Good Morning! 🌞

In one of today’s articles, we talk about architecture. I find that the architecture around me can effect my mood and happiness.

What type of architecture do you tend to like?

Innovation

Opioid Killer

Earlier this year, we wrote a story about the Vending Machine that Saved 900+ Lives. That vending machine contained naloxone nasal spray, a medication that can halt and reverse the effects of opioids such as fentanyl. However, a new compound, combined with naloxone, could be a complete game changer.

Scientists at the University of Florida have discovered a novel compound aimed at enhancing the treatment of opioid overdoses, which claimed over 81,000 American lives last year.

In a study published in the journal Nature, researchers from six laboratories at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Stanford University, and UF identified and tested the compound, called 368. When combined with the drug naloxone, compound 368 enhanced the medication's ability to reverse the lethal effects of opioid overdose.

Naloxone, known by its brand name Narcan, blocks the effects of opioids and can temporarily reverse an opioid overdose. It acts as an antagonist, binding to opioid receptor sites on nerve cells and preventing fentanyl and other opioids from activating them.

Narcan can quickly restore normal breathing in individuals whose respiration has slowed or stopped due to an opioid overdose.

"We have known for a long time that Narcan can save lives," said Jay McLaughlin, Ph.D., a professor of pharmacodynamics at the UF College of Pharmacy. "However, Narcan is short-acting and tends to wear off quickly. If an individual takes a massive dose of fentanyl, then they will go back into respiratory distress when the Narcan wears off."

According to McLaughlin, Narcan also triggers withdrawal symptoms in patients dependent on opioids. The research team discovered that combining compound 368 with low doses of Narcan can reverse respiratory depression without inducing withdrawal symptoms.

Narcan and compound 368 were found to bind at different sites on the opioid receptor, enabling them to complement each other in blocking opioids like fentanyl. This dual binding keeps Narcan attached to the receptor longer, providing extended protection at lower doses against the harmful effects of fentanyl.

World News

A Renaissance is Coming

A small but not insignificant number of our articles involve building of some kind. Sometimes it is about ancient ruins, the reconstruction of Notre Dame, or about a new construction project like the tallest skyscraper in the US.

One of the most fascinating aspects of observing different structures is noticing how beautiful most old buildings are compared to many modern ones. Beautiful houses, streets, and buildings enhance our surroundings, making people happier and more invested in their communities.

For a long time, novelty, “being different,” and “modern” have overshadowed beauty and, at times, practicality. While we shouldn’t merely replicate the past, we can draw inspiration from it to create something new and beautiful.

Similarly, there are many stunning buildings and styles worldwide. Should we copy these exactly? The answer is probably not, as we want our streets to avoid appearing artificial. Instead, we should embrace their beauty and develop our unique styles.

Why has there been a decline in beauty in architecture? It appears that architects are often directed away from traditional aesthetics. However, this trend may be changing.

Health Sciences

Fully Internal Cochlear Implants

Biotech engineers have created the first fully internal cochlear implant, enabling users to engage in activities like movement, exercise, swimming, and everyday tasks without the limitations imposed by external hardware. Traditional cochlear implants, worn externally on the ear or head, often restrict vigorous activities and can be uncomfortable during sleep due to pressure on the temple bones.

Despite these challenges, cochlear implants are widely used worldwide, benefiting over one million people by restoring their hearing abilities. This includes not only older individuals experiencing hearing loss but also infants born deaf or hard of hearing, crucially needing auditory stimulation, especially human voices, for normal social and educational development.

Infants, unaware of the implant's importance, may attempt to tamper with or remove external hardware, necessitating measures like medical tape or childproof headgear to prevent interference. To address these issues and enhance user experience, researchers from MIT, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical School, and Columbia University have developed a groundbreaking cochlear implant designed for internal placement.

The innovative design relies on precise vibrations of a bone in the middle ear canal known as the umbo. Overcoming numerous technical challenges, the team engineered the UmboMic—a compact, 3-millimeter triangular motion sensor utilizing a piezoelectric material called polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF). This material generates electrical charge when compressed, harnessing vibrations from the umbo to power the device.

The UmboMic incorporates a flexible printed circuit board sandwiched with PVDF, optimized by a custom-built low-noise amplifier to enhance signal quality while minimizing electronic interference. This achievement, praised by experts like Karl Grosh from the University of Michigan, demonstrates remarkable performance comparable to commercial hearing aid microphones in terms of bandwidth and noise reduction.

With successful initial tests, the team is now progressing to animal trials, marking a significant step towards advancing cochlear implant technology for improved comfort and functionality.

Mind Stretchers 

⁉️ 

My first is in bridge but not in ridge.
My second is in awake and in mistake.
My third is in danger but not in ranger.
My fourth is in flange and in orange.
My fifth is in spline and in wine.
My last is in river and in diver.
My whole likes the darkness.
What am I?

The answer to yesterday’s Mind Stretcher was:
Replace the number signs with mathematical symbols to make this equation work: 7 # 7 # 77 # 7 # 7 = 497

So… it turns out there is multiple ways of doing this.

Linda Runatz got the first correct answer using 7 ÷ 7 + 77 - 7 × 7. Note: When applying this to a calculator, you have to write it this way (7 ÷ 7 + 77 - 7) × 7.

Sasank Bargawey got it another way using 7+7*77-7*7.

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 this 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.