Print Me A Heart
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July 21st, 2020
Don’t ask yourself what the world needs; ask yourself what makes you come alive. And then go and do that. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.
– Harold Whitman
Print Me A Heart
What are some of the coolest things you’ve seen 3D printed? 3D printers have printed everything from gadgets, foods, and now--organs. That’s right, scientists at the University of Minnesota have just 3D printed a human heart that is 100% capable of beating on its own.
How’s It Beat? To create their heart, the University of Minnesota researchers started by using human pluripotent stem cells, a type of cell able to develop into any other type of cell. From there, using a bioink and a special type of 3D printer, the scientists were able to shape and transform the pluripotent cells into a heart shape. Over the course of a month, the cells multiplied and grew and become heart muscle cells and finally began beating.
Impact: While the heart is only 1.5 centimeters long and much simpler than a real heart, it’s enough of a discovery to warrant further research. With an active model, the researchers are able to track how the cells function and react to new variables.
The “Nicest Place” In America
Despite the cold climate and isolated location, the city of Anchorage (in Alaska) is a top finalist in the Reader Digest’s “Nicest Places in America” 2020 contest. Anchorage was nominated because of its support of its local businesses, its homeless population, and its charity organizations.
Help The Homeless: As soon as the coronavirus hit Alaska, the Catholic Social Services (CSS) immediately began removing the Anchorage homeless population from the crowded streets and shelters. Where to? The safest option possible for everyone: private residences. From there the CSS worked with Hotel Captain Cook (HCC) to organize a drive for local residents to drop off necessities like soap, toothpaste, and toilet paper for the newly housed. And for every selfie taken during the drive, HCC donated $10 dollars to staffers who’ve temporarily lost their jobs!
More Food, Less Carbon
Meatballs: Ikea’s famous meatballs are getting a twin! The “plantball” is a meatball made from a mix of yellow pea protein, oats, potatoes, onions, and apples that mimics the taste of Ikea’s traditional beef/pork meatball. The “plantball” will be introduced to Ikea food courts around August in a bid to reduce the company’s (and Sweden’s) total carbon footprint.
Beer: Did you know that it takes an average tree 2 days to remove the carbon dioxide produced by fermenting just a six-pack of beer? Young Henry’s, an Australian brewery, is using algae in their brewing process to help them achieve carbon neutrality. The algae, a photosynthetic organism, are surprisingly efficient at absorbing carbon while also producing oxygen.
Chicken: Kentucky printed chicken? KFC is working hard with a Russian 3D bioprinting company to produce chicken meat from chicken cells and plant materials. This new “meat of the future” will be made in a laboratory to reduce greenhouse emissions, land usage, and food/water consumption from raising chickens.
Pocketed Treasure
What people carry around can show who they really are. So have you ever wondered what children carry around in their pockets? Here’s a look into the treasured content within the pockets of 5 kids from 5 different countries.
United States
India
Argentina
Ukraine
United Kingdom
Shower Thoughts
If weights became invisible, a gym would turn into a slow-motion disco.
Since the devil has a pitchfork and the grim reaper has a scythe, farming must be a big thing in the underworld.
When you go to sleep at 4 AM, are you going to bed early or late?
The first parent who had twins must have been really confused.
I think in my own voice, so do dogs think in their own barks?
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