “Removing these predators will create a safer environment for native species, benefiting biodiversity and supporting sustainable practices for the Nukufetau community,” said Sam Panapa, Tuvalu’s National Invasive Species Coordinator.

Mind Stretchers

⁉️

Yesterday’s Mind Stretchers:

"I'm white but not snow,
I pour but don’t flow.
From cows I may come,
In cereal, I'm yum.
What am I?" — milk! Debbie Ettinger got this correct first! 🌞 

Be the first to send us the correct answer for today’s mind stretcher for a shout-out with the answer tomorrow. Just send us the answer and your name to news@dailyupsider.comor reply to the email.

If you have any uplifting stories and experience you might want to share, send those over to news@dailyupsider.com for the chance to be featured.

Thursday, July 31st, 2025

Good Morning! 🌞

It’s July 31—can you believe it?
The final page of the July calendar is here, and whether you spent the month hustling, resting, or just winging it, today’s your chance to end on a high note. August is lining up with fresh plans, new goals, and who knows what surprises. But before we sprint ahead, let’s give July the send-off it deserves!

Health Sciences

Science Strikes Back

Getty Images

After more than a decade of research, scientists at Johns Hopkins have uncovered a novel tumor-suppressive mechanism that could unlock new treatment paths for some of the most difficult-to-treat cancers. Published in Cell Chemical Biology on June 18, 2025, the NIH- and NCI-backed study reveals that disrupting ribosome biogenesis—a long-known hallmark of cancer—can suppress tumor growth by targeting the enzyme RNA Polymerase 1 (Pol 1), which drives rRNA transcription. “Ribosome biogenesis has long been known as a hallmark of cancer,” said lead researcher Marikki Laiho, M.D., Ph.D., professor of radiation oncology at Johns Hopkins. The findings demonstrate that Pol 1 inhibition rewires protein splicing, triggering a stress response that slows cancer cell proliferation.

The team, building on earlier work that identified Pol 1 as a key therapeutic target, tested more than 300 cancer cell lines using small-molecule inhibitors like BMH-21 and the newer BOB-42. They found that tumors with specific mutations—particularly mismatch repair deficiency (MMRd), commonly seen in colorectal, stomach, and uterine cancers—were highly vulnerable to these drugs. “These findings highlight a promising new path for targeting cancers, especially for patients with mismatch repair-deficient cancers that are resistant to existing therapies,” said Wenjun Fan, Ph.D., the study’s first author. In preclinical models, tumor growth dropped by up to 77% in both melanoma and colorectal cancer samples.

The research also opens up potential synergies with immunotherapy. The data suggest that altering RNA splicing may affect how the immune system identifies tumors, enhancing the effectiveness of immune-based treatments when combined with Pol 1 inhibitors. “This is an entirely new conceptual framework for understanding how rRNA synthesis influences cancer cell behavior,” said Dr. Laiho. Her team found that the ribosomal protein RPL22, traditionally viewed as a structural component, also acts as a key regulator of RNA splicing. “Targeting this pathway could not only suppress tumor growth but also modulate tumor antigenicity and enhance responsiveness to immunotherapies.”

Culture

An Immersive Bubble Artwork

ArtHouse Jersey said the new art instillation would transform the heart of St Helier from August

A striking new art installation is set to transform St Helier this summer, thanks to Jersey charity ArtHouse Jersey. Titled Bubbletecture, the temporary public artwork features a “dazzling arrangement of 8m high iridescent spheres” and will be on display at the International Finance Centre (IFC2) on the Esplanade from 28 August to 14 September. Open to all and free of charge, the installation promises to turn the space into a “glowing, playful wonderland,” according to organizers.

Created by Sydney-based artist duo Atelier Sisu, Bubbletecture is designed to interact with its environment. During the day, the towering spheres will reflect sunlight and scatter rainbow patterns across the ground. A custom ambient soundtrack will accompany the experience, while lighting effects will run daily from 09:30 to 21:30 BST. In addition to the visual spectacle, ArtHouse Jersey will host free cultural and wellbeing events every weekend throughout the installation's run.

Director Tom Dingle said the artwork was a piece everyone could enjoy

The project is a collaboration between ArtHouse Jersey and the Jersey Development Company, with sponsorship from Butterfield. “Bubbletecture is about wonder, joy and togetherness,” said ArtHouse Jersey director Tom Dingle. “It’s a piece that anyone and everyone can enjoy – no explanations needed.” Lee Henry, CEO of the Jersey Development Company, emphasized the installation’s broader significance: “It brings a creative energy to the heart of town and invites islanders to re-engage with a familiar area in a fresh and imaginative way. This project – albeit temporary – reflects our ongoing commitment to thoughtful placemaking and the integration of culture within Jersey’s evolving urban landscape.”

Environment

Aging: Humans VS Lemurs

A new study on lemurs could reshape how scientists understand aging—especially the kind driven by chronic, low-grade inflammation, known as inflammaging. This steady rise in inflammation as we age is linked to a host of age-related diseases, including heart problems, cancer, and diabetes. But what if it's not a biological inevitability?

Elaine Guevara, a biological anthropologist, studied two species of lemurs—ring-tailed and sifaka—to determine whether they showed the same signs of inflammaging seen in humans. Surprisingly, they didn’t. Her team found no clear age-related increase in inflammation or oxidative stress in either species. In one case, inflammation actually decreased with age. That unexpected result suggests that inflammaging may not be universal among primates—and possibly not even among all humans.

The findings raise important questions: Is age-related inflammation a product of biology or of modern environments? And if it’s not hardwired, can it be prevented? Guevara’s team plans to extend their research into wild lemur populations to see how aging differs outside of captivity. It’s an early but hopeful step toward better understanding how to age with fewer diseases and more vitality. As the study hints, growing older doesn’t necessarily mean growing sicker—at least not for lemurs, and perhaps not for us either.

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Mind Stretchers

⁉️

"I'm white but not snow,
I pour but don’t flow.
From cows I may come,
In cereal, I'm yum.
What am I?"

Yesterday’s Answers to the Mind Stretchers:

"I’m never shy of stormy skies,
I open wide but have no eyes.
Though I may turn with wind's wild dance,
In rain or shine, I take my stance.
Held above, yet not too proud—
What am I, beneath the cloud?" — umbrella, Chris Hostetler got this correct first! 🌞 

Be the first to send us the correct answer for today’s mind stretcher for a shout-out with the answer tomorrow. Just send us the answer and your name tonews@dailyupsider.comor reply to email.

