Good Morning! 🌞 

I hope you all are having a fantastic weekend!

Did you know there's a Species of Jellyfish That Is Essentially Immortal? The Turritopsis dohrnii, commonly known as the "immortal jellyfish," can revert back to its polyp stage after reaching maturity, effectively making it capable of living indefinitely under the right conditions. This unique biological process allows it to bypass death, unless it is consumed by predators or dies from disease.

Innovation

Exoskeleton Allows People to Walk Again

Italy has produced a new robotic exoskeleton aimed at enhancing the lives and mobility of individuals with disabilities or injuries. Named 'Twin,' the exoskeleton, developed in collaboration between the Italian Institute of Technology and the National Insurance Institute of Workplace Injuries, was unveiled at the Museum of Science and Technology in Milan.

The device operates through battery-powered motors at the knee and hip joints, offering three modes: Walk mode, Retrain mode, and TwinCare mode. Walk mode is designed for individuals paralyzed from the waist down, facilitating leg movement with adjustable gait and walk speeds. Retrain mode assists users with partial leg control, providing support to build strength and mobility. TwinCare mode aids those with injuries in only one leg, synchronizing the exoskeleton's movement with a functional leg using software on an Android tablet.

In development since 2013, the Twin has a battery life of approximately 4 hours. Constructed with lightweight, interchangeable aluminum alloy modules, it can be disassembled for transport or upgrades. Although still in the prototype stage and requiring crutches for balance, the technology showcases significant progress in developing advanced solutions for individuals with disabilities.

Culture

East Anglia’s Strange Ice-Skating

In the heart of East Anglia in the UK, amidst the flat, expansive landscapes of the Fens, lies a unique and storied tradition: Fen skating. This form of ice skating, deeply rooted in the history and culture of the region, is not just a winter sport but a celebration of the area's natural beauty and community spirit.

The Fens, a vast network of marshy flatlands across Cambridgeshire, Norfolk, and Suffolk, transform into a skater's paradise during the cold winter months. Historically, these waterlogged lands were prone to flooding, and in winter, the flooded fields would freeze over, creating vast, natural ice rinks. It was on these icy expanses that the tradition of Fen skating was born, with records of the sport dating back to the 19th century, though its origins are likely much older.

Fen skating is distinct from the more formalized ice skating seen in rinks and arenas. The skates used are longer and flatter, designed to glide over the uneven natural ice and navigate through reeds and rushes that might protrude from the surface. This makes Fen skating not just a test of skill but of adaptability and familiarity with the natural landscape.

The sport reached its zenith in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with communities across the Fens engaging in races and competitions. The most famous of these is the Bandy, often described as a precursor to modern ice hockey, which was played on the frozen Fenland waters. Races were community events, drawing large crowds who would gather on the ice, braving the cold to cheer on their champions.

Here is a great article about a photographer who traveled out in search of fen skaters to help document the tradition. It is a great little story and has fantastic pictures. If you more interested in the beautiful pictures, you can find even more of them here.

There is some great footage of fen skaters in this YouTube video. Fen skating looks like a blast!

Economy

US Economy Grew Solid 3.2%

The U.S. economy expanded at a 3.2% annual rate from October to December, driven by strong consumer spending, according to a revised report from the Commerce Department. This update slightly adjusts the growth rate down from an initial 3.3% estimate.

After experiencing a vigorous 4.9% growth rate from July to September, the final quarter's GDP growth marks a slight decrease. Nonetheless, the U.S. has maintained a growth rate above 2% for six consecutive quarters, so far surpassing concerns that high interest rates might lead the economy into a recession.

In contrast to predictions of a downturn, the economy saw a 2.5% growth throughout 2023, improving upon the 1.9% growth observed in 2022.

Consumer expenditures, which form about 70% of U.S. economic activity, increased at a 3% annual rate in the last quarter of the year. Additionally, state and local government spending surged at a 5.4% annual rate during the same period, marking the fastest increase since 2019. A rise in exports also played a significant role in the quarter's economic growth.

The report further indicated a softening in inflation pressures. The Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation gauge — the personal consumption expenditures price index — climbed at a 1.8% annual rate in the fourth quarter, a decrease from the 2.6% rise seen in the previous quarter. Excluding the more volatile food and energy sectors, core inflation saw a slight uptick to 2.1% from a 2% rise in the third quarter.

Looking ahead to 2024, the U.S. economy is expected to continue its growth trajectory. The International Monetary Fund projects a 2.1% expansion for the U.S., which is over double its growth predictions for other major advanced economies, including Japan, Germany, the United Kingdom, France, and Italy.

Additionally, it’s an election year and we all know how those typically impact the economy…

Sports

100-Year-old Diver Joins World Championship

At the edge of a platform, overlooking the rippling water below, 100-year-old Taghi Askari prepared for a dive, a sport he has cherished since winning medals at the inaugural Asian Games in 1951. His recent exhibition dive at the 2024 World Championships in Doha served as a prelude to the upcoming World Aquatics Masters Championships, where he will be the oldest participant.

"I've loved diving since my teenage years, and that passion remains unchanged between 1951 and now, except for my performance!" remarked Askari to World Aquatics. His introduction to diving occurred near his childhood home in Iran, where he observed other children somersaulting into a swimming pool, sparking a lifelong affection for the sport.

Despite achieving success with medals at the Asian Games and national titles, Askari decided to bid farewell to competitive diving at the age of 41 after securing a gold medal at the national level. Reflecting on the evolution of diving since his early days, he noted the significant changes, especially with the entry of Chinese swimmers in 1974.

"By the time the games were in Tehran in 1974, the Chinese swimmers had entered this beautiful sport and made remarkable improvements. We just couldn't catch up as we remained at the same level we started at," explained Askari.

He is now gearing up for the World Aquatics Masters Championships, a competition for participants aged over 25 held shortly after the elite world championships,

Mind Stretchers

⁉️ 

Nobody has ever walked this way. Which way is it?

Answers to yesterday’s Mind Stretchers:
Age  

Shout-out goes to Chris Hosteler for getting the correct answer first!

We did get some other interesting answer, “change” and “truth” were my favorite alternate answers.

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.