Good morning! 🌞 

Happy Tuesday. Yep—it’s Tax Day.

If you’ve already filed, congrats—you’re officially more responsible than half the group chat. If not, you’ve got until midnight to make peace with your receipts and hit “submit.”

Federal income taxes might not spark joy, but they keep the lights on—literally.

So whether you’re smugly sipping coffee or frantically typing in last year’s PIN, remember: this is adulting in its purest form. Do the thing, breathe, and let’s get on with it.

Tomorrow, we pretend none of this happened.

Innovation

Medicinal Chewing Gum

Scientists in Pennsylvania have developed an innovative antiviral chewing gum that uses compounds from the Australian pea plant, Lablab purpureus. The gum contains a natural protein called FRIL, which has been shown to dramatically reduce viral loads of both influenza and herpes simplex viruses in the mouth. Led by Henry Daniell at the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Dental Medicine, the research builds on earlier studies from the COVID-19 pandemic, focusing on the mouth as a critical pathway for viral transmission.

In lab tests, just 40 milligrams of the FRIL-infused gum slashed viral presence by more than 95% for two strains of herpes (HSV-1 and HSV-2) and two strains of influenza A (H1N1 and H3N2). Published in Molecular Therapy, the findings point to promising real-world applications. These viruses aren't just nuisances—they're widespread and costly. Seasonal flu alone causes billions in economic losses annually in the U.S., while HSV-1 affects around two-thirds of the global population and remains a leading cause of infectious blindness in the West.

Looking ahead, researchers are even testing the bean-based formula in bird feed, since FRIL has been shown to neutralize avian flu strains like H5N1 and H7N9. The gum has already met FDA standards for clinical-grade drugs and has been deemed safe for human use, with trials on people expected next. "A broad-spectrum antiviral protein from a natural food product that can help block both human and bird flu is exactly the kind of tool we need to limit viral transmission," said Daniell.

Culture

Caribbean’s Most Secluded Restaurant

Tucked away in the lush heart of Cayman Brac, far from the usual tourist paths, Le Soleil D’or is quietly redefining island dining. This week’s featured video offers an inside look at the farm-to-table restaurant that has become a blueprint for sustainable, locally sourced cuisine—proving that culinary excellence thrives off the beaten path.

At the center of it all is Chef Rene Sanchez, whose reputation spans far beyond the Caribbean. Here, though, it’s not about white tablecloths or flashy presentation. It’s about food that’s grown just steps away, fish caught that very morning, and dishes prepared with genuine care. The video trails Rene as he picks ripe tomatoes from the garden, grills freshly caught fish, and bakes rustic focaccia in a wood-fired oven—a pure, honest approach to cooking.

Le Soleil D’or is more than a restaurant; it’s a quiet stand against the processed and the imported. In a place where natural beauty and close-knit community are part of daily life, this kitchen proves what’s possible when you listen to the land and let its flavors lead the way. Watch the full video and discover a culinary story where every ingredient has a purpose, and every meal feels like home.

Environment

Rare Colocolo Cat Captured

A conservation team in Chile has captured rare daytime footage of a Pampas cat, an elusive and poorly understood wildcat native to South America. Filmed by the Colocolo Project, this marks only the second sighting of the cat by the group this year. Locally known as the Colocolo, the Pampas cat resembles a small lynx or an oversized house cat and is Chile’s third-largest wild feline, behind the puma and the Andean mountain cat.

One reason the Pampas cat remains so mysterious is its highly variable coat—there are at least six distinct fur patterns, some of which look so different they’re often mistaken for other species, like the Andean mountain cat. Despite their global numbers surpassing those of big cats nearly three to one, small wildcats receive little attention or funding. Panthera, a major big cat conservation organization, recently created a fund dedicated to small wildcats, but much of the focus remains on basic research to better understand these underappreciated predators.

Camera trap footage like this is crucial for filling in knowledge gaps. Unlike big cats, which often face human-wildlife conflict, smaller species like the Pampas cat are more likely to fall victim to road accidents. Yet their role as top predators is no less significant—they help balance entire ecosystems. Protecting them doesn’t necessarily require more resources, just smarter, more inclusive conservation strategies that create ripple effects benefiting countless other species.

Mind Stretchers

❓️ 

What time is it when an elephant sits on a fence?

Yesterday’s Mind Stretchers:

What occurs once in a second, twice in a week, and once in a year? — the letter ‘e’ Debbie Ettinger 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 news@dailyupsider.com

If you have any uplifting stories and experience you might want to share, send those over to news@dailyupsider.com for the chance to be featured.