Good Morning! 🌞 

Did you know that the largest known living organism on Earth is not a whale or an elephant, but a fungus? The Armillaria ostoyae, commonly known as the honey fungus, found in Oregon's Malheur National Forest, covers an estimated 2,385 acres (nearly 3.7 square miles). It's believed to be thousands of years old and primarily exists underground, with its mushroom-like fruiting bodies emerging above ground.

More on mushrooms in today’s newsletter!

Economy

The Truth About Remote Work

Remote work has been a popular trend since the pandemic, but a recent study published in Nature raises questions about its impact on innovation. Researchers from Oxford University and the University of Pittsburgh analyzed 20 million scientific studies and 4 million patent applications from the past half-century to compare the results of in-person and remote collaboration.

The findings suggest that in-person collaboration leads to more groundbreaking discoveries and innovations, particularly when team members are located in the same city. The study's authors attribute this to the spontaneous and creative interactions that occur when people work together in person.

However, this doesn't mean that all companies should revert to full-time on-site work. The study's authors acknowledge that remote work has its benefits, particularly in terms of cost savings and recruiting advantages. Instead, companies should consider implementing policies based on specific teams and functions, rather than treating all employees the same.

For companies that do want to encourage innovation, the study offers some suggestions. Rather than letting senior employees come up with ideas for their subordinates to execute, companies should find ways to get everyone involved in the brainstorming process. This can help create a remote version of the office watercooler, where spontaneous and creative conversations can lead to groundbreaking ideas.

Ultimately, striking a balance between remote work and in-person collaboration is key to fostering innovation while also reaping the benefits of remote work. By finding ways to encourage collaboration and creativity, companies can continue to improve their products and services, and drive the technological advancements that will improve our standard of living over time.

Culture

Building a Log Cabin like our Forefathers

Fresh out of High School, 18-yar-old Erik Grankvist decided to fulfill his dream of building a log cabin alone in the forest of Sweden. He filmed the whole process, edited and posted it.

There is something unbelievably satisfying watching the whole thing unfold.

World News

Cancer, Depression, and Psilocybin

A recent Phase II clinical trial suggests that individuals with cancer and major depression may benefit from the use of the hallucinogenic chemical, psilocybin, found in certain mushrooms of the genus Psilocybe. Participants not only experienced a reduction in depressive symptoms but also reported a positive experience with the therapy when asked at the end of the trial. The findings are published in two articles appearing online in the journal “Cancer”.

Psilocybin works by binding to a specific subtype of serotonin receptor in the brain, which can result in changes to mood, cognition, and perception. As a Schedule I drug, it is currently not approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for clinical use.

However, multiple randomized controlled trials have demonstrated the safety and potential effectiveness of psilocybin-assisted therapy, which combines the substance with psychological support from trained therapists, in treating major depressive disorder. Ongoing research is also looking into the use of this therapy for other mental health conditions, such as anxiety, addiction, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

In this open-label trial, 30 participants with cancer and major depression at Sunstone Therapies in Rockville, Maryland received a single 25 mg dose of synthesized psilocybin, along with 1:1 therapy sessions and group therapy support. The unique group approach allowed for simultaneous treatment of cohorts of three to four patients in adjacent rooms, with preparation and integration sessions as a group.

At the start of the trial, participants had moderate to severe depression scores. After eight weeks of treatment, the researchers observed an average drop of 19.1 points in depression severity scores, indicating that the majority of participants no longer experienced depression. Furthermore, 80% of participants experienced a sustained response to treatment, and 50% showed full remission of depressive symptoms after one week, which was sustained for eight weeks! Treatment-related side effects, such as nausea and headache, were generally mild.

Dr. Manish Agrawal, the lead author of the study and an oncologist at Sunstone Therapies, said, "As an oncologist for many years, I experienced the frustration of not being able to provide cancer care that treats the whole person, not just the tumor. This was a small, open-label study and more research needs to be done, but the potential is significant and could have implications for helping millions of patients with cancer who are also struggling with the severe psychological impact of the disease."

Overall it seems like a very promising therapy approach!

Here are the two journals from the study. Article 1, article 2.

Sports

NFL Playoffs in Full Swing

The NFL playoffs are in full swing, with teams vying for a chance to play in Super Bowl LVIII. The 49ers, Ravens, Eagles, and Cowboys have already clinched playoff spots, while the Chiefs, Lions, and Dolphins are essentially in. However, the Titans, Cardinals, and Commanders have all been eliminated from contention. The Jets could also be out with a loss and a Bills win.

In the latest games, the 49ers clinched the NFC West title, while the Cowboys and Eagles secured playoff spots. The Jets, Titans, Commanders, and Cardinals were all eliminated from the playoffs. There are still three weeks left in the regular season, and teams are fighting for their playoff lives.

❔ 

The more you cut me, the bigger I grow. What am I?

Yesterday’s Answers to the Mind Stretchers
A Christmas Tree! 🎄 

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