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Score (94)
This 95-Year-Old Swiftie is Sparking a National Fan Club Movement
Taylor Swift's latest album, "The Life of a Showgirl," isn't just topping charts; it's creating unexpected fans in unlikely places. At Remington Heights Retirement Community in Omaha, Nebraska, 95-year-old Frank Uryasz has become the face of an unusual fan club dedicated to the pop superstar. Frank's journey into the world of Taylor Swift fandom began with a simple conversation. A staff member at Remington Heights shared her disappointment that Swift hadn't responded to any of her fan letters. Frank decided to take action, fueled by his knack for networking. "I know some people," he said in an interview with KETV. What started as a small idea quickly gained momentum. Frank launched a Taylor Swift fan club at his retirement home, and membership grew from ten to more than 100 members. The club became so popular that Frank had to introduce membership rules: non-residents need sponsorship from a current resident. The story caught the attention of Swifties nationwide. Molly from North Carolina sent the group cookies and friendship bracelets—hallmarks of the Taylor fandom—with a heartfelt note welcoming them to the "Swiftie family." Another group extended an invitation for Frank and his friends to join their online community, Swifties for Taylor–50 Years Old+. Frank has fully embraced his role as an ambassador for both Taylor Swift and his retirement community's growing fan club. During his KETV interview, he sported an “I Love Taylor” button and orange bracelets while displaying a special Taylor Swift license plate on his walker. But Frank's ambitions don't stop with leading a fan club. His ultimate goal is to bring Taylor herself to Omaha for a visit—a campaign already in motion. The club is preparing a package for delivery to Kansas City, where her fiancé Travis Kelce plays NFL football for the Chiefs. In it are letters for both Swift and Kelce, including marriage advice from Frank, who proudly supports the Chiefs. There's also a letter for quarterback Patrick Mahomes and photos of this senior-led Swiftie fan club. Reflecting on this unexpected star-studded venture, Frank says they’re enjoying every moment of it all.
Score (97)
Doctors in Montreal Are Now Prescribing Free Symphony Tickets — and it Might Just Help Your Health
In Montreal, a visit to the doctor could soon land you a night at the symphony — on prescription. The Montreal Symphony Orchestra has launched a new program with Médecins francophones du Canada that allows doctors to prescribe free concert tickets to patients as a form of treatment. It’s part of a growing movement in Canada known as social prescribing, where healthcare providers recommend non-medical activities — like nature walks, art classes, or time spent with animals — to support mental and physical health. Under the new program, doctors will be given actual prescription slips they can hand to patients, who then call the orchestra to claim two free tickets to a performance of their choice. “Physicians will get prescriptions that they will give to patients. The patients will call us. And we will give each patient that calls us two tickets for free,” said Mélanie La Couture, CEO of the Montreal Symphony Orchestra, in an interview with CBC’s As It Happens. While it may sound novel, there’s solid science behind the idea. “There is an abundance of data, evidence-based data, that have shown that music influences the body and mind in remarkable ways,” said Nicole Parent, executive director of Médecins francophones du Canada. Listening to music, Parent explained, stimulates the release of endorphins and dopamine — natural chemicals that help regulate pain, boost mood, and improve memory. It also reduces cortisol, the stress hormone. Together, these effects can lower anxiety, relieve pain, and enhance cognitive function. But for many patients, especially in lower-income or marginalized communities, those benefits can feel out of reach. Concert tickets can be expensive. Cultural venues might feel unfamiliar or unwelcoming. That’s where a doctor’s prescription can make a difference. “We all know the influence of a physician towards his patient,” Parent said. “If he prescribes that intervention, there's a better chance that the patient will acknowledge and might go for a concert.” The idea is already catching on. Doctors have shown strong interest, and other orchestras in Toronto and Quebec City are exploring similar initiatives. It’s part of a national shift in how we think about health and healing. Kate Mulligan, a public health expert and founder of the Canadian Institute for Social Prescribing, says these kinds of programs help patients access the things that bring them joy — especially those who otherwise might not feel welcome in traditional cultural spaces. “So these kinds of programs can be really helpful in making people feel more welcome and learning what they want and need from these programs, and then helping them to engage in the arts more regularly,” she said. Social prescribing isn’t just about music. Doctors have prescribed everything from national park passes to community gardening memberships to, in one Toronto case, a puppy — with instructions for “walks twice daily and lots of love.” At its core, Mulligan said, it’s about asking patients what matters to them, and giving them tools to reconnect with life beyond the clinic. In some models, community health workers act as intermediaries to help patients follow through on the prescriptions in ways that fit their lives. The benefits aren’t just emotional. A recent report from Mulligan’s organization found that for every dollar invested in social prescribing, there was a return of $4.43, largely through reduced emergency room visits, ambulance calls, and hospital admissions. And then there’s the human factor: “We also get to focus on the idea that you matter,” Mulligan said. “And I don't know about you, but that's not a feeling I get very often encountering health-care systems these days.” For La Couture, the project is just getting started. But the response so far has been enthusiastic, and the goal is to expand. “It’s a first step,” she said. “I would love to expand that project really widespread.” In a city where many people feel isolated or overwhelmed, a concert hall might seem like an unlikely place to heal. But for those who need it, a seat at the symphony could be just what the doctor ordered.
