Good morning! 🌞 

May 13 marks Children of Fallen Patriots Day—a solemn reminder that behind every fallen hero is a child who carries their memory.

Today, we honor those children—their quiet resilience, their unspoken grief, and the sacrifices they never chose but must bear every day. As we move through our own lives, let’s pause to recognize their courage and hold space for their pain. Their parents gave everything—and so did they. 🕊️ 

Innovation

Health-Boosting Muscle Test

Ask most people how to measure healthy aging, and they’ll likely point to blood pressure, cholesterol, or muscle mass—maybe even telomere length for the well-read. But research highlights something far simpler and surprisingly powerful: grip strength. According to Joshua Davis of the University of Derby, this basic, often-overlooked metric is one of the most reliable indicators of overall health and longevity.

Grip strength has been linked to better outcomes in conditions ranging from diabetes and depression to cardiovascular disease and even early mortality. Unlike more complex or expensive health markers, it’s easy to measure—Davis suggests simply squeezing a tennis ball for 15 to 30 seconds as a basic test. Far from just gauging hand power, grip strength serves as a proxy for total muscle quality, which reflects your level of physical activity, nutritional status, and risk for chronic disease.

Scientific studies reinforce its importance. One found that strong grip strength in midlife made individuals 2.5 times more likely to reach age 100. Another showed it outperformed blood pressure as a predictor of longevity. Weak grip strength, on the other hand, has been tied to faster biological aging at the DNA level, according to research by Mark Peterson at the University of Michigan. While grip strength alone won’t extend your life, it mirrors muscle mass—which protects bones, stabilizes joints, and regulates blood sugar—all essential as we age. Bottom line: if you don’t own a grip dynamometer, a tennis ball will do just fine.

Environment

Veggies Clean Toxic Water

Sticky plant compounds from okra and fenugreek may offer a safer, more effective way to remove microplastics from water than traditional synthetic methods, according to new research from Tarleton State University in Texas. Led by Rajani Srinivasan and funded by the U.S. Department of Energy, the study found that natural polymers extracted from these plants trapped and removed up to 90% of microplastics from a variety of water sources—including ocean, freshwater, and groundwater.

The team created the polymers by soaking okra pods and fenugreek seeds overnight in water, then drying the solutions into powder. Lab tests showed that just one gram of powder per liter of water was highly effective: okra removed 67% of microplastics in an hour, fenugreek removed 93%, and a 50/50 mix cleared 70% in just 30 minutes. Performance varied by water type—okra excelled in ocean water (80%), fenugreek in groundwater (up to 90%), and the blend worked best in freshwater (77%).

Compared to polyacrylamide—a common synthetic used in wastewater treatment—these plant-based alternatives not only performed better but avoided the risk of toxic byproducts. While polyacrylamide itself is relatively safe, its precursor acrylamide is harmful. “Using plant-based extracts avoids adding new toxins to the water during treatment,” said Srinivasan. Having previously used similar food-grade compounds to remove textile pollutants, she saw promising potential in applying the same approach to microplastics.

Culture

$7 Million Worth of Shoes

Ever wondered what it takes to dance on air? At the New York City Ballet, dancers burn through nearly 7,000 pointe shoes a year—a jaw-dropping number driven by the fact that traditional pointe shoes only last a few performances before breaking down. In this fascinating video, go behind the scenes with Freed of London, the legendary ballet-shoe maker crafting every pair by hand for over 80 years. It’s precision, tradition, and artistry—stitched into every sole.

Mind Stretchers

❓️ 

I have a bowl but never eat,
A handle long, a form so neat.
I dive in deep but never drown,
I help you slurp or chow it down.
What am I?

Yesterday’s Mind Stretchers:

I’m wrapped up tight in a delicate shell, Filled with savory secrets, I cook up well. Steamed, fried, or boiled, I'm a tasty delight, What am I, enjoyed day or night? — dumpling 🥟 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]

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.