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Score (96)
A Rare White Orca Was Just Spotted in Canada For The First Time
A rare white orca was spotted in the shallow waters of Beaver Cove off the coast of Vancouver Island Wednesday. Experts say it's the first time this particular whale has been seen north of California. Upon sighting, witnesses began making calls to the Vancouver Aquarium, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans and other experts to find out how to help the whales.
Score (98)
Why This UK Woman Says Retraining a Retired Racehorse Saved Her Life
Claire Howie wasn’t expecting to find a lifeline when she bought a retired racehorse in 2021. But that’s exactly what happened. The 39-year-old from Stoke-on-Trent had been struggling with her mental health when she brought home Skeaping, a then-12-year-old thoroughbred who had recently wrapped up his racing career after 53 races and five wins. She retrained him in dressage and other equestrian disciplines — but says the horse gave her far more in return. “Going up to him every day and being able to ride him just gave me my life back,” Howie told BBC Radio Stoke. “He really helped me to overcome the difficult times in my life. Without him, I wouldn't be the person I am today.” Now, the duo are finalists for Horse of the Year in the Retraining of Racehorses (RoR) Awards — a UK-based charity honouring ex-racehorses who go on to successful second careers. The winner will be decided by public vote and announced at Cheltenham Racecourse on January 24. From racehorse to dressage champion Since retiring from the track, Skeaping has taken to his new life with enthusiasm. Under Howie’s care, he became the RoR Dressage Intro champion in 2022 and qualified for the prestigious Bramham British Eventing 80 Championship in 2024. Even during a quieter 2025, while Howie recovered from back surgery, the pair still made it to the British Riding Club Arena Eventing National Championships. She describes Skeaping as “nothing but versatile” and says he deserves every bit of the recognition. “Skeaping is my best friend and has helped me, as I have had a lot of battles to deal with this year,” she said. “Our partnership and bond is closer than ever.” A life-changing friendship Howie juggles night shifts as a lorry driver and spends her mornings training horses in Leek, Staffordshire. It’s a demanding routine, but her time with Skeaping has become a constant source of support — a quiet routine that brought stability during her lowest moments. “He saved my life,” she said. “We’ve done it all on our own, and if we won [the award], it would be the pinnacle for us. We could look back with great pride at what we have achieved.” Voting for the RoR Horse of the Year closes Friday at 17:00 GMT on the charity’s website. Howie and Skeaping are one of three finalist pairs. Win or not, she says their journey together has already been a victory.
Score (95)
New Magnetic Nanomaterial Could Target Bone Cancer and Help Heal Bone at the Same Time
A research team from Brazil and Portugal has developed a new kind of nanomaterial that could one day change how bone cancer is treated — by attacking tumors and helping damaged bones repair themselves, all in a single step. The material, described in the journal Magnetic Medicine, combines two hard-to-balance properties: magnetic heat generation for killing cancer cells, and bone-friendly bioactivity to support regrowth. It’s made from iron oxide nanoparticles — responsible for the magnetic heating — coated in a thin layer of bioactive glass that helps it bond with bone tissue. “Magnetic bioactive nanocomposites are very promising for bone cancer therapy because they can simultaneously ablate tumors through magnetic hyperthermia and support new bone growth,” said Dr. Ângela Andrade, lead author of the study. Two-in-One Solution The problem scientists have faced in this field is simple but difficult: materials that are good at generating the heat needed to kill cancer cells often aren’t great at bonding with bone, and vice versa. This new nanocomposite aims to do both. By wrapping the magnetic core in a shell of bioactive glass, the team created a “core-shell” structure that retains strong magnetization while encouraging bone regeneration. That structure allows it to generate heat when exposed to an alternating magnetic field — a process that damages or destroys cancer cells in the area — while also sticking to bone and triggering the body’s natural repair mechanisms. Fast Mineralization in Tests To simulate what would happen inside the body, the researchers placed the material in a solution that mimics human blood plasma. The results were promising: the particles quickly formed apatite, the mineral that makes up most of natural bone. That rapid formation suggests the material would bond well with bone after implantation. Different versions