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Check out this unbelievable video of the biggest waves ever surfed. I just got done watching it and it left my palms sweating…

Innovation

The Cure to Blindness For Millions

Australian ophthalmologist and biotech entrepreneur Professor Gerard Sutton has a vision of the future where curing blindness worldwide could be achieved simply through cell replication and 3D printing technology.

Professor Sutton, co-founder of Bienco, explained that his company has developed both a physical and intellectual product that could soon revolutionize cornea transplants by enabling mass production of natural corneas. Cornea transplantation, a common method to restore sight, traditionally depends on donor availability and is technically complex. The cornea acts as the eye's clear "windscreen," and it being damaged or diseased is a significant portion of non-hereditary blindness around the world.

Reflecting on a poignant experience, Sutton recounted a 2004 trip to Myanmar aimed at alleviating blindness caused by the country’s civil war. He brought four donated corneas and arrived to find a thousand people waiting for treatment, having learned of his visit through local media. From this overwhelming crowd, he could only choose four individuals for transplants, prioritizing young patients. A similar overwhelming situation during a subsequent visit to Cambodia cemented his resolve to find an innovative solution.

Professor Damien Harkin from Queensland University of Technology, part of the Bienco team, highlighted the dire shortage of donor corneas, with one available for every seventy people needing a transplant. Bienco's approach could extend one donor cornea to treat up to thirty individuals through lab cultivation.

Bienco's synthetic corneas are crafted from collagen—a protein found in hair, skin, nails, and connective tissue—which typically forms opaque structures. The challenge was to engineer transparent collagen suitable for corneal transplants.

After successfully managing this, the team turned their focus on developing a way of layering this collagen to form a transplantable cornea structure

Sutton was able to secured AUD$35 million in funding from the Medical Research Future Fund, established by Australia's treasurer, propelling Bienco towards its ambitious goal. Sutton is optimistic that within three to four years they will reach their goal.

You can find the full interview here. (listen or read)

Entertainment

Beatles’ McCartney and Lennon Sons Release Single

A surprising twist in the music scene has caught Beatles fans off guard: James McCartney, son of Paul and Linda McCartney, and Sean Ono Lennon, son of John Lennon and Yoko Ono, have teamed up for a new single titled "Primrose Hill." This unexpected collaboration has stirred interest among fans of the iconic band.

James McCartney announced the release on Instagram, sharing a photo of himself and Sean Ono Lennon, who bear a striking resemblance to their famous fathers. McCartney expressed excitement about sharing the song, which he co-wrote with Lennon, and hinted at more music to come. The inspiration behind "Primrose Hill" harks back to a childhood memory in Scotland, touching on themes of love and introspection.

The promotional efforts for the song involved McCartney's sister, Mary, capturing moments of her brother's performance and the scenic beauty of Primrose Hill. While Sean Ono Lennon has kept quiet about the release, Paul McCartney endorsed the song on social media, showing support for both James and Sean.

Primrose Hill, located in North London, has a reputation as a hotspot for the affluent and famous, drawing celebrities like Jude Law, Liam Gallagher, and Kate Moss, who formed the "Primrose Hill set" in the 1990s.

World News

Endangered Greek Dialect: A Living Link to the Ancient World

An ancient Greek dialect spoken by a dwindling population in remote Turkish mountain villages serves as a unique link to the past, according to researchers. This dialect, known as Romeyka, has characteristics more akin to the language of Homer than to modern Greek. However, with its speakers aging and no written form to preserve it, Romeyka faces the looming threat of extinction.

Quantifying the exact number of Romeyka speakers proves challenging due to its oral nature and the scattered communities around Trabzon. Recognizing the urgency, a University of Cambridge professor initiated the "Crowdsourcing Romeyka" project to document the language's distinct linguistic traits before it disappears forever.

The project encourages native speakers worldwide to contribute recordings of themselves speaking Romeyka, with many anticipated contributors residing in the United States, Australia, and across Europe, forming a dispersed diaspora that still retains connections to their linguistic roots.

Research reveals that Romeyka traces its lineage not from modern Greek but from the Hellenistic form of Greek spoken centuries ago, sharing similarities with ancient Greek that have since vanished in other Greek varieties. This linguistic connection challenges the notion of modern Greek as an "isolate" language, suggesting a more complex linguistic evolution.

The online initiative aims to harness the power of technology to preserve Romeyka as a living language. Yet, the ultimate fate of Romeyka rests with its speakers, who must decide whether to pass it on to future generations.

Sports

Beyond the Game: Kobe Bryant

Kobe Bryant's career in basketball wasn't just impressive; it was defined by concrete achievements that reshaped the sport. From his beginnings as a high school standout to his two decades with the Los Angeles Lakers, Bryant's legacy is marked by tangible success.

Drafted by the Charlotte Hornets in 1996 and swiftly traded to the Los Angeles Lakers, Bryant entered the NBA with high expectations. He quickly proved himself, becoming the youngest player in NBA history at the time and showcasing his scoring ability.

During his tenure with the Lakers, Bryant secured five NBA championships in 2000, 2001, 2002, 2009, and 2010. His contributions to these victories were significant, earning him two NBA Finals MVP awards.

Individually, Bryant's career was also distinguished. He was selected to the NBA All-Star team 18 times, tied for the most in league history. Additionally, he received 11 All-NBA First Team selections and nine NBA All-Defensive First Team honors, highlighting his versatility and defensive skills.

Bryant's scoring prowess was evident throughout his career, culminating in his 81-point performance against the Toronto Raptors in 2006, the second-highest single-game scoring output in NBA history. He retired as the Lakers' all-time leading scorer and ranks fourth on the NBA's all-time scoring list.

Off the court, Bryant's impact extended beyond basketball. He helped popularize the sport internationally and inspired a new generation of fans and players. His creative ventures, including his Academy Award-winning animated short film, "Dear Basketball," showcased his talent beyond the court.

Tragically, Bryant's life was cut short in January 2020 in a helicopter crash, along with his daughter Gianna and seven others. Despite this loss, Bryant's legacy lives on through his achievements and the impact he made both on and off the court.

Since his passing, Bryant's legacy has been honored through jersey retirements, statue unveilings, and the establishment of the Kobe and Vanessa Bryant Family Foundation, dedicated to supporting youth and families in need.

Mind Stretchers

⁉️ 

When I am needed by you, you throw me away, but when I’m of no use, you take me back. What am I?

Answers to yesterday’s Mind Stretchers:
A hand.

Gerry Moore 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 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.