Triassic Reptile Forces Scientists to Rethink Evolution

Good morning. Scientists have uncovered a Triassic reptile with a previously unseen crest, challenging our understanding of the origins of feathers and hair.

In Iowa, a baby once given zero chance to live is now thriving at one year old, showing the power of hope and medical innovation.

And in Mexico City, a humble taco stand has made culinary history by earning a Michelin Star, proving that simplicity and tradition can lead to greatness.

—Stephanie S

Scientists have discovered a new Triassic reptile, Mirasaura, with a spectacular crest unlike anything seen before. This 247-million-year-old creature’s appendages are not made of skin, feathers, or hair, but something unique.

The fossils, found in France and recently studied in Germany, include rare soft tissue that allowed researchers to analyze the crest’s structure. The appendages contain pigment cells similar to those found in feathers, suggesting a deeper evolutionary origin for these features.

Mirasaura’s crest likely served as a visual signal, possibly for attracting mates or deterring predators. This finding challenges current theories about the evolution of feathers and hair, offering new insight into the origins of complex body structures.

The discovery highlights how much we still have to learn about life’s history and the surprising forms it can take.

Nash Keen, born at just 21 weeks and weighing only 10 ounces, defied all odds to become the world’s most premature surviving baby. Doctors at the University of Iowa Health Care’s Children’s Hospital gave him a chance when survival seemed impossible.

After 189 days in the hospital, Nash went home and recently celebrated his first birthday. His resilience and the dedication of his care team inspired everyone around him.

Today, Nash is thriving, growing, and giggling, a true symbol of hope and perseverance.

Taquería El Califa de León, a tiny taco stand in Mexico City, has become the first of its kind to earn a Michelin Star. With just four menu items and space for 11 diners, the stand proves that simplicity and quality can outshine quantity.

Chef Arturo Rivera Martínez credits the win to the taco’s basic ingredients: a fresh tortilla, high-quality meat, and a touch of salt and lime.

This recognition highlights Mexico’s rich culinary tradition and celebrates the country’s unique flavors and culture.

A bargain hunter at a London estate sale bought a painting for just £150, only to discover it was an original Salvador Dalí. The artwork, titled Vecchio Sultano, was part of a 1966 commission inspired by The Arabian Nights.

After confirming its authenticity through auction records and a Dalí scholar, the painting is now expected to fetch up to $37,000 at auction.

Are estate sales the new storage wars?

Sixty years ago today, Frank Herbert’s Dune was published, introducing readers to the harsh desert world of Arrakis and the powerful drug known as “spice.” Blending ecology, politics, and mysticism, Dune tells the story of Paul Atreides, heir to a noble house caught in an interstellar power struggle. The novel won the Hugo Award and has since sold over 20 million copies worldwide.

Universally regarded as one of the greatest science fiction novels ever written, Dune influenced generations of creators, from Star Wars to Warhammer 40K. Its impact is so vast that planetary features on Saturn’s moon Titan and Earth’s Moon bear its name. The book continues to inspire, recently revived in Denis Villeneuve’s visually stunning film adaptations.

Other notable Aug 1 events:

1873: San Francisco tested its first cable car, now the last of its kind still in operation.

1907: The first scouting camp opened on Brownsea Island, founding the global Scout movement.

1911: Harriet Quimby became the first American woman to earn a pilot’s license.

1942: Jerry Garcia, lead guitarist of the Grateful Dead, was born in San Francisco.

🌍 Benin: Grammy winner Ciara has accepted Benin citizenship under a new law welcoming the African diaspora.

🕊️ Cambodia/Thailand: An unconditional ceasefire has taken hold between Cambodia and Thailand after deadly border clashes, allowing thousands of displaced civilians to begin returning home.

🏺 Poland: Archaeologists have discovered two ancient megalithic tombs dating back to the era of the "Polish Pyramid" builders.

🚆 Russia: A fearless bystander sprinted onto train tracks and pulled an unconscious man to safety just seconds before a train arrived.

🐾 USA: An update on a developing story - the shelter dog who instinctively detected a man's oncoming seizure at an adoption event has found her forever home.

— Viktor Frankl

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:

🌱 Greener Materials: Renewable materials, such as bioplastics, are replacing petroleum-based plastics, thereby helping to reduce pollution.

✈️ Aid in Action: Humanitarian airlifts and global aid networks respond faster than ever to natural disasters worldwide.

🐺 Nature Restored: Conservation projects have reintroduced wolves to ecosystems, balancing wildlife populations and restoring habitats.

🤖 Caring Machines: Robotics is assisting in elder care, providing companionship and physical support to aging populations.

💻 Open Learning: Online education platforms have opened up free, world-class learning opportunities for anyone with internet access.

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