of the material were tested, and one stood out. “Among the tested formulations, the one with a higher calcium content demonstrated the fastest mineralization rate and the strongest magnetic response,” Andrade said. Minimally Invasive Potential The iron oxide core is what enables the treatment side of the therapy. When activated by a magnetic field, it produces enough localized heat to kill nearby cancer cells — a process called magnetic hyperthermia. It’s targeted and focused, reducing the risk to healthy surrounding tissues. Meanwhile, the outer bioactive glass helps trigger bone repair. That means the material doesn’t just treat the cancer — it also lays the groundwork for structural recovery, something patients often struggle with after tumor removal surgeries. “This study provides new insights into how surface chemistry and structure influence the performance of magnetic biomaterials,” Andrade said. “The findings open new perspectives on the development of increasingly advanced multifunctional materials that are both safe and effective for clinical use.” A Step Toward Smarter Therapies Bone cancer often requires aggressive treatment, including surgery that removes part of the bone along with the tumor. Recovery can be long and painful, and rebuilding the lost bone remains a major clinical challenge. The ability to treat the tumor and support bone healing at the same time could simplify care and improve outcomes. The study is an early-stage breakthrough, but it adds momentum to a growing field focused on smart materials that serve multiple medical purposes. If future trials are successful, this kind of nanocomposite could pave the way for more targeted, less invasive treatments for bone cancer — offering patients both a stronger chance of survival and a faster path to recovery.
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Score (95)
Texas Family Discovers 2.09-Carat Diamond at State Park with Siri's Help
When 7-year-old Austin Ward asked his mom if there was anywhere nearby to mine for crystals, he probably didn’t expect to end up at a diamond mine — or for his dad to walk away with a 2.09-carat gem. But that’s exactly what happened when the Ward family from Texas followed a Siri suggestion all the way to Crater of Diamonds State Park in Murfreesboro, Arkansas. What started as a spontaneous family adventure turned into a once-in-a-lifetime discovery. James Ward, a high school teacher, was digging through the dirt with his fingers on December 30 when he spotted something unusual. “I didn’t know what it was, but I knew it was different than everything else I had found,” he said. That something turned out to be a dark yellowish-brown diamond, about the size of a corn kernel, with a metallic sheen. Park officials later confirmed it was the fifth diamond found on the surface of the 37.5-acre search area that month. “Mr. Ward’s diamond has a beautiful, metallic luster characteristic of all Crater diamonds,” said Assistant Park Superintendent Waymon Cox in a statement. He noted that while most diamonds found at the site are chipped or flawed, the Ward diamond was a solid find — and may have been even larger before enduring immense geological pressure underground. The find was the highlight of a family road trip that began a day earlier. Austin’s request to go mining set the plan in motion. Elizabeth Ward, James’ wife, asked Siri where they could find a crystal mining site nearby. Siri suggested Crater of Diamonds State Park, one of the only places in the world where the public can search for diamonds and keep what they find. “I sent the link to James, and he’s like, ‘Oh wait, that’s only like six hours away. We can go!’” Elizabeth recalled. The family — James, Elizabeth, Austin, and their older son Adrian, 9 — drove to the park on December 29. But winter weather nearly cut their trip short. “We were so cold! We were here for, like, four hours. It was freezing, but Adrian was the one who wanted to come back,” Elizabeth said. So they returned the next day and kept digging. Two hours in, James made the unexpected discovery. Once confirmed by park staff, James named the diamond after his family: the “Ward Diamond.” He hasn’t decided whether to keep it or sell it. “No idea,” he said. “I’ll have to see how much it’s worth first.” Crater of Diamonds State Park is a known treasure-hunting destination. Since becoming a state park in 1972, over 35,000 diamonds have been found by visitors. By the end of 2025, the park had registered 540 diamonds for the year. James offered a tip for future visitors: “You can stumble upon a diamond in any place or time. Don’t give up on the first day!” Elizabeth added her own takeaway: “Listen to your kids about their dreams and what they want to do!” In this case, a 7-year-old’s curiosity, a voice assistant, and a little determination led to a diamond worth far more than just its weight.