If you have any uplifting stories and experience you might want to share, send those over to news@dailyupsider.com for the chance to be featured.

Good Morning! 🌞 

There’s Still Time to Call That Old Friend

Today is International Day of Friendship—a quiet but meaningful reminder that connection is a lifeline, not a luxury. Whether it’s a decades-old bond or a neighbor you’ve just begun to trust, friendships are the glue holding us steady in uncertain times.

So go ahead—write that message, make that call, or send that photo from 1987. You never know who needs it more: them, or you. 🌞 

Earth Science

A Squid Imposter

Reconstruction of Nektognathus, swimming in the Cambrian Sea. - Bob Nicholls 

A long-standing mystery about ancient squid-like creatures has finally been solved. Researchers from the University of Bristol, working with fossil finds from North Greenland, have uncovered the true origins of nectocaridids—enigmatic animals that lived over 500 million years ago. With heads and tentacle-like appendages, these creatures bore a striking resemblance to early cephalopods, the group that includes squids, cuttlefish, and octopuses. For years, scientists believed that’s exactly what they were. But new evidence reveals a surprising twist: nectocaridids weren’t cephalopods at all—they were early relatives of arrow worms.

Dr. Jakob Vinther of the University of Bristol had long been skeptical of the cephalopod classification. A 15-year-old study based on Burgess Shale fossils had placed nectocaridids within the cephalopod lineage, but the anatomical details never quite fit. Hoping to clarify their place in the evolutionary tree, paleontologists launched expeditions to Sirius Passet, a renowned Cambrian fossil site in North Greenland known for its exceptional soft tissue preservation. There, they discovered 25 well-preserved nectocaridid fossils—some containing traces of nervous system structures. “We discovered our nectocaridids preserve parts of their nervous system as paired mineralised structures, and that was a giveaway as to where these animals sit in the tree of life,” said Vinther.

The clinching evidence came from a preserved ventral ganglion—a nerve mass unique to arrow worms. “We now had a smoking gun to resolve the nectocaridid controversy,” said Dr. Tae-Yoon Park of the Korean Polar Institute. “Nectocaridids share a number of features with some of the other fossils that also belong to the arrow worm stem lineage.” Though they appeared squid-like, many of these traits were simple adaptations for swimming—similar to how marine reptiles and whales evolved fish-like forms. Further comparisons with fossil arrow worms such as Timorebestia and Amiskwia confirmed the link. The team named the species Nektognathus evasmithae, in honor of human rights advocate Professor Eva Smith. “So, the ancestors of arrow worms were really complex predators, just like the squids that only evolved about 400 million years later,” Vinther said. Far from passive drifters, these ancient swimmers were equipped with camera-like eyes, long antennae, and stealthy hunting skills—“a smart and stealthy fighter,” as Vinther put it.

Health Science

Regrowing Teeth?

Freepik

The human body contains 206 bones—flexible, resilient structures made of calcium, minerals, and collagen that enable movement and can even regenerate after a break. Teeth, however, don’t share that regenerative power. Despite being the hardest substance in the body due to their enamel coating, once damaged, teeth cannot repair or regrow. That may soon change, thanks to a groundbreaking development in Japan: scientists have created an experimental drug designed to regrow human teeth, with clinical trials already underway.

Led by Dr. Katsu Takahashi, head of dentistry at Kitano Hospital in Osaka, the research builds on earlier discoveries involving a protein called USAG-1, which suppresses tooth development. In 2021, researchers from Kyoto University used a monoclonal antibody to block USAG-1 and its interaction with bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs), successfully triggering new tooth growth in animals. “We knew that suppressing USAG-1 benefits tooth growth. What we did not know was whether it would be enough,” Takahashi said at the time. Encouraged by promising results in ferrets—whose dental development mirrors that of humans—his team is now testing the therapy in people.

The current trial, which began in September 2024, involves 30 men between the ages of 30 and 64 who are missing at least one tooth. The drug is administered intravenously and will be studied over 11 months. No side effects were seen in animal models. If successful, the next step is a pediatric trial for children aged 2 to 7 with congenital tooth loss. The long-term vision is ambitious: a tooth-regrowing drug available to the public by 2030. “While there has been no treatment to date providing a permanent cure, we feel that people’s expectations for tooth growth are high,” said Takahashi. Eventually, he hopes the therapy could restore teeth for anyone who has lost them—ushering in a new era of regenerative dentistry.

Lifestyle

Dogs’ New Beginnings

Senior dogs, including Maya (center) – Submitted by The Grey Muzzle Organization

Last week, the Grey Muzzle Organization—the nation’s largest nonprofit dedicated solely to senior dogs—announced a record-breaking $1.57 million in grants to 119 animal welfare groups across the U.S. It’s the largest funding round in the organization’s history, supporting efforts to give older dogs the love, care, and homes they deserve. “If 50 is the new 30 for humans, why not for our older best friends?” said Grey Muzzle’s director. “Senior dogs have so much life to live, and love to give, yet they’re often the last to be adopted and the first at risk when shelters run out of space,” added Denise Fleck.

Credit: Golden Bark – submitted by The Grey Muzzle

The grants, distributed to organizations in 33 states, will fund medical and dental care, adoption initiatives, foster and hospice programs, and other vital services that help senior dogs stay in their homes—or find new ones. Many older dogs arrive at shelters with untreated health issues. But now, thanks to this funding, dogs like Maya—who spent a decade confined in a breeding pen and faced euthanasia due to shelter overcrowding—have a second chance. A sanctuary in Arizona took her in with help from Grey Muzzle’s grant. “I am so excited that her story is getting out there to help raise awareness about senior dogs,” said her new owner, Caroline Mirtich.

Since 2008, Grey Muzzle has awarded $7.3 million in grants to senior dog programs across the country. Among this year’s recipients are The Golden Bark Foundation, a volunteer-run Utah rescue focused on fostering aging dogs. Their grant will go toward dental care, their top medical expense, since 80% of their dogs suffer from serious dental disease. Another grantee, Czar’s Promise in Wisconsin—named after a Great Pyrenees—supports families managing pet cancer; their funds will cover chemotherapy and radiation for dogs aged 7 and older. With this new wave of support, more senior dogs will get the care they need and the homes they deserve in their final years. A full list of 2025–26 grantees is available on the Grey Muzzle website.

