Good Morning! 🌞

This has to be one of the most satisfying videos I’ve ever watched!

Health Sciences

Snail Poison as Diabetes and Hormone Drug

Cone snail venom could be the key to developing better diabetes treatments, according to a recent study. Researchers found that the toxin from the Conus geographus, one of the most venomous creatures on Earth, might also help create new drugs for other hormone-related conditions.

The team, led by scientists from the University of Utah, identified a component in the venom that mimics somatostatin, a human hormone that regulates blood sugar and several other hormones. This toxin, called consomatin, helps the snail immobilize its prey. In humans, somatostatin prevents dangerous spikes in blood sugar and other hormone levels. However, consomatin is more stable and specific than somatostatin, making it a promising model for drug development.

The researchers found that consomatin targets the same protein as somatostatin but does so more precisely, affecting only blood sugar levels without influencing other hormones. This makes it more targeted than the most precise synthetic drugs currently available for hormone regulation.

Though using snail venom as a treatment might be risky, understanding its structure could lead to safer drugs for endocrine disorders. Consomatin's stability is due to an unusual amino acid that prevents it from breaking down quickly, a feature that could inspire longer-lasting medications.

Senior author Professor Helena Safavi noted that the precision of the toxin could be incredibly useful in treating diseases. "Venomous animals have evolved to fine-tune venom components to target specific physiological processes, often relevant to disease," she said. Safavi explained that consomatin, which shares an evolutionary lineage with somatostatin, has been refined by the cone snail over millions of years into a highly effective weapon.

Consomatin works by rapidly lowering blood sugar, leaving the snail's prey unresponsive, while a second component prevents blood sugar levels from recovering. Dr. Ho Yan Yeung, the study's lead author, suggested that the venom might contain other glucose-regulating molecules, not just insulin- and somatostatin-like toxins.

Culture/Lifestyle

The Perfect Age for Adventures

It's American Adventures Month, and a recent survey of 2,000 Americans reveals that over a third have become more adventurous as they've aged.
While 42 was identified as the "perfect age to go on an adventure," a significant majority still believe that "age is just a number."

In fact, 83% agreed that you can always be adventurous, regardless of age, with most baby boomers, Gen X, and millennials taking 4-5 trips per year. One couple in their 60s has set a new standard for adventurous empty-nesters, having visited all 63 U.S. National Parks.

The Talker Research poll, commissioned by Storyteller Overland, also gathered advice for living a more adventurous life as you age. But first, let’s look at how Matt and Karen Smith managed to visit every National Park in two years. Sixteen years ago, their youngest son moved out, and after losing friends and family of similar age, the couple realized that "life is too short." “All of a sudden, we realized our mortality,” Karen said. “We realized that we didn’t have to be home all the time and that if we wanted to visit all these national parks, now was the time.”
“Matt also has a new corporate job that he wasn’t particularly happy with.”

They began by visiting national parks near their home in Seattle, Washington. “We did not buy an RV to travel around the country; we either drove from Seattle or flew.” One of their favorites was Yellowstone for its "epic views." Another highlight for Matt was floating down the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon.

Previously, Matt and Karen would usually vacation in Europe, but Karen said visiting the national parks allowed them to fall in love with a different side of America.

World News

Second-Largest Diamond Ever Found

The second-largest diamond ever discovered was found in Botswana last week.

Lucara Diamond, a Canadian company, unearthed the 2,492-carat stone in the Karowe mine using X-ray technology. This diamond is the largest found since the 3,106-carat Cullinan Diamond was discovered in South Africa in 1905, parts of which are now in the British Crown Jewels.

Weighing about a pound, the diamond, still unnamed, will be displayed in Botswana this week. Its discovery will fund education and healthcare programs in the country. Lucara reported that the find was detected and recovered by their Mega Diamond Recovery X-ray Transmission technology, installed in 2017 to identify large, high-value diamonds. This latest discovery adds to other significant finds from the mine, including diamonds of 1,758 carats and 1,109 carats.

“We are thrilled about the recovery of this 2,492-carat diamond,” said William Lamb, President of Lucara. “It highlights the wealth in Botswana’s soil and the nation’s progress in developing its diamond industry for the benefit of its citizens.”

Botswana is the world’s largest diamond producer, with diamonds accounting for 80% of its exports and a third of its revenue. Financial Times quoted unnamed sources close to Lucara estimating that it could fetch upwards of $40 million.

Support Daily Upsider!

Help our mission to share positive, meaningful news! Your support keeps us going without the need to bombard you with annoying ads!

Mind Stretchers

⁉️

Yesterday’s Answers to the Mind Stretchers:

Albert Knox got the 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 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.