Score (92)
Wildcats Have Just Returned To Scotland: First Wild-Born Kittens Spotted In National Park
The Scottish wildcat, once on the brink of extinction, is creeping back into its historic territory — and now, for the first time in decades, kittens born in the wild have been spotted in Cairngorms National Park. The milestone comes three years after conservationists began releasing captive-bred wildcats into the park as part of the Saving Wildcats project, a rewilding initiative led by the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland and backed by the European Union. In total, 35 wildcats have been released since the project began. “These kittens are the first wild-born Scottish wildcats in the Cairngorms as part of this effort,” Earth.org reported, calling it a significant step toward reestablishing a self-sustaining population. Scottish wildcats are slightly bigger than house cats, with stockier builds, distinctive tabby markings, and bushy tails tipped in black. Locals often describe their expression as “crabbit” — the Scots word for grumpy. But while they may look fierce, their numbers have long told a different story. Hunted for decades because they were seen as a threat to game, wildcats have also been pushed to the edge by habitat loss and interbreeding with feral domestic cats. By 2013, estimates from Nature Scot suggested just 115 to 314 individuals remained in the wild. Now, the goal is to restore these elusive predators to the forests and moorlands they once ruled. “This species plays a vital role in Scotland’s ecosystem,” said project partners. As natural predators of small mammals, wildcats help control rodent populations in a country that lost its large carnivores long ago. But reintroducing a species isn’t as simple as opening the gates. It involves tracking the health of released animals, monitoring their survival, and, just as critically, winning support from local communities. One of the biggest challenges has been public engagement. Conservationists say projects like this only work when the people who live nearby are part of the effort. That’s why the Saving Wildcats team works closely with residents, landowners, and organizations like Nature Scot to educate the public and reduce potential conflicts — including managing feral cat populations to prevent crossbreeding. Scottish folklore even adds a layer of mystique. The wildcat is believed to have inspired the Celtic legend of the Cat Sith, a supernatural feline said to roam the Highlands. With the birth of these new kittens, the species — sometimes called the “Highland tiger” — may be turning a corner. There’s still a long road ahead. Conservationists stress that true success will only come when a stable, independent population can survive without human intervention. But after years of decline, the sight of wild-born kittens in the Cairngorms feels like something worth celebrating — not just for the wildcats, but for anyone who wants to see nature return to the places it once called home.
