🌞 Curing Blindness

Daily Upsider - Saturday, September 28th, 2024

Saturday, September 28th, 2024

Good Morning! 🌞 

Check out what happened when a pro climber in disguise, attended a beginners course…

Today’s Upside

Innovation

Curing Blindness

Elon Musk's Neuralink achieved a significant milestone last week in its pursuit to restore vision to those who have lost it. The neurotechnology company, founded by Musk, announced on X (formerly Twitter) that it had been granted "Breakthrough Device Designation from the FDA" for its innovative Blindsight device.

Musk described the Blindsight device as capable of allowing even individuals who have lost both their eyes and optic nerves to regain sight. "As long as the visual cortex is intact, the device will even enable those who have been blind since birth to see for the first time," Musk wrote on X. Initially, the vision provided by Blindsight will be low-resolution, Musk noted, comparing it to "Atari graphics." However, he highlighted its potential to improve dramatically over time. While this isn't the first time Musk has suggested that Blindsight might exceed normal vision, some experts remain skeptical. Research from the University of Washington cautioned that without significant technological breakthroughs, the vision provided by Blindsight and similar devices is likely to remain limited and imperfect.

Earlier this year, Neuralink made headlines after successfully implanting a brain chip into Noland Arbaugh, a paralyzed man. Following the procedure, Arbaugh was able to control computers and play online games using only his mind.

The FDA's Breakthrough Devices Program aims to expedite the development and approval process for devices that offer more effective treatment or diagnosis of life-threatening or irreversibly debilitating conditions.

Sports

UFC Fight Night: Paris

UFC Fight Night takes place in Paris today at 3PM EDT, headlined by local favorite Benoît Saint-Denis in his first-ever main event against Brazilian veteran Renato Moicano. Saint-Denis, known for his aggressive style, aims to impress his home crowd, while Moicano looks to use his grappling skills to spoil the party.

Key matchups on the card include a lightweight fight between Matt Frevola and French striker Fares Ziam, a light heavyweight showdown featuring Ion Cutelaba vs. UFC newcomer Ivan Erslan, and a women’s bantamweight clash between Germaine De Randamie and France's Nora Cornolle. The night promises action and excitement for MMA fans.

You can tune in here to stay updated.

Environment

Patagonia Helping to Revolutionize California’s Farms

composite image /Citrus farming in Ojai, Ventura, Ken Lund CC 2.0. / Patagonia, fair use.

Organic and regenerative farming is gaining momentum in Ventura County, California, where industrial agriculture has left a heavy toll on the environment. Pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides have contaminated the soil and groundwater, harming local wildlife. The Rodale Institute and its California Organic Center have been working to change this. With $1 million from Patagonia and $1.5 million from the state of California, they are now able to assist farmers in transitioning to sustainable farming practices that restore soil health and biodiversity, with most startup costs covered.

It's been just over two years since Patagonia’s founder, Yves Chouinard, declared that 98% company profits would go toward environmental causes, making Earth the company’s bigest shareholder. Since then, the Holdfast Collective, Patagonia's non-profit arm, has quietly distributed $70 million to major conservation groups like the Nature Conservancy, the Conservation Fund, and Re:Wild. Holdfast Collective’s executive director Greg Curtis praised the Rodale Institute, calling them “peerless” in their success over the past five years in helping farmers adopt regenerative practices. This made them an obvious choice for Patagonia’s first investment in the agricultural sector since Chouinard's announcement.

Fast Company reports that the funding from Holdfast and the state will provide farmers with business planning support, long-term produce contracts, and grants for equipment and pest management.

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Family Health & Fitness Day USA

On September 28, families across the nation come together to celebrate Family Health & Fitness Day USA. This special day is dedicated to promoting physical activity, healthy habits, and overall well-being for families of all sizes and ages. It's the perfect opportunity to strengthen family bonds while focusing on fitness and health.

Whether it's a hike, a bike ride, or a fun-filled day at the park, there are countless ways to get active together. This day serves as a reminder that health is a family affair, and staying active together can lead to lasting benefits, from improving physical fitness to creating cherished memories. Take this chance to schedule a family workout, plan a nutritious meal, or participate in a community event that encourages movement!!

Mind Stretchers

⁉️ 

There are two ducks in front of a duck, two ducks behind a duck and a duck in the middle. How many ducks are there?

Answers to yesterday’s Mind Stretchers:

Lost cause!

Gerry Moore got the correct answer 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 [email protected] or reply to the email.

From the Community

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