Woman Goes on Walk, Unprepared for What She Finds by Lake: 'Horror Movie'
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
A post about a woman who came across a strange plant with a "meat-like texture" has gone viral on Reddit.
Images of the peculiar plant were shared in a post on Reddit shared by Grace (u/applementionpies). The post has amassed 19,000 upvotes since it was shared on April 21. The pictures show a thick, skin-toned plant stalk dotted by giant dark circular spots laying on a patch of grass.
The post was titled: "Seriously WHAT is this." The caption notes: "Found this thing (?)...been wondering since wtf [what the f***] it is since. Had a very strange smell and was almost meat-like in texture."
Grace, who did not share her last name, told Newsweek that she came across the plant on the shore of Lake Lida in Minnesota while visiting her friend's cabin there among a group of people aged from 22 to 25.
"It was actually May 2022, so the warm weather was just starting to come in. Since it was the beginning of the season, there was debris on the shore that washed up from the frozen months. This was one of them," she said.
Grace said the strange sighting "haunted me for 2.5 years" in a later comment.
An image of a water lily root found on the shore of a lake in Minnesota, shared in a viral post on Reddit.
An image of a water lily root found on the shore of a lake in Minnesota, shared in a viral post on Reddit.
u/applementionpies on Reddit
The mysterious plant is a water lily root, food scientist Bryan Quoc Le told Newsweek, noting that "it appears that the water lily root has gone through some decay and browning."
The food scientist, who is the author 150 Food Science Questions Answered: Cook Smarter, Cook Better and founder of Mendocino Food Consulting, said the water lily root can be consumed.
He explained: "These roots are edible and often used in soups or eaten baked, but need to be boiled first to ensure the starches have gelatinized. They're actually quite high in starch, much like a potato or a yam. Most of the water lily is in fact edible."
Michael Clarke is a landscape architect and horticulturalist who is the founder of Yardwork, an online plant and tree nursery and landscaping platform. He told Newsweek: "Water lilies are aquatic plants found in freshwater environments such as ponds, lakes, and slow-moving streams. Their roots grow from rhizomes, which are thick, horizontal underground stems."
Clarke explained that rhizomes are buried in muddy soils at the bottom of the water and have fibrous roots that extend into the soil to absorb nutrients and water. The roots stabilize the plant as well as the soil, helping to reduce erosion.
"Rhizomes also serve as storage organs for starch and other nutrients, helping the plant survive through dormant periods or unfavorable conditions," Clarke noted.
Water lilies have a long history in traditional medicine where all of their parts are used, explains the book Dietary Interventions in Liver Disease, published in 2019.
Crushed and mixed with wine, the root of water lilies was used by monks and nuns for hundreds of years as an anaphrodisiac. In addition to its use as "a painkiller, anti-inflammatory, astringent, cardiotonic, demulcent, with sedative and calming effects upon the nervous system," the water lily root can also be used to "insomnia, anxiety, and similar disorders," according to the book.
The dried roots and rhizomes of white water lilies have also been used as oral treatments for gastrointestinal, genital and bronchial conditions. The leaves and roots have been used externally to various dermatological conditions, the book explains.
'Something Out of a Horror Movie'
Grace told Newsweek that the water lily root "smelled rotted and moldy."
She said: "The stench wasn't too pronounced until we poked it with a stick, then it almost started wafting. The outside—with the dots—was hard like a shell, where the inside was softer, almost like the fatty part of steak or pork."
Grace knew about water lilies but not so much about their roots. She said: "The group I was with and I have wondered about it for the past two years and randomly would bring it up as a joke. I've shown lots of people and everyone was just disgusted, no one had any context as to what it is until I brought it to Reddit."
Redditors were spooked and grossed out by the unusual plant sighting in the viral post.
U/Previous-Wasabi-4907 said: "This looks like something out of a horror movie! I can't be the only one who sees the 'head' and 'face'?!"
U/UarNotMe wrote: "I was already grossed out by it...makes me feel nauseous looking at it."
U/BabyOnTheStairs simply said it is a "water lily root" and u/truthhurts2222222 said: "I'm inclined to agree [it's a] water lily root."
U/moldylindsey was amazed, noting: "That's wild, because I've been around water lilies my whole life, and I guess I've never seen the root."
