Good Morning! 🌞 

I recently learned that the loudest creature relative to size is the “pistol shrimp”: Despite being only a few centimeters long, the pistol shrimp can produce an incredibly loud sound. By snapping its specialized claw shut at speeds of up to 60 miles per hour (97 kilometers per hour), it creates a cavitation bubble that generates a powerful shock wave and emits a sound reaching up to 218 decibels. This sound is louder than a gunshot and can stun or even kill prey.

Innovation

Non-Surgical Treatment for Crohn’s Disease

A recent clinical trial focused on treatment strategies for Crohn's disease. The trial explored the effectiveness of early advanced therapy, especially with the drug Infliximab. The study included 386 patients newly diagnosed with active Crohn's disease and revealed a tenfold reduction in the need for urgent abdominal surgery with immediate Infliximab treatment.

Conducted by researchers from Cambridge, the study explored the drug infliximab, known for its ability to block the inflammatory cytokine TNF-alpha. Previously, concerns about its cost and side effects limited its use to patients with recurrent flare-ups unresponsive to milder treatments.

The trial compared two groups: one following the standard UK treatment plan and another receiving immediate infliximab after diagnosis. Published in The Lancet Gastroenterology and Hepatology, the results demonstrated that 80% of those receiving immediate infliximab therapy maintained control of their symptom and inflammatory marker throughout the year, compared to only 15% in the standard treatment group.

Patients in the infliximab group also experienced a higher quality of life, reduced steroid medication use, and fewer hospitalizations. Notably, urgent abdominal surgery was required by only one in 193 patients in the immediate infliximab group, compared to one in 20 in the conventional treatment group.

This breakthrough challenges the conventional approach of reserving advanced therapies for severe flare-ups, providing a potential new treatment avenue for Crohn's patients. While there are more affordable anti-TNF drugs, like adalimumab, further research is needed to determine their clinical effectiveness. The researchers anticipate that this marks the beginning of a transformative treatment journey for individuals battling Crohn's disease.

Health Sciences

First Over-the-Counter Glucose Monitor

Dexcom has announced the clearance of its new over-the-counter continuous glucose monitor, Stelo, by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Stelo, which underwent FDA review in February, will be worn on the upper arm and has a lifespan of up to 15 days before replacement. This device will be available for online purchase starting this summer.

Continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) are small sensors that penetrate the skin to monitor glucose levels in real-time, primarily used by diabetes patients. Information from the sensor is transmitted wirelessly to a smartphone, aiding in the detection of emergencies for users, their families, and healthcare providers.

Stelo, Dexcom's latest CGM, is specifically designed for Type 2 diabetes patients who do not require insulin. Notably, it is the first glucose biosensor that does not mandate a prescription, expanding accessibility, particularly for those without insurance coverage for CGMs.

With over 25 million Type 2 diabetes patients in the U.S. who do not use insulin, Dexcom aims to bridge the gap in accessibility. While their existing G7 CGM system serves this population, it necessitates a prescription, limiting its availability.

The FDA's clearance reflects the significance of CGMs in managing blood glucose levels. Dr. Jeff Shuren, director of the FDA's Center for Devices and Radiological Health, highlighted how this clearance facilitates individual access to CGMs without healthcare provider involvement.

Entertainment

How Hollywood Reuses Their Movie Sets

For years, the cycle of building and then discarding movie and TV sets into landfills was the norm in Hollywood. A practice veteran art director Karen Steward knows this all too well. "The dumpsters just line up at the end of the show," she explained, “And there's no talking about it, because it's time to get off the soundstage.".

Steward and her colleagues from the Art Directors Guild have been advocating for change, striving for sustainability and reducing waste within an industry traditionally ruled by the maxims of speed and cost-efficiency. She noted the initial challenges in shifting the mindset, recounting, "We're all about not wasting time, and hurry up, and get it done, and time is money.".