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Score (97)
New Brain-Training App is Reversing 10 Years Of Decline In Key Brain System
A brain training app originally designed to sharpen mental skills is now showing signs it might do something far more powerful: reverse age-related changes in the brain. A new study from neurologists at McGill University found that older adults who used the BrainHQ app by Posit Science showed brain activity typically seen in people a decade younger. The app, which offers quick-paced attention and memory challenges, was tested in a controlled, double-blind trial involving 82 healthy adults aged over 65. Participants used either BrainHQ or a standard recreational computer game for 30 minutes a day over 10 weeks. In those who used BrainHQ, researchers saw a boost in cholinergic activity, a form of brain signalling linked to attention and memory, in a region of the brain called the anterior cingulate cortex. That’s important, because this region is known to shrink with age. The McGill team described the observed change as equivalent in magnitude to about 10 years of aging. “The training restored cholinergic health to levels typically seen in someone 10 years younger,” said study co-author Dr. Etienne de Villers-Sidani, a neurologist at McGill. “This is the first time any intervention, drug or non-drug, has been shown to do that in humans.” The findings, published in JMIR Serious Games, offer promising early evidence that digital brain training could one day help offset the effects of cognitive aging — though researchers are quick to note there’s still a long way to go. The cholinergic system acts as a kind of communications hub across the brain. It connects to areas like the hippocampus, which plays a key role in memory and learning. Strengthening this system could, in theory, help slow or reduce common aging symptoms like forgetfulness or difficulty concentrating. The researchers used a rare type of brain imaging scan that detects changes in this system with precision. “We used a rare technology,” said de Villers-Sidani. “The [Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital] is one of the few centers worldwide that can produce the tracer and run the scan.” Still, the trial had a relatively small sample size, and the research was partially incentivized by commercial interests — BrainHQ is a for-profit product with monthly and yearly subscriptions. That introduces potential bias, even in a well-designed study. Posit Science, the company behind the app, says it has developed the training based on scientific research, with hundreds of peer-reviewed papers testing its various exercises. While initial results are promising, the study didn’t measure whether changes in the brain actually led to better memory or attention in real life — something researchers say needs further testing. It’s also unclear how long the brain effects last. “Identifying and implementing effective strategies to support brain health has the potential to reduce health care costs, increase workforce participation and community engagement, and improve quality of life,” the study authors wrote. The team emphasized that these results lay the groundwork for larger studies, particularly those involving more diverse populations. For now, the research suggests that working out your brain — just like your body — may one day become a key part of healthy aging.
Score (95)
Cheese Lovers Unite: Study Suggests Eating Cheese Once A Week May Lower Dementia Risk
A new study out of Japan suggests that eating cheese regularly may help reduce the risk of developing dementia. Researchers tracked data from nearly 8,000 adults aged 65 and older over a three-year period. They found that people who ate cheese at least once a week were 24% less likely to develop dementia compared to those who rarely or never ate it. By the end of the study, 3.4% of regular cheese eaters had been diagnosed with dementia, compared to 4.45% of non-cheese eaters — a modest but notable difference of about 10 fewer cases per 1,000 people. The findings were published in the journal Nutrients, and the analysis accounted for age, sex, health status, and socioeconomic background. Why Might Cheese Help? Cheese contains several nutrients that may support brain health, including: • Proteins and amino acids are important for maintaining neurons • Vitamin K2, which supports vascular health and calcium balance • Fermented compounds, which may reduce inflammation and positively affect the gut-brain axis The study also notes that fermented dairy has been linked to lower rates of heart and metabolic diseases — both of which are risk factors for dementia. A Word of Caution Researchers emphasize that the results show a correlation, not causation. It’s still unclear whether cheese itself is protective, or if other factors — such as overall diet, lifestyle, or even the type of cheese — play a role. Still, with dementia affecting over 50 million people globally and projected to more than triple by 2050, the findings point to the importance of further research into simple, everyday dietary habits that could support brain health.
Score (85)
Sting is Making a Big Donation to a Local Arts Center, Says He Has a Lifelong Debt to Its Creative Spirit
Sting has credited the art galleries and music venues of his youth with sparking the dream that led him to global stardom — and now, he’s giving back. The Wallsend-born musician has made an undisclosed donation to support the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art in Gateshead, backing a £10 million Endowment Fund to ensure “creative futures on Tyneside.” Speaking ahead of an intimate fundraising concert at the venue, Sting reflected on how the arts opened doors for him growing up in north-east England. “I didn’t want to work at the shipyard, I didn’t want to work in the coalmine,” he told the BBC. “I had no idea [what I wanted], but art gave me some sort of clue as to what I would aspire to be.” As a teenager, he would venture across Newcastle to watch Jimi Hendrix at the Club a’Gogo, catch black-and-white European films, or hear Andrés Segovia perform with the Northern Symphonia. “There was this exposure to something that was outside of what was offered to me,” he said. “It lit a fire.” Now 74, Sting described himself as “a curious child” who found hope and identity through art. The Baltic, which he remembers as a flour mill from childhood visits to the quayside with his father, has since become a symbol of cultural renewal — and he’s proud to support it. “I never imagined that building would become a world-famous contemporary art gallery,” he said. “It’s free to enter, and our future artists will come from this place.” Sting emphasized the importance of accessible creative spaces, especially for young people who might not see a future in the industries around them. He also urged fellow “successful Geordies” to help sustain the region’s cultural life. The former Police frontman also reiterated his criticism of government cuts to the arts, calling them a “short-term solution, but a long-term false economy.” “Britain punches well above its weight in storytelling — the world loves our songs, our plays, our art,” he said. “But the shop floor for that is in galleries and music venues.” He called the north-east a “hotbed of talent” that deserves more investment, not less. For Sting, giving to the Baltic is more than a donation — it’s a tribute to the venues that shaped him, and a vote of confidence in the next generation of artists waiting in the wings.
