šŸŒž Nano ā€˜Knifeā€™ Treatment

Daily Upsider - Thursday, January 2nd, 2025

Thursday, January 2nd, 2025

Good Morning! šŸŒž 

Did you know that early forms of sunglasses date back to 12th-century China? Judges used flat, smoky quartz lenses to conceal their eyes during court trials, not for sun protection. It wasnā€™t until the 20th century that sunglasses were designed to block UV rays and protect our eyes from the sun!

Todayā€™s Upside

Health Sciences

Nano ā€˜Knifeā€™ Treatment

George, his parents, and his treatment team ā€“ credit: Press handout

After undergoing three rounds of chemotherapy, 2-year-old George from Camden became the youngest patient to receive ā€˜nanoknifeā€™ technology, an experimental cancer treatment that uses electrical currents to target tumor tissue.

Diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma, a type of cancer affecting the liver and bile duct, George was treated with this innovative approach. Dr. Sam Godfrey from Cancer Research UK described the technique as advanced, explaining that it helps surgeons achieve better tumor clearance by using electrical currents.

ā€œThis surgical treatment could shape how children are treated globally,ā€ Dr. Godfrey said.

Georgeā€™s father, Johnathan, shared that the surgeons successfully removed the tumor with clear margins around the liver section. ā€œThis was the news weā€™d been hoping and praying for,ā€ Johnathan said. After 18 months, George was declared cancer-free. The family is proud that Georgeā€™s treatment may contribute to advancements in cancer care for other children.

World News

Global Project of the Year

The dry dock where the tubes were assembled ā€“ credit: CCCC First Harbor Engineering Co. Ltd. courtesy

The Dalian Bay Undersea Tunnel, spanning over two miles beneath the waters of northeastern China, stands as a testament to modern engineering prowess. This remarkable structure connects Dalian City to the mainland, drastically reducing travel time around the bay from an hour to just five minutes. Recognized by Engineering News-Record as the Best Project of the Year, the tunnel exemplifies innovative construction techniques and advanced technologies.

The projectā€™s design drew on extensive research into offshore concrete structures exposed to China's cold marine environment for up to 86 years. This research enabled engineers to predict a 100-year lifespan for the tunnelā€™s concrete components. Sun Zhu, deputy chief engineer at CCCC First Harbor Engineering Co., highlighted that meticulous planning and early-stage technological advancements were pivotal to the tunnel's success. Comprised of 18 massive concrete tubes, each with six traffic lanes, the tunnel features the tightest curve of any undersea tunnel in China, demonstrating both precision and ingenuity.

Constructed in Asia's largest dry dock and sunk 32 meters below the sea surface, each 60,000-ton tube underwent rigorous pre-stressing and testing to ensure durability and flexibility in harsh conditions. A dedicated on-site laboratory facilitated large-scale experiments to optimize the structureā€™s resilience. Completed in just 20 months, the Dalian Bay Undersea Tunnel opened in 2024, marking a significant milestone in engineering and transforming transportation in the region.

Good News

New Year Around the World

As the world rings in 2025, New Year celebrations take on diverse forms, from the iconic Times Square ball drop in New York City to the spectacular fireworks over Sydney Harbour. Each culture adds its unique flavor, whether itā€™s the lively street parties in Rio de Janeiro, the peaceful temple visits in Japan, or the vibrant lantern festivals in Taiwan. With festivities embracing everything from music and dance to solemn rituals, the global excitement is palpable. To discover more about the fascinating traditions and celebrations that light up the start of a new year, check out the full feature through the link below.

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As we step into a new year, itā€™s the perfect moment to reflect on all that we have to be thankful for from the past year. Despite the challenges we may have faced, each moment taught us resilience, growth, and gratitude. From the small victories of personal accomplishments to the unwavering support of friends, family, and colleagues, these are the things that helped us navigate through 2024. Letā€™s not forget the opportunities weā€™ve had to learn, explore, and build connections. As we close this chapter, the new year brings with it a blank slate, brimming with fresh possibilities. Letā€™s embrace it with open hearts, gratitude for whatā€™s been, and excitement for whatā€™s to come. Here's to a year of growth, joy, and endless opportunitiesā€”what a gift it is to look forward to another year of potential.

From all of us here at Daily Upsiderā€”Clemens, Julia, James, and Ninaā€”we thank you for being part of our community. Weā€™re excited to continue this journey together into 2025! šŸŒž 

Mind Stretchers

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Yesterdayā€™s Answers to the Mind Stretchers:

"I hold countless stories, yet I'm not alive. I can take you places, without you needing to drive. I have pages, but I'm not a calendar or a chart. Open me up, and you'll find a work of art." ā€” A book, Linda Runatz got this correct first! šŸŒž 

Be the first to send us the correct answer for todayā€™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.


From the Community

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