Good Morning! 🌞 

Life is made up of so many mysteries!

One I recently came across is that water's boiling point is scientifically strange. Due to its molecular structure, water boils at a higher temperature than other molecules of similar size. This anomaly is crucial for life, as it allows water to stay liquid across a range of temperatures on Earth, making it a perfect medium for biological processes.

Science

Kids Should Be Taught This

You may have heard about the benefits of learning cursive handwriting. Well, it seems to be getting some more attention from researchers.

While previous research has shown that handwriting improves spelling accuracy, memory recall and conceptual understanding, recent research highlights the cognitive benefits of handwriting over typing, revealing a significant increase in brain connectivity, particularly in areas tied to learning and memory.

Published in "Frontiers in Psychology" on January 26, this study adds substantial evidence to the debate on the merits of handwriting, potentially influencing educational policies toward integrating cursive instruction more robustly, as seen in California's recent educational mandate on teaching cursive.

This investigation, led by Audrey van der Meer and Ruud van der Weel from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, utilized a unique methodology involving electrodes to track brain activity in university students as they engaged in writing tasks. These tasks included writing words in cursive using a digital pen and typing them, with brain activity monitored throughout.

The researchers discovered that handwriting notably increased brain coherence in alpha and theta wave frequencies, areas not just confined to motor execution but also integral to learning mechanisms. This suggests handwriting fosters a deeper, more comprehensive brain engagement than typing, potentially enhancing learning and memory formation.

The implications of these findings are profound, suggesting that the act of handwriting might facilitate deeper learning and memory encoding compared to typing. Although the study did not directly link the increased brain activity to improved memory retention, the observed differences in brain connectivity provide a compelling argument for the unique cognitive benefits of handwriting.

Despite the convenience and efficiency of typing, the study's results prompt a reconsideration of handwriting's role in the digital age, especially within educational settings.

While the study didn't directly link these neural activities to improved memory retention, it lays the groundwork for further exploration into how these distinct brain activation patterns influence learning outcomes. The findings advocate for a balanced approach to learning, where the choice between handwriting and typing is informed by the task's objectives and the benefits each method offers.

Highlighting the importance of maintaining handwriting skills, Van Der Meer advocates, “[Writing is] so good for [young] brains, so we shouldn’t use [this generation] as guinea pigs to see how their brains end up without any handwriting.”.

This is something my mom emphasized a lot when when I was growing up. I am glad to see that it is not being ignored by researchers. Hopefully schools will continue to teach cursive, or will bring it back if they got rid of it!

World News

Japan’s Moon Lander Comes Back to Life

The Japanese space program encountered a significant challenge when their lunar craft, intended to secure Japan's position as the fifth nation to land on the Moon, experienced issues during its landing. The craft ended up in a sideways position with its solar panels facing away from the Sun, leading to a shutdown that jeopardized the entire mission.

Despite the setback, a solution was found, allowing the Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM) to achieve a successful landing, making Japan the fifth nation to accomplish a soft landing on the Moon, joining the ranks of the USA, Soviet Union, China, and India.

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) reported that a change in lighting conditions facilitated the recharge of the lander's batteries, which had been intentionally shut down at the beginning of the mission on January 20th.

This development was crucial for the mission, as the spacecraft executed a pinpoint landing with unprecedented precision, reaching just 180 feet from the target. The success would have been compromised if the craft had remained in its sideways position, losing power immediately.

Moreover, the landing technology used by SLIM holds potential for safely landing spacecraft on lunar hilltops, strategically important for exploring various chemicals like oxygen and hydrogen. These substances could be valuable for future missions, supporting the production of water and air for astronauts.

Entertainment

Joni Mitchell at the Grammy Awards at 80!

Legendary singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell graced the stage of the 66th Grammy Awards last Sunday, February 4th as a performer for the first time at the age of 80.

The Recording Academy had made the announcement in a news release prior to the event, adding the nine-time Grammy winner to a star-studded performance lineup that included Dua Lipa, Burna Boy, Billie Eilish, Olivia Rodrigo, Travis Scott, U2, Luke Combs, and Billy Joel.

Mitchell was a nominee in the Best Folk Album category for her 2023 live album "Joni Mitchell at Newport." The album documented her surprise return to the concert stage at the 2022 Newport Folk Festival in Rhode Island, after 20 years away, according to the Recording Academy. Argentine musician and filmmaker Fito Páez commented on the announcement by Mitchell, the Recording Academy, and CBS, saying, "Wow! What a night!"

The iconic Canadian experimental artist, who had been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997 and won a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Grammys in 2002, was best known for 1970s hits such as "Big Yellow Taxi," "Blue," "Amelia," and "Woodstock."

Sports

US Figure Skater Nathan Chen Finally Secures Gold

After an almost two-year wait, figure skater Nathan Chen is finally set to be awarded a gold medal as part of the US team at the Beijing Olympics. The upgraded position on the podium is a result of Kamila Valieva's four-year ban due to a positive drug test prior to the 2022 Winter Games.

Chen acknowledges the victory for clean sport but emphasizes that the delay is not a win for anyone. The Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) initially claimed the top spot in the team event, but Valieva's ban led to the disqualification of her results, moving the ROC down to the bronze medal position.

Chen, a three-time world champion and gold medalist in the men's singles event, applauds the decision for clean competition. He expresses excitement for the US team, praising their dedication and handling of the situation.

Despite the positive outcome, the reasons behind it cast a shadow, with Valieva's doping ban affecting the integrity of the sport. Chen, who hasn't competed since the 2022 Winter Olympics, remains optimistic about the future of figure skating but hasn't confirmed a return to the ice.

In response to the decision, Skate Canada disagrees with the ISU's placement of its team in fourth and considers appealing. Meanwhile, Japan moves up to the silver medal position behind Team USA.

While Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov insists Valieva remains an Olympic champion to Russia, the controversy surrounding the decision persists. Despite disagreements, the positive aspect is the recognition of clean sport and the dedication of the athletes involved.

Mind Stretchers

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Using only addition, add eight 8s to get the number 1,000.

Yesterday’s Answers to the Mind Stretchers:
 WHAT goes up, MUST go down!

Shutout goes to Albert Knox, who got his answer in 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.