Score (98)
Mindfulness in Schools Is Helping Students of Color — and One Program Is Leading the Way
Across the U.S., schools are turning to mindfulness, meditation, and yoga to help students manage stress and support their mental well-being. And research shows these tools may be especially impactful in communities with fewer resources — including schools serving more students of color. In Atlanta, that impact is being felt firsthand. Thanks to support from GreenLight Fund Atlanta, school systems across Georgia are adopting a program called Inner Explorer — an audio-based platform that guides students and teachers through daily five- to 10-minute sessions of breathing, meditation, and self-reflection. It’s now being used in Atlanta Public Schools and more than 100 districts across the country. The goal: make accessible mental health support part of the school day — especially for Black youth, who face a growing mental health crisis. According to the CDC, the suicide rate among Black youth surged by 144% between 2007 and 2020 — the fastest rise of any racial group. But mental health professionals are in short supply — and even more so for psychologists of color. “There are not enough psychologists of color,” said Joli Cooper, executive director of GreenLight Fund Atlanta. While mindfulness doesn’t replace professional care, educators say it’s helping. Teachers at Roberta T. Smith Elementary School in Atlanta told the Associated Press that incorporating Inner Explorer into the classroom has made a noticeable difference. And students are feeling it, too. “I love myself how I am,” said 9-year-old Aniyah Woods. “But Inner Explorer just helps me feel more like myself.”
Score (95)
Scientists Discover Remarkable Viability in 4,000-Year-Old Buried Wood
A 3,775-year-old log unearthed in Quebec is offering scientists a surprising clue in the fight against climate change — and it involves burying wood. Discovered in 2013 under six feet of clay in Saint-Pie, Quebec, the ancient eastern red cedar was recently carbon-dated after being dried for nine years. Remarkably, it had retained 95% of its original carbon, suggesting that burying biomass could significantly slow decomposition and lock away carbon for thousands of years. “The wood was carbon-14 dated to be 3775 ± 35 years old,” researchers noted in a new study published in Science, calling it “direct evidence for the viability of wood burial as an approach for carbon removal and durable storage.” The implications are significant. Photosynthesis removes over 220 gigatonnes of carbon dioxide from the air annually, but most of it reenters the atmosphere through natural decay. Burying even a small portion of trees, plants, or other organic matter could drastically reduce emissions — and do so cheaply. Current estimates suggest that the burial method could cost between $100 and $200 per 1.1 tons of CO₂ in the first decade, dropping to $30–$100 after scaling. By comparison, traditional direct air capture costs range from $100 to $300 for the same amount. Other emerging technologies include a Minnesota-based reactor that turns captured carbon into a coal-like substance, and a Bill Gates–backed startup producing plant-based bricks for carbon storage. Researchers are now studying how different soil and wood types affect results. They see wood burial as a potentially scalable, nature-based solution — one that could also bring economic benefits to forest communities. “In practice, it can be incorporated into a sustainable forest management plan,” the study said, “providing a new income source for a struggling industry and local communities around the world.”