Support Daily Upsider!

Help our mission to share positive, meaningful news! Your support keeps us going without the need to bombard you with annoying ads!

Mind Stretchers

⁉️ 

"I’m never shy of stormy skies,
I open wide but have no eyes.
Though I may turn with wind's wild dance,
In rain or shine, I take my stance.
Held above, yet not too proud—
What am I, beneath the cloud?"

Yesterday’s Answers to the Mind Stretchers:

I have two blades but never bite, I open wide, then close real tight. I love to split but never fight— Snipping through your work just right. What am I? — a pair of scissors! ✂️ Sandra Gottschalk got this correct first! 🌞 

Be the first to send us the correct answer for today’s mind stretcher for a shout-out with the answer tomorrow. Just send us the answer and your name to news@dailyupsider.com or reply to email.

If you have any uplifting stories and experience you might want to share, send those over to news@dailyupsider.com for the chance to be featured.

Good morning! 🌞 

It doesn’t matter where you go—chicken wings always find their way onto the menu. From spicy buffalo to honey barbecue, garlic parmesan to soy-ginger glaze, these crispy little wonders have gone global. And today, July 29, we celebrate their greatness.

National Chicken Wing Day is the perfect excuse (as if we needed one) to indulge. Whether you're grabbing a bucket from your favorite spot or trying a new recipe at home, it’s a day to get messy, go big on flavor, and maybe challenge a friend to a little heat-level showdown.

No matter how you like your wings—classic, baked, fried, or air-fried—there’s one rule: enjoy them to the fullest. 🍗 

Health Sciences

Precious ‘White Gold’ Fuel

Sometimes called 'fairy circles', circles such as these in Brazil can form when high-pressure hydrogen causes land to rise then sink (Credit: Alain Prinzhofer)

Naturally occurring “white hydrogen” is emerging as one of the most overlooked energy opportunities of the decade. Long dismissed or unknown, this geologically formed hydrogen is now attracting serious interest from scientists, startups, and investors seeking scalable, low-carbon alternatives to fossil fuels. While hydrogen has long been used in refining and chemical industries, the vast majority is currently produced through carbon-intensive processes involving methane or coal. Cleaner options like green hydrogen (via renewable-powered electrolysis) and blue hydrogen (fossil fuel-based with carbon capture) have gained traction, but together still make up only about 1% of global hydrogen production—and remain costly and slow to scale.

A team from Indonesia's energy ministry take samples of natural hydrogen found at a bathing location in the Central Sulawesi Province, Indonesia (Credit: Getty Images)

White hydrogen, by contrast, forms naturally underground through processes like serpentinization—when water reacts with iron-rich rocks. New research suggests it may be far more abundant than previously believed. A 2024 U.S. Geological Survey study estimated between 1 billion and 10 trillion tonnes of white hydrogen could be trapped in the Earth’s crust. Even if just 2% is recoverable, it would be enough to meet global hydrogen demand for two centuries. “That’s more or less a rush,” says geochemist Eric Gaucher, who co-leads a white hydrogen working group at the International Energy Agency. Gaucher left his post at Total to focus entirely on hydrogen and says dozens of companies are now drilling exploratory wells across the U.S., Australia, and elsewhere—with global investment already topping $1 billion. “The hope is to make a big discovery in the next three or four years,” he says. “My dream is that this natural hydrogen can play a role, maybe as oil played in the past.”

The only place currently using natural hydrogen is Bourakebougou, a small village in Mali where it was accidentally discovered in 1987 during water well drilling. It now powers local electricity. Meanwhile, exploration is advancing rapidly thanks to new tools and models. Researchers have identified tectonic mountain ranges, such as the Alps and Himalayas, as likely sources, and studies from the UK and Canada have outlined the conditions that preserve hydrogen deposits. French startup Mantle8, backed by Bill Gates’ Breakthrough Energy, is applying 4D imaging of the Earth’s mantle to locate and monitor underground reserves. “We are convinced there could be really significant [hydrogen] reserves,” says CEO Emmanuel Masini. Still, challenges remain: unknown recoverable volumes, lack of extraction infrastructure, and environmental concerns. Yet early findings are promising—some high-purity reservoirs could emit as little as 0.4 kg of CO₂ equivalent per kilogram of hydrogen, a third of today’s green hydrogen footprint. “Currently, we really have no idea,” says USGS scientist Geoffrey Ellis. But as the pressure to decarbonize grows, white hydrogen may prove to be a rare and natural advantage hiding just beneath our feet.

Environment

Dogs Saving Crops

Fozzie and Scott Hurst of Salem, Virginia, search a park bench for evidence of the invasive spotted lanternfly – credit Clark DeHart for Virginia Tech.

A new field study from Virginia Tech reveals that everyday pet dogs—when trained by their owners—can help detect and prevent the spread of the invasive spotted lanternfly. First discovered in Pennsylvania in 2014, the lanternfly has now spread to at least 18 U.S. states. Its eggs can be laid on nearly any surface, including tree trunks, stone, wood, and vehicles, making accidental transport easy and containment a growing challenge. Early detection is essential, but the egg masses are difficult for humans to spot. That’s where dogs come in.

Dogs possess an extraordinary sense of smell, tens of thousands of times more sensitive than humans’, and can be trained to detect lanternfly egg masses hidden in bark crevices, under stones, or tucked into vehicle undersides. “They often resemble mud smears or lichens and are tucked into bark crevices, cracks, or hidden undersides,” said Mizuho Nita, a plant pathologist at Virginia Tech and co-author of the study. While professional conservation dogs have proven effective, they’re costly and scarce. So the researchers explored a more accessible solution: training pet dogs through owner-led scent detection programs. “With proper training, dog owners can turn their pets into powerful partners for conservation,” said lead author Sally Dickinson, who completed her Ph.D. at Virginia Tech’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.

The study enlisted 182 owner-dog teams from across the U.S., using non-viable egg masses and recreational scent training methods. Dogs were first tested in controlled indoor environments and then in outdoor field conditions. The results were striking: dogs identified egg masses with 82% accuracy indoors and 61% outdoors—both outperforming human searchers. Among dogs that passed both phases, 92% successfully located live egg masses with minimal extra training. “These teams demonstrated that citizen scientists and their dogs can play a meaningful role in protecting agriculture and the environment from invasive species,” Dickinson said. With lanternflies already damaging vineyards and orchards, a trained dog sniffing out eggs on a simple walk could mean the difference between containment and costly infestation. In a landscape lacking scalable detection tools, pet dogs may offer one of the most practical solutions available.

