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Did you know that the first digital camera, invented by Steve Sasson in 1975, weighed a hefty 8 pounds and took 23 seconds to record a single image?

Innovation

Diet Balloon

Researchers at MIT have developed a new type of gastric balloon that offers a potentially more effective and adaptable approach to combating obesity. Unlike conventional balloons, which remain inflated for extended periods and lose their impact over time, the MIT balloon can be inflated before meals to create a sense of fullness and deflated afterward, allowing for a dynamic approach to appetite control. “This balloon is dynamic,” explained Giovanni Traverso, an associate professor at MIT and gastroenterologist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. “It inflates before a meal to curb hunger and deflates between meals.” This innovation addresses a key limitation of traditional gastric balloons, which often lead to weight regain as patients adapt to their constant presence.

The balloon, made of silicone, was developed by a team led by recent MIT Ph.D. graduate Neil Zixun Jia. In animal studies, inflating the balloon before meals reduced food intake by 60%, demonstrating significant promise. Published in the journal Device, the research outlines how the balloon, inserted through a small incision in the abdominal wall and controlled externally, mimics the long-term effectiveness of feeding tube procedures without the associated invasiveness. The device evenly distributes pressure, reducing potential risks, and its external controller allows for precise inflation and deflation to suit individual dietary patterns.

If successful in future human trials, MIT’s dynamic balloon could provide a safer, less invasive alternative to current obesity treatments, such as gastric bypass surgery or medications like semaglutide, which come with their own limitations and risks. Traverso emphasized its potential to address a longstanding gap in obesity management: “This new balloon is designed to address the shortcomings of current treatments.” By offering a customizable and temporary feeling of fullness, the device could help patients achieve long-term weight management without the need for surgery or drugs, marking a significant advancement in tackling obesity.

Culture

12,000-Year-Old Companion

Dogs have been loyal companions to humans for at least 12,000 years, according to recent archaeological findings. Evidence from Swan Point, a site in Alaska, reveals a canine tibia radiocarbon-dated to the end of the Ice Age, about 12,000 years ago. This suggests that humans and canines in the Americas formed close relationships 2,000 years earlier than previously documented. “This shows that people and canids had close relationships earlier than we thought in the Americas,” said Dr. François Lanoë of the University of Arizona. The discovery raises intriguing questions about whether the first Americans brought dogs with them as they migrated into the region.

Further evidence from nearby Hollembaek Hill adds depth to these findings. In 2023, researchers uncovered an 8,100-year-old canine jawbone, also indicating early domestication. Chemical analysis of both the tibia and jawbone revealed traces of salmon in the animals’ diets, suggesting humans provided them with food. “It’s not something wild canines would typically eat,” noted Dr. Ben Potter of the University of Alaska–Fairbanks. These findings point to a complex relationship between humans and canines, with early humans likely influencing canine behavior and diet, though the specimens might have been tamed wolves rather than fully domesticated dogs.

The research underscores the enduring bond between humans and dogs. For indigenous people, dogs have held spiritual significance as mystic companions. “It’s meaningful to see that these relationships existed thousands of years ago. It’s a connection that transcends time,” reflected Evelynn Combs, a tribal member involved in the study. While the Swan Point canine represents the earliest evidence of human-canine interaction in the Americas, the findings invite deeper exploration into what truly defines domestication and the profound role of dogs in human history.

World News

An ‘Archaeological Stardust’

Maritime archaeologists believe they may have discovered the wreckage of a galleon tied to Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama off the coast of Kenya. Found near Malindi in 2013 by Caesar Bita, an underwater archaeologist at Kenya’s National Museums, the ship is thought to be the São Jorge, which was lost during da Gama’s third voyage in 1524. Vasco da Gama, who established the first sea route to India around Africa in 1497, profoundly influenced global trade and exploration. The São Jorge sank off East Africa, but da Gama himself died en route, leaving the ship’s fate shrouded in mystery.

The wreck rests in shallow waters approximately 20 feet deep and is protected by local communities actively involved in its excavation and preservation. Portuguese archaeologist Filipe Castro, collaborating with Bita, suspects it is the oldest known European shipwreck in the Indian Ocean. Artifacts including elephant ivory, copper ingots, and fragments of the ship’s hull have been recovered, though much of the site remains buried under coral. These findings provide a rare glimpse into the maritime trade routes and shipbuilding techniques of the 16th century.

While early evidence suggests the wreck dates to da Gama’s era, researchers caution that it might belong to the Nossa Senhora da Graça, another Portuguese ship that sank in 1544 and was unrelated to da Gama’s expeditions. Maritime archaeologist Sean Kingsley described the discovery as “archaeological stardust,” underscoring the importance of protecting and studying the site to unravel its historical significance.

Mind Stretchers

⁉️ 

I travel far, yet stay in one place.
I bear the marks of every race.
Though I’m worn, I never complain,
I’m your silent partner through sun and rain.
What am I?

Yesterday’s Mind Stretchers:
I’m shaped by hands, folded or torn,
Used for writing, wrapping, or worn. What am I?
— Paper, 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 [email protected]or reply to the email.

If you have any uplifting stories and experience you might want to share, send those over to [email protected] for the chance to be featured.