Good Morning! 🌞 

Dates. You either love ‘em or you hate ‘em. I’m not talking about the romantic meet-ups (although I think the statement still fits), but the fruit. Personally, I think they taste like caramel and could eat them every day!

In the video below today’s Culture article, we learn how to make a decadent dessert starring dates, and get a peek at life back in ancient Egypt!

So, are you a date lover or hater? Reply to today’s newsletter and tell me!

— Sophia

Health Science

Schizophrenia Detection

New research suggests that our eyes may hold subtle clues about genetic risk for schizophrenia. A team from the University of Zurich and the University Hospital of Psychiatry Zurich found that individuals with a higher polygenic risk score for schizophrenia tend to have slightly thinner retinas. Published in Nature Mental Health, the findings support a growing body of evidence that the retina—part of the central nervous system and directly connected to the brain—can reflect neurological changes tied to mental illness.

The researchers analyzed retinal data from tens of thousands of healthy individuals in the UK Biobank and compared it to their genetic risk profiles. While the effect size was modest, it was statistically significant across a large sample, suggesting a reliable link between retinal thinning and schizophrenia risk. This adds to prior studies that have found similar associations between schizophrenia and both brain structure changes and retinal anomalies—but the timeline of these changes remains unclear. It’s still unknown whether they occur before symptoms appear, or as a result of disease progression, treatment, or other lifestyle factors.

One of the most promising aspects of this research is its potential for early detection. Retinal scans using optical coherence tomography (OCT) are fast, non-invasive, and relatively inexpensive—making them a candidate tool for future screening protocols. The study also highlights genetic ties between schizophrenia and inflammation in the brain, pointing to possible new targets for treatment. Still, the authors stress that more longitudinal studies are needed before retinal imaging can be used in a clinical setting to assess psychiatric risk.

Culture

Recreating Ancient Recipes

Ever wondered what dessert might’ve tasted like in the days of Cleopatra? Turns out, it was rich, sticky, and worthy of a queen. A recent episode from a YouTube series on ancient recipes resurrects a classic Egyptian treat: dates stuffed with spiced nuts and finished with a drizzle of honey. More than a sweet bite, it’s a portal into the indulgent world of one of history’s most iconic rulers.

Cleopatra VII, Egypt’s last pharaoh, was known for her political prowess, legendary romances, and extravagant taste. Ancient texts describe her lavish feasts, where ingredients like dates, honey, and fragrant spices flowed in abundance—many sourced from the fertile Nile Valley. Stuffed dates, with their mix of sweetness and crunch, likely graced her table at grand banquets or quiet moments of indulgence.

The video doesn’t just recreate a dish—it revives an era. With each bite, you taste the opulence, connection to the land, and timeless appeal of ancient Egyptian cuisine. Empires may crumble, but some recipes endure—and this one still feels fit for royalty.

Environment

Athens Greens Acropolis Hills

In response to record-breaking heat and worsening urban conditions, Athens launched an ambitious greening initiative in 2024 under newly elected Mayor Haris Doukas. The plan aimed to plant 5,000 trees and shrubs by year’s end, targeting areas most affected by the city’s status as one of Europe’s most extreme urban heat islands. Athens, which once recorded the continent’s highest temperature—48°C—has long struggled with its lack of green space, despite being the first European city to appoint a “chief heat officer.”

Green projects took root in six neighborhoods and on the Acropolis itself, where notable additions included the city’s first micro-forest on Alepotrypa Hill and new parks like Kalvos and Degleri. One symbolic milestone was the relocation of a 700-year-old olive tree from Aigio to the Old Parliament building. Residents can now track progress through the Athens Trees mobile app, which visualizes the early impact of the city’s efforts.

With funding from a €2 million Green Fund grant, the city is expanding the initiative further. Crews have already begun restoring Filopappos Hill and plan to reforest the Western Hills of the Acropolis next. Led by GREEN ATHENS in collaboration with the city’s Green Department, the project has cleared overgrown slopes, unblocked drains, removed 400 dead trees, and planted 100 new ones. Doukas aims to plant 25,000 trees by the end of his term—cutting city temperatures by up to 3°C and making Athens more resilient, breathable, and livable for the future.

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Mind Stretchers

⁉️ 

I hum a lullaby none can hear,
My breath is cold, yet I hold things dear.
Behind my door, I keep the past—
Preserved in stillness, meant to last.

Answers to yesterday’s Mind Stretchers

What has a head, a tail, is brown, and has no legs? — a penny! Pat O’Hara got this correct! 🌞 

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 the email.

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