Do you have a travel-related video or story to share? Let us know via life@newsweek.com and your story could be featured on Newsweek.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Newsweek
an hour ago
- Newsweek
New Sleep Model Reveals Why Babies Just Won't Nap Some Days
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. If you've ever wondered why your baby naps inconsistently, the answer may lie not in parenting guides or alarm clocks—but in mathematics. A new study by researchers from the University of Surrey, England, has applied mathematical modeling to explain how and why sleep patterns change over a lifetime. The research focused on refining a long-standing concept known as the two-process model ("2PM") of sleep regulation, originally introduced in the 1980s, which considers both biological sleep pressure (how the longer you are awake, the more sleepy you get) and our internal body clocks to understand when and how we sleep. But this latest study takes the model further, incorporating the mathematics of light exposure to show how environmental cues—like indoor lighting or late-night screen time—interact with biology to shape our sleep. The result is an expanded "2PM plus light" model that offers a unified explanation for a host of sleep mysteries—from unpredictable baby naps to the early morning habits of older adults. High angle shot of little Black child dressed in knitted jumpsuit of blue color serenely sleeping in cozy wooden crib with baby mobiles hanging above, while mother checking on daughter in bedroom. High angle shot of little Black child dressed in knitted jumpsuit of blue color serenely sleeping in cozy wooden crib with baby mobiles hanging above, while mother checking on daughter in bedroom. SeventyFour "This model gives us hope that sleep problems can be better understood and tackled," said paper author and mathematician professor Anne Skeldon of the University of Surrey in a statement. "By using math, we can see how small changes in light, routine or biology shift our sleep—and test practical ways to support better sleep for everyone." One of the more curious phenomena explained by the model is why babies nap on some days but not others, even when their schedule seems consistent. Oscillator theorists refer to this behavior as the Devil's staircase—a mathematical term for sudden jumps or skips in patterns. The researchers showed how the interplay between a baby's rising sleep pressure and immature circadian rhythms can create seemingly erratic nap behavior that, in reality, follows a mathematically predictable pattern. The same model explains why teenagers tend to go to bed and wake up later than younger children. The mathematical simulations revealed that adolescents experience a slower buildup of sleep pressure, allowing them to stay awake longer. Combined with bright light exposure in the evening—from devices, indoor lighting or nighttime socializing—this can delay their sleep even further, shifting their rhythms into a cycle that is out of sync with early school start times. With models like 2PM plus light, scientists can simulate the impact of small changes in lighting, bedtime routines or social schedules—potentially leading to personalized interventions for people struggling with sleep in our increasingly 24/7 world. "This work shows how math can bring clarity to something as complex and personal as sleep," said paper co-author and Surrey sleep researcher professor Derk-Jan Dijk. "With the right data and models, we can give more tailored advice and develop novel interventions to improve sleep patterns for those whose rest is affected by modern routines, ageing or health conditions," he concluded. Do you have a tip on a health story that Newsweek should be covering? Do you have a question about sleep? Let us know via health@ Reference Skeldon, A. C., & Dijk, D.-J. (2025). The complexity and commonness of the two-process model of sleep regulation from a mathematical perspective. npj Biological Timing and Sleep, 2(24).
Newsweek
3 hours ago
- Newsweek
This Is the Age Range When Air Pollution Starts Damaging Your Brain
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Air pollution has long been linked to cardiovascular and respiratory illnesses, but new research suggests it may also significantly impair brain health—especially when exposure occurs during midlife. Researchers from University College London and King's College London published a study in The Lancet Healthy Longevity that identified the ages of 45 to 69 as a critical window during which air pollution is linked to cognitive decline and structurally damaging changes in the brain. Researchers followed participants in the study for nearly three decades, measuring exposure to pollutants like nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter, while assessing memory and processing speeds. They found that ambient air pollution can affect cognitive aging and increase dementia risk even before clinical symptoms emerge. Stock image of smoke billowing from three industrial chimneys. Stock image of smoke billowing from three industrial chimneys. Photo by Bilanol / Getty Images Why It Matters The global dementia burden is rising rapidly. Cases of the cognitive disease are projected to triple from 57 million to 153 million by 2050, according to the 2024 Lancet Commission, and identifying risk factors is crucial to slowing the trend. "Air pollution has been called the invisible killer and is the number one environmental threat to health in the world," study lead author Thomas Canning told Newsweek in an email. "The mortality burden of air pollution is not new—according to the chief medical officer's annual report in England, it is estimated to be between 26,000 and 38,000 premature deaths a year, but in addition to this, many people suffer avoidable chronic ill health. "This mortality has been linked to the effect of dirty air on the heart and lungs from cradle to death, but there is now an increasing body of evidence that suggests that air pollution isn't great for our brain either, with evidence suggested by our current and previous seminal research on these associations from the early developmental years now reaching up to later life." What To Know The study found that midlife exposure to nitrogen dioxide was associated with an 8.12-point decrease in processing speed on a 15-item recall task. Higher exposure levels also correlated with a 0.59-point reduction on the Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination III, a standardized test for cognitive impairment. These effects remained noteworthy even after adjusting for childhood cognitive ability and earlier-life exposure, suggesting that midlife may be a uniquely vulnerable period for adults living with air pollution. "Childhood is a really pivotal time, but evidence prior to this study was also very clear about the risk to older adults due to the vulnerability of older age," Canning told Newsweek. "With the use of a novel 70-year follow-up period of people born in 1946, this study helped to clarify for the first time that exposure to air pollution in midlife was a risk to cognition and the brain in older age after taking into account a large number of lifelong socio-economic and clinical measures, as well taking into account exposure to air pollution from early childhood." What People Are Saying "It's really clear that air pollution at any exposure level is bad for many health problems—whether that's in children or adults," Canning told Newsweek. "Air pollution, like climate change, is not a problem to be entirely resolved or mitigated by scientists alone, but an issue deeply embedded into our individual and societal decisions and the power relations of our political systems. "Air pollution is a risk factor that is easily modifiable, and action can start at any level. There are many different ways that even local government can reduce it, and we know these changes work." What's Next Scientists in an accompanying Lancet commentary on the study noted, "Realistically, air pollution cannot be reduced by individual action but only through public health approaches." "Dementia-specific recommendations might include building/locating care homes away from busy roads, improving guidelines for healthcare professionals on considering the impact of the environment on their patients, and the development of behavioral interventions such as nature prescribing for dementia patients," Canning added.
