Today’s topics

• Sahara dust provides vital nutrients for ocean life

• Costco's gold bar sales soar

• Mysterious “walking” stones

• Voting from space

  and more…

U.S. stocks edged higher Monday, with the S&P 500 rising 0.4%, ending the month up 2% and the quarter up 5.5%. The Nasdaq also gained 0.4%, while the Dow Jones ticked up slightly. Both the S&P 500 and Dow hit fresh record highs, following Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell’s indication that the central bank is unlikely to pursue major rate cuts if the economy stays strong.

Nvidia's boom creates millionaires amid intense workplace pressure. With 76% of Nvidia employees now millionaires and one in three boasting a net worth exceeding $20 million, the company's rise in the AI chip market showcases both individual success and the tech industry's remarkable growth. Nvidia's stock has skyrocketed 3,776% since early 2019, with prices jumping from $14 in October 2022 to nearly $107. The employee stock purchase program, offering shares at a 15% discount, has significantly changed lives. Yet, this newfound wealth comes amid a "pressure-cooker" environment characterized by long hours, intense meetings, and high expectations, as reported by Bloomberg.

Costco's gold bar sales soar amid price surge. Costco is experiencing a surge in gold bar sales as prices for the precious metal continue to rise. CFO Gary Millerchip reported "double-digit" growth in gold sales during the latest quarter, highlighting its impact as a "meaningful tailwind" for e-commerce. Since introducing gold bars in fall 2023, analysts from Wells Fargo estimate that Costco is selling between $100 million to $200 million in gold each month. This recent gold performance sparked some light-hearted moments during the company's earnings call.

Google Flights’ price guarantee: secure the lowest fare or get a refund. Google Flights has launched a pilot "price guarantee" program to give travelers peace of mind when booking. For eligible flights marked with a "price guarantee" badge, Google will track fare changes up until departure. If the price drops, passengers can claim the difference, with refunds up to $500 via Google Pay. The annual cap covers up to three qualifying flights, ensuring you always get the best deal.

Google Reunites with AI Pioneer for $2.7 Billion

Google paid $2.7 billion to rehire AI expert Noam Shazeer, who left the company in 2021 after a disagreement over a chatbot he co-developed. Shazeer, an early Google hire, co-founded Character.AI after his departure, which quickly became a top AI startup. His return highlights the ongoing debate over tech companies’ hefty spending on AI talent.

OpenAI’s path to for-profit: a complex transition ahead. OpenAI is navigating a complex journey as it plans to convert from a nonprofit to a for-profit entity, a move that is rare for organizations of its wealth. The transition aims to streamline operations within the leading artificial intelligence startup. Currently, OpenAI is raising $6.5 billion from investors, including Microsoft and Nvidia, along with various venture-capital firms and a UAE state-backed company. A key condition of this funding is that OpenAI must become a public-benefit corporation within two years, balancing profit-making with social responsibility, or risk having investors reclaim their investments.

Apple set to launch iPad-like smart home display with HomeOS. Apple is gearing up to enter the smart home market with a new display expected next year. According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, this device will run on a new operating system called homeOS, which is based on the familiar tvOS used in Apple TV. This move aims to enhance Apple’s ecosystem, similar to the software that powers HomePods, and could redefine how users interact with their smart home devices.

Voting Beyond Borders: Astronauts Cast Ballots from Space

As astronauts Barry "Butch" Wilmore and Sunita Williams remain at the International Space Station (ISS) until February due to issues with Boeing's Starliner spacecraft, they've requested ballots for the upcoming general election. Their original mission was meant to last eight days in June, but a test flight complication left them orbiting Earth. From the ISS, they'll transmit their votes to local election officials, underscoring the importance of civic engagement. This isn't the first time astronauts have voted from space; NASA has facilitated off-Earth voting since 1997, allowing crew members to cast their ballots securely via encrypted emails.

First direct image of a solar system with multiple exoplanets. The European Southern Observatory’s Very Large Telescope (ESO’s VLT) has made history by capturing the first direct image of a young, Sun-like star, TYC 8998-760-1, surrounded by two giant exoplanets. Observing systems with multiple exoplanets is exceptionally rare, and this is the first instance where astronomers have directly visualized more than one planet orbiting a star akin to our Sun. These groundbreaking observations will enhance our understanding of how planets form and evolve in systems like our own, located approximately 300 light-years away.

Stem Cells Reverse Diabetes in Groundbreaking Case

A 25-year-old woman with type 1 diabetes has started producing her own insulin after receiving a transplant of reprogrammed stem cells from her body. This marks the first instance of such a treatment, with the woman experiencing a complete reversal of her diabetes less than three months post-transplant. Living in Tianjin, China, she expressed her excitement, saying, "I can eat sugar now," and she especially enjoys hotpot. James Shapiro, a transplant surgeon at the University of Alberta, praised the remarkable results, noting the patient previously relied on substantial insulin doses.

Trovants: Romania's mysterious 'growing' stones. The Trovants, found in Romania, are an intriguing geological phenomenon. These sandstone concretions seem to "grow" and even "move" under certain conditions. Made of a hard stone core surrounded by sandstone, they absorb rainwater rich in calcium carbonate and other minerals, which precipitates on the surface, gradually adding layers. Though their growth is slow—about 4-5 centimeters over 1,000 years—their ability to expand and seemingly "walk" has fascinated locals and scientists alike. The name "Trovants" fittingly comes from the Romanian word for "growing stone."

