Good Morning! 🌞

“Christmas is the spirit of giving without a thought of getting. It is happiness because we see joy in people. It is forgetting self and finding time for others. It is discarding the meaningless and stressing the true values.” ~ Thomas S. Monson

A reminder I needed today 😉 

Economy

Vertex Pharmaceuticals' Stock Soars as Non-Opioid Painkiller Shows Promise

Vertex Pharmaceuticals, a leading biotechnology company, recently made headlines as their stock price jumped following the successful mid-stage trial results of their non-opioid painkiller, VX-548. The drug, which targets peripheral neuropathic pain often suffered by diabetics, has shown great promise in providing pain relief without the addictive potential of opioid medications.

Background

Vertex Pharmaceuticals is a well-known name in the biotech industry, with a history of developing innovative treatments for various health conditions. The company's latest venture, VX-548, aims to provide a non-opioid alternative for pain management, a much-needed solution in the face of the ongoing opioid crisis.

The Trial Results

In the recent phase 2 trials, VX-548 demonstrated significant pain reduction among diabetic patients suffering from chronic nerve conditions. The drug's NaV1.8-inhibiting properties were found to be effective in reducing pain levels by an average of 20%, with over 30% of the trial participants experiencing a pain reduction of more than 50%.

Market Reaction

Following the positive trial results, Vertex Pharmaceuticals' stock price jumped, reaching an all-time high. Investors and industry experts are optimistic about the potential of VX-548 to revolutionize pain management and provide a safer alternative to opioid-based medications.

This is a great thing to see research and work on. Opioid painkillers can cause a lot of problems and having a safe alternative could be huge positive turn in the world of pharmaceutical medicine.

Culture

“Gypsy” Transforms Junk into Tiny Wonderland for Granddaughter

A Cheyenne Man— Known as Uncle Gypsy to some or just Gypsy to most, has been constructing his own tiny home south of Cheyenne for the past few years. His goal is to pass this on to his 21-year-old granddaughter, Kianna when the time comes.

In contrast to the average cost of $52,000 for a professionally built tiny home, Gypsy has invested only $5,000, primarily using salvaged materials from old RVs. He has shouldered much of the construction himself, with a friend assisting in moving a 100-gallon water tank into place.

Living off the grid, Gypsy relies on a combination of ingenuity and community support. His tiny home features upcycled items, a 400-watt inverter, and a commitment to renewable energy once his solar panels and wind turbine are installed.

Gypsy's journey doesn't end there; he plans to take his tiny home on the road, settling on a friend's property west of Cheyenne to oversee and exchange electrical work. Here’s some pictures of his tiny home if you would like to see them.

Sports

2023’s Top 10 Mega Soccer Transfers

1. Ronaldo's Gulf Switch: Manchester United to Al Nassr

   • Cristiano Ronaldo's surprising move to Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia shakes up the soccer landscape.

2. Messi's Miami Move: PSG to Inter Miami

   • Lionel Messi's unexpected transfer to Inter Miami in Major League Soccer marks a pivotal shift for the Argentine legend.

3. Caicedo's Blue Transition: Brighton to Chelsea

   • Chelsea secures Moises Caicedo for a record-breaking 100 million pounds, hoping for a turnaround under Mauricio Pochettino.

4. Rice's Gunner Gamble: West Ham to Arsenal

   • Arsenal shatters their transfer record with a strategic move, acquiring Declan Rice from West Ham in a hard-fought deal.

5. Kane's German Glory: Tottenham to Bayern Munich

   • Harry Kane's prolific start at Bayern Munich after leaving Tottenham highlights a successful move to Germany.

6. Mane's Saudi Shift: Bayern Munich to Al Nassr

   • Sadio Mane joins Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia, linking up with Cristiano Ronaldo for a new chapter in his career.

7. Bellingham's Galactico Rise: Borussia Dortmund to Real Madrid

   • Jude Bellingham's rise from Birmingham City to Real Madrid showcases his Galactico potential with 12 goals in 14 games.

8. Neymar's Saudi Saga: PSG to Al Hilal

   • Neymar ditches PSG for Al Hilal in the Saudi Pro League, opting for a change of scenery in pursuit of Champions League success.

9. Benzema's Saudi Switch: Real Madrid to Al Ittihad

   • Karim Benzema, a Real Madrid stalwart, moves to Al Ittihad in Saudi Arabia, adding to the SPL champions' star-studded lineup.

10. Hojlund's Red Venture: Atalanta to Manchester United

    • Rasmus Hojlund's 64-million-pound move to Manchester United signals a youthful addition as the club undergoes a transition.

Environment

Owl Nestles into Kentucky Family's Christmas Tree

A Kentucky family found a surprise in their Christmas tree this year: a baby owl.

Michele White, a resident of Lexington, shared that the family's routine of getting a Christmas tree went as usual. They had the tree for four days without noticing anything unusual, despite constant activity in the room.

Bobby Hayes, owner of Magic Carpet Cleaning, was at the home while the family was out and noticed the owl when he plugged in his equipment and saw the tree move unexpectedly. He found the owl sitting on a lower limb.

Hayes sent photos to White, who was glad he was there to handle the situation. He safely released the owl in the family's backyard, and with a touch of humor, remarked "Everybody’s going to be able to have a merry Christmas now."

Mind Stretchers

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Who has married many women but was never married?

Answer to yesterday’s Mind Stretcher: It’s ajar… get it?

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.