💬 Quoted: “The hydraulic lift mechanism seems to be revolutionary for building stone structures and finds no parallel in our civilization.”

• A team of French engineers and geologists have developed a new theory for how the massive pyramids of ancient Egypt were built more than 4,000 years ago (apart from aliens, of course). In a study published yesterday, the research team presented evidence the 205-foot-tall Step Pyramid of Djoser was likely constructed with the help of a water-powered hydraulic lift to move heavy materials. Their novel theory is based on several previously unexplained structures within the pyramid, which they argue served as mechanisms to raise a floating platform capable of transporting large rocks to the summit. However, some within the scientific community say the researchers’ new theory doesn’t hold…water for several reasons, including the fact that a major water source near the Step Pyramid of Djoser isn’t mentioned in any ancient Egyptian writings.

🏥 Stat of the Day: In recent years, US insurance companies have pushed Medicare nurses to run unnecessary screening tests and add unusual diagnoses during patient home visits in an effort to collect extra money from the federal government, according to a new Wall Street Journal investigation. Between 2019 and 2021, the WSJ found insurance companies who pushed such behavior earned an additional $1,818/visit on average, which adds up to an extra ~$15 billion collected from Medicare over that period.

🤔 Did You Know? Roughly 40% of the world’s population will never experience a nosebleed over the course of their lifetime. To be clear: we’re talking about blood pouring out of a nose, not sitting far away from where the action takes place (front row seats?? In this economy???).

📰 Worth a Read: A visual deep-dive into the ancient Olympic games → (Reuters)