School Dogs Boost Students’ Academics and Mental Health

Daily Upsider on May 20, 2024

To help reduce anxiety and promote learning, several elementary schools in Michigan have enlisted service dogs, and students are already seeing improvements in their academics, according to WXMI-TV 17.

In September, Priority Health, a Michigan health insurance provider, launched the Priority Pups program, placing goldendoodles in two school districts with plans for further expansion. These dogs visit different classrooms daily, providing comfort and support.

Research shows that the presence of trained dogs reduces children’s stress, encourages a positive attitude toward learning, and improves interactions between classmates. This initiative is especially timely, as a 2023 report from Mental Health America revealed that many young people in Michigan with clinical depression did not receive mental health treatment.

Shelby, a student at North Godwin Elementary School, has directly benefited from the program. Diagnosed with Fragile X Syndrome, autism, and ADHD, Shelby struggles with her emotions at school. Her mother, Laurie Uhl, described the difference the goldendoodle Meeka has made.

“When Shelby has a meltdown, Meeka’s presence immediately calms her down,” Uhl explained.

The program’s success is due in part to Canines for Change, founded in 2005 by Dr. Nikki Brown, a school psychologist for the Lansing School District. Dr. Brown noticed significant improvements in skills and behavior when she brought her Corgi to work with special education students. She then partnered with another trainer to offer service dogs for children with special needs.

The Future of Flying

Daily Upsider on May 20, 2024

Early this year we did an article about how the future with flying cars is almost here.

The “flying car” we featured was the Ryse Recon eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing). While the acronym “eVTOL” is not the most exiting, the technology itself is very cool.

Another eVTOL maker, Jetson ONE, recently released a video showing off some formation flying with the aerial vehicles. They are very cool.

Related: Flying Hydrogen Taxi

9th Grader Invents a Soap That Can Treat Skin Cancer

Daily Upsider on May 17, 2024

In Virginia, a 14-year-old named Heman Bekele was awarded $25,000 and named America’s Top Young Scientist for developing an innovative, low-cost soap designed to treat skin cancer.

Over a four-month period, Bekele competed against nine other finalists in the Young Scientist Challenge, hosted by 3M and Discovery Education, which motivates young people to use STEM to solve real-world issues. With guidance from a mentor, he transformed his concept into a working prototype that administers cancer-fighting agents through lipid nanoparticles in the soap.

Inspired by his childhood in Ethiopia and the prevalent risks of skin cancer due to constant sun exposure, Bekele was moved to act. “I always thought people were always getting hit by the hot sun working outside,” he recounted to NPR. “I didn’t think much of it when I was really little, but as I grew up I realized how big of an issue [skin cancer] really is. Not only in Ethiopia but everywhere around the world.” He was particularly struck by the high costs of traditional treatments, which can reach $40,000, and the significantly lower survival rates in developing countries.

Determined to make a difference, Bekele began experimenting at home, tackling the challenges of soap-making and learning about dendritic cells, which are crucial for the immune system but are compromised by cancer. His innovative soap activates these cells with Imidazoquinoline, a drug used in treatments for other skin conditions and now being tested against skin cancer.

Bekele shared with PBS how his soap ensures the delivery of medicinal components through lipid-based nanoparticles, offering a novel method to combat skin cancer. His aim was clear: “My main goal was to provide an effective, yet affordable and accessible solution to fight skin cancer.” Remarkably, each bar of his soap costs only $.50 to produce.

Bekele’s next steps involve refining his invention and starting a nonprofit to distribute the soap in underserved communities, ensuring that those most in need can benefit from his groundbreaking work.

New ‘The Lord of the Rings Movie’ Announced for 2026

Daily Upsider on May 17, 2024

Warner Bros. announced a new Lord of the Rings movie, signaling a return to the beloved film franchise based on J.R.R. Tolkien’s novels. The upcoming film, the first of a two-part series delving into untold tales within the universe, will feature Peter Jackson, the director of the original trilogy, back in charge. Additionally, Andy Serkis, known for his portrayal of Gollum, will star in and direct the initial installment, titled “The Hunt for Gollum.”

The announcement was made by Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav during an earnings call, with the tentative release date for “The Hunt for Gollum” set for 2026. While details about the plot are still under wraps, speculation has already begun among fans and critics.

Notably, a fan-made film of the same name, “The Hunt for Gollum,” released in 2009, explored a subplot from Tolkien’s appendices, depicting Gandalf’s mission to capture Gollum before he could betray the Ring’s location to Sauron. Whether the upcoming film will follow a similar narrative remains uncertain.

While awaiting the release of the new movie, fans can look forward to other Lord of the Rings project, the animated prequel “Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim,” slated for December 13, 2024.

I am a huge fan of Tolkien and his works. I am tentatively looking forward to “The War of the Rohirrim”. This new movie around the hunt for Gollum is certainly a surprise. I will have to hear more about the project before I can decide if I can get excited or not. Here’s to hoping they will both be good!

The World’s Largest Picnic

Daily Upsider on May 16, 2024

Are you planning to be in Paris in late May? Consider sticking around for Le Grand Pique Nique, or as it’s known in German, Spanish, or Italian, “The Grand Picnic.”

From the Arc de Triomphe to the intersection of Avenue George V, nine temporary kitchens will line the famous Champs-Élysées for a gastronomic picnic on what’s claimed to be the world’s largest picnic blanket.

On Sunday, May 26th, LG Electronics is sponsoring this massive event, where 4,000 lucky tourists and locals will gather around a giant, traditional red and white checkered picnic rug to taste Parisian cuisine.

Though attendance is determined by a ballot system, the Champs-Élysées sees heavy foot traffic, especially now as Paris remains a top tourist destination.

Each chosen attendee receives a picnic basket to sample from the nine kitchens, with each square on the rug accommodating up to 6 people.

There will also be musical performances, games, and other outdoor entertainment.

In addition to offering food enthusiasts an unforgettable experience, the city aims to set the Guinness World Record for the largest picnic blanket.

Attendees may also catch a glimpse of the planned renovations by architect Philippe Chiambaretta for the €300 million post-Olympics makeover of the Champs-Élysées, addressing its perceived “worn out” appearance from 2021. The plan includes reducing parking spots, creating pedestrian areas, and transforming the space into “an extraordinary garden.”