🌞 Feeding Coral Reefs

Daily Upsider - Sunday, February 23rd, 2025

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Julia Mejia & James Linder
February 23, 2025

Sunday, February 23rd, 2025

Good Morning! 🌞

Sunday is the perfect day to do nothing and let your soul catch up with your body!

Today’s Upside

Environment

Feeding Coral Reefs

UZELA lights installed in a nursery – credit Phanor Montoya-Maya, via Coral Restoration

Scientists at Ohio State University have unveiled the Underwater Zooplankton Enhancement Light Array (UZELA), a novel device designed to boost coral reef feeding by attracting zooplankton—an essential food source for corals. Tested in Hawaii on two native coral species, UZELA employs a specialized light that significantly increases zooplankton density, leading to enhanced feeding rates even in bleached coral. This innovative approach leverages controlled light to optimize feeding conditions in diverse coral environments.

Enhanced feeding is key to building coral resilience, enabling them to grow stronger and better withstand environmental challenges such as heat stress and ocean acidification. According to Andrea Grottoli, lead author of the study, coral reefs support a third of all marine species despite covering less than 1% of the ocean. By naturally enhancing the feeding process, UZELA not only promotes coral health but also contributes to the overall stability of marine ecosystems.

If proven successful, UZELA could transform coral nursery operations by improving growth rates and survival, thereby streamlining restoration projects and reducing costs. Importantly, despite initial concerns about the potential disruption caused by artificial lighting, the device has demonstrated no negative environmental impact—concentrating zooplankton near coral without depleting the surrounding area. With its promising potential for boosting coral restoration, UZELA offers a valuable tool for preserving high-value reefs and supporting extensive marine conservation efforts.

Good News

Beating Cancer…Thrice!

Katherine Murrell beats cancer and becomes paramedic – SWNS

Katherine Murrell, a 27-year-old paramedic, found her calling with the London Ambulance Service after surviving cancer three times. Initially diagnosed at 16, Katherine underwent chemotherapy and later confronted two additional diagnoses, including a battle with stage four lymphoma and a double mastectomy to reduce her cancer risk. Now cancer-free, she credits the exceptional care she received from the National Health Service (NHS) as the catalyst that inspired her to give back.

Her arduous journey has endowed her with a profound understanding of the physical and emotional challenges that patients face—from the trauma of hair loss to other drastic changes. Training as an emergency medical technician (EMT), Katherine has transformed her personal hardships into empathy and strength in her work. “The medical staff were amazing, and it inspired me to want to do something like that,” she recalls, underscoring how her early experiences continue to fuel her commitment to emergency medicine.

In her role as a paramedic, Katherine finds deep fulfillment in connecting with patients, offering them comfort and a positive outlook during their most vulnerable moments. Despite the challenges of her past, she leverages her experiences as a valuable asset in her career, enhancing her ability to relate to and support those in need. Katherine encourages others facing similar adversities to draw on their own journeys, using them as a source of strength and inspiration to make a difference in the lives of others.

Culture

The Most Expensive Spices

Why do some spices and salts cost a fortune? From warm, aromatic cinnamon to the delicate green cardamom, and rare bamboo salt to river reed salt, their steep prices often reflect centuries of tradition, labor-intensive production, and unique harvesting methods. This video breaks down what makes these ingredients so valuable and sought after around the world. Join us as we explore the fascinating journey behind these kitchen essentials.

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The Beauty of Slowing Down

In a world that glorifies busyness, slowing down can feel counterproductive—almost like falling behind. But in reality, it’s in the quiet moments that we find clarity, connection, and a deeper appreciation for life.

Slowing down doesn’t mean stopping. It means taking the time to sip your coffee instead of gulping it down. It means choosing to listen—to yourself, to loved ones, to the world around you—without rushing to respond. It’s about valuing presence over productivity.

Many of us have spent years racing toward goals, checking off to-do lists, and carrying responsibilities. But at a certain point, we realize that life’s richest moments often happen in between the big milestones. The laughter over a shared meal, the sound of rain against the window, the comfort of an old song playing in the background—these are the things we often miss when we’re too busy chasing the next task.

So, what does slowing down look like in daily life?

It’s starting the morning with a few deep breaths before reaching for your phone. It’s stepping outside to feel the sun on your face or enjoying the quiet of a Sunday afternoon without filling it with chores. It’s having a conversation where you’re not half-distracted, and truly hearing someone. It’s cooking a simple meal from scratch, not because you have to, but because the process is calming. It’s allowing yourself a pause in the middle of the day—whether that’s sitting down with a book, watering the plants, or simply resting your eyes for a moment.

Slowing down isn’t about doing less—it’s about being more. More intentional, more aware, more engaged. It’s about reclaiming time for what truly matters. And in doing so, we may find that we weren’t falling behind after all—we were simply learning how to live. 🌞 

Mind Stretchers

⁉️ 

Answers to yesterday’s Mind Stretchers:

I have a tail but I'm not a mouse,
I guard a home, not a house.
Loyal and true, a friend to you,
Guess my name with just this clue. — dog! Debbie Ettinger got this early! 🌞 

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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