Romy News - 11 March 2024

Hey there, it’s Monday, and do you know what that means? A fresh start, new adventures, and most importantly… our time together! Today, you’ll hear about things as vast as the oceans and as tiny as… well, something ultra-small. Ready to dive into the high tides of equinoxes that make waves all the way to the shores of our thoughts? And then, we’ll zoom in - reallyyy close - on the question of the day: What is DNA? And brace yourself, because we’ll end on a high note with the enchanting songs of whales! Stick with me, because today is going to be amazing!

Here we go, the equinox is here with its festival of giant waves! But wait, what exactly is it? Imagine the sea taking a huge breath, swelling and receding calmly twice a day. That’s what we call tides. So, why are we talking about spring tides right now? This is where things get interesting!

Equinox, it sounds a bit like balance, doesn’t it? Well, twice a year, day and night play heads or tails and end up in a tie, 12 hours each! Night and day are exactly the same length. During these equinoxes, the sun sits right above the imaginary line that circles the earth: the equator. It’s time for spring tides!

During these periods, the energy from celestial bodies like the moon and the sun joins forces and orchestrates the ebb and flow of our vast ocean.

This celestial dance has a rather fascinating explanation, you know. It’s gravitational attraction – a kind of invisible force – that the moon and the sun exert on the Earth’s oceans, causing these gigantic tides, much more impressive than the ones you usually see. If you were to visit Mont-Saint-Michel during a spring tide, you might see it turn into a secret island, completely inaccessible by foot!

It’s as if the sea takes a deep breath, letting the beach stretch infinitely before our amazed eyes. Then, all of a sudden, it comes back, filling up every space it had left vacant. It’s a breathtaking natural spectacle, and a golden opportunity for the curious to discover what lies beneath the waves: shells, fish trapped in pools, and even treasures that have been submerged for centuries, like ancient ships.

Did you know that some say the tide rises as fast as a galloping horse at Saint-Michel? It might be just an image, but it’s true that the water rises very quickly!

Another incredible fact, did you know that in some places, like in Canada, in the Bay of Fundy, spring tides can raise and lower the water by more than 16 meters? That’s higher than three giraffes stacked on top of each other! Wow!

Of course, these extraordinary phenomena call for caution. It’s essential to remember that the sea can be unpredictable. In Brittany, for example, there are organized outings with guides to help visitors explore safely.

It’s amazing to think that all of this is due to the gravitational attraction of the moon and the sun, isn’t it? So, next time you hear about spring tides, you’ll know it’s a moment when the Earth shares with us one of its most beautiful natural artworks.

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And now, let’s change scale! Let’s dive deep into our cells, where a little treasure hides that makes us… exceptional! It’s DNA, like an ultra-secret magical recipe, written in a language only our cells can read. Come along on this mini-miniature journey to discover what makes us all unique.

DNA, or Deoxyribonucleic Acid if you want to impress in science, is like the grand architect of our bodies. Imagine a thread so long that it would need to be wrapped millions of times to fit inside each cell of our body. This thread is the assembly plan that explains how to make every part of you – from the color of your irises to your incredible smile. It’s very long! Imagine, if we could stretch all the DNA in your body, do you know how long it would be? 70 billion kilometers! Yes, yes! 16 times the distance between Earth and the Moon!

And this DNA has a special shape: a double helix! Imagine a spiral staircase. This staircase is made up of small parts called nucleotide bases, and they all have a letter: A, T, C, and G. They join together to write the instruction manual for life.

DNA is the conductor of all cells. It gives them the notes to play so that each part of your body falls into place and works as it should. Each piece that contains a specific instruction is called a gene – like a recipe for every little piece of you.

Are you ready for the super cool scoop? Your DNA is a family gift, a bit from mom, a bit from dad, mixed together to make you unique in the world! When you were born, you received half of your DNA from your mom, and the other half from your dad, and voilà, the mix created a completely new awesome version: you.

For fun, ask your parents in what ways you resemble them: maybe you have the same nose shape or the same rebellious curl in your hair? It all comes from their DNA!

Now you know that DNA is the super VIP recipe that makes you the star you are! Awesome, right?

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And splash! After our adventure in the heart of life with DNA, get ready to dive into the blue waters for a concert like no other. Yes, you heard right! Whales – those gentle giants gliding in the ocean like you glide on your favorite slide – are also amazing musicians! Come with me, we’re going to listen to their aquatic symphony.

Imagine sounds so powerful that they travel through the ocean depths like flashes of light through the sky. That’s what the humpback whale does when it sings. It composes tunes that can last for hours and be heard for kilometers. It’s its way of chatting, saying “hi” to a whale-friend, or flirting by singing, “do you swim here often?”

But why sing? Well, these grand artists of the ocean use their voices for many things: to greet each other through the waves, to find love - it’s like dating in the big blue - or to navigate like a GPS telling you to turn left at the next reef. Their song is their Facebook, Instagram, and Waze all in one!

Wondering how they do it? Whales don’t have microphones, let alone vocal cords like ours. They have a special system in their heads, a bit like a natural trumpet. By circulating air here and there, they create sounds that range from the whistle of your kettle to the rumble of your stomach when you’re very hungry.

But wait! The big underwater traffic – I’m talking about boats, not fish – makes a lot of noise. And all that racket confuses the whales’ concerts. Imagine trying to talk to your best friend while someone plays the drums next to you. Not practical, right?

There are stories, like one about a whale that changed its song after meeting a foreign fellow. This ability for linguistic adaptation in whales impresses scientists and shows that these marine mammals have complex social intelligence.

We often forget that whales, with their grace of giants and their opera-like underwater voices, offer us a precious gift. Their songs are like a treasure hidden in the depths, music waiting to be preserved. To the infinity of the seas and beyond!

That’s the end of our Monday journey! We’ve surfed the high waves of spring tides, slipped between DNA molecules to uncover the secret of our uniqueness, and swam to the rhythm of whale songs in the great ocean concert. Incredible adventures, right? Keep your eyes wide open and your mind curious – each day is full of mysteries to solve and wonders to discover.

If you enjoyed our expedition today, don’t forget to share with me your thoughts or creations. What do you think about spring tides? Did you uncover the secret recipe of your DNA or the perfect sound to sing like a whale? Share it all on Instagram, I’m super curious to see what you’ve come up with. Join me soon for another wild ride in the fabulous world of ‘Romy News’. See you tomorrow for more breathtaking stories!