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That itty bitty bit there by the pencil tip is the world's smallest pacemaker. It has yet to be tested on humans, but it would be implanted with a syringe and controlled by light before dissolving when no longer needed. It would be particularly well-suited for newborns with congenital heart defects. The pacemaker is paired with a wearable device on the patient's chest.  When an irregular heartbeat is detected, the device shines a light pulse to activate the unit.  It is powered by a galvanic cell, which uses the body's fluids to convert chemical energy into electrical pulses that stimulate the heart. It would be meant for short-term use though, to help adults restore a normal heartbeat following cardiac surgery.  "It's a paradigm shift in temporary pacing and bioelectronic medicine, opening up possibilities far beyond cardiology - including nerve regeneration, wound healing, and integrated smart implants," says researcher Bozhi Tian.

 My shot from the Seymour Marine Discovery Center in Santa Cruz. I've always been intrigued by sea anemone but never quite sure of what's going on, so that's our direction today. While they largely stay in one place, they are predatory.  Their tentacles contain nematocysts, or stinging cells, that paralyze prey.  The venom is harmless to humans though. And you may know that clownfish are able to withstand these stings so they like to hang out for protection and they clean the anemones of parasites. My shot from Mattole, Pacific Coast. The giant green anemone is intertidal, seen here in a tide pool. They feed on crabs, mussels, small fishes, and sea urchins.  We did see it try to grab something it thought might be food.  And we saw what it would've liked on the shore nearby.

  Born on this day in 1939, the Prince of Soul, Marvin Gaye. But there's also some horror to this story - the day before his 45th birthday, he was shot by his own father. Tensions had long existed between father and son - Senior was a strict Christian minister, who openly cross-dressed in the neighborhood, something Junior would be ridiculed for.  Dad disagreed with Marvin's career choice, and grew jealous as he became the breadwinner of the family. During a stay at his parent's house in 1983, caring for his mother as she recovered from kidney surgery, his father called the police to remove him from the property.  For Christmas that year, Marvin gave his father a .38 Special. Alberta Gaye would attest that her husband charged into her son's bedroom to verbally attack her when Marvin shoved his father out and started kicking and punching him.  She would explain that her husband had made it very clear that if any of his children dared strike him, he would murder them. ...

  Othello I'm not sure if I'll be able to start today, but tomorrow for sure. And my sister will be reading along with me as well this time! Online Source Summary and Analysis The play has recently been revived on Broadway, with Denzel Washington in the lead role. Playbill So we'll check in mid-month to touch base around Act III.

  Cynthia Erivo Paulina Chavez Sofia Carson Jenna Ortega Naomi Watts Catherine O'Hara Sasheer Zamata Viola Davis Emmett Scanlan Doechii

  There are numerous articles, from Nature  to The Economist, about scientists being driven out of the United States with Trump's anti-science rhetoric and actions. This is a form of anti-intellectualism which we've seen in pretty recent history, used in totalitarian governments to repress political dissent. Research funding has been slashed, but there is one thing moving forward - a federal study of immunizations and autism.  It's already terrifying that RFK Jr. is the Secretary of Health and Human Services, but he's tapped David Geier, an antivaxxer and once disciplined for practicing medicine without a license, to lead the study. So yeah. This in the midst of measles outbreaks across the country. SUPPORT SCIENCE!

It is National Acoustic Soul Day, which is a celebration of India Arie's album but also the warmth and authenticity that acoustic music embodies. The day stands as an invitation to explore music that brings calmness, emotional richness, and a touch of spirituality to our lives. Soul singing is often rooted in African American gospel and blues traditions. The album was released 24 years ago today.

  Last night I learned about Ebenezer Creek, north of Savannah, Georgia. It looks to be a lovely place to canoe, but it may be haunted as well. It was December 1864 during the Civil War.  General William T. Sherman's "March to the Sea" campaign was in full effect, and General Jefferson C. Davis was advancing towards Savannah.  They had gained a following of freed slaves, what some considered "a growing encumbrance." A pontoon bridge had been assembled for crossing Ebenezer Creek, and as his men made it over, General Davis ordered the ropes cut. Over 600 freed men panicked in the waters, many drowned, and others were reached by Confederate soldiers who shot and trampled them.  Some of Davis' men did try to help and some trees were felled which allowed for some of the freedmen to create a crude raft.  Those who survived, however, were returned to slavery. There was public outcry at the time, and in January 1865 President Lincoln approved 400,000 acres of coast...

 Celebrated from March 20 through April 13 in Washington D.C. As you may know, the trees were gifts from Japan received in 1912. They line the tidal basin of the Potomac River leading to the Jefferson Memorial. Peak bloom is anticipated for this weekend. My photo is here in town though.  There are gardens on the UNR campus and San Rafael Park. There is a festival in San Francisco as well, April 12-13 and 19-20. Being on the west coast, where many Japanese Americans were interned, the purpose is more about a commitment to peace - in D.C. they symbolize friendship and cultural exchange.  Of course, being in Japantown, you will be celebrating culture in SF as well. Called sakura, it is the national flower of Japan.  They have been referenced for centuries in poetry and literature, with their fragility seen as a symbol of life, death, and rebirth.

  Queen Maxima Kat Graham Lily Gladstone Rachel Zegler Nicole Scherzinger Mariah Carey Ashley Park Ellen Pompeo Lupita Nyong'o Dolly Parton

  This is Felis domesticus  Chester Willard, and he is a published researcher - along with physicist Jack H. Hetherington. In 1975, Hetherington was documenting results in the field of low-temperature physics. Upon review of his paper, it was noted that he had used "we" throughout even though he was the sole author.  So he added his cat as F.D.C. Willard. With his article now in Physical Review Letters , his office received requests to speak with Willard.  Once the truth was revealed, the physics community embraced it. Willard continued to appear in footnotes, where he was thanked for "useful contributions to the discussion." Hetherington is Professor Emeritus in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at Michigan State University.  In 2016, he became interested in the artistic possibilities of representing mathematical functions and graphs.

  I always seem to have a daffodil for Spring, and that makes me happy.  ^_^ Happiness is gauged in a moment, and life overall. I have a quote from Sex and the City, which is based around a relationship but the point remains: "How often are you happy?" "Every day." "You feel happy every day?" "Not all day every day, but yes, every day." Sometimes you have to find the moment, and sometimes it may be a struggle, but Aristotle claimed it was the one thing we seek "in and of itself."  The pursuit of happiness. ❤️

  Originally opened in 1906, this was the first casino in the state.  Gambling was allowed until 1909, when it was outlawed in Las Vegas - until this day in 1931. At the beginning of the Depression, Nevada's mines were in decline and the economy was in shambles.  In response to population flight, the state legislature decided to legalize gambling, followed by divorce in 1932. Sin City came to be! The first casino in Reno opened in 1935.

  If you remember from earlier this month, Jackie and Shadow had three eggs, and all three hatched. However, after a serious storm this weekend, one of the eaglets did not survive. The log reports that they both treated the chick with care in their process of releasing and letting go.  First being moved from the nest bowl to the side before mom flew it off. Nature is beautiful, and painful.

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