Score (91)
Literal CAT Scans: 3 Big Felines Undergo Checks to Pinpoint Source of Mobility Issues
Three big cats underwent literal CAT scans at an animal sanctuary in Kent, England, in a recent effort to pinpoint the source of “unexplained and persistent mobility issues.” The Big Cat Sanctuary released this footage, which shows residents Luca, a four-year-old Amur tiger, Django, a 10-year-old mainland clouded leopard, and Mo, a four-year-old Southern African cheetah, undergoing specialist CT (or computed tomography) scans inside a mobile medical unit. “All three have experienced intermittent lameness or stiffness in their limbs, a complex issue that has so far evaded traditional diagnosis,” the sanctuary wrote in a press release. “The advanced CT imaging was deployed as the next level of non-invasive investigation to reach the root cause of their discomfort.” The animals were first safely sedated, then, once immobilized, gently moved to the medical unit to carry out the day’s procedures. “Following their scans, the three wild cats were transported back to their respective habitats whilst still sedated, where the anesthetic was reversed to facilitate a safe and monitored wake-up,” according to the press release. The images were expected to be analyzed by specialist veterinary radiographers who would provide a detailed report and, if necessary, prescribe a course of treatment.
Score (98)
Brave Rescuers Save San Francisco Dog From Cliff Edge After 20-Minute Ordeal
A dog in San Francisco is safe and back with his owner after a terrifying fall off a cliff at Fort Funston on October 28 — thanks to a coordinated rescue by local firefighters and police. The brown and white dog had been playing with another pup near the oceanfront cliffs when he slipped and fell, landing on a narrow ledge about 40 feet down. Fort Funston’s rugged terrain includes bluffs that drop as far as 200 feet to the beach below, making the situation especially dangerous. According to officials, the dog clung to the ledge for roughly 20 minutes before help arrived. A San Francisco police drone operator who happened to be in the area spotted the stranded animal and called in for assistance. Soon after, crews from Fire Station 19 arrived and set up what they described as a “high-angle rigging system” to reach and recover the dog. Video released by the San Francisco Police Department shows rescue teams carefully lowering a harness and hoisting the 40-pound dog back up to solid ground, waves crashing below as the tense operation unfolded. “He was happy. He knew he got rescued. He was wagging his tail. He was giving everyone kisses,” Rescue Captain Samuel Menchaca told the Associated Press. Despite the fall, the dog was not injured. The San Francisco Fire Department confirmed he was “conscious, alert, and able to walk on his own after being brought to safety.” Menchaca used the opportunity to remind people to exercise caution in areas with unmarked paths and sudden drops, especially when accompanied by dogs or children. “You may think that it’s a little berm or a hill, but it is a significant drop,” he said. Firefighters have performed multiple rescues in the Fort Funston area over the years, and while they're trained for situations like this, Menchaca emphasized that prevention is key. “One of the best ways to not get hurt on these cliffs and our beautiful seaside parts of San Francisco is to stay on the marked paths,” he said. The dog’s grateful response — tail wags and kisses for his rescuers — was a happy ending to a potentially tragic situation, and a reminder of the dangers lurking just off the trail.
Score (98)
Teen Fixes And Donates Over 500 Computers To Help People In Need
What started as a hobby for Sam Nadol — fixing broken computers he found at a recycling center — has turned into a life-changing mission for hundreds of people. As a middle schooler in Westchester, New York, Nadol began collecting discarded electronics, repairing them, and flipping them on Craigslist. By the time he was 12, he had already refurbished eight computers — and each one sold within hours. But Nadol wasn’t just looking to make a quick buck. When he entered high school, he discovered a $600 student grant program and used it to launch Reboot PC, a school project that grew into a full-fledged nonprofit. His first official donation came through Roger Battacharia, a volunteer with Ossining Padres Hispanos, a local group focused on educational opportunities in the Hispanic community. Through that connection, Nadol donated a dozen computers. “Sam brings computers where they’re desperately needed,” Battacharia said. “That would have been another several thousand pounds of electronics in a landfill.” Since then, Nadol has donated hundreds of devices to people and places where access to technology is limited — including students in Haiti and, most recently, Ukrainian refugees in Brooklyn, New York. In August 2024, he began his freshman year at Purdue University, where he’s studying computer engineering. Just a few months later, he celebrated a major milestone: donating his 500th computer. “I get thank-you letters from recipients saying my computer helped them get a job or keep in touch with family,” Nadol said. “Being able to make an impact in people’s lives is the most rewarding part of what I do.” From fixing his first broken laptop as a middle schooler to bridging the digital divide for families around the world, Nadol’s journey shows just how far a simple idea — and a lot of dedication — can go.