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A cool space fact: Saturn could float on water!

Saturn’s density is so low that if you could find a bathtub big enough, the planet would float

Health Sciences

Healing Neurons

Exercise is widely known for its benefits to muscle strength and overall health, but groundbreaking research from MIT now reveals it also directly enhances the growth and functionality of individual neurons. The study, published in Advanced Healthcare Materials, shows that contracting muscles release biochemical signals called myokines, which significantly boost nerve growth. When neurons were exposed to these myokines, they grew at a rate four times faster than neurons without exposure, establishing a powerful biochemical connection between muscle activity and nerve development.

The researchers also uncovered that neurons respond not only to the biochemical signals but also to the mechanical forces generated during muscle contractions. This dual influence of biochemical and physical stimuli highlights the intricate ways exercise supports nerve growth. To simulate this process, the team used genetically engineered muscle tissue that contracts in response to light, allowing them to isolate and collect a myokine-rich solution. When applied to neurons, this solution triggered immediate and substantial growth, while further analysis showed it improved neuron functionality, enhancing their communication with muscles and other nerves.

These findings open new possibilities for therapeutic approaches to nerve injuries and neurodegenerative diseases like ALS. Assistant Professor Ritu Raman, the study’s lead author, previously demonstrated that implanting and exercising muscle tissue at injury sites could restore mobility in mice by promoting nerve regeneration. Building on this, the team now aims to explore targeted muscle stimulation to support nerve repair and improve mobility. “This is just the beginning of understanding how exercise can function as medicine,” Raman concludes, underscoring the potential of harnessing exercise's biochemical and mechanical impacts for future medical innovations.

Culture

70 Year-Old Game

Kurt Vonnegut, celebrated author of literary classics like Slaughterhouse-Five, also dabbled in game design during a challenging period in his career. In 1955, amid struggles to find financial success from his writing, Vonnegut created GHQ (General Headquarters), a two-player strategy board game. Designed to supplement his income while working on his novel The Sirens of Titan, the game featured tactical gameplay centered on capturing the enemy’s headquarters with infantry, armored vehicles, artillery, and airborne regiments. Despite his enthusiasm, the game failed to attract publishers and was shelved—until its rediscovery in 2013 by game designer and historian Geoff Engelstein.

Engelstein collaborated with the Vonnegut family and Indiana University to revive the game, piecing together original notes and components. With Barnes & Noble on board as the exclusive retailer, GHQ has been faithfully restored and is now available for $34.95. The updated version features wooden pieces and a 24-page booklet with Vonnegut’s design commentary, offering a unique glimpse into his creative process. “When Geoff approached me about the Kurt Vonnegut board game, I knew we had to be part of the story,” said Sabrina Falcone, Senior Merchandise Manager at Barnes & Noble.

Recommended for ages 14 and up, GHQ delivers fast-paced, engaging gameplay in just 20–40 minutes. Praised by tabletop enthusiasts like Aron Clark as both “deep” and “fun,” the game transcends its status as a historical curiosity to stand as a rewarding experience in its own right. For fans of Vonnegut or strategy games, GHQ offers a fascinating intersection of literature and gaming history, bringing an overlooked piece of the author’s legacy to life.

Environment

Rare Pink Pigeon

A UK zoo has achieved a significant milestone by successfully hand-rearing a pink pigeon for the first time using an innovative feeding method. Native to Mauritius in the Indian Ocean, pink pigeons were nearly wiped out in 1991, with only nine individuals left in the wild. Global conservation efforts, including those at Paignton Zoo in Devon, have played a crucial role in their recovery, increasing the population to around 500 by 2011. This progress led to the species being reclassified from Critically Endangered to Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List in 2018.

Tom Tooley, a bird keeper at Paignton Zoo for 27 years, developed a groundbreaking technique to hand-rear orphaned or abandoned chicks, known as squabs. Unlike the traditional metal crop tubing, his method uses a catheter attached to a syringe, which mimics natural feeding by gently placing the device on the squab’s tongue. This approach significantly reduces stress and potential harm to the chicks, improving their survival rates. Tooley has also shared his expertise in Mauritius, training local conservation staff and enhancing their ability to rear pink pigeons.

Pink pigeons are part of the European Endangered Species Program, a collaborative international effort to preserve genetic diversity and support species recovery. “This has been a fantastic year for our bird breeding programs,” said Stephen Kings, CEO of Wild Planet Trust, which oversees Paignton Zoo. Partnerships with organizations like the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation continue to demonstrate the power of coordinated global conservation initiatives, offering hope that species once on the brink of extinction can thrive again.

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