Goodable

The world’s oldest living pygmy hippo in managed care proved that age is just a number as she celebrated her 52nd birthday at the San Diego Humane Society’s Ramona Wildlife Center.

The San Diego Humane Society said that Hannah Shirley the pygmy hippo marked the occasion with a “Hungry Hungry Hippos–themed party complete with floating fruit treats and colorful decorations.”

Hannah Shirley was rescued from a private backyard in Escondido in 2002, and has been living her best life ever since.

“Her days are filled with spa-like back rubs, sprinkler showers and carefully prepared meals that support her advanced age,” the San Diego Humane Society said.

<p>The world’s oldest living pygmy hippo in managed care proved that age is just a number as she celebrated her 52nd birthday at the San Diego Humane Society’s Ramona Wildlife Center.</p><p>The San Diego Humane Society said that Hannah Shirley the pygmy hippo marked the occasion with a “Hungry Hungry Hippos–themed party complete with floating fruit treats and colorful decorations.”</p><p>Hannah Shirley was rescued from a private backyard in Escondido in 2002, and has been living her best life ever since.</p><p>“Her days are filled with spa-like back rubs, sprinkler showers and carefully prepared meals that support her advanced age,” the San Diego Humane Society said.</p>

World's Oldest Pygmy Hippo in Managed Care Celebrates 52nd Birthday

Smithsonian Magazine

A fossilized foot found in Ethiopia in 2009 has puzzled scientists for more than a decade. Now, researchers believe they’ve finally found its owner — and the discovery could rewrite a major chapter in human evolution.

The foot, dubbed the Burtele foot after the region where it was discovered, is 3.4 million years old and was unearthed just 30 kilometers from the site where the famous Lucy skeleton was found in 1974. At the time, scientists assumed Lucy’s species — Australopithecus afarensis — was the only early human relative living in that region between 3.8 and 3 million years ago.

But this foot didn’t match. It had an opposable big toe and curved bones that suggested a life spent partly in the trees — very different from Lucy’s species, which walked upright on the ground with feet more like modern humans.

That raised a question that remained unanswered for years: who did this foot belong to?

Now, thanks to newly discovered fossils found near the same site, scientists say the foot likely belonged to a different extinct hominin species called Australopithecus deyiremeda. The team’s findings, published in Nature on November 26, reveal that Lucy may not have been the only early human ancestor walking around Ethiopia at that time — and she may not have been our direct ancestor after all.

“We were able to show that A. deyiremeda and Lucy’s species were living near each other, but they were doing different things,” says Yohannes Haile-Selassie, a paleoanthropologist at Arizona State University and co-author of the study. “How were they able to coexist? They were consuming a different diet.”

The research team uncovered new fossils near the original Burtele foot discovery — pieces of a pelvis, jaw, skull, and 12 teeth. These bones, when analyzed, showed clear differences from A. afarensis. The jaw and teeth were more primitive, and chemical analysis suggested a diet focused on leaves, fruits, and nuts, while Lucy’s kin had broader diets that included meat and grasses.

That dietary divergence could explain how both species lived side-by-side without competing.

For years, Haile-Selassie had suspected the Burtele foot belonged to a different species, but until now, he held off on making that claim. “We played it safe,” he told Science. But with the new fossils found nearby — and evidence that A. deyiremeda walked and ate differently — the case is stronger than ever.

“It’s a really exciting discovery long-awaited for all of us who have been wondering what that crazy foot was,” Carol Ward, an anthropologist at the University of Missouri who wasn’t involved in the study, told Scientific American.

Still, not everyone is convinced. Zeray Alemseged, a paleoanthropologist at the University of Chicago, called the connection “reasonable, but circumstantial,” and wants to see more of the lower skeleton before drawing conclusions.

But if the analysis holds, it could challenge one of paleoanthropology’s core assumptions — that A. afarensis was the “mother of us all,” the direct ancestor of all later human relatives.

Fred Spoor, a paleontologist at the Natural History Museum in London, wrote a commentary for Nature arguing that A. deyiremeda may have been more closely related to Australopithecus africanus, which lived in southern Africa between 3 and 2 million years ago. If that’s true, then A. afarensis may have been an evolutionary cousin — not an ancestor.

