Good Morning! 🌞 

If yesterdays article about Göbekli Tepe intrigued you, you may be interested in the netflix series “Ancient Apocalypse” may interest you. Hosted by journalist Graham Hancock, it explores the idea that an advanced civilization may have existed during the last Ice Age, far earlier than mainstream archaeology suggests.

The show takes viewers to ancient sites around the world, like Göbekli Tepe and Gunung Padang, presenting evidence and theories that challenge conventional historical timelines and proposing that a catastrophic event may have wiped out this advanced culture, leaving behind clues in ancient myths and ruins.

Innovation

Teens Create Ultrasound Waves Device to Remove Microplastics

Two high school students have developed a novel water filtration device that uses sound waves to remove microplastics from water. The device, which leverages high-frequency acoustic waves to trap up to 94% of microplastic particles in a single pass, has shown promise in lab tests. The students are now using prize money from a prestigious award to scale up their invention.

Microplastics are pervasive, found in the atmosphere, on Mount Everest, and in the deepest parts of the ocean. They have also been detected in various human organs. Their ability to effect human hormone production and health is a very real concern. Addressing this widespread contamination is challenging, but Justin Huang and Victoria Ou from Woodlands, Texas, may have found a solution.

Their device, no larger than a pen, uses ultrasonic sound waves to push microplastics away from the water's exit point. This method improves on previous designs that used ultrasonic waves to address microplastics in wastewater and drinking water.

After receiving the Gordon E. Moore Award for Positive Outcomes for Future Generations and first place in Earth and Environmental Sciences at the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) in Los Angeles, Huang and Ou plan to refine their technology. They hope to enhance it with professional equipment and prepare it for large-scale production.

During their research, they discovered that wastewater treatment plants lack effective microplastic regulation due to cost and regulatory gaps. Huang and Ou envision their technology being used in wastewater treatment plants, industrial textile facilities, rural water sources, laundry machines, and even fish tanks.

Space

The Pillars of Creation

A team at NASA has unveiled a breathtaking new visualization of the Pillars of Creation, a stunning space formation made famous by NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope in 1995. These ethereal structures, located at the heart of the Eagle Nebula, have captivated astronomers and the public alike for decades.

The new 3D visualization, is a combination of data from the Hubble Space Telescope and NASA’s cutting-edge James Webb Space Telescope. The visualizer presents a detailed multi-wavelength movie that allows viewers to explore the towering star-birthing structures in three dimensions. This immersive experience goes beyond the flat, two-dimensional images typically captured by telescopes, taking viewers on a journey through the pillars’ intricate structures. Having multiple space telescopes that view different aspects and layers is what gives us the ability to reconstruct these object more clearly.

NASA noted that this new visualization demonstrates how two of the world’s most powerful space telescopes work together to provide a more comprehensive portrait of the pillars. Hubble captures objects glowing in visible light, which are at thousands of degrees, while Webb’s infrared vision, sensitive to cooler objects at just hundreds of degrees, penetrates through dust to reveal stars embedded within the pillars.

“When we combine observations from NASA’s space telescopes across different wavelengths of light, we broaden our understanding of the universe,” said Mark Clampin, Director of the Astrophysics Division at NASA Headquarters in Washington. “The Pillars of Creation region continues to offer us new insights that hone our understanding of how stars form. Now, with this new visualization, everyone can experience this rich, captivating landscape in a new way.”

The Eagle Nebula, home to the Pillars of Creation, stretches 9.5 light-years across and lies in the Sagittarius Arm of the Milky Way in the constellation Serpens. The towering pillars span more than twice the distance from our sun to its nearest star, making them an awe-inspiring feature of our galaxy.

Culture

The Rise of Slow Living

The slow living movement promotes a deliberate, mindful lifestyle that prioritizes quality over speed. Originating from the slow food movement of the 1980s, which focused on sustainable eating practices, slow living now encompasses various aspects of life, including work, consumption, relationships, and well-being.

Core Principles:

1. Mindfulness: Engaging fully in the present moment, which research shows can reduce stress and improve mental health.

2. Simplicity: Minimizing material possessions, linked to higher happiness and life satisfaction.

3. Work-Life Balance: Advocating for a balanced approach to work and personal life to reduce burnout.

4. Nature Connection: Reconnecting with nature, which has been proven to lower stress and enhance mood.

5. Community: Fostering strong relationships and community ties, which positively impact mental health.

6. Sustainability: Emphasizing environmentally conscious practices like reducing waste and supporting local businesses.

While not universally applicable, the slow living movement offers a meaningful alternative to the fast-paced, consumer-driven culture, encouraging individuals to align their lives with their values and well-being.

Here’s a really insightful video of how this creator manage a “slow life” while working a full 9-5.

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Mind Stretchers

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I come from a mine and get surrounded by wood always. Everyone uses me. What am I?

Answers to yesterday’s Mind Stretchers:
What is cut on a table, but is never eaten? -A deck of cards!

Albert Knox got the correct answer first! We had some great alternative answers this time. Including, but not limited to “fabric/cloth”, “a deal”, and “a baby’s teeth”. All of those are great answers. The teeth one I was not expecting though. 😄 

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 the 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.