Good Morning! 🌞 

It’s National Brother’s Day, aka the one day a year it’s socially acceptable to be sappy with the dude who stole your snacks, blamed you for everything, and still somehow has your back. 🧍‍♂️🫶

Call your brother. Text him. Yell “I love you, bro” across the room. Yeah, he’ll probably say, “Okay, weirdo…” but deep down? He loves it.

Today’s your chance to appreciate the guy who taught you how to throw a punch—or dodge one. 👊❤️

Environment

‘Sharkitecture’ Explained

Sharks have thrived for over 450 million years, adapting to drastic environmental changes and surviving mass extinctions. A major factor in that resilience? Their skeletons. Unlike most vertebrates, sharks don’t have bones—their frames are made of tough, mineralized cartilage. To understand how this flexible material endures the intense physical demands of constant swimming, researchers at Florida Atlantic University examined it at the nanoscale.

Focusing on blacktip sharks (Carcharhinus limbatus), the team used synchrotron X-ray nanotomography and mechanical testing to explore the unique structure of shark cartilage. “We’re discovering how tiny mineral structures and collagen fibers come together to create a material that’s both strong and flexible, perfectly adapted for a shark’s powerful swimming. These insights could help us design better materials by following nature’s blueprint,” said Marianne Porter, co-author and associate professor at FAU. The study revealed two main regions of mineralization—the corpus calcareum and the intermediale—both composed of collagen and bioapatite, a mineral also found in human bones. These regions include porous mineral plates supported by struts, enabling the skeleton to withstand stress from multiple directions.

On an even finer scale, researchers discovered that the bioapatite crystals form needle-like shapes that align with strands of collagen, boosting strength and flexibility. Helical fiber structures—spiral layers of collagen—act like built-in crack barriers, preventing structural failure. Stress tests showed minor damage after one cycle and localized fractures after two, highlighting the skeleton’s resilience. “Nature builds remarkably strong materials by combining minerals with biological polymers, such as collagen—a process known as biomineralization,” said Vivian Merk, senior author from FAU. “Sharks are a striking example. Their mineral-reinforced spines work like springs, flexing and storing energy as they swim.” The study, conducted in collaboration with the German Electron Synchrotron (DESY) and NOAA Fisheries, was published in ACS Nano—and the researchers believe this “sharkitecture” could inform the next generation of high-performance materials.

Good News

Donating 4 Million Meals

Müller UK & Ireland has reached a major milestone, donating the equivalent of four million meals through its partnership with FareShare, the UK’s largest food redistribution charity. By turning surplus dairy products like milk and yogurt into meals for low-income individuals, the collaboration supports vulnerable communities while reducing food waste across the country.

FareShare works with more than 8,500 charities and community groups—including food banks, shelters, and hospices—distributing food collected from across the industry. Müller’s regular contributions align with its broader Sustainability Action Plan, which focuses on minimizing environmental impact and promoting community wellbeing. “Our purpose goes beyond simply making dairy products: we’re here to play our part in supporting the people and communities who need it most,” said Victoria Bryant of Müller UK & Ireland. “Working with FareShare has enabled us to make a direct impact by providing nutritious dairy products to those who might otherwise go without it.”

“Müller’s ongoing support has helped us deliver millions of meals to people facing hardship (and) their contributions continue to make a real difference in lives across the country,” added FareShare CEO Kris Gibbon-Walsh. As the UK’s leading dairy brand, Müller exports to 60 countries, employs over 32,000 people in Europe, and sources milk from over 1,000 British farmers. FareShare, meanwhile, redistributes food daily through regional warehouses. In a single year, the organization diverted 55,000 tons of food from landfills—preventing 95,000 tons of CO₂ emissions. With this milestone, Müller and FareShare hope to inspire more food producers to take action against hunger and waste.

World News

Queen Elizabeth’s Memorial

In her 1966 Christmas address, Queen Elizabeth II called on the nation to “breathe gentleness and care into the harsh progress of mankind.” That message is now inspiring the vision for a memorial in her honor, to be placed in London’s St. James’ Park. The Queen Elizabeth Memorial Committee aims to create “an emotionally powerful place” that celebrates her “extraordinary life.” Five leading UK architecture and design studios have submitted proposals, with the winning design to be announced in 2026—what would have been her 100th birthday.

The shortlisted concepts reflect recurring themes of unity, nature, and reflection. One design proposes a large cast-bronze oak tree, digitally modeled after a centuries-old specimen from Windsor Great Park—once the Queen’s private hunting ground—now a public space. Landscape architect Tom Stuart-Smith envisions the tree on a pedestal in the lake, visible from a gently curved bridge made of stones sourced from across the UK. J&L Gibbons imagines a bedrock bridge connecting glades created for “forest bathing” in the heart of the city.

Other entries also blend symbolism with landscape. WilkinsonEyre’s concept includes two intertwined bridges crossing the park’s lake, each point offering prompts for reflection on themes like nature, family, and the Commonwealth. One bridge rises above the lake with views of the London skyline and Buckingham Palace; the other brings visitors closer to the water and wildlife. Heatherwick Studio’s proposal is described as “quietly monumental,” featuring a lily-themed bridge and canopy. At its center sits an equestrian statue of the Queen, surrounded by her favorite plants and 70 limestone lily pads—one for each year of her reign. All design visuals were released by Malcolm Reading Consultants.

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Mind Stretchers

⁉️ 

I open wide but never speak,
Shielding you when skies turn bleak.
I have no spine, yet ribs I show—
In sun or storm, I'm good to go.
What am I?

Answers to yesterday’s Mind Stretchers

— mixed blessing! Debbie Ettinger got the correct answer 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] or reply to the 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.