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Florida Zoo Just Set a New Record With 26 Manatees Released Into the Wild in a Single Year
ZooTampa at Lowry Park has hit a major conservation milestone — and it comes with flippers and whiskers. In 2025, the Florida zoo released 26 rehabilitated manatees back into local waters, marking the highest number of manatee releases in a single year in the zoo’s history. The announcement was made in a press release on January 5. “This accomplishment underscores the Zoo's pivotal role in conserving this iconic species and its role within the Manatee Rescue & Rehabilitation Partnership,” the zoo said. The releases included manatees like Finn and Mudonna, both of whom were featured in recent photos and videos shared by the zoo alongside Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) teams. Mudonna's story is especially striking. She was rescued in November 2024 after Hurricanes Helene and Milton swept through Florida. Found in just five inches of cold water with little food and temperatures near freezing, she weighed only 345 pounds — dangerously low for an adult manatee, which typically weighs around 1,000 pounds. ZooTampa, along with the FWC and the University of Florida Marine Rescue, spent months nursing her back to health. By the time she returned to Crystal River last week, Mudonna had more than doubled her weight, tipping the scales at over 700 pounds. The zoo’s David A. Straz, Jr. Manatee Critical Care Center is the largest nonprofit facility of its kind in the United States and has cared for more than 615 manatees since it opened in 1991. Most have been successfully returned to the wild. According to ZooTampa, its rescue program operates 24/7, staffed by veterinarians — including two certified manatee critical-care specialists — and trained animal care teams. The zoo also plans to expand its efforts this spring with the opening of the Straz Family Manatee Rescue, which will give visitors an up-close, underwater view of manatees in care. Manatees in Florida continue to face serious threats, including habitat loss and injuries from watercraft. In 2025 alone, an estimated 620 manatees died and 97 were hurt in boat strikes, according to the FWC. Manatees are protected under multiple laws, including the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, the Endangered Species Act of 1973, and Florida’s own Manatee Sanctuary Act of 1978, which makes it illegal to disturb or harm the animals. However, proposed federal changes have raised concerns among conservation groups about potential rollbacks in protections tied to habitat loss. For now, ZooTampa is focused on helping one manatee at a time. And in 2025, that added up to 26 of them — all back where they belong.
Score (97)
Meet the 68-Year-Old Painting Gloucester Beautiful—One Bollard at a Time
Alan “Big Al” Platt isn’t getting paid to clean road signs or repaint public fixtures across Gloucester. But that hasn’t stopped him from putting in the work — and the results are starting to turn heads. The 68-year-old retiree has quietly taken it upon himself to beautify the city, from repainting bollards near landmarks to planting bulbs in flood-prone areas. What started as a simple litter pick-up during the COVID-19 lockdowns has now grown into something much bigger. “I can redo things that haven’t been done for decades and then walk down there and think, ‘I did that’,” Platt said. His handiwork is already visible in several parts of the city. He’s repainted the black bollards near the Hooper Monument by Gloucester Cathedral and the golden needles in front of Shire Hall. Along with other volunteers, he’s also been working since January at Alney Island, an area often hit by flooding. Together, they cleared deep layers of mud and planted more than 400 bulbs. “Hopefully it’s going to be a blooming spring down there,” he said. Platt’s motivation is simple: he wants to make Gloucester beautiful. He has no plans of slowing down and already has a full painting schedule mapped out for 2026. “I’ve probably done over 40 bollards with black paint. Next year I will do 50-60, the whole of Eastgate Street. I want to do, they’re a mess,” he said. “If we could do 100 in two years, what a remarkable thing that is.” And if you’ve got leftover black paint, he’ll gladly take it off your hands. “Anyone who’s got any black paint and they want to give it to me, that would be very nice.” He’s not working alone. Platt has teamed up with others, including Tony Aldridge from Gloucester BID. One of their recent projects involved restoring the gates to the 12th-century St Nicholas Church on Westgate Street. “They [The Church Conservation Trust] allowed us to strip all the old paint and varnish off which was a long job because the varnish was like tar,” Platt said. “Then they provided the paint, the original green. It was very detailed work to get the nice edging to make them look as they used to be.” Since the restoration, the church has seen more visitors and now opens regularly. Platt doesn’t do it for praise or recognition. For him, the work itself is enough. “I really enjoy it,” he said. “And now I concentrate on making Gloucester beautiful.”
