Thursday, November 21st, 2024

Good morning! 🌞 

Did you know that your stomach gets a new lining every 3-4 days?

This prevents it from digesting itself, as stomach acid is strong enough to dissolve metal.

World News

Two Lost Cities Found

Recent discoveries in Uzbekistan's highlands have uncovered two lost cities, Tugunbulak and Tashbulak, using lidar technology. These cities flourished between the 8th and 11th centuries under the Qarakhanid state, despite lacking agricultural resources. The findings reveal that these highland cities played a vital role in Silk Road trade, contributing to the region’s wealth and facilitating connections between East and West.

Archaeologist Michael Frachetti led the lidar survey, marking a breakthrough in Central Asian archaeology. Lidar, which stands for Light Detection and Ranging, uses lasers to create highly detailed maps of the terrain, even through dense vegetation and mountainous landscapes. This technology revealed complex urban layouts that were previously hidden, showing Tugunbulak and Tashbulak as sophisticated urban centers with detailed infrastructure, previously thought to be mere open fields.

The larger of the two, Tugunbulak, spans 120 hectares and contains over 300 structures, including terraces, watchtowers, and a fortified central area. Excavations suggest it was a metallurgy hub, with domed iron foundries producing steel, weapons, and tools. Nearby Tashbulak, though smaller at 12-15 hectares, shows advanced urban planning with a citadel and nearly 100 habitations. Both cities, built at elevations above 6,000 feet, took advantage of their mountainous environment for defense and access to pastures and mineral resources. These cities’ decline likely resulted from shifts in Silk Road trade routes, yet their existence underscores the significance of even remote highland outposts in the broader Silk Road network.

Culture

Notre Dame Rings Again

For the first time since 2020, the bells of Notre Dame Cathedral resonated across Paris from the northern belfry on Île de la Cité, signaling a major milestone in the restoration of this historic structure. The cathedral, which suffered extensive fire damage in 2019, has been the focus of meticulous repair efforts for nearly four years. Although the bells themselves and the belfry were not destroyed, both were significantly affected by the fire, necessitating extensive repairs that took over a year to complete.

As part of the restoration’s progression, the bells underwent testing with Alexandre Gougeon, who led the installation, describing the moment as both “moving” and the “culmination of a big project.” In addition to the original bells, three new ones were added to the tower, including a prominent bell donated by the Paris Olympic planning committee, which had previously celebrated gold medalists and record-breakers at the Stade de France. This addition not only strengthens the bell ensemble but also symbolizes the resilience and unity central to Notre Dame’s legacy.

Though the complete restoration won’t be finalized in time for the Paris Olympics, key achievements—including the bells, spire, roof, and the iconic golden cockerel—are on track, with a full reopening anticipated on December 8. Philippe Jost, president of the public body managing the restoration, praised the dedication of the 2,000 individuals contributing to the project and affirmed that the work remains on schedule. “Every day, the cathedral is more beautiful,” Jost commented confidently, as Notre Dame stands poised to welcome visitors once more, reborn from the ashes of its recent tragedy.

Environment

Gophers to the Rescue

When Mount St. Helens erupted in 1980, the blast obliterated everything in its path. To investigate potential recovery methods, scientists introduced gophers to the scorched landscape for just 24 hours. The results were profound, as the gophers unexpectedly helped stimulate ecological restoration that is still evident 40 years later. Gophers are small, burrowing rodents with fur-lined cheek pouches, known for creating extensive underground tunnel systems.

Following the eruption, researchers hypothesized that gophers might facilitate the mountain’s recovery by moving beneficial bacteria and fungi to the surface. Two years after the initial experiment, their theory proved accurate. "They're often seen as pests, but we believed they could bring old soil to the surface, aiding recovery," said UC Riverside microbiologist Michael Allen. Remarkably, the positive effects of this short intervention persisted for decades. A recent study published in Frontiers in Microbiomes documented significant changes in fungal and bacterial communities in areas inhabited by gophers, compared to adjacent, untouched sections.

In 1983, Allen and James McMahon from Utah State University expanded their research, studying areas where only sparse vegetation survived. After placing gophers on two test plots, they saw a flourishing transformation. Within six years, the gopher-populated plots supported over 40,000 plants, while nearby untouched land remained barren. This revival was due to mycorrhizal fungi, which help plants absorb nutrients and withstand extreme conditions. "Mycorrhizal fungi are essential for plant survival," Allen explained. The study highlights the crucial role microbes play in ecosystem recovery, underscoring how even small interventions can yield enduring impacts on the landscape.

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Mind Stretchers

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Yesterday’s Answers to the Mind Stretchers:
This one is a bit tricky— the arrow is pointing to that bottom line there, making the answer ‘bottom line’. No one got the answer for this one but we got interesting ones like ‘lines up’, which makes sense too! 🌞 

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.

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