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A few days ago we asked you if you preferred our old font better, or the new one we used that day. Unfortunately it was an almost perfect draw, so we decided to use the new font for a few weeks and then run another poll to see if those of you, who liked the old font better, still feel strongly about that.

US News

US Crime Rate Has Historic Drop

The FBI released its latest Uniform Crime Reporting survey recently, revealing a significant positive trend across the US, with both violent and property crimes dropping by double digits.

Data from the first quarter of 2024 shows that reported violent crime decreased by 15.2 percent compared to the same period in 2023.

Specifically, murder rates fell by over 26 percent, rape incidents decreased by 25.7 percent, robbery cases dropped by 17.8 percent, and aggravated assault reports went down by 12.5 percent.

Property crime also saw a decline, with a reduction of just over 15 percent.

The report includes data from more than 18,000 law enforcement agencies at the city, county, state, tribal, university and college, and federal levels.

This is a pretty incredible drop in crime. It is a good thing to see after the crime spikes of the last couple years. It is too easy to be sucked into the negative, main-stream news cycle. I think it is always important that we take note when things get better. That is what we are trying to do here at Daily Upsider.

Innovation

College Lab Makes 3D Printed Arms

12-year-old Aubrey Sauvie never let her lack of hands stop her from pursuing Tae Kwon Do, art, or doing her own makeup.

Born a triple congenital amputee and missing both arms from below the elbows and several toes on one foot, Aubrey quickly showed her family she didn't need much accommodation. “It’s just one part of me,” Aubrey told WKRN. “It doesn’t define me. Learning was a challenge, but over time it became easier.”

Aubrey’s family album is full of pictures of her in dance competitions, breaking boards with a flying side-kick, and playing snare drum in her school band with drumsticks in her elbow creases. But playing the snare didn't produce the sound she wanted. Her middle school band teacher suggested she join the Tennessee Tech University program, Engineering for Kids, where 10 students made it their project to create custom prosthetics for her to play the drums.

The students designed a 3D-printed pair of durable, flexible prosthetics with interchangeable grips. Tennessee Tech Professor of Mechanical Engineering Stephen Canfield called it a one-in-a-million shot. The students spent the semester taking measurements and testing prototypes. Their hard work paid off, surprising them and delighting Aubrey.

Now, Aubrey enjoys the proper snap of a snare hit and dreams of playing a full drum kit.

Environment

Coldplay's New Album Made from River Plastic

Coldplay has announced a new album, "Moon Music," which includes a limited edition vinyl record made from plastic removed from Rio Las Vacas in Guatemala.

The band teamed up with Dutch non-profit The Ocean Cleanup, which aims to remove plastic from oceans and waterways. While The Ocean Cleanup is known for its work in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, it also targets river systems. In 2023, their Interceptor 006 system was deployed in the Rio Las Vacas to prevent plastic from reaching the Gulf of Honduras.

The captured plastic has been sorted, blended, tested, and used to create Coldplay’s limited edition vinyl, named the Notebook Edition LP. This record is made of 70% river plastic and 30% recycled plastic bottles.

Coldplay supports The Ocean Cleanup financially, sponsors Interceptor 005 in Malaysia’s Klang River, and promotes the organization’s mission during their Music of the Spheres tour.

“Coldplay is an incredible partner for us,” said Boyan Slat, Founder and CEO of The Ocean Cleanup. “Our work with them ensures the plastic we collect never re-enters the marine environment. I’m excited to continue innovating with Coldplay and our other partners to rid the oceans of plastic.”

"Moon Music" is set for release on October 4th.

Mind Stretchers

⁉️ 

How do you make the number 7 even without addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division?

Yesterday’s Answers to the Mind Stretchers:
Death sentence (the period at the end makes it a sentence) 😆 

Albert Knox got the correct answer 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] or reply to 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.