Good Morning! 🌞 

Have you ever wondered what a real-life dragon would look like? This little lizard is probably the closest you could imagine.

The little thing even bites its own tail. Which is not only very cute, but is also reminiscent of the mythological ouroboros, the worm (dragon) biting its own tail.

A fun fact, the classical work of fantasy, The Worm Ouroboros, by E. R. Eddison was an inspiration to both J. R. R. Tolkien and C. S. Lewis. I have actually read the book and, while it can be difficult for many to read because of the archaic writing style, it is quite good. And it has a spectacular ending!

Health Sciences

New Eczema Treatment

Researchers in the United States have identified a promising new compound for treating inflammatory skin conditions such as eczema and rosacea. Called SYM2081, or 4-methylglutamate, it was shown to inhibit mast cells—key drivers of inflammation—in both mice and human skin samples. These findings open the door to a novel therapeutic approach that may help reduce the itching, swelling, and redness commonly associated with these chronic skin disorders.

Mast cells normally protect against threats by releasing histamine and other signaling molecules, but they can also become overactive, causing allergic reactions and chronic inflammation. In laboratory tests, SYM2081 activates a receptor on mast cells known as GluK2, effectively suppressing this inflammatory response. When researchers applied a cream containing SYM2081 to mice before inducing eczema- or rosacea-like symptoms, they observed a significant drop in overall inflammation and disease severity, suggesting that targeting mast cells in this way could help control even the most stubborn manifestations of these conditions.

Senior author Professor Daniel Kaplan of the University of Pittsburgh highlighted SYM2081’s potential for addressing unmet clinical needs, particularly in mitigating facial flushing in rosacea, which many current therapies fail to treat effectively. Published in Science Translational Medicine, the study paves the way for new GluK2-activating compounds to undergo clinical trials. If successful, a daily mast cell-targeting cream could offer a safe, non-antibiotic alternative for managing eczema, rosacea, and other inflammatory skin conditions.

World News

6th-Century Sword

A remarkably well-preserved 6th-century Anglo-Saxon sword has been unearthed at a secret cemetery in Kent, England, shedding new light on the burial customs of high-status individuals during a period often referred to as the Dark Ages. The cemetery’s exact location remains confidential to prevent looting and protect its cultural value, but archaeologists confirm it was used for elite members of society. Among the most striking finds is the sword’s hilt, adorned with gilt and silver inlays, and a remarkably intact blade inscribed with runes—features that prompted lead archaeologist Duncan Sayer of the University of Central Lancashire to describe the weapon as “an elite object in every way,” comparable to the famed swords discovered at Dover and Sutton Hoo.

The excavation, showcased in the 12th season of the BBC series Digging for Britain, unearthed a network of beautifully furnished graves, offering rare insights into a poorly documented era. Professor Alice Roberts, the show’s host, called the cemetery “extraordinary” in her decade-long tenure. One particularly revealing grave contained skeletal remains with evidence of fly pupae, suggesting that the deceased was publicly laid in state prior to burial. Genetic tests indicate that most of the individuals buried there had northern European ancestry, likely linked to migrations following the Roman Empire’s withdrawal from Britain. Artifacts in some female graves also hint at Frankish connections, underscoring the region’s extensive cross-Channel ties.

Conservation work on the sword is currently underway, and once it is complete, this remarkable piece of Anglo-Saxon heritage will be displayed at the Folkestone Museum in Kent. By preserving and studying the blade’s inscriptions, ornate materials, and the surrounding grave goods, researchers hope to further illuminate the complexities of 6th-century funerary practices. In doing so, they not only safeguard a priceless artifact but also deepen our understanding of the social, cultural, and political dynamics that shaped early medieval England.

Environment

Eco-Friendly Fitness

A new fitness trend that merges exercise with environmental stewardship is gaining global traction—and even hosts its own world championship in Italy. Known as “plogging,” it blends the Swedish term plocka (to pick up) with jogging. Launched in 2016 by Erik Ahlström in Stockholm, the movement has since spread to over 100 countries and an estimated 2 million enthusiasts, with an offshoot called “pliking” emerging for hikers who tidy up trails.

At the 2023 World Plogging Championship in Genoa, participants collected an impressive 6,600 pounds (3,000 kg) of litter. This year, a British team supported by environmental groups A Future Without Rubbish and Planet Earth Games plans to compete, aiming to run the farthest while gathering the most rubbish. Leading the charge is Claire Petrie, a 48-year-old personal trainer from Bristol, who runs regular community plogging events. The group—which includes Londoners Cherrelle Amo and Luke Douglas-Home, plus Devon resident Chris Broadbent—organizes local cleanups via Facebook, and so far, they have collected over 220 pounds (100 kg) of trash in Bristol alone.

The plogging championships adopt trail and mountain running principles, and recycling the collected waste at the 2023 event reportedly saved six million grams of CO2 emissions. Keeping with this eco-friendly ethos, the British team is traveling to Genoa by train rather than plane. “Plogging makes an immediate impact while supporting physical and mental health,” says Luke, who has been active in coastal and canal cleanups across the UK. Chris echoes the sentiment: “It’s not just about running; it’s about creating a long-term positive impact.”

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Mind Stretchers

⁉️ 

I have glass but I’m not a cup,
I let in light but don’t warm you up.
I open wide to let air in,
But never move, though I might spin.
What am I?

Yesterday’s Answers to the Mind Stretchers:

Downtown, Cheri M. got this correct first! 🌞 

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