There’s a new ugly dog in town — and we mean that in the nicest way possible. Last week, a pooch named Muppet was crowned Britain’s ugliest dog in a competition hosted by the photography company Parrot Print. “We didn’t think we would find another dog like last year’s winner, Peggy,” Matt Dahan, the head judge and founder of the competition, said during the announcement on ITV’s This Morning. “But Muppet manages to be both cute and ugly all at the same time, and we think he has the same star quality.”
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Reminder: These are the deadlines for mailing holiday gifts so they arrive under the tree in time
Drownings Have Dropped Nearly 40% Since 2000 — And Most Cases Are Preventable
Keeping kids safe can be an overwhelming topic — but in terms of water safety, it can also be surprisingly simple, according to a new drowning prevention report from the World Health Organization. The organization surveyed 139 countries to understand the matter better and found that, while drownings have decreased by 38% since 2000, they are still a leading cause of death for children across the globe. It’s a troubling reality, but one that could change with the help of surefire, low-tech solutions. “The vast majority of drowning deaths are preventable,” Caroline Lukaszyk, a technical officer for injury prevention at the WHO, told NPR. “And this is another thing that’s really quite amazing: The recommendations for drowning prevention are cost-effective. They’re scalable. They can be implemented in all types of settings.” The many promising solutions include using empty soda bottles as flotation devices, keeping life jackets handy, teaching children self-rescue swimming skills, checking weather reports, and prioritizing adult supervision. “It’s not rocket science, it’s not high-tech. It is very much community-based and community-driven solutions,” Lukaszyk said.
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Environment
“A Huge Achievement”: Finland Bans Cargo Ships From Dumping Wastewater
The happiest country in the world is making a name for itself in ocean preservation as well. This month, the Finnish Parliament passed legislation that bans cargo ships from discharging wastewater in the country’s coastal waters. Set to take effect in July, this new law is the first to put such regulations on wastewater from cargo vessels, holding them to the same standards as passenger ships. “This is a huge achievement. Major environmental victories are rare, but this decision is truly world-class. No other country has enacted such ambitious laws,” Ville Wahlberg, CEO of the Baltic Sea Action Group, told Yle, Finland’s national public broadcasting company. Sewage discharged into the Baltic Sea contains fecal bacteria and solid waste, which can lead to toxic algal blooms. On a large scale, like say, 2,000 ships every day with 15 to 20 crew members, the pollution is “equivalent to a medium-sized town dumping its sewage into the sea,” explained Vesa Marttinen, head of cargo business at the Port of Helsinki. “Now, in Finnish waters, this will no longer be possible.” The hope is that other nations will now follow Finland’s lead: “This law sets a precedent for how such measures can be integrated into national legislation,” Wahlberg noted, adding: “It’s a great opportunity to expand this approach to other Baltic countries.”
Science
Discovery of Fish Brain Microbiomes Opens the Door to Questions About the Human Brain
Microbiome health — aka the trillions of microorganisms, like bacteria, viruses, and fungi, that live in and on the human body — has been a hot topic lately. A recent study revealed the most compelling evidence to date that healthy fish have brain microbiomes, prompting scientists to wonder if human noggins have one, too. For co-author Irene Salinas, the study was born out of her fascination with the distance between the nose and brain. She explained to Smithsonian Magazine that the nose is no stranger to bacteria, which can get “really, really close” to the brain, giving her a hunch that bacteria could be moving from the nose to the olfactory bulb. Alongside a team of researchers at the University of New Mexico, Salinas tested this hunch by extracting DNA from the olfactory bulbs of trout and salmon and studying the fish’s whole-body microbiomes over five years. They found that communities of bacteria thrive in their brains, defying the common belief that the protective “blood-brain barrier” serves as a gatekeeper of sorts to keep bacteria out. “We had to go back and redo [the experiments] many, many times just to be sure,” Salinas said. While fish and humans are, of course, different species, there is a possibility that healthy humans could have a brain microbiome. “Why not?” posed Janosch Heller, who studies the aforementioned barrier and was not involved in the research. He said the more interesting question is: “Are they all there for a reason, or are they there by mistake?”
In Other News
Boston’s homicide rate dropped to a historic low last year — and it’s on track to keep going down (read more)
Not all forms of breast cancer require standard treatment, according to a recent study (read more)
Royal holiday cards from Princess Diana and Queen Elizabeth II sold for thousands at auction (read more)
“It’s finally happened.” Scientists captured footage of ancient deep-sea creatures(read more)
A remake of the beloved 1968 classic Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is reportedly in the works (read more)
Inspiring Story
The chillest champion
Watch Luke Littler throw darts and you may find yourself joining his 1.4 million Instagram followers. The English 17-year-old, nicknamed “Luke the Nuke,” made it to the finals of the World Darts Championship last year and quickly catapulted into fame. And while the darts sensation, who’s known for his chill vibes, has many eyes on him at this year’s competition, he’s keeping the routine casual: “A lot of sleep, practice, Xbox, chill out.”
Photo of the Day
Italy’s Paolo Della Rocca won the 2024 Nature Photographer of the Year competition with this mesmerizing shot of two snow leopards playing in the snow in India. “Seeing snow leopards in the wild has been a dream of mine since childhood,” he said in a blog post from the competition, adding: “The combination of patience, persistence, and a deep connection with nature, made this one of the most magical experiences of my life.” See more of the winners.
Fall Into a Deep Sleep With Cornbread Hemp’s CBD Gummies
You can give yourself the gift of a good night’s sleep this holiday season with Cornbread Hemp’s USDA organic and melatonin-free CBD sleep gummies. Infused with valerian root, chamomile, lavender, and full-spectrum hemp flower extract, these gummies help you fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer.