Good Morning 🌞

Did you know that in some cultures, cutting your hair on a Friday is believed to bring good luck? Many say it invites prosperity and even protects against illness. So, if you've been thinking about a trim, maybe today is your day!  💇 

Innovation

AI Babywear

Researchers at the University of Helsinki and the New Children’s Hospital at Helsinki University Hospital have developed the MAIJU smart jumpsuit, a groundbreaking tool that offers an objective, at-home method for assessing infant motor development. Traditionally, early neurological development has been monitored through short clinical visits and parental reports—methods that can lack consistency and detail. MAIJU provides a more accurate and continuous alternative, enabling healthcare professionals to track a child’s motor milestones without needing to be physically present.

Motor development is especially critical during the first two years of life, serving as a key indicator of a child’s overall neurological health. The MAIJU suit—short for Motor Assessment of Infants with a Jumpsuit—is embedded with multisensor technology and powered by AI-driven analysis. It is designed to be worn during natural, unstructured play at home, capturing rich data about a child’s movements, postures, and transitions between developmental stages.

By analyzing this data, MAIJU can provide detailed, month-by-month insights into a child’s progress, helping detect potential delays or concerns earlier than traditional methods allow. The innovation holds promise for improving pediatric care by making motor assessments more accessible, consistent, and precise, ultimately supporting healthier developmental outcomes for children around the world.

Good News

‘Flipping for Joy’

Last week we shared the story of how SpaceX and NASA finally rescued stranded astronauts Barry Wilmore and Sunita Williams.

However, what we did not know at the time, they had an unexpected group joined the recovery team when they splashed down.

After splashing down in the Gulf of Mexico, recovery crews approached the Crew 9 Dragon Capsule, only to be joined by a pod of bottlenose dolphins. Initially, just two dolphins appeared, but more soon arrived, prompting comments from the NASA live broadcast. “Wow, we’ve got a cute little pod of dolphins, not just one or two,” the commentator noted.

Wilmore and Williams had spent an extended period in space due to a malfunction with the Boeing Starliner that brought them to the International Space Station. Their return marked the end of an unplanned stay, with both astronauts finally relieved by Crew 10’s arrival.

US News

Free Harvard Tuition

Harvard College has announced a major expansion of its financial aid program, further lowering barriers for low- and middle-income families. Beginning this year, students from families earning $100,000 or less will have all billed expenses—including tuition, housing, food, health insurance, and travel—fully covered. Those from families earning up to $200,000 will receive free tuition, with additional aid available based on individual need. This sweeping update means that approximately 86% of U.S. households will now qualify for some level of assistance, significantly broadening access to one of the world’s most prestigious universities.

“This initiative continues Harvard’s longstanding commitment to ensuring financial circumstances do not prevent students from enrolling and graduating,” said Dean Hopi Hoekstra. In addition to covering essential costs, eligible students will also receive a $2,000 start-up grant in their first year and a $2,000 launch grant in their junior year to support their transition into life after college. Even some families earning above the $200,000 threshold may still qualify for aid, depending on their financial situation. “We know the most talented students come from different socioeconomic backgrounds and experiences, from every state and around the globe,” added William R. Fitzsimmons, dean of admissions and financial aid.

This policy builds on two decades of Harvard’s financial aid reforms, which began in 2004 by covering full costs for students from families earning $40,000 or less—a threshold that has steadily increased over time. The university eliminated student loans in 2007, replacing them with grants, and also removed home equity from aid calculations. Since then, Harvard has awarded more than $3.6 billion in undergraduate financial aid, currently investing $275 million annually. Over half of all undergraduates receive aid, with families paying an average of just $15,700 in the 2023–24 academic year. “By bringing people of outstanding promise together to learn with and from one another, we truly realize the tremendous potential of the University,” said President Alan M. Garber.

Mind Stretchers

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Yesterday is always before today. But there is a place where yesterday follows today. Where is that?

Yesterday’s Mind Stretchers:

— star in the making! Linda Runatz got this correct first! 🌟 

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 the email.

If you have any uplifting stories and experience you might want to share, send those over to [email protected] for the chance to be featured.