Echoing the urgency of this mission, Earth Angel, a consultancy that assists productions in minimizing their carbon footprints, reported that an average movie or TV show in 2022 was responsible for generating approximately 240 tons of waste, half of which resulted from the disposal of sets and props. Emellie O'Brien, Earth Angel's founder, emphasized the potential for more sustainable practices, stating, "There are definitely more innovative, efficient ways of working. We often just don't give people the space and the breathing room to uncover those solutions."

A practical approach to reducing waste has been the reuse of old sets, as demonstrated by Beachwood Services. This Sony Pictures Entertainment-owned service rents out previously used sets and props, offering a sustainable alternative to building new ones from scratch.

Despite some resistance from art directors wary of compromising their creative vision, Beachwood encourages modification and customization of these assets. Sondra Garcia, director of scenic operations at Beachwood, reassured, "We tell people, 'You're going to put your own spin on it. You're going to paint it. You're going to reconfigure it. And then it is your design.'"

When sets no longer meet the criteria for high-budget productions, they find a new purpose at organizations like EcoSet. This Los Angeles-based entity steps in to prevent these materials from becoming landfill waste by offering them to those in need.

The efficient use of resources and reducing waste is a worthy goal. So it is good to see those wherever they work.

World News

Miyazaki's Second Oscars Win Sparks Asian Talent Celebration

Fans and artists across Japan celebrated significant achievements for the country’s movie industry as Hayao Miyazaki, a renowned anime director, secured his second Oscar, and the iconic Godzilla franchise claimed its inaugural award.

In recent years, there has been a notable rise in recognition for Asian productions and nominees at the Academy Awards. Films like the South Korean thriller "Parasite" made history in 2020 by winning Best Picture, alongside several other awards.

Following this trend, "Everything Everywhere All at Once," a quirky action comedy centered on a Chinese immigrant family in America, dominated the awards last year. This film, highlighting cultural differences, snagged seven awards, including Best Supporting Role for Ke Huy Quan and Best Actress for Michelle Yeoh, both of Asian descent.

This year, the focus shifted to Japan's talent.

Miyazaki's latest animated masterpiece, "The Boy and Heron," clinched the Best Animated Feature Film award, surpassing strong contenders like Disney's "Elemental" and Sony Pictures' "Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse." This victory marked Miyazaki's second Oscar, following the groundbreaking win for "Spirited Away" in 2002, which was the first non-English animation to claim the same category.

Since founding Studio Ghibli in 1985, Miyazaki has become a cultural icon in Japan, renowned for his meticulously crafted hand-drawn animations that often explore profound themes such as death, conflict, and adolescence.
Reflecting on the win, Toshio Suzuki, producer of "The Boy and Heron," noted the film's arduous seven-year journey to completion, emphasizing the challenges faced by both himself and Miyazaki due to their advancing age.

Another notable achievement for Japan at the Oscars was "Godzilla Minus One," which secured the Best Visual Effects award, marking the first Oscar win for the 70-year-old Godzilla franchise. These films have left a significant impact on filmmakers and audiences worldwide, addressing themes of environmental disaster and Japan's historical experiences.
The Japanese Prime Minister and local officials praised the winners for their contributions to global cinema, acknowledging the profound impact of their work on audiences worldwide.

The victories at the Oscars brought joy to Japanese social media users, who saw it as a moment of recognition for their country's cultural contributions, especially amidst recent challenges such as natural disasters and tragedies.
Overall, these wins serve as a beacon of hope for Japan, reminiscent of past moments of triumph amid adversity, demonstrating the enduring resilience and creativity of its people.

Mind Stretchers

⁉️ 

I am an odd number. If you take away one letter from me, I become even. What number am I?

Answers to yesterday’s Mind Stretchers:
Eye 👀 

Tricky working on yesterdays mind stretcher. Looks like no one got this one today. The word “be” was the most popular answer. It is a good answer, just not the correct one. 😞 

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.