Extreme Weekly #4
Footballs Zombie Dome, Artic Blast, New Virus Outbreak, Top Dogs of 024 and More
January 4th 2025
Yo yo yooo, happy new year! 2025
Just wanna say that you and hello to all the new people who are reading, welcome and thank you. Just a quick note, I hope you all are ready to smash the new year and focus on your goals. Make this time count. Now, got some interesting topics to talk about haha.
Let’s do it…..
01. China’s New Viral Outbreak
China is facing a sharp rise in human metapneumovirus (HMPV) infections, with children under 14 most affected. HMPV now surpasses COVID-19, rhinovirus, and adenovirus as the country's leading cause of respiratory illnesses.
First identified in 2001, HMPV typically causes mild symptoms like fever and cough but can lead to severe respiratory issues in vulnerable groups. Hospitals in major cities have reported increased pediatric admissions, prompting authorities to recommend mask-wearing and good hygiene precautions.
With no specific treatment or vaccine yet available, researchers are racing to develop solutions. Public health experts warn that HMPV’s rapid spread could signal a broader global health risk. It seems pretty extreme. Hopefully, they can figure out a solution before it spreads further worldwide.
02. Apple’s 2025 Tech Drops Look Wild
Apple looks to have some crazy new gadgets lined up for 2025.
Imagine a smart home hub that controls everything in your house with just a word or a gesture—lights, music, even your coffee machine! They’re also working on a Face ID smart camera doorbell. Integrating the Apple ecosystem into every aspect of our lives. Not really sure about this but intrigued to find out.
03. The Coldest January in a Decade?
If you thought winter was already brutal, hold onto whatever you got that’s cold because a polar vortex is about to make things even colder. Forecasters are saying January 2025 could be the coldest we’ve had since 2014, especially in the eastern U.S. So yeah, we’re talking serious subzero vibes.
This isn’t your average winter chill, polar vortexes pull frigid air straight from the Arctic, and when that happens, things freeze fast. Many places will receive emergency alerts, so if you do please stay safe!
04. Zombie Apocalypse? Head to England!
This is gonna sound weird, Imagine it’s the zombie apocalypse, chaos is everywhere, and you need a safe place to hide. Where do you go? According to some clever researchers, Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium might just be your best bet.
Here’s why: the stadium’s design makes it surprisingly defensible. First off, it’s got a retractable roof, which means you could seal off the top to keep any zombie hordes from dropping in. Add to that the limited entry points, there are only a few gates and entrances, which would make it easier to block off and defend. Plus, there’s plenty of space inside for people, supplies, and maybe even a football match or two to pass the time while you wait for rescue. The study states once locked up it would take around 55 days to breach.
05. Cows, Fart-Free
Well… sounds quite odd but as a result of science and IVF, Hilda was born, or made hm. This is a part of something called the Cool Cows Project. There goal was to breed cattle that will produce less or no methane gas.
This is all according to Professor Richard Dewhest from Scotland’s Rural College. He’s stated that it will produce a greater of offspring from the donors. Increasing nucleus of highly-efficient methane calves.
Now, this could be great for the environment and for cows as this isn’t just the UK taking measures, Denmark is also pushing farting cows to be taxed.
06. Navigational Prowess Prevents Alzheimer’s
According to a new study from Harvard Medical School, taxi and ambulance drivers are significantly less likely to die from Alzheimer’s disease. After analyzing causes of death across millions of adults in the U.S. and examining over 400 professions, researchers found that those who regularly engage in complex navigational tasks like taxi and ambulance drivers appear to have some built-in protection against Alzheimer’s.
The study highlights a fascinating connection: while bus drivers and pilots didn’t show the same trend, likely because they follow pre-determined routes, taxi and ambulance drivers must constantly process new routes, locations, and directions on the fly. This frequent use of spatial reasoning and navigational skills could be what keeps their brains sharper for longer.
Professor Vishal Patel, who led the study, noted, “Our findings raise the possibility that frequent navigational and spatial processing tasks might be associated with some protection against Alzheimer's.”
07. Magnus Carlsen Quits Tournament Over… Jeans?
World chess number one Magnus Carlsen walked out of the FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Championships after refusing to change out of his jeans.
Officials fined him $200 for breaking the dress code and warned he’d be disqualified unless he changed immediately. Sticking to his principles, Carlsen chose to quit instead, later jokingly posting a photo of his “outfit of the day” online.
“I’m too old at this point to care,” he said, adding he’d rather head somewhere with better weather. Another day, another checkmate, this time, over denim.
08. The Top Dogs of 2024
2024 was full of four-legged friends doing what they do best—being amazing. From heartwarming reunions to life-saving moments, here’s a quick roundup of some standout pups who made headlines this year:
Ariel: Born with six legs and two vulvas, Ariel had a rough start after being abandoned as a puppy. Thanks to over £15,000 in donations, she had successful surgery and now lives her best life paddle-boarding and surfing in Wales. A real comeback queen!
Titan: Living up to his heroic name, Titan helped police crack a murder case after his owner was found dead. His loyalty and persistence led investigators to key evidence, ultimately securing justice.
Wild Thang: The eight-year-old Pekingese finally snagged the title of World’s Ugliest Dog after four tries. Despite his looks, his owner says he’s a healthy, happy, and glamorous (if slightly ugly) guy. Plus, he took home $5,000—hopefully spent on all the treats.
Gaia: The brainiac of the bunch, Gaia the border collie was recognized for her genius memory skills. She remembered the names of up to 75% of her toys even two years after learning them, proving that dogs really are smarter than we think.
Trooper: Left tied to a fence during a hurricane, Trooper was rescued just in time. Now safe and healthy, he’s a symbol of resilience and strength after such a harrowing experience.
These incredible dogs remind us why they’ll always be our best friends, whether they’re saving lives, defying odds, or just being adorably unique. Shout out to all of em!
Fire, Fire
NASA predicts humans could live on Mars by 2035, with plans for a permanent settlement under development.
AI-written novels hit bestseller lists, sparking debates on the future of human creativity in literature.
Self-healing materials for smartphones could end cracked screens forever—coming sooner than you think!
A new species of ancient crocodile with teeth like a T. rex was discovered in Brazil, estimated to have roamed 90 million years ago.
Flying cars officially hit the market in Japan, with pre-orders for personal aerial vehicles starting in mid-2025.
Really appreciate all of you for reading, hope you enjoyed! Make sure to drop me an email and let me know what you think :D
Cheeers!!