🌱 Moss in Space?

Good morning. Today’s stories show how small things can make a big impact. Moss spores survived nine months outside the space station, hinting at new ways plants might help future astronauts.

A woman discovered that her childhood pen pal had become the doctor who delivered her children, a connection hidden for years.

And a rare Rembrandt drawing of a lion just sold for $18 million, with the money going to help protect real lions. Each story is a reminder that the details matter.

👉 P.S. In celebration of the Winter Olympics kicking off in Milan, we’re highlighting some of the most uplifting stories from this year’s games. Follow us to stay updated.

—Stephanie S

This morning, let’s marvel at a tiny survivor. Scientists recently sent moss spores to hitch a ride on the outside of the International Space Station, exposing them to the vacuum and radiation of space for nine months. When the spores returned to Earth, most of them still managed to sprout new life.

What’s striking is that these humble moss spores, from a species called Physcomitrella patens, endured conditions that would be instantly fatal to humans. After their long, cold journey, 86 percent of the spores were able to reproduce, compared to 97 percent on Earth.

Why does this matter? If moss can survive and recover after such an ordeal, it suggests using simple plants to help create sustainable life-support systems for future space explorers. Moss could one day help generate oxygen or even start new soil on other worlds.

It’s a gentle reminder that life’s resilience can surprise us, and that the smallest experiments sometimes open the biggest questions about our place in the universe.

Imagine discovering your childhood pen pal grew up to be your OB/GYN and delivered both your kids. That’s exactly what happened to Megan Lewis, who only realized the wild connection after her mom handed her a box of old letters.

Neither Megan nor Dr. Suzanne Pugh had any idea they’d crossed paths before, but the serendipity floored them both.

It’s a small world moment that’s equal parts heartwarming and mind-boggling. Take a look if you need a smile today.

Forget dragon slayers with swords, how about monks who healed sick oxen and revived barren swamps? New research spotlights the Augustinian Order, whose “green-thumb” miracles made them eco-legends in medieval Italy.

Their stories are full of rural wonders, from multiplying cabbages to purifying toxic valleys. It’s a fresh look at how faith, nature, and survival were deeply connected.

Curious about these divine gardeners? Dive into their wild, earthy legacy.

Billionaire Tom Kaplan just auctioned a rare Rembrandt lion drawing for a record $18 million, and every penny is going to help save real lions in the wild. The artwork is one of only six Rembrandt lion sketches known to exist.

Kaplan, who leads both a major Rembrandt collection and the big cat conservation group Panthera, is using art to fund science-driven efforts to protect lions across four continents.

It is a fascinating blend of passion, philanthropy, and a bit of art history. Worth a look if you want to see how creativity can fuel real-world change.

🐳 Massachusetts: Scientists celebrated a record 33 endangered North Atlantic right whales spotted in a single January day over Cape Cod.

🎄 North Carolina: A county is giving Christmas trees a second life by turning over 3,000 donated trees into mulch for park trails each year.

♟️ India: Community chess clubs are providing children with education and hope, using chess lessons and tournaments to develop skills and help them escape poverty.

🐕 Massachusetts: An abandoned dog that wandered in a blizzard for six days was finally rescued by determined neighbors and first responders, and is now safe and recovering.

💊 Australia: An experimental drug cut sepsis severity in a human trial, a breakthrough toward the first effective treatment for a condition that kills millions.

Fifty-five years ago today, Apollo 14 commander Alan Shepard added one of the most playful moments to space exploration history when he teed up a golf shot on the lunar surface. Smuggled inside his spacesuit pocket was the head of a six-iron, designed to attach to the handle of a lunar sample scoop. Fighting the stiffness of his bulky suit, Shepard topped and sliced his first two attempts, then finally connected, sending two golf balls arcing across the Moon. “Miles and miles and miles,” he joked to mission control, who listened in amused disbelief.

After the impromptu game, Shepard removed the club head and brought it back to Earth, where it now resides at the US Golf Association Hall of Fame. Because no still photographs were taken during the moment, later composite images were created for Shepard’s book Moon Shot. The swing itself, however, was captured on video, cementing the shot as a uniquely human reminder that even on the Moon, curiosity and humor came along for the ride.

Other notable February 6 events:

1840: The Treaty of Waitangi, New Zealand’s founding document, was signed.

1900: The International Arbitration Court at The Hague was created.

1945: Bob Marley was born in Jamaica.

1958: George Harrison joined John Lennon’s band, The Quarrymen.

— Paul Valery

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:

🌾 Crop Scanning: Software apps are helping diagnose crop diseases via smartphone photos, boosting harvest yields.

🏫 Printed Schools: 3D-printed schools are being built quickly and affordably in regions with classroom shortages.

🚍 Literacy Buses: Global literacy buses are traveling to rural areas, turning commutes into learning sessions.

🌞 Canal Solar: Solar-powered irrigation canals are saving water and producing electricity simultaneously.

⌚ Heart Monitors: Smart wearable health monitors are enabling early detection of heart irregularities.

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