Good Morning! 🌞

Do you know that earthy, rich scent that happens when rain falls on soil after a dry spell? There is actually a word for this, it is “petrichor”.

Petrichor is derived from Ancient Greek words pétra or pétros which mean “rock” or “stone”, and ikhṓr, which is the blood of the immortals in Greek myth.

In the 1960s two scientists set about finding the cause of the scent. They found that the scent was produced by a certain type of bacteria found in most healthy soil. The bacteria releases molecule called geosmin which is were the smell comes from.

Humans are very sensitive to the smell, and most find it very pleasant. Geosmin is apparently a relatively common ingredient in perfumes. The two scientists, Isabel Joy Bear and Richard Thomas, were the ones who named the smell petrichor.

Economy

Marines Achieve Amazing First

The United States Marine Corps recently achieved a significant milestone. For the first time, the Marine Corps has successfully passed its audit, marking it as the first branch of the U.S. military to do so.

In late February, the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General announced that the Marine Corps had received an unmodified opinion for its two-year audit. According to the Inspector General's office, auditors were able to "obtain sufficient, appropriate audit evidence to determine that the financial statements present fairly the financial position and results of operations." The comprehensive audit scrutinized $46.3 billion in assets.

Gen. Christopher J. Mahoney, the Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps, praised the monumental effort, stating, “This audit reflects the hard work of hundreds of Marines and civilians. They have put an incredible amount of effort into some groundbreaking work. We have enjoyed the best teamwork I have ever witnessed across the department. Now, we can take what we’ve learned and share across the DOD enterprise to improve fiscal processes for all the military services.”

The journey to this achievement has spanned over a decade, with a preliminary audit in 2012 failing to produce a reliable report. Full-scale audits commenced in the fiscal year 2017, and until this two-year period, all attempts had been unsuccessful.

The audit process was thorough, involving the examination of over 3,000 documents and visits to more than 70 sites by Ernst & Young auditors. They reviewed millions of items, including vehicles and ammunition, and scrutinized financial records to ensure full accountability of expenditures.

This success marks a rare win for military accounting, especially as the American military's budget has consistently increased. Yet, the Department of Defense has struggled to account for its vast resources and assets, with other military branches failing their audits.

The Pentagon itself has not passed an audit for six consecutive years. Michael McCord, the Pentagon’s comptroller, acknowledged the progress but admitted that a "clean" audit remains a distant goal, stating, "things are showing progress but it’s not enough."

The Marine Corps' audit being one of 29 different reports, is just a small portion of the $3.8 trillion in assets and $4 trillion in liabilities the Pentagon has to account for. But it is a start, so congrats to the Marines.

I must say it makes me feel a bit better about my own financial bookkeeping. Also, maybe the IRS should go bother the Pentagon for a while, I think they need it more than we do. 😂 

World News

Poverty Rate in India Drops Below 5%

Mother Teresa's work in Calcutta showed post-independence India as a poverty-stricken nation, but current trends suggest a significant economic turnaround.

According to the National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) consumer-expenditure survey, official poverty levels have dropped to below 5%. The most recent survey, a decade after the last, categorized respondents by income, revealing that average monthly expenditure per capita is 3,773 rupees ($45) in rural households and 6,459 rupees ($78) in urban households.

This represents the narrowest gap in monthly spending between urban and rural Indians ever recorded by the NSSO. Over the past decade, both urban and rural households have experienced a 2.5-fold increase in consumption, indicating progress in poverty reduction.

While the use of consumption as an economic indicator has its flaws, the NSSO argues that their data supports the claim that poverty in India has fallen below 5%. Furthermore, the NSSO observed a decrease in spending on cereals and grains and an increase in expenditure on fruit, vegetables, dairy products, and processed foods, suggesting a shift in dietary patterns reflecting improved economic conditions.

Culture

National Napping Day!

National Napping Day, observed annually on March 11th, encourages people to take a break and indulge in a brief nap. While the concept may sound lighthearted, the benefits of napping are backed by scientific research. This day serves as a reminder of the importance of rest and rejuvenation in our fast-paced lives.

The Significance of Napping

Napping has long been associated with increased alertness, improved mood, and enhanced cognitive performance. Taking a short nap can provide a mental reset, making individuals more productive and focused. Despite the potential benefits, napping is often overlooked or dismissed in our culture that values constant activity.

The Science Behind Napping

Studies have shown that a short nap of around 20 minutes can enhance alertness and performance without causing the grogginess associated with longer naps. This brief period allows the brain to enter the first two stages of non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep, leading to improved memory and overall cognitive function.

National Napping Day Origins

National Napping Day was first observed in 1999 by Dr. William Anthony, a professor at Boston University, and his wife, Camille Anthony. It is the day after the return of daylight saving time when many people lose an hour of sleep. A gentle nudge to prioritize rest.

A Cultural Shift

In a society that often glorifies busyness and sleep deprivation, National Napping Day encourages a shift in perspective. Embracing the art of napping is not a sign of laziness but rather a smart and strategic approach to maintaining mental and physical well-being.

Environment

American Marten to Return to PA Forests After 100 Years

Pennsylvania's Bureau of Wildlife Management is working on a plan to bring back the American marten to the state after it disappeared a century ago. They want to discuss creating a non-protected marten population in April to see how it affects the existing ecosystems.

The American marten, weighing between 1 and 3 pounds, eats insects, fish, plants, rodents, and other stuff. The Game Commission's Feasibility Assessment found that martens mainly go for rodents based on research from other states.

Some folks against the reintroduction worry that these smart predators might harm game species like grouse and wild turkey or endangered species like the northern goshawk. However, the diet research during the Feasibility Assessment didn't show martens going after species like turkey or the northern goshawk.

The Bureau of Wildlife Management believes bringing back martens will balance the ecosystem by increasing biodiversity and restoring processes like seed dispersal and rodent population management. A recent survey found mixed opinions among hunters, with 37% in favor, 32% opposed, and 31% neutral.

To address concerns from those against it, the Bureau plans to gather more information and share it at the April meeting.

Mind Stretchers 

⁉️ 

What word has kst in the middle, in the beginning, and at the end?

The answer to yesterday’s Mind Stretcher was:
A goose 🤣 (down feathers)

Shout-out goes to Galen Garretson who got the answer correct answer!

The most popular answer I saw was a plant or a tree. Those are very good answers, just not goofy enough for us apparently. 😅 

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 this 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.