Lifestyle

Faster Steps, Longer Life

Richard Sagredo

A new study from the University of Chicago Medicine reveals that older adults can significantly improve their physical function and delay the onset of frailty by making one simple change: increasing their walking speed by just 14 steps per minute. The study focused on seniors classified as frail or pre-frail—a clinical condition marked by vulnerability to illness, falls, and loss of independence. Common symptoms include weakness, fatigue, unintended weight loss, and low activity levels. Since many of these factors are tied to physical inactivity, walking has long been recommended as an easy and accessible intervention. But until now, there’s been little clarity on how fast someone actually needs to walk to see measurable results.

Traditionally, guidelines relied on the “talk test”—encouraging a pace brisk enough to make singing difficult, but conversation possible. While intuitive, it’s not easy to standardize. This new study instead focused on cadence, or steps per minute. Researchers found that walking at around 100 steps per minute—just a modest increase from participants’ usual pace—led to “substantial” gains in endurance and walking distance. Participants, with an average age of 69, took part in walking programs at retirement communities. One group walked at a comfortable pace, while another walked as quickly as they could safely manage. Step data was collected using thigh-mounted devices, and those in the faster-paced group showed clear improvements in functional capacity.

Lead researcher Dr. Daniel Rubin, an anesthesiologist, was inspired by his clinical work assessing older surgical patients. He believed objective metrics like step cadence could offer a more reliable picture of health than traditional questionnaires. To make this approach more accessible, his team developed an app called Walk Test to measure steps per minute with high precision. While not yet publicly available, its algorithm closely matches specialized lab equipment. In the meantime, Rubin recommends using a metronome set to 100 beats per minute to replicate the pace. “Even casual walking had positive effects on our study participants,” Rubin said, “but for those who are able, increasing their walking pace judiciously can yield even greater results.” For seniors aiming to stay independent and active, a slightly quicker walk may be one of the simplest and most effective strategies.

Mind Stretchers

❓️ 

I have two blades but never bite,
I open wide, then close real tight.
I love to split but never fight—
Snipping through your work just right.
What am I?

Yesterday’s Mind Stretchers:

— top seed! Gerry Moore got this correct first! 🌞 

 

Be the first to send us the correct answer for today’s mind stretcher for a shout-out with the answer tomorrow. Just send us the answer and your name to news@dailyupsider.com

If you have any uplifting stories and experience you might want to share, send those over to news@dailyupsider.com for the chance to be featured.

Good Morning! 🌞 

We hope you're in a relaxed mood today—because this bear certainly was. In a true “don’t bother me, I’m off the clock” moment, a hefty visitor wandered into a California family’s backyard and made himself very comfortable. We’re talking full-on poolside lounging. No email. No chores. Just vibes.

If a bear can unapologetically unwind by the pool like that, surely we all deserve to take a breath today. Here’s your reminder to slow down, kick back, and maybe even put your feet up—preferably not next to a bear though! 🐻 

@cbsnews

This bear is a weekend mood. Watch how it chills in one family's backyard in California and even lays by their pool. #animals #bear #california

Innovation

Farming App Saves Billions

Potato blight is responsible for £3.5bn in economic losses worldwide - Wolfgang Ehrecke

Scientists in Wales are developing an AI-powered app designed to help farmers detect late blight, a devastating fungal disease responsible for 20% of global potato crop losses and an estimated £3.5 billion in annual economic damage. Spearheaded by researchers at Aberystwyth University as part of the DeepDetect project, the tool uses machine learning to diagnose late blight before any symptoms are visible to the naked eye—simply by analyzing photos taken with a smartphone. Early detection could lead to healthier yields, lower costs, and a reduced reliance on harmful pesticides.

The app’s development is grounded in collaboration with the farming community. "By integrating farmer feedback from the outset, we will ensure that this technology is grounded in real-world needs and challenges," said Edore Akpokodje, a computer science lecturer at Aberystwyth. In Wales alone, farmers spend more than £5.27 million each year on preventive spraying. If widely adopted, the app could significantly reduce that burden—easing both environmental and financial pressure on the agriculture sector.

Potatoes are a vital global food source, and in Wales, over 17,000 hectares are devoted to cultivating them. The research team is currently training the app’s algorithm using image datasets of both healthy and infected potato leaves, with plans to roll out a nationwide early warning system in the future. "Potatoes are the fourth most important staple crop globally, and optimal production is essential for a growing global population," said Aiswarya Girija from the Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences at Aberystwyth University. "Potato blight is therefore not just a farming issue—it's a food security issue."

Lifestyle

Lost Arts, Found Wisdom

Haqiqa Abdul-Rahim teaches 14-year-old Leena how to sew on a button​ during The Golden Connections Club – Courtesy of Olive Community Services

In a room in Fullerton, California, a group of high school girls is spending their summer learning skills that were once second nature: sewing, ironing, cooking, and embroidery. But instead of turning to YouTube or TikTok, they’re learning the old-fashioned way—from grandmothers. Every Tuesday and Thursday in July, members of the Golden Connections Club—a student-led group from Garden Grove—gather at Olive Community Services for a four-week intergenerational program where seniors teach teens practical, hands-on skills that have largely faded from daily life.

The program was founded by Leena Albinali, a high school sophomore who grew up close to her grandmother and wanted to bridge the growing gap between generations. “There’s so much wisdom that lives in our older generation,” Leena says. “We want to learn from them—not just about skills, but about life.” Inspired by Olive Community Services’ broader mission to keep seniors engaged—particularly those from immigrant or underserved communities—Leena saw an opportunity. Many of her peers didn’t know how to sew on a button, so she pitched a simple idea: why not have seniors teach them?

Each week, students participate in craft and cooking sessions—one day might feature spring rolls, another hand-stitching. While the techniques take practice, perfection isn’t the point. The focus is on connection. For the older adults, the camp offers a renewed sense of purpose and helps combat isolation. And for the students, it’s a reminder that friendships can transcend age. As one teen shared, “I thought it was just going to be cooking. I didn’t expect to make a new friend who’s 80.” These aren’t lessons found in a textbook—they’re passed down the old way: face to face, and hand to hand.

