Thursday, May 22nd, 2025

Good Morning! 🌞

Today, we sail into a special commemoration: National Maritime Day. Every May 22, we tip our sailor hats to the men and women of the U.S. Merchant Marine—the unsung heroes who have powered our commerce, courageously served in wartime, and kept the maritime heartbeat of our nation steady through calm and storm.

From merchant ships hauling goods across oceans to mariners standing sentinel during conflict, today is about honoring that legacy. It’s a reminder that behind every port, every cargo container, and every supply chain is a deep current of dedication and sacrifice.

So let’s take a moment to look seaward—and maybe even say a quiet thank you to the silent fleet that keeps our world moving.

Earth Science

Living Power Lines Found

A newly discovered species of bacteria found in the mudflats of Oregon may pave the way for innovations in bioelectronics. The bacteria, classified as a type of “cable” bacteria, forms long, conductive filaments capable of transporting electrons across considerable distances. Named Ca. Electrothrix yaqonensis, the species was identified in intertidal sediment from the Yaquina Bay estuary by Cheng Li, then a postdoctoral researcher at Oregon State University, and Clare Reimers, distinguished professor emerita at OSU’s College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences. The discovery was reported by OSU Press.

Unlike most bacteria, cable bacteria are capable of conducting electricity. What sets this new species apart is its incorporation of nickel into its structure and its ability to produce membranes that link cells, enabling electron flow along its body. “This new species seems to be a bridge, an early branch within the Ca. Electrothrix clade, which suggests it could provide new insights into how these bacteria evolved and how they might function in different environments,” said Li. “It stands out from all other described cable bacteria species in terms of its metabolic potential.”

Genetically, Ca. Electrothrix yaqonensis appears to share traits with both Ca. Electrothrix and Ca. Electronema, the two recognized genera of cable bacteria. These organisms inhabit diverse freshwater and marine sediment environments. Li noted the species’ large surface ridges and unique nickel-based conductive fibers beneath them. While nickel is a toxic heavy metal to humans, it enables the bacteria to transfer electrons from deeper sediments to surface compounds like oxygen or nitrate. “These bacteria can transfer electrons to clean up pollutants, so they could be used to remove harmful substances from sediments,” Li said. “Also, their design of a highly conductive nickel protein can possibly inspire new bioelectronics.” The species name honors the Yaqona people, whose ancestral lands include Yaquina Bay.

Good News

Paying It Forward…

A San Jose dry cleaner is making a difference for job seekers by offering free cleaning and pressing services to those preparing for interviews. Ali Shirkhodaei, owner of Lux Cleaning and Alterations at 1610 W. Campbell, launched the initiative after speaking with fellow dry cleaning business owners about ways to give back. His simple but impactful offer: anyone unemployed and heading to a job interview can get their clothes cleaned and pressed at no charge.

“I think it will definitely give them some hope that the community they live in cares about them,” Shirkhodaei told San José Spotlight. “It’s not about just getting, it’s about giving. That’s the part that brings all of us joy.” Shirkhodaei, who immigrated from Iran in 1986 with a degree in molecular biology, turned to entrepreneurship after struggling to find work in his field. He founded Lux Cleaners, which has since become a successful business in Silicon Valley.

Today, about five to ten people a week use the free service. Spotlight reports one woman came in before a tech interview and returned later to share that she landed the job, leaving a five-star Yelp review: “I definitely felt the love of my community.” Shirkhodaei said he and his team were more excited than she was. Known for his strong work ethic—completing in four days what others might take four weeks—he also takes on intricate jobs, like cleaning Indian sarees and wedding dresses. He hopes the goodwill continues to spread: one act of kindness at a time.

@sanjosespotlight

Ali Shirkhodaei, owner of Lux Cleaners & Alterations in Campbell, offers free cleanings to anyone unemployed and heading to a job intervie... See more

Environment

Underwater Art Installation

South Beach may be famous for its Art Deco flair and vibrant nightlife, but just offshore, a new kind of attraction is taking shape—one that blends public art with environmental restoration. Known as The Reefline, this 7-mile underwater sculpture park and snorkeling trail is designed to enhance marine habitats while offering a unique cultural experience beneath the waves.

“Mother Nature is the ultimate artist,” said Reefline founder and artistic director Ximena Caminos. “What we’re doing is giving nature and amplifying that marine habitat, because it’s needed.” With coral reefs around the world facing rapid decline, The Reefline aims to provide both aesthetic and ecological value. The project’s first phase, expected to launch this year, features a series of concrete cars sunk offshore to form an artificial reef—what Caminos calls a “traffic jam.” “How do we turn doomsday into optimism?” she added.

The sculptures are designed to shelter fish, which help foster coral growth, while also protecting the beachfront from erosion. Unlike traditional artificial reefs, The Reefline incorporates climate-resilient corals grown and cloned in a lab. “We are accelerating the development of a fully healthy coral reef by decades by putting out small pieces of coral that we are growing here in the lab,” said coral expert Colin Foord. “When you put the mask on and you get into the water, it’s like time slows down,” he added. “I think that if more people have that type of opportunity, then that helps change public perception about the need to protect the environment.”

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Mind Stretchers

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Yesterday’s Answers to the Mind Stretchers:

I’m etched in ink but not on a page, A silent story, bold or beige. I travel with you, rain or shine, A mark that’s yours, forever mine. What am I? — tattoo! Debbie Ettinger got this correct early! ☀️ 

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 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.