Good morning! 🌞 

Today is February 25 and it’s World Spay Day—a global effort to promote spaying and neutering to prevent overpopulation and improve pet health. Every year, millions of stray animals struggle to survive, and responsible pet care can help change that.

Let’s do our part in spreading awareness! 🐾 

Health Sciences

Medicinal Oyster

Scientists in Australia have identified a protein in oysters that effectively kills antibiotic-resistant bacteria and enhances the effectiveness of antibiotics. The protein, found in the oyster's hemolymph (similar to human blood), shows promise against common pathogens like Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Streptococcus pyogenes, which cause infections such as STAPH infections, pneumonia, scarlet fever, and strep throat.

Oysters, being filter feeders, naturally produce potent antimicrobial compounds to protect themselves from bacteria in the water they filter. These compounds prevent bacteria from forming biofilms—protective layers that help bacteria stick to surfaces and resist antibiotics. The oyster protein not only kills bacteria like S. pneumoniae and S. pyogenes but also works synergistically with antibiotics, boosting their effectiveness by up to 32 times, depending on the combination.

With the growing issue of antibiotic resistance, scientists are eager to find solutions that can extend the life of existing antibiotics. The research team, led by marine scientist Kirsten Benkendorff, is currently testing the oyster protein's safety in human tissue to assess its potential for treating drug-resistant bacterial infections.

Good News

Michael Jordan Family Medical Clinic

Michael Jordan has opened his fourth “Michael Jordan Family Medical Clinic” in North Carolina, extending his commitment to improving community health. Located in Wilmington at 416 N. 30th Street, this new facility is the second clinic in Jordan’s hometown and is part of his ongoing partnership with Novant Health. It builds upon a successful initiative first launched in Charlotte in 2019 to address healthcare access issues for underserved communities.

The 7,300-square-foot clinic includes 12 patient rooms and will operate weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., providing primary care services to uninsured or underinsured individuals. It officially begins seeing patients on February 19, offering vital healthcare resources to residents in East Wilmington. Starting next week, appointments can be made by calling 910-833-9140.

Jordan, who has donated tens of millions of dollars to healthcare causes, expressed pride in the positive impact of the first Wilmington clinic, which opened last year and served nearly 1,800 patients in its first nine months. This newest clinic, funded by Jordan’s $10 million gift, further cements his dedication to improving healthcare equity and expanding essential services to those who need them most.

Sports

Extreme Arctic Kayaking

Elite kayaker Aniol Serrasolses and his team embark on a daring adventure to kayak over the world’s largest ice waterfall in the remote Arctic Svalbard archipelago in Norway. Facing harsh conditions, they trek across the ice shelf, scale treacherous glacial cliffs, and race against time to reach the elusive waterfalls before they melt away. This thrilling expedition pushes the boundaries of kayaking and endurance as they navigate one of the most extreme environments on Earth, aiming to conquer a breathtaking natural wonder that no one has attempted before. ❄️🛶

Mind Stretchers

❓️ 

What has a neck but no head?

Yesterday’s Mind Stretchers:

— I understand, Debbie Ettinger got this 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]

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.