Good morning! 🌞 

Did you know sloths are so slow algae grows on their fur? It’s their secret camouflage, turning laziness into a survival strategy! 🦥 

Earth Sciences

Multivitamins to Help Coral Reefs

Scientists at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) are testing whether nutrient-infused materials can improve coral resilience to environmental stressors like rising ocean temperatures and extreme weather. The team has been experimenting with tiles containing essential micronutrients such as manganese, zinc, and iron, which could bolster coral health and recovery. The research involves embedding these nutrient-rich tiles into a 20-square-meter artificial reef structure designed by the University of the Virgin Islands (UVI). "We're studying how corals respond to substrates infused with critical nutrients," said Colleen Hansel, a senior scientist at WHOI.

Lab tests over the past year have shown promising results: corals exposed to the nutrients were more resistant to heat stress and recovered faster after simulated climate impacts. Although field trials have faced delays due to warming waters and an active hurricane season, the artificial reef is set to serve as a habitat for juvenile corals and a base for larvae to settle. The tiles will release nutrients into the surrounding waters, helping corals build resilience. "We're placing this structure next to a natural reef heavily damaged by marine heat waves and storms," explained UVI coral disease ecologist Marilyn Brandt. In addition to restoring coral habitat, the reef will help protect the shoreline from storm surges and erosion.

Researchers remain cautious about potential risks, such as favoring specific coral species or encouraging invasive growth. "The goal is to create a balanced, diverse ecosystem," Hansel emphasized. "Healthy reefs are not just about corals but include sponges, anemones, and other critical components." WHOI has led several coral restoration breakthroughs, including a project earlier this year where broadcasting the sounds of healthy reefs spurred coral growth in degraded areas. Scientists believe the noise attracts coral larvae, guiding them to suitable habitats. If successful, these nutrient-enhanced methods could become vital tools for restoring reefs under threat from climate change.

Good News

Free Coffee if You Come Dancing

A sign at the entrance of a Massachusetts coffee shop read: “Walk in and give us your BEST dance moves for 5 seconds.” It was a simple idea that sparked a social media frenzy. Coffee Milano Cafe in Middleborough borrowed the concept from a pizza shop's promotion aimed at drawing in customers. The goal was to showcase the café's cozy interior and great coffee, but the stunt exceeded expectations, racking up 7.6 million views on TikTok.

“We thought it’d just be a fun thing for our regulars,” said Olivia Svenson, barista and social media director, in an interview with ABC News. “It wasn’t about free coffee,” Svenson added. “People loved it because they got to express themselves.”

Riding the viral wave, the café is now planning a Black Friday twist on the idea, including a potential “dance with your dog” event.

Environment

7,000 Year-Old Hazelnuts

Groundbreaking research on the First Nations of British Columbia has uncovered evidence of extensive hazelnut cultivation by these communities across vast forested regions. Indigenous groups such as the Gitxsan, Ts’msyen, and Nisga’a have long preserved oral traditions describing the intentional cultivation of beaked hazelnuts. These traditions challenge the conventional distinction between hunter-gatherers and agriculturalists, highlighting the sophisticated land management practices of First Nations. Beaked hazelnuts, known for their ability to release seeds after forest fires, were historically harvested through fire management techniques practiced by Indigenous peoples.

Chelsey Geralda Armstrong of Simon Fraser University led a study investigating whether these historical interactions left genetic imprints in hazelnut populations. Her team analyzed 219 hazelnut samples from three regions, examining nearly 9,650 genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). The findings revealed genetic clusters inconsistent with natural seed dispersal, such as those caused by gravity or animals. Instead, shared genetic lineages spanning over 400 miles strongly suggested human intervention, including intentional transport and planting of hazelnuts by First Nations ancestors.

The study found hazelnut trees concentrated near Temlaxam, an ancient site significant to the Ts’msyen, Gitanyow, Gitxsan, and Nisga’a peoples. Archaeological evidence, including hazelnut pollen dating back 7,000 years, supports the hypothesis that these communities transported and cultivated hazelnuts across regions. This research aligns with similar forest management patterns seen in the Amazon, demonstrating that pre-agricultural forest cultivation was widespread in the Americas. The findings could have profound implications, potentially strengthening Indigenous land claims in an ongoing case before the Canadian Supreme Court by providing genetic evidence of long-term land stewardship by First Nations.

Mind Stretchers

❓️ 

What gets sharper the more you use it?

Yesterday’s Mind Stretchers:

—- A growing concern! — Albert Knox got this correct 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]

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