“If this is correct, A. afarensis will lose its iconic status as the ancestor of all later hominins, probably including our own lineage,” Spoor writes.

The findings don’t erase Lucy’s importance — she’s still one of the most famous and complete hominin skeletons ever found. But the story of human evolution just got more complex. And it all started with a foot that didn’t quite fit.

Scientists Discover 3.4-Million-Year-Old Foot Fossil That May Belong to Lucy's Contemporaries

Artnet

In the rugged canyons along the Rio Grande between Texas and Mexico, ancient murals spanning entire cliff faces have long mystified archaeologists. But new research may have cracked part of the code — and it could rewrite the cultural history of Mesoamerica.

A team of Texas-based researchers used a mix of radiocarbon dating and visual analysis to study more than 50 figures across 12 cave sites in the Lower Pecos Canyonlands. Their breakthrough? Rather than dating the mineral pigments — which don’t contain carbon — they dated the organic binders made from deer bone marrow used in the paint. Their findings, published in Science Advances, suggest these artworks weren’t slowly built over centuries, but painted during single events spanning a period of about 4,700 years.

The murals, some as long as 500 feet, feature recurring symbols — “power bundles,” “speech breath,” and “rabbit-eared headdresses” — that show remarkable consistency across time. Even the color sequence follows a symbolic order: black first (the void), then red (the sun), yellow (dawn), and white (noon). That pattern aligns with creation myths from later Indigenous cultures, hinting at deep spiritual roots.

One arch motif appears to depict people passing through a sacred mountain portal, a vision Huichol elders say represents the sun’s daily journey across the sky.

Researchers believe these images may represent a shared belief system — what Mexican historian A. López Austin called a “hard core” of Mesoamerican culture — stretching back thousands of years. If true, these cave murals could mark the oldest known visual expression of the worldview that later shaped civilizations like the Olmec, Maya, and Aztec.

New Research Suggests 5,000-Year-Old Cave Murals May Tell the Origin Story of Mesoamerican Culture

BBC News

Every December, a quiet street in Shevington, Greater Manchester, transforms into a glowing, joyful traffic jam. And at the centre of it is the Molyneux family home—lit up by 40,000 Christmas lights and the kind of spirit you can’t buy.

Paul and Jill Molyneux, along with their three sons, have turned their house into a festive beacon for the past 14 years. What began as a modest attempt to “give a bit back” has grown into a winter spectacle—and a significant fundraiser for the children’s ward at Wigan Infirmary.

The electricity bill alone costs the family about £4,000 each year. But Paul, 53, says it’s worth every penny.

“If we can give a bit of joy to a few people, we’ll still be here,” he told BBC Radio Manchester. “From tiny kids walking past amazed, to HGV drivers, skip wagons, vans and cars beeping and putting their thumbs up—it just lifts people’s spirits a little bit.”

Since they first lit up their home in 2011, the Molyneuxs have raised about £40,000 for Wigan’s Rainbow Ward. They work directly with hospital staff to make sure donations go toward exactly what’s needed—everything from DVD players and Xbox consoles to bottle warmers and flat beds for parents.

Their 2023 donation helped fund a sensory room for children struggling with anxiety and stress—a milestone that Paul said made him especially proud.

A Display That Grew With the Family

The lights go on every December 1, with locals now treating the event as a tradition in its own right. “We don’t invite anybody—they just turn up,” Paul said. “You cannot move because it’s bang on teatime traffic and it’s just absolute carnage.”

Around 150 people crowded the street on Monday to watch this year’s display come to life. It features a 9-foot Santa, a 6-foot bear, life-sized nutcrackers, a sleigh, and a towering Christmas tree. Paul estimates that the display has cost between £40,000 and £50,000 over the years, even before factoring in running costs.

And still, he says, he spent another £3,000 on extra lights this year.

The cause is personal. All three of the Molyneux sons were treated at the Rainbow Ward—most notably Theo, now 15, who was eight when an infection left him temporarily unable to walk. Their middle son Alfie, now 16, also received care for seizures starting at the age of two.

