Good Morning! 🌞 

Ever wondered what happens to your body when you laugh?

Not only does laughing trigger a release of endorphins, the body's natural feel-good chemicals, but it also reduces stress hormone levels, which can help improve your immune system.

Surprisingly, hearty laughter can even burn calories equivalent to several minutes of exercise and lead to a brief but beneficial increase in heart rate and oxygen consumption. So consider watching a comedy show today 😉 

Science

The Invisible Farmers We Never Knew About

Modern agricultural science has indeed cultivated some super-powered plants, and while we humans have proudly taken credit for these agricultural marvels, new research led by molecular microbiologist Jacob Malone from the John Innes Center in the UK suggests we’re not the only cultivators in the game. According to this study, plants themselves are adept at shaping their own ecosystems to ‘farm’ their preferred microbial species.

The research focused on barley (Hordeum vulgare), a staple crop behind much of the world's beer production, revealing that it actively manages the microbial communities around its roots by adjusting the sugars it secretes. This insight sheds light on an often-overlooked aspect of agricultural science: the microbiome of the soil in the rhizosphere—the area directly surrounding a plant’s roots.

Beneficial microbes are critical for a plant’s survival, offering enhanced nutrient uptake, disease suppression, and immune activation. However, the relationship with microbes like Pseudomonas is competitive; these microbes can colonize a wide range of hosts, prompting plants to actively engage in attracting beneficial microbial communities.

The study, which involved two barley cultivars, Chevallier and Tipple.

The team grew these barley varieties in a controlled environment and analyzed their rhizospheres. They found that the Tipple variety attracted significantly more Pseudomonas bacteria, likely due to higher levels of simple sugars in its root secretions. In contrast, the Chevallier variety supported a more diverse microbial community and exerted more control over its soil fungi, promoting certain species while almost completely excluding others.

Published in PLOS Biology, this research paves the way for future studies to explore how these dynamics play out in actual farm fields and the extent to which they can be harnessed to enhance agricultural sustainability and productivity.

Entertainment

Europe’s Biggest Music Extravaganza

The Eurovision Song Contest, often simply called Eurovision, is an annual international song competition held primarily among the member countries of the European Broadcasting Union. Each participating country submits an original song to be performed on live television and radio, then casts votes for the other countries' songs to determine the winner. This unique contest offers a platform not only for showcasing emerging musical talents but also for promoting cultural exchange and mutual respect among nations.

This years contest is being hosted by Sweden. Each year, the event is hosted by the previous year's winning country. The contest has three live shows: two semi-finals and a grand final.

The competition, first held in 1956, was based on Italy's Sanremo Music Festival. It was created as a means to unify the newly established television networks across Europe following World War II. From its humble beginnings with just seven participating countries, Eurovision has grown immensely in scope and spectacle. It now features participants from over 40 countries, including nations beyond Europe such as Australia.

Eurovision is known for its eclectic mix of music genres and often flamboyant performances. It has launched the careers of many notable artists, including ABBA and Celine Dion, who first captured international attention by winning Eurovision for Sweden and Switzerland, respectively.

Beyond the competition, Eurovision has become a beloved annual tradition that brings together millions of viewers worldwide.

The first semifinal happened on Tuesday. The second semifinal will be Thursday, May 9, at 3 p.m. EST. The grand final will be Saturday, May 11, at 3 p.m. EST.

You can stream the show on Peacock in the US.

U.S News

Teen Hero Saves Woman from Drowning

In Lantana, Florida, a remarkable act of heroism by a teenager led to the rescue of a woman caught in the swift currents of a canal flowing into the Atlantic. The incident earned the young man, 17-year-old Jakob Thompson, the prestigious Carnegie Hero Award and a full-ride scholarship to the Boynton Fire and Rescue Academy.

A woman was spotted adrift in the Boynton Beach Inlet, known for its dangerous currents. Without regard for his own safety, Thompson removed his shirt and dove into the canal, swimming 80 feet to reach the woman. He secured her around his waist and swam back to the safety of the cement wall.

According to CBS 12 News, the woman managed to avoid struggling, which helped Thompson concentrate on his rescue efforts. “I just swam as fast as I can to get her. By the time I got to her, I don’t want to say lifeless, but she was very tired from struggling and trying to get out of the water,” Thompson recounted.

The rescue gained widespread attention thanks to a video taken by bystander Maria Gutierrez and was broadcasted on news and social media.

Sarah Perry, a local resident whose son Aden had died attempting a rescue years earlier, heard of Thompson’s bravery. She manages the Aden Perry Good Samaritan Scholarship Fund, created in her son's memory to support students who perform heroic acts. She presented Thompson with the scholarship, enabling him to enroll in the fire academy, which he had long dreamed of. Thompson became the first recipient of this scholarship, although he insists that seeking a reward was never his intention.

“Putting my life out there to help somebody came with a reward, but I was never looking for one,” Thompson stated.

Boynton Beach Fire & Rescue collaborated with Perry to invite Thompson for a station tour, during which he was surprised with the scholarship announcement.

Five months after the event, Thompson was also honored with the Carnegie Medal from the Carnegie Hero Fund, awarded to individuals in the U.S. and Canada who risk their lives for others. The medal features the New Testament verse, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends,” (John 15:13).

Sports

History Spotlight: Muhammad Ali, The Greatest of All Time

Muhammad Ali's life is a testament to hard work and determination. Born Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr. in 1942, he hailed from Louisville, Kentucky, and made his mark as one of boxing's greatest.

Ali's boxing career began in his youth, where his skills quickly became evident. At 18, he won a gold medal in the light heavyweight division at the 1960 Rome Olympics, signaling the start of his professional journey.

Outside of boxing, Ali made waves for his outspoken nature. He embraced Islam and changed his name, and when called to serve in the Vietnam War, he declined, citing religious reasons. This decision cost him his titles and sidelined him from the sport for a while.

Ali's return to the ring was impressive. He reclaimed the heavyweight championship multiple times, facing tough opponents like Joe Frazier and George Foreman along the way.

But Ali's impact extended beyond boxing. He used his platform to speak out on civil rights issues and advocate for peace. Even as he battled Parkinson's disease later in life, Ali remained an inspiration to many until his passing in 2016.

Mind Stretchers

⁉️ 

How do you make the number one disappear by adding to it?

Yesterday’s Answers to the Mind Stretchers:
Alone (Alone, Alone) 😉 

Linda Runatz 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 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.