World News

The Secret Royal ‘Pyramids’

Getty Images

Tucked away in the forests of Balmoral—the beloved Scottish royal estate once cherished by Queen Victoria—are 11 stone cairns that quietly echo the legacies of a bygone era. Scattered across nearly 50,000 acres, these unassuming memorials blend into the Highland scenery like secrets waiting to be found. Built to mark royal milestones—marriages, births, and losses—they form a hidden network beyond the manicured gardens and grand architecture of Balmoral Castle. The most striking of them all, often called “the Great Pyramid of Scotland,” is a towering granite monument nearly 11 meters high, perched atop Craig an Lurachain with a sweeping view of Royal Deeside.

The journey to these cairns begins near the Balmoral car park at Crathie and winds through dense Scots pine, firs, and hemlocks. The trails lead hikers uphill into the eastern Cairngorms, where birdsong and rustling red squirrels accompany them. Early cairns, like those for Princess Helena and Princess Louise, are modest. Others, such as the Purchase Cairn from 1852—commemorating Prince Albert’s acquisition of the estate—offer commanding views from Craig Gowan and mark key moments in royal history. “Princess Louise's cairn has perhaps the most interesting backstory,” says Professor Ewen Cameron of the University of Edinburgh. “She was the sixth child and fourth daughter and married John Campbell, the 9th Duke of Argyll, and this helped strengthen the family's ties to the Highlands, which was so important to Queen Victoria.”

The largest cairn, built after Prince Albert’s death in 1861, crowns a steep ascent and offers one of the most dramatic views in Cairngorms National Park. “The cairns are a fabulous, if unlikely, addition to the estate,” notes heraldist and historian Gordon Casely. “They're absolutely intriguing, as each one has its own backstory and design… their legends are worth telling.” While Balmoral Castle itself is only open to the public for a few months each year, it’s the surrounding trails that offer a deeper reward. On a clear day, the Prince Albert cairn reveals a landscape of rolling hills, shimmering granite, and a near-sacred stillness. These monuments, nestled quietly in the landscape, reflect Queen Victoria’s deep romanticism for Scotland—an ideal still echoed in the public imagination through art, literature, and the untouched beauty of the Highlands.

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Yesterday’s Mind Stretchers:

— red cross! James and Jennye Smith got this correct first! 🌞 

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Good Morning! 🌞 

Saturday lands differently. It’s not the hustle of Monday or the reset of Sunday—it’s the in-between. A chance to pause without pressure, reflect without noise, or move without the usual grind.

In today’s edition, we’re bringing you things worth your time—nothing extra, nothing forced. Just ideas, insights, and a little bit of grounding before the week spins up again.

Let’s get into it.

Innovation

The First Quantum Teleportation

Quantum teleportation and data transfer via entangled quantum systems. (representational image) - Jonathan Kitchen/Gettyimages

Quantum teleportation—once purely theoretical—is now driving real-world advances in building a next-generation internet. Rather than sending data through wires or signals, quantum teleportation transfers the quantum state of a particle from one place to another—without moving the particle itself. It relies on quantum entanglement, a phenomenon where two particles become so deeply linked that the state of one instantly affects the other, no matter the distance. In a new breakthrough, researchers at Nanjing University have successfully teleported a telecom-wavelength photonic qubit to a solid-state quantum memory, marking the first time this has been achieved using fully telecom-compatible hardware.

Led by Xiao-Song Ma, the experiment transferred quantum information from a photon to an erbium ion–based memory unit, without the need to convert signal frequencies. “Quantum teleportation is always a fascinating protocol in quantum communication for its ability to transfer quantum states without ever revealing,” Ma told Phys.org. Earlier systems required cumbersome frequency shifting to function with existing infrastructure, but Ma’s setup operated entirely within the telecom band used by today’s fiber-optic networks. “To extend the state transmission distance further, the incorporation of quantum memory into a quantum teleportation system is of critical importance,” he said.

The team’s system consisted of five key modules: a state preparation unit, an entangled photon source on an integrated photonic chip, a Bell-state measurement module, the erbium-based memory, and a precision frequency control system using a Fabry-Pérot cavity and the Pound-Drever-Hall (PDH) technique. “Our study demonstrated the quantum teleportation from telecom photons to a solid-state quantum memory based on erbium ions for the first time,” Ma said. “Our entire system uses components compatible with existing fiber networks perfectly.” That compatibility could be the key to scalable quantum networking. “This telecom-compatible platform for generating, storing and processing quantum states of light establishes a highly promising approach to large-scale quantum networks,” Ma added. The team’s next focus: further improving the memory system to enhance future applications.

Environment

An Unlikely Friendship

Ocelot and Opossum Walking Together in Amazon – Trail cam footage by Cocha Cashu Biological Station in Peru

A joke about a wildcat and a small mammal meeting in the park might end with “Dinner!”—but newly recorded footage from the Amazon suggests a more surprising outcome. In Peru’s Manu National Park, scientists captured video of an ocelot casually following a common opossum without attacking it. The footage, recorded by researchers from Germany and Peru at the Cocha Cashu Biological Station, was initially part of a bird behavior study. But once the team noticed the unexpected pairing, their attention quickly shifted.

The two animals briefly walked out of frame, only to return two minutes later—still in formation, now heading the opposite direction. Curious about the interaction, the researchers contacted colleagues and uncovered four more similar instances between 2019 and 2023, each involving different ocelots and opossums in various parts of the Peruvian Amazon. In one 2022 video from the El Gato Concession in Madre de Dios, the pair even appeared to interact, with the ocelot possibly lunging momentarily—though the opossum showed no visible fear.

“Even though we still do not know if this is the case, we could be witnessing the South American counterpart to the well-known partnership between coyotes and badgers in North America,” said Dr. Isabel Damas-Moreira, behavioral ecologist at Bielefeld University and lead author of the study. “These cooperations are particularly fascinating because they can show that these relationships can develop even between unrelated species.” Further observations revealed that opossums are drawn to the scent of ocelots, often rubbing against it while ignoring the scent of other predators like pumas—suggesting the behavior may be intentional. Researchers now propose two possibilities: the ocelot may benefit from the opossum’s foraging activity, or it may use the opossum’s scent as camouflage while hunting. “This discovery was accidental. It reminds us how important it is to observe closely – because nature is often more complex than we think,” Damas-Moreira said.