“It’s amazing how many people consider the display as part of their family tradition,” Paul said. “People have told how they come to the house every Christmas Eve with their children.”

What started as a simple gesture of gratitude has become part of the fabric of the Shevington community. And for Paul, it still comes down to the same thing: “We are heavily into the Christmas spirit,” he said. “If we can give a bit of joy to people, so be it.”

Family Spends £4,000 Powering Christmas Lights to Raise Joy, and £40K, for Local Children’s Ward

People

Brendan Fraser turns 57 on December 3, 2025, and what better way to celebrate than by looking back at the early days of one of Hollywood’s most beloved—and now Oscar-winning—actors.

Long before The Whale earned him his Academy Award, Fraser was a fresh-faced newcomer lighting up screens in the early '90s. His breakout came in comedies like Encino Man and George of the Jungle, but his dramatic chops were clear from the start. In 1992’s School Ties, he held his own opposite rising stars Matt Damon and Ben Affleck, playing a Jewish student navigating prejudice at an elite prep school. Off-camera, the rivalry melted away. Fraser credited his real-life chemistry with Damon for helping him land the role.

That same year, cameras caught glimpses of his signature grin and piercing blue eyes at the premiere of Love Field in Westwood, California. He turned heads again at the Golden Apple Awards, where his side-swept hair and charm had fans swooning. Later, he suited up in a tux for a gala benefiting the Revlon UCLA Women’s Cancer Center—an early glimpse of the star who’d soon be lighting up red carpets worldwide.

By 1994, he was showing his comedic range again in With Honors, holding his own alongside Joe Pesci, Moira Kelly, and Patrick Dempsey. Whether dressed down in denim and a white tee or topping it off with a leather jacket, Fraser’s easy charisma was always front and center.

Then came George of the Jungle in 1997—and Fraser's heartthrob status was sealed. The bare-chested, vine-swinging role became iconic, and helped catapult him into superstardom. Later that year, at the Deauville Film Festival in France, he traded George’s long locks for a more polished cut, showing his versatility not just on-screen, but in style.

Fraser cemented his action-star credentials as the rugged Rick O’Connell in 1999’s The Mummy, a box office smash that paired him with Rachel Weisz and gave fans a new favorite adventure hero. He returned just as dashing in the 2001 sequel, The Mummy Returns.

Between blockbusters, he kept things grounded—literally—by climbing a rock wall at a celebrity carnival supporting the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation.

From tuxedos to loincloths to archaeologist gear, Fraser’s roles have been as varied as his talent is enduring. And today, on his 57th birthday, fans are still cheering him on—grateful for the decades of characters, charm, and resilience he’s brought to the screen.

Brendan Fraser Celebrates 57th Birthday With a Nostalgic Look Back At Iconic Career

GoodGoodGood

In an Oakland-based Zoom kitchen, up to 55 cooks gather each week—measuring, mixing, chatting. It’s part cooking class, part health intervention, and it’s transforming the way older adults, especially in Black and marginalized communities, approach aging and food.

The virtual sessions are hosted by The Good Life, a nonprofit that began not as a grassroots wellness group but as a clinical research study led by the U.C. Davis Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center. The initial focus: finding ways to prevent dementia and diabetes through lifestyle changes.

Now, with mounting research linking cardiovascular health to brain health, that focus has grown into a full-fledged program serving older adults who are often left out of conventional health initiatives.

“What’s good for your heart is also what’s good for your brain,” said Dr. David Johnson, who works with both The Good Life and U.C. Davis. “Those things you would do for your cardiovascular health are also good for [preventing] Alzheimer’s Disease.”

Food as medicine — and connection

The group’s weekly cooking classes have become a staple, drawing older adults from across California into a shared digital space. Many of the participants are Black women living with diabetes. They cook together in real time while discussing recipes and their impacts—not just on taste buds, but on bodies.

Shanette Merrick, executive director of The Good Life and instructor for the sessions, said the goal is to reshape how Black elders perceive food.

