A bundle of upbeat news nuggets to get the day off to a bright start.
Amazing Detail
Astronomers have captured a dazzling new image of the black hole at the centre of the Milky Way. The first image of the black hole taken in polarized light shows the supermassive structure’s magnetic fields and hints that it could be hiding an enormous jet. This finding also suggests that strong magnetic fields may be a common feature of all black holes. “A better understanding of the magnetic fields near black holes helps us answer several open questions - from how jets are formed and launched to what powers the bright flares we see in infrared and X-ray light,” says Michi Bauböck, a co-author of the research published in the Astrophysical Journal Letters.
Perfect Egg?
Millions of chocolate eggs will be consumed this weekend, but will any be as pretty as this one? It was a decade ago that the now 40-something Edwin Yansané opened his chocolate ‘factory’ in Paris. By his own admission, the chocolatier’s world view is ‘deeply Parisian’ and he makes full use of the city’s multi-ethnic culinary influences in his search of inspirational ingredients - such as this oozing boiled egg, dripping with peanut praline. Speaking of eggs...
In 2015, McDonald’s agreed to switch 100 percent of the eggs that it purchases to cage-free in the United States by 2025. The Humane Society just revealed that they reached that goal early, at the end of 2023. This is a big deal - McDonald’s purchases nearly 2 billion eggs each year for its US locations.
New Cinnamon Benefit
A component of the aromatic spice cinnamon caused hair follicles to sprout in the lab, with researchers now set on developing a novel treatment to reverse hair loss through the use of natural compounds. Hair restoration treatments are limited to either surgical (hair transplantation) or non-surgical (drugs) methods. So, finding a novel - preferably non-invasive - hair loss treatment is understandably high on some researchers’ lists. Researchers from the Yokohama National University in Japan hope that cinnamon is that sought-after novel treatment. There’s no benefit in rushing out and buying cinnamon in bulk at this stage. Further research will determine the effectiveness of administering cinnamic acid through the skin, the dosage required, and whether it produces any side effects.
Stat of The Day
15% - the percentage of additional years an optimist lives compared to a pessimist, according to the science of optimism and longevity.
Good Deed
After finding out their building's overnight security guard, James Mogaji, last saw his family 11 years ago, students living in Raymond Hall at Providence College raised enough money to fly him to Nigeria. "He means so much to us," organizer Brandon Reichert told WCVB-TV. "It was amazing how fast everyone connected and was able to put it together for him." The students raised $3,000 in a week and surprised a tearful Mogaji with the money and a card.
Ontario Languages
Lawmakers in Ontario will now be able to address the province’s legislature using Indigenous languages, in a “momentous change” that belatedly recognizes the “first languages” of the region. The Ontario government house leader, Paul Calandra, this week moved to amend a standing order that previously required lawmakers to use either English or French. Following a vote, that order now allows for an “Indigenous language spoken in Canada” to be used when addressing the speaker or chamber.
Growing Up
The US state of Florida has passed a law to protect children from social media amid mounting evidence of its negative impact on mental health. State governor Ron DeSantis banned children under 14 from having a social media account. “Being buried in those devices all day is not the best way to grow up,” he said.
“The road to success is dotted with many tempting parking spaces.” Will Rogers
On This Day
30 March 1867: US buys Alaska from Russia for $7,200,000 (roughly $150 million today), equivalent to about 2 cents an acre.
Brad Pitt's new skincare serum uses antioxidants derived from his French grapevines. 'Keep it simple'...
In good news for the planet, secondhand clothing sales grew 15x faster than the broader retail market. Loved again...
Mood Booster
Flying visit to the world's highest waterfall.