Wrapping up the week with an eclectic bundle of good news nuggets.
Angel Wing
In a galaxy far, far away, a spectacular space collision is underway. After 35 years flying through space taking remarkable photos, the Hubble Space Telescope recently captured a dreamy image of two merging galaxies in the VV-689 system. Aptly nicknamed the Angel Wing, the stunning photo shows the galaxies symmetrically aligned as they smash together, forming what looks like a galactic space-being flying against the backdrop of darkness.
TM Initiative
David Lynch launches $500 million world peace initiative to 'establish a legacy of lasting global peace'. Spurred on by Mad Vlad's invasion of Ukraine, the 76-year-old Twin Peaks creator and founder of the David Lynch Foundation has announced plans for an initiative that will aim to fund Transcendental Meditation (TM) training for 30,000 college students, in an effort to help them 'become advanced peace-creating meditation experts and build a legacy of lasting global peace.'
No Mow May
No Mow May is an initiative that encourages gardeners and homeowners to let their lawns grow wild in the interest of boosting biodiversity and supporting important pollinator populations, which are in decline. It originally began in the UK, but in the spring of 2020, caught on in Appleton, Wisconsin - the first city in the US to participate in the effort. This year, at least 25 more Wisconsin cities are joining in. According to Lawrence University Assistant Professor of Biology Israel Del Toro, the first year that Appleton participated in No Mow May, they “found a five-fold increase in abundance of bees in Now Mow May lawns relative to mowed areas.” Time to re-think your garden?
Heartwarming
A delightful photo of two golden retrievers hugging at the park is bringing some much-needed joy to the world. It was an unplanned reunion. Alexandria Neonakis shared the photo on Twitter and explained that her sister's dog was at the park when another golden retriever ran up to play. The owners of the two dogs started talking and realized they're brothers from the same litter and hadn't seen each other since they were puppies. The owners agreed to keep the boys in touch, and have set up a number of play dates over the coming weeks.
Battery Lifespan
A new kind of battery could revolutionize the world’s power usage, allowing a huge range of activities to go electric and making net-zero emissions far more feasible. Lithium-sulfur batteries could solve the problems of lithium-ion batteries used in phones and electric vehicles, now that scientists at Drexel discovered a chemical phase of sulfur that stops battery degradation. These batteries will be significantly lighter and longer-lived than lithium-ion batteries, making long-range EVs commercially viable. Short-haul flights, cargo vessels, and passenger ferries can now all go fully electric. The Drexel team is now looking at the manufacturing process which, when scaled, will make batteries more eco-friendly and ensure EV adoption can continue at speed.
Quote of the Day
Spring is nature’s way of saying ‘Let’s Party!’ Robin Williams
On this Day
29 April 2011: Prince William, second in line to the British throne, married his longtime girlfriend, Catherine Middleton.
Dive in Deeper
A rare 'forgotten' cask of whisky, bought for $6,300 more than 30 years ago, has sold for over 200 times that price at auction, in a new world record. Read on...
That's how Joe Biden put it when signing an executive order to protect old-growth forests and pledging to plant 1.2bn more trees. Read on...
Vicarious Adrenalin Rush
Wingsuit flight down the Eiger, Switzerland.