10,000 Year-old Monolithic Complex

Daily Upsider on August 22, 2024

The discovery of Göbekli Tepe in southern Turkey challenges everything we previously knew about early human civilizations. This massive, monolithic site, with over 90% still unexcavated, dates back over 10,000 years.

Göbekli Tepe is a significant archaeological mystery, comparable to the pyramids. Recent studies of the symbols on its pillars suggest that the site might record an astronomical event that marked a major shift in human civilization. Researchers believe the symbols could represent an early solar calendar, used to track time and seasonal changes. The V-shaped symbols might denote individual days, with a pillar showing a calendar of 365 days, 12 lunar months, and 11 extra days. Notably, the summer solstice is marked by a V on a bird-like figure, possibly depicting a constellation from that era. Nearby statues with similar markings could represent deities.

The carvings might represent the world’s earliest lunisolar calendar, predating other known calendars by millennia. Göbekli Tepe also presents evidence that ancient people recorded a comet strike around 13,000 years ago (11,600 BCE), which could have triggered the end of the Ice Age, sea level rises, and shifts in agriculture leading to early civilization.

The discovery also supports the theory that Earth faces increased comet strike risks when crossing the paths of comet fragments, which we see as meteor streams. Dr. Martin Sweatman from the University of Edinburgh, who led the research, noted that Göbekli Tepe’s inhabitants were keen sky observers, likely due to the impact of the comet strike on their world.

Dessert Turned Medicine?

Daily Upsider on August 22, 2024

A recent study found that adding honey to yogurt helps the beneficial bacteria in yogurt survive longer in the GI tract. This finding supports the ancient Greek recognition of honey as a medicinal food, valued for over 2,000 years.

Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus, bacteria found in yogurt, are crucial for a healthy gut microbiome and can enhance bowel function throughout digestion. The study highlights that up to 25% of Americans experience unsatisfactory bowel function, indicating significant digestive issues for many.

The study compared yogurt with honey to yogurt with sugar over two 2-week periods. Although the study didn’t achieve all its goals, it did show that yogurt with honey increased Bifidobacterium animalis levels in participants’ stools. The authors suggest future research should include individuals with specific digestive issues like constipation or IBS.

Chris Kresser, co-founder of the California Center for Functional Medicine, noted that while the study’s outcomes were mixed, honey’s health benefits are well-documented.

Apple Finally Capitulates

Daily Upsider on August 21, 2024

After extensive negotiations earlier this year, Spotify just announced that it has received approval from Apple to display pricing information in its iOS app for users in the EU. This move is not part of Apple’s new business rules under the EU’s Digital Markets Act, but rather a result of new antitrust regulations specifically targeting music streaming apps imposed by the EU.

Apple typically takes a 30% commission on subscriptions and in-app purchases made through apps distributed via its platform.

Spotify, like many other companies, has criticized this fee structure, arguing that it is anti-competitive. Spotify contends that Apple’s commission forces them to either raise prices for consumers subscribing through the App Store or absorb the cost themselves. Apple also took measures to block Spotify’s ability to display their normal pricing info.

Back in March, Apple was fined €1.84 billion (nearly $2 billion USD) by European regulators for violating antitrust rules. Spotify and Apple have also clashed over a Spotify app update that would allow the company to share pricing details with EU users.

Now, Apple has approved Spotify’s decision to opt into the music streaming entitlement, and the updated language is live in the Spotify app. This allows Spotify to display pricing for its subscriptions, digital goods, and its newer collection of audiobooks. This includes plans with audiobook streaming, as well as options for users to purchase additional listening hours or individual audiobook titles.

However, Spotify will not be able to include a direct link to its website in the app, as doing so would require paying Apple a 27% commission on those sales—something Spotify has chosen to avoid. Instead, the app will only refer users to Spotify’s website without explicitly stating the domain name or .com address. Spotify revealed that Apple even prohibited the use of “spotify.com” in text, even when not hyperlinked, to circumvent the commission fees.

To coincide with the launch of this pricing information, Spotify will run a promotion in the EU encouraging users to upgrade their subscription plans through its website—a practice it has long been able to do on Android without any issues.

Rare Wild Cat No Longer Endangered

Daily Upsider on August 20, 2024

After two decades of dedicated conservation efforts, the Iberian lynx, once one of the world’s most endangered cats, is no longer considered endangered. The population has surged from fewer than 100 individuals in the early 2000s to over 1,000 today—a remarkable 20-fold increase.

This success is attributed to habitat restoration, prey management, captive breeding, anti-poaching measures, and public awareness campaigns. The lynx’s status has improved to “Least Concern” on the IUCN Red List, highlighting the effectiveness of these efforts and underscoring a major triumph in wildlife conservation.

Continued vigilance is essential to maintain this progress and ensure the species’ long-term survival.

Cutting-Edge Drones Clean Up Everest’s Trash

Daily Upsider on August 20, 2024

Nepal and China’s largest drone manufacturer, Da Jiang Innovations, have signed an agreement to supply heavy lift drones to help clear trash from Mount Everest. These drones will be operated by Sherpas, who have long been responsible for removing waste from the mountain. The drones will allow them to access dangerous areas without risking their lives.

The Sagarmatha Pollution Control Committee (SPCC) and the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu rural municipality have agreed to use these drones commercially after a successful test in April. The SPCC works to remove trash and bodies from Everest’s slopes, requiring climbers to carry down a certain amount of garbage or forfeit a $4,000 deposit.

The Khumbu Icefall, a particularly dangerous part of the climb, has claimed the lives of nearly 50 Sherpas between 1953 and 2023. The use of drones aims to reduce fatalities in this area. While there are concerns about job loss, the priority is safety. Sherpas will be trained to operate the drones, which cannot function at higher altitudes.

The drones have a load capacity of 30 kg at Camp I, but this decreases to 18 kg at Camp II, 6,400 meters above sea level. The SPCC is committed to removing trash and bodies, especially as warmer temperatures uncover old waste, threatening to pollute the water sources in the region.