“They’re learning how to really look at their plates and say, ‘That heals my pancreas, this is good for my heart, this is good for my skin — everything on this plate is healing my body,’” she told Civil Eats. “That’s super powerful.”

Merrick intentionally builds menus around seasonal ingredients and nutrient-dense dishes that support brain health. But the program doesn’t stop at recipes. To address food access disparities, The Good Life offers free ingredient pickups so participants can cook along without the stress of grocery bills.

Those pickup spots have become hubs of community, too. With grocery bags in hand, participants greet each other, trade tips, and form bonds that, according to Merrick, are just as critical as the food itself.

“Our kitchens should be our pharmacies; our kitchens should be our spaces of healing,” she said. “We don’t pass down the diabetes gene; we pass down recipes and eating habits.”

Fighting isolation with food and friendship

The virtual format was born out of necessity, but it’s proven to be a vital tool in another health battle: loneliness. According to Dr. Johnson, combating social isolation is just as important as dietary change when it comes to preventing cognitive decline.

“The important part of The Good Life is that you’re not alone,” he told ABC 30 News. “We’ve built it so that it’s an online community.”

Participants don’t just learn from health coaches—they connect with each other. For many, the shared experience of cooking, learning, and chatting has created a rare and joyful space in a life stage that often lacks it.

“You’re also there with a group of people who are a lot like you,” Johnson said. “The social support aspect of it, doing it together as a band of older adults, helps support positive lifestyle change.”

A quiet shift with big ripple effects

What began as a data-driven clinical study has evolved into something deeply human. The Good Life isn’t just teaching older adults how to eat better—it’s giving them tools to reclaim autonomy over their health, break generational cycles, and rediscover joy in food.

It’s also changing how public health is delivered—meeting people where they are, whether that’s online, in a church parking lot, or in a kitchen filled with laughter and healing.

For many of The Good Life’s participants, the program has become more than a weekly class. It’s a lifeline, a movement, and proof that food, when shared with others, can be one of the most powerful medicines of all.

Free Cooking Classes Combat Diabetes And Dementia In Black Communities

Ed Bambas thought he’d be forgotten. Instead, he’s become the face of a movement.

The 88-year-old Army veteran was quietly stocking shelves at a Detroit supermarket when he crossed paths with a stranger who saw something extraordinary: a man who never gave up.

Despite working five days a week, eight hours a day, Ed had never received the pension he earned over decades of hard work. He lost his wife years ago. And yet, he kept showing up — with a quiet dignity that moved people far beyond that supermarket aisle.

Now, thanks to a viral post and a heartfelt fundraiser, Ed’s life is changing in ways he never imagined.

More than $1.2 million has been raised in his name — all of it going directly toward helping him cover living expenses, medical care, and hopefully, for the first time in years, a little rest.

The man behind the campaign wrote, “Ed fought for his country, he worked his whole life, and now it’s our turn to fight for him.”

And fight, they did.

Tens of thousands of people shared Ed’s story, moved by the image of a man who never complained, never stopped working, and never asked for help — even when the system failed him.

“Too many of our seniors, especially veterans, face incredible challenges just to survive,” the post reads. “Let’s show Ed that the same bravery and commitment he gave to his country and community does not go unnoticed.”

The outpouring has stunned Ed, who reportedly never expected his story to resonate so widely. But for many, Ed represents something bigger: the quiet struggles of elderly workers, the forgotten promises to veterans, and the simple power of human connection.

In a time when outrage often dominates the headlines, it’s a moment of compassion that caught fire.

The GoFundMe page continues to grow, with donations pouring in alongside messages of support and gratitude. Strangers from around the world are sending love, prayers, and thanks to a man they’ve never met — but feel like they know.

Because Ed could be anyone’s grandfather. His story is personal for all of us. And that’s why it’s resonating.

As one donor wrote: “You remind me of my dad. He would’ve kept working too. Thank you for everything you’ve done. Now let us take care of you.”

It’s still unclear how Ed plans to use the money, but one thing is certain — he won’t have to keep working unless he wants to.

