Why it matters: Back when I was in high school, my friends Brian Maples and Mike Trout were in a band called 'Liquid Groove.' And when you heard they were playing at a house party, you KNEW you had to go to that party. These days, young artists are more focused on getting their music on Spotify than performing live gigs. I know because I live with one such artist!

So while it's been decades since I heard about an up-and-coming band playing at a house party, it appears that might be about to change. House shows are now being embraced by various music genres, offering authentic experiences in intimate settings. Huntsville, Alabama, is leading this grassroots movement, with venues like Common House providing places for artists to connect with audiences.

Why it matters: How many countries' flags from around the world do you think you can identify? A study involving more than half a million guesses by participants revealed that flags of countries like Japan, Canada and the UK are among the most recognized globally, identified correctly over 97.9% of the time. These flags are characterized by their minimalist and iconic imagery. Conversely, flags from smaller countries, particularly in Africa and Oceania, such as Togo and Dominica, are less recognized, with identification rates below 67%.

An international research team has discovered that shear forces in magma can lead to bubble formation, influencing whether a volcano erupts explosively or with gentle lava flows. This new understanding challenges the previous belief that pressure drop was the sole cause of bubble formation. The study highlights how shear-induced bubbles can create degassing channels, allowing gas to escape early and reducing explosive potential. These findings could improve volcanic hazard predictions by incorporating shear forces into eruption models.

Why it matters: A study by the University of South Australia reveals a significant increase in social media use among children aged 11-14, rising from 26% to 85% between 2019 and 2022, while participation in activities like sports, reading, and arts has declined. Researchers highlight concerns over the long-term impacts on youth development and wellbeing. The study serves as a baseline for evaluating the effects of upcoming social media restrictions for children under 16 in Australia.

Why it matters: Since Eddie Murphy obviously had editorial control over this show, I was hesitant to watch it because I was afraid it would be a 'documercial' rather than a documentary. But aside from a few too many shots of Eddie's stunning house, the film is a pleasant surprise because it focuses on Eddie's rise to stardom at a stupendously young age, his interactions with other stars along the way and the tremendous staying power he has exhibited in Hollywood. Eddie has always been a pioneering comedian, but people often forget about the ground he broke in other realms of entertainment ... and in wider society. This documentary does a good job of teaching/reminding people about those aspects of Eddie's legacy.

Why it matters: After 16 days, a 2,028-mile flight, a 366-mile drive and a 2,200-mile train ride, my daughter Sabina's latest medical journey is over. Columbus was good to us and the team at Nationwide Children's Hospital was incredible. As we made our way home, the weather in Chicago was magnificent, so we managed to do an afternoon of sightseeing before we caught the train home. Kudos to Amtrak for the relaxing 46-hour ride and delicious food!

Sabina is feeling good. She's happy to be reunited with her friends and she even went to school! Her lung surgery went smoothly, but the pathology results weren't what we were hoping for. That means we'll be back on the road soon for radiation treatment, but for now, it's just good to be home.

Why it matters: The 'lip out' can be the most excruciating shot in golf. New research delves into the physics behind the shot, which is when a ball circles the hole's rim but fails to drop in. The study identifies two types of lip outs: rim lip out and hole lip out, each influenced by factors like speed and angle. The findings suggest golfers should aim for the center of the hole with minimal speed to avoid lip outs. Duh ... that's easier said than done.

Why it matters: One month ago, I passed the football stadium during a stroll through the campus of Rice University in Houston. Little did I know that a month later, that stadium would be offering free beer!

This was one of our views from the top of the John Hancock Building. Yes, we did TILT. And yes, it was terrifying!