Good Morning! 🌞 

Today is April 19 is National Garlic Day—and yep, that something in the air? It’s garlic, baby.

🧄 Fun fact: Garlic’s been used for over 5,000 years—not just for flavor, but as medicine too. It's got allicin, a natural compound that fights bacteria and supports heart health.

Go ahead, add that extra clove. Today, it's basically a holiday rule.

Earth Science

AI Targets Hornets

Researchers at the University of Exeter have developed a new AI-powered system, VespAI, to combat the rise of invasive Asian hornets in the UK. The device, which uses a camera inside a trap-like housing, can accurately identify hornets in real time—offering a powerful tool for protecting honeybees and reducing public health risks. With sightings hitting record highs last year, the team was prompted to find a solution for a pest that can kill up to 50 honeybees a day and trigger dangerous allergic reactions in humans.

What makes VespAI unique is its precision and non-invasive design. Unlike conventional traps, the system doesn’t harm other insects and avoids the false alarms that often come from public reports. If a hornet is detected, it can potentially be traced back to its nest, which is essential for halting the spread—nests found in counties like Kent, Devon, and Dorset must be destroyed to prevent further infestations. Dr. Peter Kennedy, who led the project, emphasized the importance of reliable data, especially as reports from the public are often inconsistent.

Though still in its prototype stage, VespAI has performed well in early field tests and is being designed with affordability in mind. The vision is to make it available not only to researchers but also to everyday beekeepers, who would receive alerts when hornets are nearby. As Asian hornets continue to spread across Europe, causing everything from ecological damage to hospitalizations, this AI-based approach could be a critical line of defense to help the UK stay ahead.

World News

20,000 Year-old Tools

On South Africa’s southern coast, archaeologists have uncovered thousands of stone tools in a cliffside cave, revealing that early humans across the region were in contact and shared tool-making techniques. Part of the Robberg technocomplex, the discovery offers new insights into how prehistoric people traveled and passed on knowledge. Today, the cave sits high above a rocky shoreline, but between 24,000 and 12,000 years ago, it overlooked open grasslands teeming with antelope, making it an ideal hunting ground for early humans armed with sharp, effective tools.

Led by Dr. Sara Watson from the Field Museum in Chicago, the research team painstakingly excavated the site, hauling up to 50 pounds of equipment daily and using dental picks and miniature trowels to preserve the delicate artifacts. Their efforts revealed thousands of small blades and the stone cores from which they were cut. While blades tend to attract more attention, Watson emphasized that the cores tell a deeper story, revealing consistent patterns in how blades were removed—patterns also found at other prehistoric sites across southern Africa, from Namibia to Lesotho.

These repeating techniques point to an interconnected network of knowledge-sharing among early human groups. Rather than isolated inventions, the tool-making methods appear to have been taught and passed down intentionally, reinforcing the idea of widespread cultural connections. “This wasn’t a coincidence,” Watson noted. “It shows that even back then, people were connected—sharing tools, ideas, and ways of doing things. They weren’t so different from us.”

Good News

The Most Unexpected Speaker

The University of Maryland has announced that Kermit the Frog will deliver the 2025 commencement address on May 21, bringing a lighthearted but meaningful close to the academic year. Operated by The Muppets Studio, Kermit is returning to campus after a sold-out appearance in 2024—part of UMD’s continued celebration of Muppets creator Jim Henson, who graduated from the university in 1960.

Henson, a home economics major, famously crafted the original Kermit puppet using his mother’s old coat and a ping-pong ball. The university has embraced his legacy for decades, honoring his creativity and cultural impact. UMD President Darryll Pines noted that Kermit's speech will serve as a fitting tribute to Henson and an inspiring sendoff for the graduates.

Kermit himself shared his excitement in a statement: “Nothing could make these feet happier than to speak at the University of Maryland. If a few words from a frog can help, I’ll be there.” The university also released a short video teasing the event, sparking excitement among students and alumni alike.

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Mind Stretchers

⁉️ 

I’m small and white, in layers tight,
I pack a punch, both day and night.
In kitchens I reign, with savory flair—
But vampires and kisses? I wouldn’t dare.
What am I?

Answers to yesterday’s Mind Stretchers

Apologies for skipping yesterday’s Mind Stretcher! Even brains need a breather sometimes—but don’t worry, we’re back today and ready to flex those mental muscles. Thanks for sticking with us! 💛

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.