7.16.2024

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Good morning. It's Tuesday, July 16, and we're covering Trump's running mate, underground tunnels on the moon, and much more. First time reading? Join over 3.5 million intellectually curious readers. Sign up here.

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Need To Know
 

Trump Taps Vance

Former President Donald Trump selected Sen. JD Vance (R-OH) as his running mate for the 2024 election yesterday. The announcement came during the first day of the Republican National Convention (see photos) in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, just before Trump officially became the party's presidential nominee. Trump is expected to accept the nomination Thursday. 

 

The 39-year-old Vance (see overview) is a first-time senator and former venture capitalist who gained recognition after publishing his 2016 bestselling memoir "Hillbilly Elegy," covering his family's struggles in greater Appalachia and Rust Belt America. Vance was considered a vocal critic of Trump before becoming one of his allies in Congress, including on issues like foreign policy, trade, and immigration. Vance bested Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Gov. Doug Burgum (R-ND) from Trump's shortlist. 

 

Separately, a federal judge dismissed Trump's criminal indictment over his handling of classified documents. The judge ruled Special Counsel Jack Smith's appointment as prosecutor violated the US Constitution, which requires such appointments to be made by the president and confirmed by the Senate or by an act of legislation. Smith intends to appeal.

 

Moon Cave Discovery

An international team of scientists has confirmed for the first time the existence of a lava tube in the lunar subsurface, marking a potential location for future lunar bases. Led by the University of Trento in Italy, researchers reanalyzed data from NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter using special techniques to detect radar reflections that point to a massive tunnel on the moon.

 

The underground cavern, located in the Mare Tranquillitatis pit near where Apollo 11 landed, is approximately 500 feet below the surface and measures about 150 feet wide and 260 feet long (lava tubes on Earth typically have a diameter of about 33 to 98 feet). This structure could provide natural protection against the harsh lunar environment, including extreme temperatures, cosmic rays, solar radiation, and micrometeorites.

 

Lava tubes form when molten lava flows beneath a hardened surface layer, creating a tunnel as the lava drains, leaving an empty underground cavern. At least 200 pits, at least 16 of which are thought to have lava tubes, have been identified on the moon.

 

Malaria Vaccine Rollout

West Africa's Ivory Coast became the first nation in the region to begin administering the world's latest malaria vaccine to children. The World Health Organization-approved vaccine is part of a program that initially seeks to cover roughly 250,000 children under 2 years old. The introduction of the new three-dose shot comes six months after the world's first malaria vaccine—a four-dose shot—was rolled out in Cameroon.

 

Malaria is an illness caused by the microscopic Plasmodium parasite, which infects and destroys red blood cells (watch overview). Over 200 million people are diagnosed annually. Roughly 600,000 people die as a result of the illness—nearly 80% of whom are children. Approximately 95% of malaria cases arise in sub-Saharan Africa. See more data here.

 

The latest vaccine, R21/Matrix-M, has shown a 77% efficacy in reducing symptoms and preventing death in the first year. At least 15 other African countries plan to administer one of the two existing malaria vaccines this year. 

In partnership with Timeline

Scientists Discover a Root Cause of Aging

 

It’s well known that as we age, we can expect less energy, more tiredness, and weaker muscles, but did you know the root of this issue lies at the cellular level?

 

Starting in our 30s, the mitochondria, responsible for 90% of your body’s energy, take on damage and our cells slowly lose the ability to repair it. This decline wears down our physical strength and endurance, lowering our quality of life over time. But, recent discoveries have revealed a way to restore cellular energy and support healthy aging. Clinically proven Mitopure® is a breakthrough over 15 years in the making that replaces aging mitochondria and helps to rebuild new ones, increasing cellular energy. The results? Studies found participants saw muscle strength and endurance increase without any changes to exercise.

 

The best part? You can get Mitopure for 40% off (their best sale ever) for Amazon Prime Day, while supplies last.

