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Health Sciences

Miraculous Recovery

Jacob Haendel, once considered “brain dead,” made history by becoming the first person to recover from an advanced form of locked-in syndrome. This rare condition left him fully paralyzed, unable to speak or even blink, effectively cutting him off from the world around him. In 2017, while working as a head chef in Boston, Jacob was diagnosed with acute toxic progressive leukoencephalopathy, a disease that can result from brain trauma, infection, or toxins. The diagnosis meant he faced months of mounting symptoms—dizziness, a high-pitched voice, and balance issues—that led to complete paralysis. When he could no longer blink, his doctors predicted he would soon enter a coma and pass away.

However, ten months later, a nurse observed a slight movement in his wrist, sparking a new chapter in Jacob’s fight for life. Focusing all his energy, he regained the ability to blink and communicate, finally expressing to his family, “I love you.” Over the next 18 months, Jacob relearned basic movements and speech, culminating in his ability to walk again by December 2020. His survival marked a world-first recovery from stage 4 acute toxic progressive leukoencephalopathy, and he returned home as the only known survivor of this disease.

Since then, Jacob has co-founded Ahoi, a mobile app dedicated to helping people with disabilities navigate accessibility challenges. Reflecting on his journey, Jacob, now 35, describes a shift in his outlook. While the experience was deeply traumatic, it has led him to appreciate the small moments of life. “Before this happened, I was always fun and outgoing, but deep down, I was sad and depressed. Now, I truly appreciate the little things,” he says, grateful for the second chance that has transformed his life and purpose.

Lifestyle

Aging and Positivity

A recent study from Penn State reveals that a person’s attitudes toward aging may play a significant role in preserving cognitive health in later years. Societal expectations about aging—such as beliefs about gray hair, wrinkles, and forgetfulness—often shape how individuals perceive their cognitive abilities. According to the research, these attitudes can directly influence how people experience cognitive decline, with those holding more positive views of aging reporting fewer issues, like trouble concentrating or forgetting tasks.

Nikki Hill, an associate professor at Penn State, highlights that changing people's expectations about aging can have a real impact on how they interpret and manage cognitive changes over time. Past studies have shown that negative views of aging correlate with faster physical and cognitive decline, while positive views are linked to behaviors that support well-being, such as regular exercise. Hill’s study dives deeper into how aging expectations may affect perceptions of cognitive ability, an area with limited prior research. For instance, individuals who expect their cognitive function to deteriorate may experience more noticeable declines, even if their cognitive changes are within a normal range.

Surveying 581 adults aged 65 and older, the study found that positive aging expectations were associated with fewer self-reported cognitive issues, whereas negative expectations led to more reports of decline. Positive views on aging in any area—whether physical, mental, or cognitive—were linked to improved cognitive assessments. The researchers hope that addressing and reshaping aging expectations, especially those influenced by stereotypes, will encourage healthier responses to cognitive changes. They plan further studies to explore how healthcare providers can better engage patients in conversations about aging and cognitive health, aiming to foster more positive health outcomes as people grow older.

Environment

7,800 Species Documented

Birding organizations worldwide recently joined forces to organize the largest citizen science project in ornithology history, an event known as "Big Day." This ambitious project brought together birdwatchers from 201 countries for a one-day mission to document as many bird species as possible. Inspired by the concept of a “Big Year” in birding—where enthusiasts try to observe the most bird species in a calendar year—the Big Day set a record for single-day participation and data collection in bird science.

On the Big Day, an impressive 7,800 bird species were recorded globally, with 748,000 birders contributing 66,000 photos to a growing scientific library. The initiative was organized by eBird, the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Merlin, and various birding groups, whose collective efforts spotlighted the power of citizen science. Highlights included a 229% surge in checklist submissions from Italy’s eBird Italia, the highest species count in Africa recorded in Tanzania (772 species), and Colombia's remarkable performance, achieving the highest number of bird sightings due to its rich diversity of endemic species. India led Asia with 750 documented species, demonstrating the widespread enthusiasm for the project.

The success of the Big Day underscores the value of citizen science in conservation. By gathering vast amounts of data across diverse regions, these initiatives help scientists monitor bird populations, diversity, and trends without the prohibitive costs of large-scale research teams. This data is essential for effective bird conservation strategies. Following the success of this year's event, the next Big Day is scheduled for May 10th, offering another opportunity to make a significant contribution to bird science.

Mind Stretchers

❓️ 

Yesterday’s Mind Stretchers:

I am a plant you use in food, and my name consists of 5 letters. Remove the first letter of my name, and you'll get a form of energy. Get rid of two, and you'll get something necessary for life. Scramble together the last 3 letters, and you can drink it.

What am I? ——

Wheat!

Heat

Eat

Tea

— Jared Garretson got this 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]

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.