Pop Culture

Seniors Level Up Gaming

Michelle ‘Tactical Gamma’ Statham in her gaming chair – credit, Michelle Statham

You might expect a grandmother to scoff at video games—but Michelle Statham is no ordinary grandma. From her home in Washington state, the 60-year-old gamer known as TacticalGramma spends her time sniping players on Call of Duty, a game usually marketed to young men. Ask her about video games and she’ll likely reply, “Which game?” She’s not worried about what people think. “That’s pretty fun,” she says casually about her in-game sharpshooting. With over 110,000 Twitch followers, she’s built a loyal audience and even used her platform to raise thousands for charity. When she’s not gaming, she’s at the gym with her daughter, staying active between sessions.

Statham is far from alone. Roughly 57 million Americans over 50 now play video games—a natural continuation for the generation that grew up on Pac-Man and Super Mario Bros. Nearly half of Americans in their 60s and 70s play weekly on mobile, PC, or console, according to the Entertainment Software Association, and 36% of people in their 80s do too. Games like Super Mario Odyssey and Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild have even been linked to increased grey matter in the hippocampus, the brain region associated with memory and learning—possibly due to their open-world designs and puzzle-solving mechanics.

Will, a 72-year-old retired Navy veteran, also spoke with The Guardian about his love of gaming. He prefers simulators like Hunter: Call of the Wild, and believes older adults should stay connected with modern technology. “People always say: ‘I love you, Gramps. Keep on doing what you’re doing’… things like that, that really tug at your heart,” he shared. Despite a head injury that makes sitting difficult, he still logs in regularly. Researchers interviewed by The Guardian noted gaming benefits like improved memory, coordination, reaction time, and social engagement. While some games like Call of Duty have been linked to reductions in grey matter, those studies didn’t include older adults. The lead author clarified that seniors able to learn and play these games likely aren’t at risk. As Will puts it: “You’re never too old to respawn.”

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Mind Stretchers

⁉️ 

Answers to yesterday’s Mind Stretchers

I fall without jumping,
I tap without hands.
I can bring life or ruin,
And slip through your plans.
What am I? — rain! Debbie Ettinger got this correct first! 🌞 

Be the first to send us the correct answer for today’s mind stretcher for a shout-out with the answer tomorrow. Just send us the answer and your name to news@dailyupsider.com or reply to the email.

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Good morning, nature lovers ☀️

Have you ever seen a million animals move as one? In the heart of Africa, the Serengeti comes alive with the thunder of hooves during the Great Migration—a natural wonder that stirs the soul. It’s not just a sight, it’s a feeling.

@dasha_tatarnikova

Great Migration!! #tanzania #africa #safari #greatmigration #serengeti #serengetinationalpark #travel #rivercrossing #wildanimals #wildebe... See more

Innovation

AI Paint Cools Roofs by 36°F

Credit: The University of Texas at Austin / Getty Images for Unsplash+

In a promising development for climate-conscious architecture, an international team of engineers has used artificial intelligence to create what may be the whitest thermal coating yet—one that could dramatically reduce building emissions and cooling costs. Developed by researchers from the University of Texas-Austin, the National University of Singapore, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, and Umea University in Sweden, the new material reflects sunlight and emits heat in highly controlled ways, offering a smarter way to manage temperature.

The team used AI to design 1,500 types of three-dimensional thermal meta-emitters—materials that can radiate heat at specific wavelengths to optimize cooling. “Our machine learning framework represents a significant leap forward in the design of thermal meta-emitters,” said Professor Yuebing Zheng of UT-Austin. “By automating the process, we can create materials with superior performance that were previously unimaginable.” When one of the new materials was applied to a model house and tested against standard white and gray paints, the roof stayed 5 to 20 degrees Celsius (9° to 36° Fahrenheit) cooler under direct sunlight.

The potential energy savings are substantial. In a hot city like Bangkok or Rio de Janeiro, the researchers estimate the coating could reduce an apartment building’s energy use by about 15,800 kilowatt-hours annually—roughly ten times the power consumed by a typical air conditioner in the same period. Beyond buildings, the researchers developed seven classes of thermal meta-emitters for other applications, from regulating spacecraft temperature to cooling outdoor gear and car interiors. “Machine learning may not be the solution to everything,” said co-author Kan Yao, “but the unique spectral requirements of thermal management make it particularly suitable for designing high-performance thermal emitters.”

Culture

Rare Gandhi Portrait Sells for $200K+

Bonhams - The oil portrait of Mahatma Gandhi was painted in the UK in 1931

In a notable sale out of London, a rare oil portrait of Mahatma Gandhi has sold at auction for £152,800 ($204,648)—more than double the original estimate of £50,000–£70,000. Painted in 1931 by British artist Clare Leighton during Gandhi’s visit to London, the piece is believed to be the only oil portrait for which Gandhi actually sat.

The portrait was completed during Gandhi’s trip to attend the second Round Table conference—talks aimed at negotiating constitutional reforms and self-governance for India under British colonial rule. Bonhams said Leighton “was one of the very few artists admitted to his office and was given the opportunity to sit with on multiple occasions to sketch and paint his likeness.”

The work remained in Leighton’s personal collection until her death in 1989, after which it was passed down through her family. Bonhams has not disclosed the identity of the buyer, and it remains unknown whether the painting will be made available to the public. Gandhi, who led a non-violent resistance movement against British rule, is widely honored in India as the “father of the nation.”

Entertainment

‘Devil Wears Prada 2’ Begins

Meryl Streep in a scene from 2006's "The Devil Wears Prada." Barry Wetcher/20th Century Fox/Shutterstock

A sequel to The Devil Wears Prada is officially moving forward—and the timing is hard to ignore.

20th Century Studios announced Monday on social media that a follow-up to the 2006 film is now in production. The news drops just as Anna Wintour—the longtime Vogue editor widely believed to be the inspiration behind the icy Miranda Priestly—is reportedly stepping down after nearly 40 years at the helm. Coincidence? Probably not.

