Good Morning 🌞

Here’s a crazy fact:

Your brain uses about 20% of your body’s energy!

That is despite making up only 2% of your body weight, the brain is a major energy consumer in the body.

Environment

‘Mystery Mollusk’

A remarkable new species of sea slug, Bathydevius caudactylus, has been discovered in the dark depths of the ocean’s midnight zone, over 8,500 feet (2,600 meters) below the surface. Nicknamed the “mystery mollusk,” this 5.6-inch (14.5 cm) hermaphroditic creature has evolved a range of unique adaptations for survival in this extreme environment. Among these adaptations are a large, gelatinous hood for trapping prey, a paddle-like tail, and an ability to bioluminesce—a rare trait that adds to its survival arsenal in these remote depths.

Marine biologists from the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI) first encountered the mysterious slug in 2000 using the ROV Tiburon, a remotely operated vehicle capable of exploring the deep ocean. After more than 150 sightings and extensive study, MBARI scientists published a comprehensive description in Deep-Sea Research, finally classifying B. caudactylus as a nudibranch, a type of sea slug typically found in shallower waters. Its discovery is significant, as it is the first nudibranch known to inhabit the bathypelagic zone, between 3,300 and 13,100 feet deep.

The species has developed a suite of survival mechanisms that fascinate researchers. Its hood acts as a trap, snapping shut on crustaceans in a manner similar to a Venus flytrap. The slug’s transparent body aids in camouflage, while its bioluminescence provides both deterrence against predators and a means of distraction, as it can shed a glowing part of its tail to confuse potential threats. MBARI’s advanced underwater technology has enabled scientists to capture high-resolution, full-color footage of this rare creature in action, shedding new light on life in the ocean’s most mysterious depths. “This discovery highlights how much remains unknown in the deep ocean,” said MBARI scientist Dr. Steven Haddock, underscoring the importance of technological innovations in exploring Earth’s final frontiers.

Good News

4-Year-Old Defies Odds

Four-year-old Scottie Mae Blair, once believed to be unable to walk, has taken her first steps, defying medical expectations. Initially diagnosed with Angelman syndrome—a rare genetic disorder causing severe physical and learning disabilities—doctors told her parents she would likely never walk, talk, or live independently. However, at age two, a revised diagnosis of DUP15q syndrome offered new hope, as this condition, though still challenging, presented better developmental prospects. “Seeing her take her first steps was incredible—it felt like all the hard work paid off,” said her mother, Logan, from Tucson, Arizona. Scottie Mae’s sisters, her biggest supporters, celebrated with her, marking this milestone as a turning point. As she enters a new phase of independence, her family looks forward to the day when she’ll walk on her own, confident that their perseverance and support have helped her take each precious step.

Culture

You Won’t Believe How Much AI Art is Selling For…

An AI-generated painting of World War II codebreaker Alan Turing has fetched an impressive $1,084,800 (£836,667) at auction, far surpassing its estimated price range of $120,000 (£90,252) to $180,000 (£139,000). The digital artwork, titled A.I. God, attracted 27 bids at Sotheby’s, signaling significant interest in AI-generated art. This portrait of Turing, crafted by Ai-Da, a humanoid robot, marks a new chapter in art history, as it became the first artwork by a humanoid robot to be sold at auction.

Turing, celebrated as a pioneer in computer science and artificial intelligence, is renowned for his critical role in decrypting the Nazi Enigma code during World War II and for laying the groundwork for modern computing. Sotheby’s noted that the sale of this portrait represents a milestone in the art market, highlighting the expanding influence of AI technology in creative fields and its resonance with global audiences. The piece was purchased by an undisclosed buyer, who closed the sale as the auction ended at 19:00 GMT on Thursday.

Ai-Da Robot, equipped with an advanced AI language model, remarked that her work "serves as a catalyst for dialogue about emerging technologies," encouraging viewers to ponder the ethical and societal implications of AI's rapid development. Aidan Meller, director of Ai-Da Robot Studios, echoed this sentiment, calling the sale a significant moment in visual arts and emphasizing that A.I. God provokes thought on agency and power as AI becomes increasingly integrated into society and the arts.

Mind Stretchers

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What can you catch but not throw?

Yesterday’s Mind Stretchers:

• The 4th image! Jennifer Thornwell got this right 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 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.