🌞 Healthy heart patches

I hope you’re able to spend some time today - after reading this newsletter of course! - away from your screens.

I won’t be doing that, but I hope you do!

MIT engineers have developed special patches that can help with heart health after a cardiac arrest.  

The patch is designed to hold different drugs that can be released based on a schedule. 

Researchers said the patches reduced damaged heart tissue by 50% and “significantly improved cardiac function” in an animal trial.

If approved, researchers said the patches  could help heart attack survivors recover more of their cardiac function.

The patches also dissolve over time without disrupting the heart’s mechanical function.

The researchers were supported by institutes in the U.S. and Canada, and hope to complete further testing. 

Brazil’s under-17s girls’ team celebrates winning a penalty shootout against Canada at the World Cup.

In case you missed it, the New York City marathon occurred earlier this week. 

While you may have stories celebrating the fastest finisher, today I want to celebrate the slowest.

The final finisher at the marathon was Venezuelan athlete Juan Pablo Dos Santos, who crossed the finish line surrounded by supporters after more than 15 hours on the course. 

Dos Santos is a double amputee who uses prosthetic legs. He told ABC News (U.S.) he had to take off his prostheses every 100 steps to stop his skin from tearing. 

Fittingly, Dos Santos was greeted by an excited crowd upon his finish and was presented with a medal, much deserved pats-on-the-back and cheers.

What an achievement. 

A few weeks ago, I recommended an account called ‘Today I Am Grateful.’ Now, I’m recommending another wholesome corner of the internet, ‘Today I noticed.’ 

The account makes everyday observations: small children with big bags, finding leftovers in the fridge, or the satisfaction of crunchy leaves. 

I find the charming illustrations with each post particularly heartwarming.'

Here’s a photo of my favourite observation.

By Anju Dhanushkodi.

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I love Paddington Bear. I loved the books as a child, and I love the films as an adult. My friends are sick of hearing me wax rhapsodic about Paddington 2. So you can only imagine my joy when I watched this video of BBC reporter David Sillito meeting the Paddington puppet now appearing in a new West End musical.

“I’m having a little moment here,” Sillito said. SO AM I.

The puppet is physically inhabited by an actor of short stature, Arti Shah, while his facial expressions and voice are controlled by another actor, James Hameed, offstage.

Brb, flying to London to experience this magic in the flesh.

Shane Jenek, best known as drag performer Courtney Act (if you don’t get it, say it out loud), has released their first children’s book. 

‘Confetti and the Rainbow Garden’ is a picture book for kids aged three and above illustrated by First Nations artist Dylan Finney.

The book delves into a world of Australian flora, identity, family and freedom. In the middle of this world is Confetti, described as a “curious and spirited character” who’s figuring out what they’re going to be when they grow up.

Jenek said the book is a “love letter to the beauty of self-discovery and the endless possibilities of who we can become when we embrace our true colors.” 

They added that they hoped the book would “create a space where children and their families can feel seen, celebrated, and free to imagine all the ways they might grow,” which they didn’t have when they were growing up.