Hey folks!

Today we’re putting our paws together for science. Specifically, for the orange cats of the world who’ve just helped crack a genetic mystery wide open.

For years, they’ve been the meme darlings of the internet. Chaotic, clingy and somehow always caught mid-mischief.

But now, researchers at Stanford and Kyushu Universities have found what makes these ginger furballs genetically unique. Turns out, their fiery coats are thanks to a tiny missing chunk of DNA near a gene called ARHGAP36. This deletion flips a switch in pigment cells, blocks the black and brings out the orange. It’s a mutation not seen in any other animal. Ever. Just domestic cats.

And since male cats have only one X chromosome, they need just one copy of this gene to go full Garfield, while females need two. This also explains why most orange cats are boys.

But the most interesting bit is that this scientific breakthrough wouldn’t have been possible without the help of cat owners. Researchers couldn’t exactly coax cats into donating DNA samples because have you ever tried convincing a cat to do anything? 🤣 So, pet parents across the globe stepped in, sending in cheek swabs and helping decode a centuries-old genetic mystery.

And while scientists haven’t yet linked this DNA glitch to the infamous “orange cat energy”, the research might just pave the way to understanding how subtle mutations affect humans too.

Here’s a soundtrack to put you in the mood 🎵

‘Bavra Mann Dekhne Chala Ek Sapna’ by Swanand Kirkire

What caught our eye this week 👀

Why is everyone talking about creatine?

If your social media feed is suddenly filled with fitness influencers chanting “creatine”, you’re not alone. The humble supplement, once just a gym goer’s best friend, is now being touted as brain fuel.

Yup! Some supplement brands are marketing creatine as something that can boost memory, beat fatigue, and even help with depression.

But is this real, or just another case of hype wrapped in ads?

Well, to get that, let’s first understand what creatine really is.

It’s a compound your body naturally makes in the liver, kidneys and pancreas. Its job is to provide quick energy to your muscles during intense activity. And when you exercise, especially when lifting, you cause tiny tears in your muscles. Here, creatine also helps speed up recovery. So yeah, exercise is a key part of the story.

But now, studies suggest that creatine might help beyond the gym, potentially improving brain health too. That’s where the excitement really kicks in.

Now, you can get creatine from food — mainly from things like red meat, fish and poultry. But to hit the recommended 5g a day, you’d need to eat nearly a 900 g of meat. That’s not exactly practical and it’s definitely not feasible for vegetarians or vegans. So supplements become the easy fix.

So it’s no wonder that the global creatine supplement market is expected to quadruple to $4 billion in the next five years. That’s a 30% annual growth rate.

But before you jump on the bandwagon, here’s the thing. Creatine is well researched and generally safe. But if you take high doses too fast, it might cause water weight gain or stomach discomfort. And while there’s growing research, most of it still focuses on men. That said, new studies do show benefits for women too — like supporting bone density post-menopause.

Still, it’s easy to mistake it for a magic powder. And even though side effects are minimal, it’s always a good idea to check with a doctor or dietician before you start. Especially in India, where creatine isn’t clearly regulated under food safety laws. FSSAI has even cracked down on unauthorised sales.

So yeah, creatine might help. But it isn’t a replacement for sleeping well, eating better and moving more. And besides, your health decisions shouldn’t be driven by a trend.

Infographic 📊

This Day in Financial History 📜

30th May 1987 — When Goa became a state

Goa isn’t just about beaches, casinos and sunsets on Instagram stories. Dig a little deeper and you’ll find a place that has seen empire after empire, rebellion after rebellion and a 450-year-long colonial hangover that refused to go away even after India gained independence in 1947.

You see, while the rest of India was voting in its first elections and writing its Constitution, Goa was still under the grip of Portugal. The dictator António de Oliveira Salazar wasn’t keen on letting go. And it took the Indian government to launch Operation Vijay – a swift 36-hour military action in December 1961 – to finally liberate Goa, along with Daman and Diu.

But Goa’s political journey didn’t end there.

From 1961 to 1987, it remained a Union Territory, governed from Delhi, with limited legislative autonomy. There were elections, yes. But laws needed Centre approval. Big decisions weren’t always made locally.

All that changed on May 30, 1987. Goa officially became India’s 25th state. Daman and Diu stayed behind as a Union Territory, while Goa got its own state government, capital (Panaji) and a declared official language – Konkani, in the Devanagari script.

And statehood didn’t just redrew Goa’s political map, it jumpstarted a new kind of economic story. At the time of liberation in 1961, Goa’s gross state domestic product was modest. Today, it’s north of ₹1 lakh crore. And more strikingly, Goa’s per capita income has doubled since 1970–71. In 2022–23, it stood at three times the national average, making it the second richest state in India after Sikkim. A big reason for that is of course tourism. In the early ’80s, Goa welcomed lakhs of visitors every year and it today draws over 10 million annually.

But that growth hasn’t come without trade-offs. Real estate prices have skyrocketed, water and power systems buckle under seasonal demand and environmental damage like unchecked construction, beach erosion and deforestation is becoming harder to ignore.

And all that history is what makes May 30th more than just a ceremonial flag-waving day for Goa. It marks the state that took charge of its own story — one that still balances beauty, identity and ambition.

Readers Recommend 🗒️

This week, our reader Aditya Prajapati recommends the docuseries “This Giant Beast That is the Global Economy". 

He says it’s a fascinating look at the complexities and often corrupt aspects of the global economy.

Thanks for the rec, Aditya!

Finshots Weekly Quiz 🧩

It’s time to announce the winner of our previous weekly quiz. And the winner is…🥁

Ranju Jha! Congratulations. Keep an eye on your inbox and we’ll get in touch with you soon to send over your Finshots merch. And for the rest of you, don’t forget to check out our Weekly Wrapup for the latest quiz. Answer all the questions correctly, and who knows, you might just see your name here next week! 

That’s it from us this week.

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We’ll see you next Sunday!

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