Good Morning! 🌞 

Mondays might have a bad reputation, but studies show that people are more likely to set goals and start fresh habits on a Monday than any other day! This is called the "Fresh Start Effect"—a psychological phenomenon where the beginning of a new week makes us feel motivated to improve ourselves. So if you’ve been waiting for a sign to start something new, this is it! 🚀 

Health Sciences

Cancer Sniffing Dogs

Seven dogs in the UK, including cocker spaniels, Labradors, and retrievers, are being trained to detect bowel cancer by sniffing urine samples. This groundbreaking project, initiated in 2024 by the Medical Detection Dogs charity, has already shown promise during early training sessions, where the dogs demonstrated the ability to identify cancerous tumors through scent. However, double-blind testing is still required to validate these results and ensure the method’s reliability.

The initiative aims to revolutionize early detection of bowel cancer by providing a quicker and more accurate diagnostic approach, potentially saving lives through earlier interventions. This is not the charity’s first foray into disease detection; it has previously trained dogs to identify Parkinson’s disease, COVID-19, Addison’s disease, and heart conditions like POTS. By leveraging their keen sense of smell, the charity hopes to further expand their innovative applications in medical diagnostics.

According to Gemma Butlin, head of communications at the charity, the organization has been researching disease detection through scent for over 15 years. The training process involves teaching the dogs to associate cancer with a specific behavior, such as sitting or standing, in response to sniffing a positive sample. Rewards such as treats and affection reinforce these behaviors. The charity sources its detection dogs from breeders and rescue organizations and has recently started breeding its own puppies, welcoming their second litter as part of their efforts to expand this life-saving program.

World News

World’s Oldest Spa

A recently unearthed Roman spa in Pompeii is captivating archaeologists with its remarkable preservation and intricate design. Located in the Regio IX area, which has already produced numerous significant finds, the newly discovered spa boasts mosaics, hot and cold rooms, and bathing pools. Preliminary studies suggest it may be one of the largest thermal complexes ever found in a private house in Pompeii.

According to Gabriel Zuchtriegel, director of the Pompeii archaeological park, these grandiose baths were a way for the city’s ruling class to exhibit wealth and status, often preceding evening banquets. The facility could accommodate up to 30 people at once for a full bathing and steaming routine, aided by advanced Roman engineering in hydraulics and underfloor heating. A cold pool and steam room highlight the sophistication of these pre-industrial systems and underscore the elite lifestyle of Pompeii’s upper echelons.

Private spas of this caliber were more common in the Roman world than many might assume, reflecting the empire’s mastery of water movement and heating techniques. Similar innovations appear in sites like the Baths of Antoninus in North Africa and in villas across England and Italy, including Bath and Sirmione. These discoveries demonstrate how bathing served not only hygienic purposes but also functioned as a social and political tool, underscoring the cultural importance of thermal complexes in Roman society.

Environment

Rare Sea Slug

Yusuke Fukami, a scuba diver from Kanagawa, Japan, recently checked off a major bucket list goal—photographing the rare and tiny Costasiella sea slug, also known as the "leaf sheep."

While diving in Tulamben, a fishing village on Bali's northeast coast, Yusuke finally spotted the pink-tipped slug, found only in Southeast Asia's tropical waters. “Meeting this creature was the reason we came to Tulamben,” he said. “Finding one was incredibly rewarding.” The trip, taken in December, included a stay at the Noble Bali diving resort, where Yusuke aimed to capture this unique mollusk on camera. The Costasiella kuroshimae, first discovered 30 years ago near Japan, is a shell-less slug measuring just 5-10 mm in length. With its dark eyes and ear-like rhinophores, it resembles a cartoon sheep.

Unusually, the "leaf sheep" feeds on algae, enabling it to perform photosynthesis and derive energy like a plant—one of the few animals with this ability.

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Mind Stretchers

⁉️ 

I have four legs, yet I don't run,
I'm often found when the work is done.
I can be cozy or plain,
But never leave without a stain.
What am I?

Answers to yesterday’s Mind Stretchers:

I’m clear and touchable, yet hard to hold, I flow in rivers, oceans, and in cold. You need me to live, but I’m never still, What am I? —water, Chris Hostetler got this correct first!

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