Score (98)
Shelter Dogs Enjoy Holiday Feast With 200 Hamburgers
The dogs at KC Pet Project weren’t dreaming of sugarplums this Christmas — just burgers. And on December 24, they got exactly that. Thanks to local animal advocate Scott Poore, more than 200 plain McDonald’s hamburgers were delivered to the Kansas City shelter, turning Christmas Eve into a full-blown celebration for the four-legged residents. “There’s nothing quite like seeing a shelter dog’s face light up over something as simple — and delicious — as a surprise hamburger on Christmas Eve,” said KC Pet Project CEO Kate Meghji. Poore, who runs the nonprofit On a Mission KC, has made it a tradition to surprise shelter animals on Christmas Eve. This was his 10th year bringing joy — and fast food — to animals who haven’t yet found their forever homes. “Pure joy rippled through the kennels — tails wagging, noses working overtime,” Meghji said, crediting Poore for his continued dedication to giving shelter dogs “as much comfort and joy as we can until they find their forever homes.” The shelter, which takes in more than 16,000 animals annually across 14 locations, shared the moment in a Christmas Eve post, calling it “the most amazing surprise for our dogs.” “Watching our dogs enjoy such a special and tasty snack was truly something special,” the post read. Scenthound, a local grooming service, also helped make the holiday treat possible. “Moments like this remind us how powerful community support can be,” the shelter wrote. “Our dogs felt every bit of that love.” KC Pet Project provides adoption, foster care, veterinary services, and pet-retention support for animals in Kansas City. But on this day, it was all about burgers, kindness, and a lot of happy dogs.
Score (98)
UK Teen Sets World Record for Largest Jellycat Toy Collection, Nearing 1,000 Pieces
A 19-year-old from Bedford has officially entered the record books for something soft, squishy, and seriously impressive: the world’s largest collection of Jellycat toys. Hope Roberts was awarded a Guinness World Records title in December after officials completed a meticulous four-hour verification process confirming she owns 877 Jellycat items. The total includes plush toys, bags, keyrings, and even stickers. “I didn’t know the full number until it was announced, so I was just as shocked,” Hope said. Her obsession started just two years ago with a 20p bunny picked up at a charity shop. “I kind of knew what they were but had never seen one,” she said. That first find set off a hunt through car boot sales, second-hand shops, and online corners of the Jellycat-collecting world. Friends and family started gifting her items too, and the collection quickly snowballed. Since receiving the Guinness title, Hope estimates her collection has grown even more and is now approaching the 1,000 mark. Jellycat, a British brand known for its quirky and ultra-soft stuffed animals, was founded in 1999. It gained a cult following during the COVID-19 pandemic as more people turned to comfort items and collectibles. Some rare or discontinued Jellycats now sell for more than £1,000 each, though many can still be found for just a few pounds. Hope shares her finds on social media, where her growing audience recently caught the eye of none other than Nicky Hilton. “I had to Google [that] it was definitely her,” Hope said. “It’s crazy.” For now, the Jellycats are still piling up — and so is the attention. But Hope’s love for the plush creatures isn’t about the fame. It’s about the thrill of the find, the stories behind each one, and the joy they continue to bring.