Mother-daughter team uses bacteria to restore historic frescoes. In 2008, microbiologist Pilar Bosch found inspiration for her PhD in an unexpected way: a paper suggesting bacteria could aid in art restoration. At the same time, her mother, art restorer Pilar Roig, struggled to clean 18th-century frescoes by Antonio Palomino in Valencia’s Santos Juanes church. Decades-old glue was proving difficult to remove—until Bosch’s discovery. Now, over a decade later, the duo has reunited for a €4-million project, applying these innovative bacteria-based techniques to bring Valencia’s historic artworks back to life.

Everest Is Growing: Mountain Gains Height!

Researchers have discovered that Mount Everest is experiencing a growth spurt, with river erosion contributing to its height. Over the past 89,000 years, the iconic peak has risen an additional 15 to 50 meters, pushing its current height to 8,849 meters (29,032 feet). The Himalayas formed around 50 million years ago due to the collision of the Indian subcontinent with the Eurasian tectonic plate, and while erosion and landslides have caused some rock loss, the uplift continues as these geological processes persist.

Sahara dust: the ocean's lifeline across the Atlantic. Dust from the Sahara Desert is transforming into vital nutrients for ocean life as it travels across the Atlantic. Iron, an essential micronutrient for processes like respiration and photosynthesis, often limits growth in modern oceans. A new study from the University of California, Riverside, reveals that as Sahara dust remains airborne longer and travels farther, its iron content becomes more accessible, boosting carbon fixation by phytoplankton and supporting the marine food chain. Without this mineral-rich dust cloud, oceanic phytoplankton would struggle to thrive.

U.S. clean power surge: Q2 2024 report highlights remarkable growth. The American Clean Power Association (ACP) has unveiled its Clean Power Quarterly Market Report for Q2 2024, highlighting remarkable growth within the U.S. clean power sector. In this record-breaking quarter, developers added 11 gigawatts (GW) of new utility-scale clean power capacity, representing a 91% increase from the same period in 2023. Notably, U.S. energy storage surpassed the 20 GW milestone, while Texas emerged as the leading solar state. Overall, clean energy now powers nearly 70 million homes across the country.

‘The Simpsons’ Kicks Off Season 36 with a Mock “Series Finale”

In a playful twist, “The Simpsons” premiered its Season 36 with what it cheekily called its “series finale.” Hosted by an animated Conan O’Brien, the episode showcased beloved characters attending a fictional farewell celebration at the “Dolby-Mucinex Theatre.” O’Brien humorously noted his connection to the show and revealed that artificial intelligence had been used to craft a script titled “Bart’s Birthday,” poking fun at classic series finale tropes. Despite the dramatics, fans were well aware that this wasn’t truly the end.

Moo Deng, the viral pygmy hippo, gets her own 24/7 live stream. A playful two-month-old pygmy hippo named Moo Deng has taken the internet by storm. The baby hippo, known for her love of water splashing and belly rubs, became an online sensation after videos from Thailand’s Khao Kheow Open Zoo went viral. Her antics, including playful biting and even blowing snot bubbles, have captivated fans worldwide. Now, the zoo has launched a 24/7 live stream to satisfy the massive audience eager to follow her every move.

Minecraft players create stunning 1:1 replica of New York City. Minecraft enthusiasts have created an astonishing 1:1 scale replica of New York City, featuring iconic landmarks like the Brooklyn Bridge and Battery Park. This ambitious project has been in development for four years, yet only about 68% of lower Manhattan is complete. The creators emphasize the precision of their work, stating, "Every building has been manually recreated, with the right amount of windows, correct detailing, and even trash cans and road signs placed accurately as in real life.”

Harry Potter fans pay tribute to Dame Maggie Smith at Hogwarts. Fans gathered at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Orlando to honor Dame Maggie Smith, who passed away at 89. Raising their wands outside the Hogwarts Castle replica, mourners paid tribute to the actress known for her role as Professor Minerva McGonagall. This heartfelt gathering is part of a tradition among fans to commemorate the legacy of actors from the beloved film franchise. 

Introducing the Daffodahlia: a stunning new flower hybrid. Meet the Daffodahlia, a captivating new flower discovered by accident that blends the beauty of daffodils and dahlias. Kelsey Hall, owner of Cattle & Cut Flowers in Enumclaw, Washington, was amazed to find this unique dahlia form growing on her farm. After confirming its disease-free status, she decided to breed this extraordinary bloom. Hall expressed her disbelief, saying, "I honestly thought my eyes were playing a trick on me." Each new bloom continues to leave her in awe of this rare floral marvel.

Blue Java: the vanilla-flavored, ice cream-like banana. The Blue Java, also called the Ice Cream banana or Vanilla banana, is a unique banana cultivar known for its creamy texture and sweet vanilla-like flavor. This cold-tolerant fruit, native to Southeast Asia, is a hybrid of two banana species: Musa balbisiana and Musa acuminata. Its rich, aromatic taste and smooth consistency make it a favorite among those who love an all-natural, dessert-like treat.

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