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Hello there lovely people!
Hopefully seeing this Tuesday newsletter land in your inbox adds some much-needed sunshine to your day.
This week, we’re tucking into the details about a brand new dating app, exploring some very exciting discoveries in biology, uncovering rising wine and marketing trends, plus much much more.
❤️🔥 Love & other drugs
A new dating app is on the scene, and it’s completely sidelined the messaging feature we’re used to, with the aim of ending the ‘endless swiping and chatting’ that takes place on traditional platforms. Breeze users are shown only a few profiles each day, but as soon as a match is found, the app organises the first date at a location and time both individuals agree on. Users each pay £9.50 to obtain a ‘date token’ that can be used as bar credit in a safe, Breeze partner bar. Just two hours before the meeting, a chat window opens up. Ghosters – or anyone who cancels without rescheduling – are frozen out of the app. Goodbye aimless texting, hello genuine meet-ups.
A controversial treatment for drug addiction gains ground – npr
‘Contingency management’ is a contentious, yet effective treatment for methamphetamine and cocaine addiction. Unlike opioids, there are no FDA-approved medications for stimulant drugs, including meth. This program offers monthly rewards, such as gift cards that increase in value monthly, to people who maintain sobriety and prove it by presenting negative drug tests. New research has shown this method to be twice as effective as traditional counselling in reducing drug use, despite it facing decades of resistance over concerns that it was akin to bribery, and fears of fraud.
🌏 Our planet
The race to discover and protect Earth’s hidden plants – thred.
A new study estimates there are 100,000 plant species waiting to be discovered, but researchers warn that they likely face extinction before we can get to them. These plants, living in untraversed biodiversity ‘hotspots’, could offer medical cures, be a source of sustainable fuel, or present solutions to ecological crises. As deforestation and climate change continue to worsen, scientists urge of the importance of global action to find and preserve these species before its too late!
Microbes that transform toxic carbon monoxide into biofuel – the conversation
Microbes maintain the planet’s elemental cycles by constantly consuming various materials, including waste. Some are even capable of transforming toxic carbon monoxide (CO) into biofuels. This is valuable for industries like steel production, which generate significant amounts of CO. Now, microbes have been observed converting CO into ethanol, a greener fuel alternative. Unlike traditional bioethanol from food crops, these microbes use waste gases, putting a complete spin on the food vs. fuel debate. Could this discovery open a new avenue for green energy in the future?
🍷 Trending topics
Rosé wine had its moment throughout the 2010s, making way for orange (natural) wines in past couple of years. Now, demand for chilled reds are on the rise, as wine-lovers seek out a refreshing twist at the start of this autumn season. Full-bodied wines like Cabernet Sauvignon must be served at a higher temperature to highlight its aromas and flavours, but lighter blends – including Gamay, Lambrusco, Beaujolais, and Grenache – do well at cooler temps. More and more wine bars are starting to stock their fridges with these bottles, which good news for those who want to enjoy reds all year round.
Why is everything a vibe trend now? – gen zer
Brands everywhere are pulling inspiration from internet trends to grab the attention of young consumers – whether it’s tomato girl summer, brat summer, or buzzwords like ‘demure’ and ‘mindful’. That said, these e-trends rarely last longer than a couple weeks, garnerning short term wins with short-term gains. Other companies have chosen to uphold their legacy with timeless campaigns that encapsulate their longstanding brand identity. On the contrary, this tactic enables each generation to incorporate products into their own personal style, creating new meaning around brands consumers themselves change. Which is more appealing – trendy or timeless?