Newsweek
3 hours ago
- Newsweek
Weight Loss Jab Found To Shrink Breast Cancer Tumors
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Millions of Americans have turned to weight-loss injections originally developed to treat diabetes—and now, research suggests that these medications may offer a surprising additional benefit: shrinking obesity-related breast tumors. A new study in mice shows that tirzepatide—the active ingredient in the popular drugs Mounjaro and Zepbound—not only helps shed pounds but may also slow or reduce the growth of breast cancer tumors linked to obesity. Dr. Sue Decotiis, a New York City-based physician who specializes in medical weight loss, told Newsweek she is encouraged by the findings. She said: "These results, although preliminary, are very promising. From my experience as a weight loss physician, I am not surprised." The study was conducted by researchers from the University of Michigan. It found that obese mice treated with tirzepatide not only lost about 20 percent of their body weight, but also experienced a significant reduction in breast tumor volume. A stock image of an overweight female injecting into stomach. A stock image of an overweight female injecting into stomach. Vincent Scherer/iStock / Getty Images Plus Tirzepatide's Rise and Dual Potential More than two in five adults in the U.S. have obesity and weight-related diseases continue to place a heavy burden on public health. In November 2023, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Zepbound (tirzepatide) as a treatment for chronic weight management in adults. The drug is also marketed as Mounjaro for type 2 diabetes. Together with other GLP-1-based medications like Ozempic, these drugs have become widely used—data shows that around 6 million Americans are currently prescribed either Ozempic or Mounjaro, according to the Indiana University School of Medicine. Now, the new research hints that these drugs could serve a dual role—helping individuals lose weight while potentially reducing cancer risk. A Study in Mice: Fat Loss and Tumor Shrinkage The study involved 16 female mice genetically prone to obesity. The mice were fed a high-fat diet until they became significantly overweight. At 32 weeks old—roughly middle-aged in human terms—they were divided into two groups. One group received tirzepatide injections every other day for 16 weeks, while the other was given a placebo. The team found that the tirzepatide-treated mice lost about 20 percent of their body weight, mostly from reduced fat mass. In tandem, their breast tumors shrank, with researchers noting that tumor volume was directly tied to body weight and total fat—suggesting a strong link between fat reduction and tumor growth suppression. Paper author and and physiologist Amanda Kucinskas said in a statement: "Obesity is a significant risk factor for breast cancer, and while it is very preliminary data, our studies in mice suggest that these new anti-obesity drugs may be a way to reduce obesity-associated breast cancer risk or improve outcomes." Why Obesity Increases Cancer Risk The link between excess body fat and cancer is well established. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) reviewed over 1,000 studies and found consistent evidence that higher body fat increases the risk of at least 13 types of cancer, including colorectal and breast cancer. Decotiis explained the biology behind this link: "Obesity increases the risk of breast cancer especially in postmenopausal women. Overweight or obese women often experience more aggressive cancer growth and poorer response to treatment. "Higher levels of estrone, a secondary type of estrogen produced in fatty tissue that is inflammatory and carcinogenic, are found in overweight women after menopause. Additionally, insulin resistance, which is another inflammatory state, aids abnormal cellular growth patterns, which contribute to cancer." Fat cells aren't just passive—they secrete substances that can trigger inflammation and influence how nearby tissues behave. In obese individuals, this can create an environment that fosters cancer growth. Tirzepatide, by dramatically reducing fat stores, may indirectly weaken that cancer-friendly environment. What's Next? Separating Weight Loss from Cancer Effects The Michigan team is now working with nutrition scientist Steve Hursting at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to investigate whether tirzepatide's effect on tumors is solely due to weight loss—or if the drug may have direct anti-cancer properties. "While these are very preliminary results, they suggest that this new anti-obesity drug may also have a beneficial impact on breast cancer outcomes," Kucinskas said. Do you have a tip on a health story that Newsweek should be covering? Do you have a question about tirzepatide? Let us know via health@