Score (95)
Gut Bacteria May Hold the Key To Human Intelligence, According to a New Study
A groundbreaking study from Northwestern University has provided the first direct experimental evidence that the gut microbiome can influence how the brain works—not just within species, but across them. Researchers found that gut microbes from primates with larger brains can change the brain function of mice, offering fresh insight into brain evolution and development, as well as potential links to neurodevelopmental conditions. “Our study shows that microbes are acting on traits that are relevant to our understanding of evolution, and particularly the evolution of human brains,” said Katie Amato, associate professor of biological anthropology and the study’s lead author. From primates to mice: how the experiment worked The study builds on previous research from Amato's lab, which showed that gut microbes from larger-brained primates produce more metabolic energy—critical for fueling the brain. In this new study, the team asked a bigger question: could those same microbes change how a host brain functions? To find out, researchers transplanted gut microbes from three different primates—humans and squirrel monkeys (both with relatively large brains), and macaques (a smaller-brained primate)—into germ-free mice. These mice had no microbiomes of their own, making it possible to isolate the effects of the transplanted microbes. Eight weeks later, the mice displayed distinct differences in brain activity depending on which microbes they had received. Brain changes that mirror the primates themselves Mice with microbes from large-brained primates showed increased activity in genes linked to energy production and synaptic plasticity—the brain’s ability to learn and adapt. Mice with microbes from smaller-brained macaques showed less activity in those same areas. “What was super interesting,” Amato said, “is we were able to compare data we had from the brains of the host mice with data from actual macaque and human brains, and to our surprise, many of the patterns we saw in brain gene expression of the mice were the same patterns seen in the actual primates themselves.” In short, the microbes didn’t just affect the mice’s digestion—they changed how their brains developed and functioned, making them resemble the brains of the primates from which the microbes came. Uncovering links to ADHD, autism, and more One of the more surprising findings was that mice receiving microbes from smaller-brained primates displayed brain gene expression patterns linked to ADHD, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and autism. While past studies have suggested a connection between the gut microbiome and such conditions, this is among the strongest evidence yet that microbes could play a causal role in shaping neurodevelopment. “If you don’t get exposed to the ‘right’ human microbes in early life,” Amato said, “your brain will work differently, and this may lead to symptoms of these conditions.” Evolutionary and clinical implications The study suggests that the gut microbiome may have played a critical role in the evolution of the large, energy-hungry human brain—and that disruptions in these microbial patterns could have consequences for brain development today. “It’s interesting to think about brain development in species and individuals,” Amato said, “and investigating whether we can look at cross-sectional, cross-species differences in patterns and discover rules for the way microbes are interacting with the brain.” The study, titled “Primate gut microbiota induce evolutionarily salient changes in mouse neurodevelopment,” was published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. It opens up a new frontier in both evolutionary biology and neuroscience, suggesting that microbes aren’t just passengers in the human body—they may be active players in shaping how we think and feel.
