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Good morning, it's Saturday, Sept. 12, and a new study says it's important to sleep in a dark room. First time reading? Join millions of insatiably curious readers. Sign up here.
Also in today's Digest: the CIA releases never-before-seen 9/11 files (Quick Hits), Justin Trudeau is making movies (Quick Hits), a man's morning commute is exercise and a good deed (Humankind), under-the-radar travel destinations (Etc.), and much more.
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One Big Headline
Turn off the Lights
Light exposure during nighttime sleep may lead to harmful changes in the heart's structure and function, according to a study published this week.
Researchers asked 11,071 participants without cardiovascular disease to wear light and motion sensors on their wrists for seven days to measure nighttime light exposure. Possible sources included streetlights and televisions. Participants underwent cardiac MRIs three years later, and those with greater exposure had thicker heart walls and weaker heartbeats. During eight- to 10-year follow-ups, those in the highest-exposure group had a 29% higher risk of heart failure, 24% higher risk of heart attack, 33% elevated risk of stroke, and 26% increased risk of cardiovascular death than those with the least exposure. See seven tips to limit nighttime light here.
Further research is needed to determine whether different types of light, such as LED versus fluorescent, have different effects. Future studies may also probe whether the changes stem from disrupted sleep or effects on the body's circadian rhythm.
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Quick Hits
CIA releases intelligence sent to White House before 9/11.
The CIA yesterday released 69 never-before-seen briefs (download here) warning about Osama bin Laden and al-Qaida, including one warning then-President Bill Clinton about a potential plot to "fly an explosive-packed airplane into a US city.” Experts say the documents reaffirm that the US failed to respond to several warnings in the years leading up to 9/11. (More)
US inflation accelerates and diesel prices spike as war in Iran continues.
The inflation rose 3.4% in August compared with a year ago, unchanged from July and in line with analysts’ expectations. Interest-rate futures forecast about an 85% chance the Federal Reserve will raise interest rates next week, up from roughly 70% before the report. Meanwhile, diesel prices hit record highs above $6 a gallon, which is expected to hike the cost of shipping groceries and other goods. (More)
Iran-backed Houthis capture Red Sea island on vital oil shipping route.
The Houthi militia yesterday seized a Yemeni island at the choke point in the Red Sea, one day after taking control of a key Yemeni port. The moves tighten Iran and its allies' control of the Bab el-Mandab Strait, a vital oil shipping route. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia shut down a major oil pipeline after a drone attack it claims originated in Iraq. The Iraqi government has ordered an investigation. (More, w/map)
Afghan woman deported in first-ever "alien terrorist" court case.
Nazira Haji Zada, a 47-year-old Afghan permanent resident living in Texas, opted yesterday to leave the US rather than continue litigating accusations that she supported an Islamic State-linked plot. She was the first person to appear before the Alien Terrorist Removal Court, which was established in 1996. The court allows the government to deport noncitizens whose case details cannot be publicly disclosed for national security reasons. (More)
CDC declares nation's largest-known cyclosporiasis outbreak over.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention declared that the outbreak ended yesterday, with a total of 12,883 lab-confirmed cases across 21 states since May. Officials identified at least one source—iceberg lettuce grown by Taylor Farms in Mexico—and are investigating at least five other potential sources. (More)
US Open wraps this weekend.
The world's new No. 1 women's tennis player, Elena Rybakina, faces the old No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in the women's final today at 4 pm ET. This is Rybakina’s first US Open final, while Sabalenka is seeking her third straight title after winning in 2024 and 2025. Ben Shelton and Alexander Zverev will play tomorrow for the men's title. (More)
Justin Trudeau launches film and TV production company.
The former Canadian Prime Minister is launching Hope & Hard Work with his former chief of staff, Katie Telford. The company is developing adaptations of Perry Chafe's 2023 novel, "Closer by Sea"; Uzma Jalaluddin's 2025 novel "Detective Aunty"; and more. Former President Barack Obama and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton both also started production companies after leaving office. (More)
Humankind
After 9/11, New York chefs turned a party boat into a floating kitchen to feed first responders. (More)
Granddaughter, 24, chronicles coffee dates, clothing swaps, and health scares after moving in to care for her 83-year-old grandmother with dementia. (More, w/videos)
IT professional in Zurich cleans the waterways while swimming to work every morning. (More, w/photos)
Boy, 12**,** amasses over 628,000 Instagram followers for his ability to mimic over 100 birdcalls—a skill he began practicing at age 4. (More, w/video)
Boston Ballet receives a $10M anonymous donation, the largest single donation since its founding in 1963. (More)
Animal shelter pairs newborn kitten stuck inside a car engine for a nearly 80-mile drive with a nursing mother. (More)
In partnership with Miso Robotics
The Fed is Going After Chinese Robots
America’s banned robotics imports. Front and center? China, which controls 85% of supply in many sectors.
It’s one more tailwind for US companies like Miso Robotics, whose share price changes on 9/17. As first-movers in the $1T fast-food market, brands like White Castle have used Miso’s robots for years. NVIDIA even collaborates with them. Two 2026 product acquisitions added customers like Jersey Mike’s and grew Miso’s IP portfolio 10X. It’s not only 100k+ US fast-food locations in need; Miso’s robots launched at colleges and an NBA arena.
People have invested 44k+ times. Invest at $5.48/share by 9/17.*
Humankind(ness)
Today, we're sharing a story from reader Cathy K. in Rescue, CA.
"It was early Sunday morning. My husband and I had spent the night in a rest stop in our travel trailer in Blythe, California, before heading into Arizona. We had driven 70 miles east before realizing he didn’t have his wallet. We decided to drive back to the rest stop when I received a call from our health insurance company. They had a gentleman on the other line who had found the wallet at the rest stop. The only phone number available was on this insurance card. The insurance company connected us so that we could talk. The couple waited for us at the rest stop, still holding the wallet. We will never forget the kindness of these strangers."
Humankind(ness) is a reader-built corner of joy. So, what act(s) of kindness did you experience this week? Tell us here. And if this story made you smile—share our email (copy URL here).
Etcetera
How Americans remembered 9/11, in photos.
Football remains US' favorite sport, soccer makes record gains.
Mars astronauts could live in homes 3D-printed from freeze-dried yeast.
What happens when you turn off your social media algorithm?
Have we reached peak performance at darts? (w/video)
Roughly 8 in 10 Americans are taking supplements.
How often do you really need to shower?
Divorced couples fight over custody of embryos. (w/audio)
Ten destinations to visit before they're packed with tourists.
The 20 fastest-growing jobs in the US by 2035.
Man walks from Istanbul to Ireland barefoot.
Why do some people have a better sense of direction? (w/video)
British woman breaks record for largest My Little Pony collection.
Most Clicked This Week: Why Sept. 9 is the most common birthday.
Historybook: Iconic track and field athlete Jesse Owens born (1913); Singer Barry White born (1944); Mae Jemison becomes first Black woman in space (1992); Johnny Cash dies (2003).
"Never be limited by other people's limited imaginations."
— Mae Jemison
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*Disclosure: This is a paid advertisement for Miso Robotics Regulation A offering. Please read the offering circular at invest.misorobotics.com.
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