Remember The Devil Wears Prada? If you’ve ever worked under a demanding boss or been yelled at for not knowing the difference between cerulean and turquoise, you probably do. The original was based on the 2003 bestseller by Lauren Weisberger, a former personal assistant to Wintour. It followed a wide-eyed college grad (Anne Hathaway) navigating the cutthroat world of high fashion under the unrelenting eye of Priestly (Meryl Streep), a role that earned Streep yet another Oscar nomination.

The sequel brings back Streep, Hathaway, Stanley Tucci, and Emily Blunt—whose breakout performance in the original turned her into a household name. Kenneth Branagh is also joining the cast, with David Frankel returning as director.

Have you rewatched it lately? The biting one-liners, the Chanel boots, the casual soul-crushing—that’s all.

Wintour, for her part, was never exactly thrilled about being linked to the Priestly persona. On The Late Show with David Letterman in 2009, she called the film “fiction” but admitted it showed the hard work that goes into making a fashion magazine. “I’m not always warm and cuddly,” she added.

There’s no official release date for Devil Wears Prada 2 yet. But if you still flinch when someone says “Florals? For spring?”, you might want to dust off the original and get ready.

Mind Stretchers

⁉️

I fall without jumping,
I tap without hands.
I can bring life or ruin,
And slip through your plans.
What am I?

Yesterday’s Mind Stretchers:

I’m one word,
But sound like a plan.
Tropical gold,
Held in your hand.
What am I? — a mango! (man, go! Sounds like a plan huh? 😁 ) Albert Knox got this correct first! 🌞 

Be the first to send us the correct answer for today’s mind stretcher for a shout-out with the answer tomorrow. Just send us the answer and your name to news@dailyupsider.comor reply to the email.

If you have any uplifting stories and experience you might want to share, send those over to news@dailyupsider.com for the chance to be featured.

Thursday, July 24th, 2025

Good Morning! 🌞

Saw this video today of animals literally helping each other out — and boom: mission complete.

It’s the kind of thing that makes you pause and think:
If they can do it with zero planning and no group chat… what’s our excuse? 😆 

Earth Science

Biggest Black Hole Crash Ever

An image based on numerical simulations of a black hole merger – credit, NASA/Ames Research CenterC. Henze

A groundbreaking collaboration between the world’s three leading gravitational wave observatories—LIGO in the U.S., Virgo in Italy, and KAGRA in Japan—has detected the most massive black hole merger ever observed. The event, dubbed GW231123, resulted in the formation of a black hole with an astonishing 225 times the mass of the Sun. This record-setting collision not only pushes the limits of current detection technology but also challenges our fundamental understanding of how such colossal black holes form.

The event occurred between 2 and 13 billion light years from Earth and involved two rapidly spinning black holes—one 103 solar masses, the other 137—each rotating 400,000 times faster than our planet. “The black holes appear to be spinning very rapidly—near the limit allowed by Einstein’s theory of general relativity,” said Charlie Hoy of the University of Portsmouth. “That makes the signal difficult to model and interpret. It’s an excellent case study for pushing forward the development of our theoretical tools.” The detection was one of over 200 signals picked up during the LVK collaboration’s most recent observation run.

What makes GW231123 particularly compelling is its potential origin story. Standard models of stellar evolution can’t account for black holes of this size, suggesting a more complex history. “Black holes this massive are forbidden through standard stellar evolution models,” explained Mark Hannam of Cardiff University. “One possibility is that the two black holes in this binary formed through earlier mergers of smaller black holes.” As researchers dig into the data, alternative theories are being explored. “It will take years for the community to fully unravel this intricate signal pattern and all its implications,” said Gregorio Carullo of the University of Birmingham. “Exciting times ahead!”

Sports

Bat Boy Takes the Stage

In a feel-good moment straight from the dugout, the Philadelphia Phillies gave their bat boy, Adam Crognale, a shot at the spotlight—and it paid off in a big way. Bat boys typically stay behind the scenes, quietly keeping the game moving. But the Phillies changed the script, releasing a hype video showcasing 26-year-old Adam’s quick reflexes and unwavering hustle. The video went viral, helping him win a 3-day public vote to serve as the National League’s bat boy in this year’s MLB All-Star Game.

Twitter tweet

“I know I’m living the dream of some 8 or 10-year-old kid in the stands,” Adam told CBS Philadelphia. “It’s a dream come true. I don’t take it for granted…” That dream is especially meaningful given Adam’s journey. As a young man, he was diagnosed with lymphoma in his knee—a battle that temporarily robbed him of the ability to run. But he fought back, earned a degree from Temple University, and eventually claimed his dream job with the Phillies.

“There’s nothing better than coming to this ballpark,” Adam said in a 2024 interview. “I’ve said that since I was a 5-year-old kid, and I probably will not stop saying that.” Now, with a bat in hand and a roster spot at the All-Star Game, Adam Crognale is no longer just part of the team behind the scenes—he’s officially an all-star.

Environment

Animals React to Secret Sounds

A moth laying eggs on a tomato plant – credit, Tel Aviv University

Scientists have discovered that plants emit distinct sounds when under stress—and some animals can hear and respond to them. The emerging field of phytoacoustics is still in its early days, but the findings are already reshaping how we think about plant communication. The sounds are too high-pitched for human ears, but when converted to audible frequencies, they resemble the crackling pop of corn kernels in a pan.

In one experiment, researchers at Tel Aviv University studied a genus of moths that lays eggs on tomato plants. The team tested whether moths could detect and avoid stressed plants—such as those suffering from dehydration—based solely on sound. The logic: a stressed plant would yield fewer or lower-quality tomatoes, leading to weaker larvae. Sure enough, when visual cues were removed, the moths consistently avoided plants emitting stress signals. “This is the first demonstration ever of an animal responding to sounds produced by a plant,” said Professor Yossi Yovel, who co-led the study. “This is a vast, unexplored field—an entire world waiting to be discovered.”

Yovel has also found that stressed plants emit airborne sounds that can be recorded and classified at a distance, and that some plants increase their nectar sugar content when they detect the sound of nearby pollinators. His team now aims to build a catalog of plant sounds and explore how various animals might respond to them. “It could be that all sorts of animals will make decisions based on the sounds they hear from plants, such as whether to pollinate or hide inside them or eat the plant,” he told the BBC. While researchers clarify that plants are not sentient and the sounds result from structural changes—not intention—others, like forester and author Peter Wohlleben, believe this research could help decode broader forms of plant communication. BBC has posted some of these plant sounds, now available for curious listeners.