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In The Know
 

Sports, Entertainment, & Culture

> Argentina edges Colombia 1-0 in extra time to win a record 16th Copa América championship (More) | Twenty-seven arrested amid security breach at main entry gate, which caused a delayed start to the Copa América (More)

> Disney investigating hacking after a trove of internal communications data was leaked by a hacktivist artists' rights group (More

> The American League takes on the National League in tonight's (8 pm ET, Fox) 94th MLB All-Star game (More) | MLB Draft continues today; see complete draft tracker (More)

 

Science & Technology

> AT&T reportedly pays $300K ransom to hacker group to delete stolen data following the company's second major breach in three months (More

> Researchers pinpoint gene capable of slowing the aggressive spread of pancreatic cancer; gene produces the molecule HNF4A, and gets "switched off" in early stages of the disease (More

> Gulf War Illness explained in new study; mysterious illness, affecting up to one-third of veterans from the 1990-91 Gulf War, likely caused by intestinal exposure to biological and chemical agents (More)  

In partnership with Pendulum

Meet This 'Un-Hunger' Hormone & Curb Cravings

When a doctor from one of the country’s top medical schools tells us something, we listen. When doctors from four top institutions start a company together, we take note. Meet Pendulum.

 

This probiotic company is completely changing the gut health game and their latest supplement enhances your body’s natural production of GLP-1*, or the “un-hunger hormone.” (It helps curb cravings and reduce appetite.) In a survey, 91% of Pendulum users reported reduced overall cravings and 88% reported reduced sugar cravings**.

 

Get 20% off your first month of GLP-1 Probiotic today.

 

*Disclosure: Based on preclinical studies

**Disclosure: Based on a consumer survey of 274 people

 
 

Business & Markets

> US stock markets close higher (S&P 500 +0.3%, Dow +0.5%, Nasdaq +0.4%), with Dow closing at a record high; Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell signals the Fed won't wait until annual inflation hits 2% before cutting interest rates (More)

> Amazon kicks off Prime Day 48-hour sale today; this year's Prime Day expected to set record in US online spending, with an estimated $14B in total sales (More)

> Macy's ends buyout talks to go private for $6.9B with activist investors Arkhouse Management and Brigade Capital Management; Macy's shares close down 12% (More)

 

Politics & World Affairs

> Gambian lawmakers uphold ban on female genital mutilation, reversing course months after an initial vote; despite the ban, the practice remains widespread in Gambia, with more than 70% of girls and women undergoing the procedure (More) | What is FGM? (More)

> Moscow court convicts US journalist Masha Gessen in absentia for violating Russia's law criminalizing criticism of Russian war in Ukraine (More) | See latest updates on the war (More)

> Rwandan President Paul Kagame expected to extend his 30-year rule after defeating two candidates permitted to run against him in yesterday's election (More)

 

In-Depth

> It's a Bird, It's a Plane

Washingtonian | Andrew Zaleski. When birds collide with aircraft, residue is sent to a team of forensic ornithologists for analysis. Carla Dove, one such bird detective, describes her work analyzing feathers to improve airplane safety. (Read)

 

> Communicating Across Political Divide

TED | Isaac Saul. How can Americans better communicate across the political spectrum? One journalist explores word choice as an opportunity to lower the temperature and avoid common pitfalls. (Watch, via YouTube)

In partnership with Timeline

A New Way to Support Aging Muscles

 

Maintaining muscle strength is key to healthy aging, but our muscle integrity naturally decreases over time.

 

Meet Mitopure®, a powerful, healthy aging solution shown in clinical studies to significantly increase muscle strength and endurance, starting in as little as two months. Notably, the improvements were achieved with no change in the participants’ exercise routine. Save 40% on Mitopure for a limited time when you shop on Amazon this Prime Day, while supplies last.

Please support our sponsors!

Etcetera
 

Germany's Navy still relies on floppy disks.

 

Ancient Temple discovered in Peru.

 

The worst suitcase shape, according to math.

 

World's rarest whale washes ashore in New Zealand.

 

... and a green-boned dinosaur goes on display in Los Angeles.

 

Surprising facts about the ancient Olympic games.

 

Scotland sunsets reveal pinkish rainbows. (w/photos)

 

Princess Cruises breaks a pizza party world record.

 

Clickbait: Trader Joe's seasoning banned in South Korea

 

Historybook: District of Columbia established as capital of the US (1790); Journalist and civil rights activist Ida B. Wells-Barnett born (1862); First successful atom bomb test (1945); JD Salinger's "The Catcher in the Rye" published (1951); Apollo 11 launches with first astronauts who will walk on the moon (1969). 

"The way to right wrongs is to turn the light of truth upon them."

- Ida B. Wells-Barnett

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