Score (97)
Canadian Surfers Brave Winter Waves in Unlikely Surfing Destination
While most people huddle indoors or book flights south when winter rolls in, a small but growing number of Canadians are zipping up wetsuits and heading straight into icy lakes and oceans. For Vesa Luomaranta, it’s not about escaping the cold. He runs the Superior East Board Shop in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, and he embraces the cold—because it brings waves. “For the love of surfing. For just the love of the waves,” Luomaranta told CBC’s The Current. His favourite spot is Lake Superior, but winter surfers are also hitting breaks in Tofino, B.C., and off Canada’s East Coast. It’s not just about finding somewhere to surf—it’s about chasing the best waves Canada has to offer. And that, say the experts, means winter. “There are just enormous waves that pound onto the shore,” Luomaranta said. “When those winter northwest winds kick up, it generates a pretty big wave. It’s pretty spectacular to see as it hits, and the sound of the water—it’s awesome.” That power doesn’t come easy. Temperatures in the water drop to around 3°C, and the air can be even colder. Wetsuits are essential, and Luomaranta admits he layers up even more underneath when it gets especially harsh. “The post-surf, once you’re wet and covered in ice and trying to get back to your car, that’s the downside,” he said. But for some, even that’s part of the appeal. “There’s some romance to the pain of it,” said Dean Petty, a former pro surfer who now runs Camp Bueno Surf Sanctuary in Cow Bay, Nova Scotia. Petty grew up surfing the North Atlantic, and while he now splits his time between tropical spots and Canadian shores, he says the community here is special. “Since fewer people want to do it, the community is smaller and therefore tighter,” he said. Jess Dimis remembers having doubts before her first cold-water surf session off the coast of British Columbia. She’d previously only surfed in Costa Rica, and the idea of jumping into cold Pacific water wasn’t exactly appealing. But a friend encouraged her to try—and it changed everything. “Even my coach at the time, he said he saw the look on my face and knew that it was a game changer for me,” Dimis said. Now she teaches others at Surf Sister School in Tofino. She owns multiple wetsuits—enough to fill a third of her wardrobe—and still loves watching that moment when everything clicks for a beginner. “Every lesson that I teach that’s a beginner lesson, when everything kind of clicks for them and I see that moment of happiness, I’m like, yeah, I know that feeling,” she said. “If there’s one thing I can guarantee you, you will be warm in a wetsuit in the water, and it will be the best time of your life.” That’s a sentiment echoed by Luomaranta. Even though he doesn’t sugar-coat the discomfort, he believes anyone can do it—if they’re willing to push through. “It’s definitely not for the faint of heart,” he said. “It sucks, most of the time, but most things that are challenging and hard are worth it.” So why surf in the middle of a Canadian winter? For those who do it, the answer is simple: the waves are better, the experience is unforgettable, and the cold is just part of the thrill.
Score (98)
Cafe Thrives By Taking Orders In Sign Language, Celebrated By Deaf Community
At a small café in southeast Portland, the primary language isn’t English—it’s American Sign Language. And for many in the Deaf and hard of hearing community, that’s what makes Woodstock Cafe feel like home. Owned by CymaSpace, a nonprofit dedicated to making art and culture accessible to the Deaf community, Woodstock Cafe offers more than just lattes and pastries. It’s a hub of connection, identity, and employment—where ASL is the norm and inclusion is baked into the atmosphere. “For a lot of people, the cafe becomes their stable place. It’s their rock,” said Andre Gray, one of the team members who helped open the cafe, speaking through ASL. The cafe doesn’t exclude non-signers. Customers who don’t use ASL can place orders via a microphone that transcribes their speech onto a screen. But inside, ASL takes the lead. Staff communicate with each other and customers in sign, and the space regularly hosts ASL meetups and events—like “Sign Squad” on Tuesdays, a social night that brings together people across the hearing spectrum. For many, it’s more than a hangout spot. It's a lifeline. “It’s so eclectic,” said Amy Wachspress, who began losing her hearing nine years ago and now primarily lip-reads. “There are just so many different kinds of people from all different backgrounds. And the one thing we have in common is that we sign.” That shared language has turned the cafe into something rare: a place where Deaf culture is centered and celebrated. Gray said people have moved across the country just to work there—opportunities for deaf and hard of hearing workers can be limited, especially in customer-facing roles. The cafe’s impact extends to families, too. Wachspress recalls a deaf toddler brought in by his hearing parents who wanted him to feel part of a community. “He was just so beside himself excited when he realized that you could communicate with people using sign,” she said. “We were all so touched.” CymaSpace had once planned to expand into adjacent buildings to create a Deaf Equity Center. That effort stalled after a change in presidential administration led to funding cuts, Gray said. Still, the organization hopes to revive the idea with private funding and a future crowdfunding campaign. “It gives power to the community as opposed to a fear of signing,” Gray said. “We, as a community, are so proud of who we are.” Inside Woodstock Cafe, that pride is everywhere—from the quiet rhythm of hand movements to the joy on a child’s face as they realize they’re understood.