👋Welcome, fellow knowledge-seekers!

Hop in, buckle up, and let's cruise through the fast-paced highway of news - packed with joy, thrills, surprises, and mysteries. Get ready, set, read!

On this day, July 7th back in 1928, a game-changer happened in the world of bread. You know those thin, perfectly sliced loaves of bread you use for your sandwiches? Well, on this day, the Chillicothe Baking Company in Missouri sold the first "Kleen Maid Sliced Bread." This was such a big deal it led to the phrase "the best thing since sliced bread." How crazy is that? Imagine having to slice your own bread every time you wanted a PB&J.

🚰 Uh-Oh! Are Chemicals Crashing Your Water faucet?"

Hold onto your water bottles, folks! We've got a doozy of a fact for you today. Turns out, almost half of U.S. faucets are throwing a not-so-cool pool party for "forever chemicals." These unwanted VIP guests, technically known as PFAS (per- and polyfluorinated substances), are notorious for sticking around in our bodies and the environment, like the partygoers who just won't leave.

This shocking revelation is courtesy of a recent U.S. Geological Survey. And before you think you're safe in a bustling city or quiet town, PFAS aren't picky – they're gatecrashing everywhere, contaminating both private wells and public water systems. They're like the world's worst plus-ones, associated with a whole range of health issues like cancer, high blood pressure, and low birth weights.

Our guardians at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are trying to set some house rules by proposing limits on six types of these forever chemicals in our drinking water. However, companies are still allowed to dump these party-crashers into public wastewater systems. That's like cleaning up the mess only after the wild party, not stopping it from happening in the first place.

This study, based on tap samples from hundreds of locations from 2016 to 2021, shows that one form of PFAS could be lurking in about 45% of tap water samples nationwide. Now that's a guest list nobody wants!

The takeaway? If you're drawing water from a private well, it's probably time to get that H2O tested for PFAS and consider installing a bouncer at the tap – a filter with activated carbon or reverse osmosis membranes, that is. Because no one wants their hydration served with a side of forever chemicals. (Source)

👽 Interstellar Invaders: Are We Digging Up Alien Tech from the Ocean?

Grab your tinfoil hats and popcorn, folks! We're diving into a sci-fi thriller that's stranger than fiction! Meet the star of our show - the mysterious Interstellar Marvel No.1 (IM1), an object from outer space that belly flopped into the Pacific Ocean.

Our heroes are a duo from Harvard, including Prof. Avi Loeb, who's got a reputation for being an alien chaser. They retrieved 50 iron spheres from IM1, and guess what? These little metal balls are behaving quite...alien-ly. They're stronger than any meteor nature has ever whipped up. Oh, the drama!

NASA, who also joined this space opera, confirmed that IM1 is indeed an interstellar visitor. A newcomer to Earth, how exciting! But, our Harvard heroes went a step further, suggesting that IM1 could be, hold your breath, 'artificial in origin.' Yes, you heard it right, folks. Aliens!

They even theorize that these iron spheres might be a part of an interstellar spacecraft made by extraterrestrials. While critics have been quick to point out the improbabilities, recent tests conducted at Berkeley have silenced the skeptics. Turns out, these spheres are made almost entirely of iron, which is not typical for our usual meteorites. Cue the dramatic music!

So, our Harvard duo is onto something, and they're just getting started. They're planning on doing more tests to figure out if IM1 is a natural phenomenon or a piece of advanced extraterrestrial tech. Meanwhile, they're also keeping an eye on another object, the IM2, which could also be an interstellar visitor. The plot thickens!

Will we finally have definitive proof of extraterrestrial life? Or will this end up as another false alarm? Only time will tell. Until then, keep your eyes on the skies, and your popcorn close by! (Source)

🐦 New 'Swift Bricks' Offer Free Homes for UK's Tiny Birds in New Buildings

UK's tiny avian inhabitants, the swift birds, are scoring some prime real estate - courtesy of conscientious construction firms. These companies are incorporating what's known as "swift bricks" into their designs. These aren't your typical bricks, though; they come with a special hollow interior, just right for our feathered friends to nestle in.

The trend caught on as over 30,000 of these bricks have been sold and over 10,000 homes now boast swift accommodations. Surprisingly, the reason behind the 58% decline in swifts wasn't rapid urbanization but the renovation of old buildings. In a bid to make buildings more energy-efficient, the little nooks and crannies the swifts called home were sealed up.

But here come the swift bricks to the rescue! A few bricks per wall are enough to turn a standard human dwelling into a swift-friendly sanctuary. Companies like Manthorpe Building Products and Ibstock have produced and sold tens of thousands of these avian abodes.

