🌎 8 billion peeps 🐻 Bear strength 💦 Water hack

🌎 8 billion peeps 🐻 Bear strength 💦 Water hack

Ready to feel small? A recent report from the United Nations projects Earth's population will reach eight billion people by mid-November, and reach a peak of 10.4 billion about 60 years from now.

The best news, hacks, & facts from the past week!
July 22, 2022
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You know it's a super slow news cycle when J. Lo changing her name (to Affleck) and Elon Musk sunbathing shirtless take over the internet...

And don't get us wrong - those are hard hitting stories. But we know you expect tippy top shelf content from us, so we made sure to dig deep this week. Hope you enjoy :)

As always, please forward IQNEWS to a friend if you're a fan!

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STORY OF THE WEEK

Earth: population 8 ba-ba-ba billion!

image: theconversation

Ready to feel small? A recent report from the United Nations projects Earth's population will reach eight billion people by mid-November, and reach a peak of 10.4 billion about 60 years from now.

More than half of these increases will come from just eight countries: the Philippines, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Tanzania.

Eight billion is a mind-boggling number, but the “World Population Prospects” report notes that the global population is actually growing at its slowest rate since 1950, having fallen to less than one percent in 2020.

Some interesting tidbits from the report:

  • Move over, China: In 2023, India will replace China as the most populous country.
  • Gender parity: There are currently more men than women in the world (50.3%), but the gap should entirely close by 2050.
  • USA holds firm: America will remain the third most populous country through 2050.
  • We're getting older: By 2050, the number of people 65+ years old will be more than double the number of children under five.

Also notable is that growth isn't universal - Bulgaria, Latvia, Lithuania, Serbia and Ukraine will shrink 20%+ by 2050.

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IN OTHER NEWS

Bear serum, brainy bees, plant meds...

image: euspaceagency
Medicine

Japanese scientists believe human muscle cells infused with serum from hibernating bears can prevent muscle atrophy. Their findings could hugely advance muscle therapy.

Insect Intel

New research suggests bees might be sentient and intelligent. Across multiple studies, they performed impressive tasks like counting and recognizing human faces.

Plant Power

A new study found that plants can protect themselves from environmental hazards like insects, heat, and drought by producing salicylic acid, the active ingredient in Aspirin.

Male Aging

Many men lose their male “Y” chromosome as they age, new research finds. Loss of "Y" can cause heart failure; this may explain why men die earlier than women on average.

Bird Brains

Why don’t woodpeckers get brain damage? A new study suggests it’s due to their light, tiny brains and tight skulls that essentially function as stiff, solid hammers during pecking.

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HACK OF THE WEEK

No watering can? No problem.

image: pinterest

Why buy a watering can when you can make one yourself? All you need is a plastic jug, a drill or sewing needle, and a few minutes of time.

  1. Choose a plastic jug (preferably one with a handle) and clean it thoroughly to remove all traces of food or chemicals.
  2. If using a drill, make sure the bit is clean, and drill holes in the lid. If using a needle, heat it over a flame and pierce holes in the lid.
  3. Fill the jug with water and put the lid back on.

Voilà - you have a fully functioning watering can! Good for the environment, good for your plants, good for your wallet.

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SHOWER THOUGHTS
  1. Due to coin flips, George Washington still makes decisions to this day.
  2. There’s a decent chance that you exist simply because your parents friends started having kids and your parents didn’t want to feel left out.
  3. You’ve never actually seen your ears. Only a reflection of them.
  4. There's no reason we don't put on our belts in the other direction.
  5. It’s "game over" even if you win.
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QUOTE / TIL / WORD / TRIVIA

Lucius Annaeus Seneca: “Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.”

Today I learned that female cats can be impregnated by more than one male cat during ovulation. This is why kittens from the same litter can look so different. (more here)

guffaw [ guh-faa ] - noun
a loud and boisterous laugh
Her remark sparked guffaws around the room.

Q: What's the most expensive painting ever sold?
A: (see below next section)

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TWEET OF THE WEEK
image: twitter

TRIVIA ANSWER: Leonardo da Vinci's Salvator Mundi (sold for $450.3 million).

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