🌊 84 Tons of Trash out of the Ocean

Good morning. Today’s stories are all about unexpected discoveries and the people who make them possible. In Hawaii, fishermen are hauling tons of old fishing gear out of the Pacific, turning their daily work into a cleanup effort.

Chimps in a new study are showing a surprising interest in crystals, giving us a fresh look at why we might be drawn to shiny stones.

And a lost page from an Archimedes manuscript has turned up in a French museum, with hidden text waiting to be revealed.

👉 P.S. If you enjoy stories like these, consider joining our premium newsletter. You’ll be supporting our small team and helping us share more good news with a community that cares.

—Stephanie S

This morning, let’s take a moment to appreciate a quiet but powerful win for our oceans. Hawaiʻi Pacific University’s Bounty Project has hauled 84 tons of abandoned fishing gear from the North Pacific over the past 3 years, turning commercial fishing trips into opportunities for ocean cleanup.

What’s striking is how the project puts fishermen at the heart of the solution, rewarding them for removing ghost nets before they can harm reefs or marine life. In just over three years, 77 fishermen have made more than 690 recoveries, with some of the old nets even finding new life in experimental pavement.

It’s a reminder that creative partnerships can make a real difference, especially when they meet people where they already are.

Ever wonder why humans are so drawn to shiny stones? Turns out, chimps are too. A new study found that chimps not only notice crystals but also prefer them over regular rocks and even stash them in their sleeping spots.

Researchers watched as chimps inspected, sorted, and even bartered for crystals, hinting at a deep-rooted fascination that might go way back in our evolutionary story.

Curious what this says about us? Dive into the full story for a fresh perspective on our love for all things sparkly.

You're taking 8+ supplements. You can't remember when half of them expire. And you definitely don't know if they overlap. Get the SuppCo app to track nutrients, get scheduling alerts, and see what you're actually taking. It’s your health, don’t make it complicated.

Get the App

Sponsors help keep this newsletter free. If you’d like to have an ad-free experience, consider subscribing to our premium newsletter.

A long-lost page from the legendary Archimedes Palimpsest just turned up in a French museum, and it’s hiding ancient math beneath a modern illustration. Researchers spotted the page thanks to old photos and now plan to use X-ray imaging to reveal what’s underneath.

This isn’t just any old parchment. It’s part of a manuscript that survived centuries of travel, repurposing, and even a dramatic auction.

Curious about what secrets Archimedes left behind? Check out the full story.

Losing your wallet is the worst, but imagine getting it back thanks to a postal worker who went the extra mile…literally. Bruce Armah, a new mail carrier in Pennsylvania, found a wallet buried in the snow and decided to track down its owner after his shift.

He ended up driving 52 miles in freezing weather, just to return it. No reward, just a simple belief in doing the right thing.

It’s a small story, but it’s a reminder that kindness is alive and well. Read the full story for a little boost today.

🖼️ Netherlands: A woman discovered 35 original Rembrandt etchings hidden in a folder inherited from her grandfather, now set to be exhibited in a museum.

💉 Zimbabwe: The country began delivering lenacapavir (a 6-month injectable HIV prevention drug) to sex workers, young women, and other at-risk groups.

☀️ Oregon: The Warm Springs Tribe secured $1 million to outfit tribal homes and community centers with solar panels and battery storage.

🧠 India: India’s CBSE board directed schools to focus on students’ mental health, train teachers in counseling, ease academic pressure, and weave social-emotional learning and life skills into education.

🧬 Global: Scientists describe an mRNA-based vaccine that trains the immune system to hunt down and kill cancer cells, offering hope against multiple cancer types.

38 years ago today, Japan opened the Seikan Tunnel, linking the islands of Honshu and Hokkaido beneath the Tsugaru Strait. Stretching more than 33 miles, it became the longest undersea tunnel in the world and one of the most ambitious engineering projects ever attempted. Built largely to improve transportation and safety between the islands after a deadly ferry disaster, the tunnel now carries dozens of freight trains every day.

Although rising air travel reduced the number of passengers using the line, the Seikan Tunnel remains a remarkable engineering achievement. Today, it also carries Japan’s high-speed Shinkansen, and upgrades continue to increase train speeds and improve travel times between Tokyo and Sapporo. The project stands as a testament to the scale of infrastructure Japan was willing to undertake to connect its islands safely and reliably.

Other notable March 13 events:

1781: William Herschel discovered the planet Uranus.

1921: Mongolia declared its independence from China.

1971: The Allman Brothers Band recorded their classic album Live At Fillmore East

2013: Pope Francis was selected by the Vatican's papal conclave to become the leader of the Catholic Church.

— Georg C. Lichtenberg

Every day brings amazing advances and uplifting moments that remind us just how wonderful the world can be. Here are five reasons why today is the best time ever to be alive:

🌾 Drought Warnings: Early warning systems are predicting droughts, helping communities prepare in advance.

🧴 Skin Cancer Detection: Skin cancer detectors are identifying melanomas earlier than ever before.

🦆 Urban Wetlands: Urban wetlands are being restored to filter water naturally and support wildlife in cities.

📘 Free Education: Open educational resources provide teachers and students with free access to high-quality curricula.

🔧 Repair Cafes: Community repair cafes are teaching people to fix electronics, reducing waste, and saving money.

Spread a little good news, and good things come back your way.

When you share your unique link, you’re not just passing along uplifting stories; you’re earning a few surprises from us, too. Brighten someone’s day, grow the circle, and enjoy some goodies while you’re at it. You’re currently at {{rp_num_referrals}} referrals.

Click the button below, then copy and paste the link to share.

If that button doesn’t work, you can copy and share your referral link with your friends: {{rp_refer_url}}

Manage your referrals here