These bricks are a brainchild of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds. Swifts, the globe-trotting birdies who spend most of their lives in the air, only need a nesting site. They do everything else on the wing, from sipping water by skimming over bodies of water to catching some Z's with one eye closed and half their brain switched off. These birds can travel vast distances to find food, only to return to their UK brick-nest.

Currently, a petition is underway to make the installation of swift bricks mandatory in all UK buildings, a regulation similar to the "bee bricks" already mandated by Brighton and Hove council. So, is the future of construction in the UK about to go the 'birds and the bees' way? Let's wait and see. (Source)

🙃 Why Some of Us Can't Say No: The Science Behind People-Pleasing

Hey there folks, buckle up for a roller-coaster ride into the intriguing world of people-pleasers. Yeah, you know the type! They're always there with a helping hand, scared to say no, terrified of rejection, and eager to keep everyone around them happier than a clam at high tide. But why, oh why, do they walk on eggshells around people's feelings?

Growing up in dysfunctional homes can be like trying to navigate a storm without a compass; this can lead to a fear of rejection, conflict, and loneliness. Therapist Lalitaa Suglani explains it's like carrying around a "Please don't leave me" sign, fearing that solitude equals inadequacy. So we go the extra, extra mile to avoid criticism or the big 'R' - rejection.

Of course, caring for others isn't the problem. It's when you become a living, breathing doormat, always prioritizing others' needs above your own. It's like running a marathon for someone else's medal.

Here are a few reasons why we might morph into Mr. or Mrs. Nice Guy:

1️⃣ Fear of being judged: Speak up about our needs? Heaven forbid, they might think we're high maintenance!

2️⃣ Fear of saying no: Our boundaries dissolve faster than a sugar cube in hot tea.

3️⃣ Fear of disappointing others: We avoid setting boundaries like they're electrified.

4️⃣ Fear of making mistakes: We bite off more than we can chew and then worry about choking.

5️⃣ Fear of rejection: This fear pushes us to become human pretzels, bending over backwards to keep others happy.

6️⃣ Compassion: We feel for others, which isn't a bad thing, unless it means putting ourselves last.

7️⃣ Over-responsibility: Everyone needs our help, right? So, we pile on the responsibilities like we're trying to win a contest.

Bottom line: It's time to remember that we too are people and start treating ourselves like ones! (Source)

😺 Can You Spot It? A Sneaky Fourth Cat Hides

Buckle up, internet sleuths! It's time to play "Where's that sneaky cat?" But this isn't your regular hide-and-seek with fluffy friends. Oh no, we're diving headfirst into a mind-bending optical illusion shared on Reddit, where a phantom feline is playing hide-and-claw with users.

The challenge? Find the elusive fourth kitty in a picture that initially seems to feature just three coal-colored cats. Now, this isn't a case of "there are only three cats, gotcha!" Nope, there's definitely a fourth furball lurking there, practicing its best ninja impression.

Reddit users (clearly with a surplus of time on their hands) have risen to the challenge, staring down the image until the stealthy feline finally reveals itself. Some users confessed they were searching for another black cat, while others suggested that zooming in and out helped spot the mysterious mouser.

This seemingly simple task has tickled the internet's curiosity, with reactions ranging from "catmouflage" jokes to deep reflections on how our eyes work and how we often rely on memory rather than observation. It's a fun reminder that sometimes, the most surprising things are right in front of our eyes (or in this case, whiskers). So, grab your digital magnifying glass and join the hunt - the fourth cat awaits your discovery!

✨Quote of the day

Hey there, ace detective! I've got a little challenge for you today. Do you think you can sleuth out the source of this quote? Put on your thinking cap and let's see if you can crack this literary mystery. No cheating though, okay? Give it your best shot before you sneak a peek at the answer hiding at the bottom of this newsletter. Ready, set, go! You've got this!

🔍Guess the Movie Challenge!

Get your movie detective hats on because it's time for a game of "Can you guess the movie?"

Get ready to unleash your inner Sherlock and show off your movie sleuthing skills!

Hint: Featuring Jennifer Love Hewitt, 2005

Answer at http://bit.ly/3Z8oQzf

🔍 Spot the Flaw: Dive into Our AI-Generated Image Challenge!

Test Your Observation Skills and Pinpoint the Intriguing Mistake in this AI-Generated Image Challenge! You have 3 seconds. Go!!!

Answer to the quote challenge: William Wallace from Braveheart (1995).

🌟 Thank you for joining us on this incredible journey of knowledge and discovery! 💌✨

As we come to the end of this edition of our newsletter, we want to express our deepest gratitude for your support, engagement, and curiosity. It's been an absolute joy to share captivating stories, mind-bending facts, and thought-provoking discussions with you.

Remember, learning is a lifelong adventure, and we hope that our newsletter has sparked your curiosity, expanded your horizons, and inspired you to continue seeking knowledge in all its forms.

Good Afternoon, Good Evening and Good Night.