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Mind Stretchers

⁉️

I’m one word,
But sound like a plan.
Tropical gold,
Held in your hand.
What am I?

Yesterday’s Answers to the Mind Stretchers:

— background, James Godfrey got this correct first!

Be the first to send us the correct answer for today’s mind stretcher for a shout-out with the answer tomorrow. Just send us the answer and your name tonews@dailyupsider.comor reply to email.

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Good Morning! 🌞 

Today is National Sprinkle Day—a lighthearted reminder that even the smallest things can bring a bit of joy. Whether on cupcakes or ice cream, sprinkles have a way of adding just the right touch of sweetness.

So here's to finding little moments of color and comfort today—whatever form they may take.

Health Sciences

Breakfast Just Got Smarter

Biologist Stephen Wallace – credit Edinburgh Innovations

New research from the University of South Australia is unlocking the biological secrets behind oil accumulation in oats—insights that could streamline processing and expand commercial applications. Australia, already the world’s second-largest oat exporter, faces a bottleneck: high oil content in oat grains makes milling inefficient and slows innovation in rapidly growing categories like oat flour and plant-based protein. To tackle this, scientists from UniSA, the South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI), and the University of Adelaide studied how oil forms in two modern oat varieties. Using spatial imaging alongside lipidomics and proteomics, they identified the biological mechanisms driving oil production.

The study provides clear evidence of what controls oil levels in oats, offering a pathway to breed naturally low-oil varieties. This would not only reduce milling costs but also unlock new commercial uses. “While oil can be removed from partially milled oat flakes—using supercritical carbon dioxide prior to further milling—this approach is laborious and expensive,” says UniSA PhD candidate Darren Lau. “Breeding low-oil oat varieties is a cost-effective approach but requires further understanding of oil production in oats. This is where our research is critical. Our analysis has identified several key enzymes that are involved in oil synthesis which could be genetically manipulated to lower oil content of oat grains. Reducing oil content could also unlock new opportunities in sectors like oat flour and alternative proteins, which could significantly strengthen Australia's position in the market.”

With 26 million metric tonnes of oats produced globally in 2022, the commercial potential is substantial. The Grains Research and Development Corporation’s oat grain quality consortium is already applying the findings to improve oats for milling and ingredient use. “The consortia are currently working on a larger and more diverse oat cohort to further investigate molecular markers and nutrient partitioning of oil in oats,” Lau says. “The consortia are also investigating one of the key enzymes validated in this study to determine whether manipulating or removing it can lower oil content, and how that affects the growth of the plant.” SARDI project lead Dr. Janine Croser adds: “This research provides important insights into the biological mechanisms underlying varietal differences of oil production in developing oat grains. We expect that the development of low-oil lines will improve efficiencies in the flour milling process and potentially lead to novel uses for oats. With demand for plant-based foods on the rise, we anticipate the oat grain quality consortium research will help put Australia at the forefront of oat innovation—supporting growers, processors, and exporters alike.”

History

Lost Fossil Halves Reunite

Side by side composite image of the two fossil halves – credit London Natural History Museum, released

The discovery of Sphenodraco scandentis is as much a tale of scientific insight as it is of historical intrigue. While visiting London’s Natural History Museum, Ph.D. student Victor Beccari was struck by a sense of familiarity when he saw a fossil slab of a Jurassic reptile. Later, during a trip to the Senckenberg Museum in Frankfurt, he realized why—each museum had one half of the same specimen: one held the fossil, the other its impression. “It seems that someone in the 1930s decided to double their profit by selling both halves separately,” Beccari explained. “As they didn’t tell either buyer that there was another half, the connection between the two fossils had been lost until now.” Once reunited, the fossil turned out to be more than a 90-year-old con—it revealed a new species, misidentified for decades as Homoeosaurus maximiliani.

The new species, Sphenodraco scandentis, is now recognized as the earliest known tree-dwelling member of the Rhynchocephalia order—a group distinct from lizards and snakes, now represented solely by New Zealand’s tuatara. Beccari’s analysis showed that S. scandentis had long limbs, a short body, and elongated forefingers—features commonly found in gliding reptiles, strongly suggesting an arboreal lifestyle. The fossil originated from Germany’s Solnhofen Limestone, a Late Jurassic formation that was once an island chain. Although it’s a key region for studying rhynchocephalians, many fossils from the area remain poorly understood or misclassified.

“I think we’re really underestimating the diversity of these animals,” Beccari said. “In a lot of cases, fossils coming from the same place that look somewhat similar get lumped together. So, everything with longer limbs was called Homoeosaurus and everything with shorter limbs was Kallimodon.” He added, “The closer you look at how these animals have been studied in the past, the more you appreciate that the species aren’t that well-defined. We know that modern islands can have hundreds of species of reptiles, so there’s no reason that ancient islands didn’t too.” Beccari plans to revisit existing fossils and explore undescribed specimens for further signs of overlooked species. “It goes to show just how important museum collections are to understanding ancient diversity. Even though many of these fossils were discovered almost two centuries ago, there’s still a lot they can teach us.” As GNN previously reported, this isn’t the first time hidden species have resurfaced—one tyrannosaurid was found in a museum drawer after 50 years, and another dinosaur went misclassified for over 150.

Culture

Back to the ’70s

Before smartphones and smart TVs, there were simpler pleasures—and this video is a time machine straight to them. From shag carpets and rotary phones to those impossible-to-fold road maps, this fun list of 25 things you probably forgot you grew up with will have you laughing, nodding, and maybe even shouting, “I had that!”

Remember when...
📺 TV stations actually signed off at night?
📞 You couldn’t sneak a call without the whole house hearing?
🎶 And if you missed your favorite song on the radio, you had to wait hours (or days) to hear it again?

This quick video is pure nostalgia gold—and a great reminder that while technology's changed, the memories are still just a click away.

👉 Take a trip down memory lane and let us know which item hit you the hardest (or funniest).

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Mind Stretchers

⁉️ 

Yesterday’s Answers to the Mind Stretchers:

I move without legs, I speak without breath, I'm heard but not seen, And remembered when left. What am I? — the answer we are looking for is an ECHO, nobody got this correct today unfortunately 🙃 

Be the first to send us the correct answer for today’s mind stretcher for a shout-out with the answer tomorrow. Just send us the answer and your name to news@dailyupsider.com or reply to email.

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