This Week's Mostly Good: Cheese Theft and Cancer Cells That Switch Off

What’s Good and New

A once-extinct bird (for real they’ve COME BACK FROM THE DEAD 👀) called the Northern Bald Ibis is now on it’s way back to repopulation with the help of some very kind and dedicated European scientists. Part of this repopulation plan was helping these birds to “remember” their long forgotten migration routes, which involved purposely allowing dozens of these Ibises (Ibis plural?) to imprint on two biologists named Barbara Steininger and Helena Wehner. Once successfully imprinted (how does one even measure this? I should ask Jacob and Renesmee👨‍🍼) Steininger and Wehner climbed aboard an aircraft along with dozens of young Ibises, and literally showed these birds their migration route from Austria to Spain 🤯. Thanks to these incredible biologists and their teams, we will be able to witness these gorgeous birds flourish for the foreseeable future. Also how stunning are these birds? Check out the photo below and take in the insane story I just told you, and read more about this species-saving project here.

I am learning so much just by researching good, happy topics for this newsletter, and I hope you are too. For example, did you know that concrete is the SECOND most used material on the freaking PLANET, only second to water 🌏💦🚿🏄? And did you also know that the creation of concrete contributes to about 7.5% of ALL man-made carbon dioxide emissions 🧱️👎? And what if I told you that researchers from the University of Cambridge have discovered a way to recycle cement (the main ingredient in concrete), resulting in near-zero carbon dioxide emissions, and avoiding contributing to the nasty effects that creating new concrete has on our world 🥳️🎉? 

Anyways yeah, that happened, and it is a total miracle, and we should all be jumping for joy because this recycling feature can literally reduce carbon footprints by A LOT worldwide, and can be an incredibly sustainable way to keep up with the world’s demands for more concrete. Read about the amazing science behind this discovery here.

EXCITING 🔬: scientists at the Korean Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) 🧑‍🔬 have discovered a “molecular switch” that can revert cancer cells BACK TO NORMAL 🤯, when caught in the crucial time frame before the cell turns into a full blown cancer cell. 🎉 YESSSS LIKE WHAT?! 

I don’t even have the words to express how incredible this is, so I’ll let the Lady Gaga meme below say it. Also I hate that there’s a typo in the meme, but whatever you get the point.

I also don’t have the words to explain how the brilliant scientists at KAIST discovered this, nor do I have the sciencey background 🧫️🛸 to use the large and important terminology to describe how it works, so read about this molecular switch here. All I know is that this discovery moves us closer to a world where cancer isn’t as prevalent as it is today. 💗

I’m just over here in my Oodie*, slack-jawed and clapping, in awe of the intelligent people of this world who are dedicating years of their lives to improving life for others. 🗣🗣 This is the reason I started this newsletter!!! THIS IS THE SHIT I LIVE FOR 🗣🗣 (I am very passionate about spreading good in the world, and no I will not apologize for yelling).

 *wearable blanket, I’ve linked it in case you are unaware of the comfort that could be yours, should you dare dip your toe into the dangerous underworld of comforts. Be warned, the underworld of comforts is comprised of quicksand. See also: Crocs.

Weird Factoids of The Week

Related to the footnote above, did you know that Crocs were chosen by the wardrobe designer for the 2006 movie Idiocracy, because they looked like stupid shoes that only idiots would wear? Yes. The shoes I love (hate me for it, IDGAF) were the OG Idiot Shoe. The movie is about idiots in the future, just to be clear (I won’t give away the plot, just watch it because it’s weird and funny). I’m unabashedly proud of this fun fact. Tell me, do you wear Crocs? I have 8 pairs. Don’t be mad at me, just be happy for me because I am in CONSTANT comfort. Read about the Idiocracy movie here.

Did you know cheese is the most stolen food in the world?

I mean, I get it. Cheese is hella delicious and full of umami. If you’re lactose intolerant or have some weird allergy to dairy, I’m so sorry for you because it is legitimately so good that I think it should be considered some sort of narcotic. Or at least, a therapeutic alternative medicine. 🧀

Meme of the Week

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