After a lifetime of service and sacrifice, he’s finally being given something in return: peace of mind, a bit of rest, and the knowledge that his country hasn’t forgotten him after all.

<div>Ed Bambas thought he’d be forgotten. Instead, he’s become the face of a movement.</div><div><br></div><div>The 88-year-old Army veteran was quietly stocking shelves at a Detroit supermarket when he crossed paths with a stranger who saw something extraordinary: a man who never gave up.</div><div><br></div><div>Despite working five days a week, eight hours a day, Ed had never received the pension he earned over decades of hard work. He lost his wife years ago. And yet, he kept showing up — with a quiet dignity that moved people far beyond that supermarket aisle.</div><div><br></div><div>Now, thanks to a viral post and a heartfelt fundraiser, Ed’s life is changing in ways he never imagined.</div><div><br></div><div>More than $1.2 million has been raised in his name — all of it going directly toward helping him cover living expenses, medical care, and hopefully, for the first time in years, a little rest.</div><div><br></div><div>The man behind the campaign wrote, “Ed fought for his country, he worked his whole life, and now it’s our turn to fight for him.”</div><div><br></div><div>And fight, they did.</div><div><br></div><div>Tens of thousands of people shared Ed’s story, moved by the image of a man who never complained, never stopped working, and never asked for help — even when the system failed him.</div><div><br></div><div>“Too many of our seniors, especially veterans, face incredible challenges just to survive,” the post reads. “Let’s show Ed that the same bravery and commitment he gave to his country and community does not go unnoticed.”</div><div><br></div><div>The outpouring has stunned Ed, who reportedly never expected his story to resonate so widely. But for many, Ed represents something bigger: the quiet struggles of elderly workers, the forgotten promises to veterans, and the simple power of human connection.</div><div><br></div><div>In a time when outrage often dominates the headlines, it’s a moment of compassion that caught fire.</div><div><br></div><div>The GoFundMe page continues to grow, with donations pouring in alongside messages of support and gratitude. Strangers from around the world are sending love, prayers, and thanks to a man they’ve never met — but feel like they know.</div><div><br></div><div>Because Ed could be anyone’s grandfather. His story is personal for all of us. And that’s why it’s resonating.</div><div><br></div><div>As one donor wrote: “You remind me of my dad. He would’ve kept working too. Thank you for everything you’ve done. Now let us take care of you.”</div><div><br></div><div>It’s still unclear how Ed plans to use the money, but one thing is certain — he won’t have to keep working unless he wants to.</div><div><br></div><div>After a lifetime of service and sacrifice, he’s finally being given something in return: peace of mind, a bit of rest, and the knowledge that his country hasn’t forgotten him after all.</div>

Over $1M Raised for 88-Year-Old Veteran Still Working Full-Time After Losing His Pension

Talker News

The dreaded high-pitched whine of a dental drill may soon be a thing of the past.

A team of Japanese scientists is developing quieter, less anxiety-inducing dental drills, using supercomputers and simulations to better understand and reduce the sound that many patients fear the most.

The research is being led by Dr. Tomomi Yamada, a dentist and assistant professor at the University of Osaka’s graduate school of dentistry. She says the motivation came from personal experience.

“Originally, I was doing research on dental materials,” she said, “but I realized that almost no one — not even dentists — was tackling this sound problem scientifically.”

Dental drills are powered by compressed air and spin at around 320,000 revolutions per minute. That speed generates a piercing, high-frequency sound that can reach nearly 20 kilohertz, making it especially uncomfortable for some patients. It's even been linked to odontophobia — a fear of dental procedures — which prevents many people, especially children, from getting proper dental care.

To tackle the problem, Dr. Yamada’s team used Japan’s flagship supercomputer to run large-scale aeroacoustic simulations. These allowed the researchers to map how air flows through and around the drill — both internally and externally — and how that airflow creates noise.

The result? A detailed visual model of the drill’s soundscape.

“Our research showed that just making the drill quieter isn’t enough to make the sound less unpleasant,” Dr. Yamada said. “What really matters is improving its sound quality.”

That distinction is key. The frequency and tone of the sound affect how people perceive it, and how much discomfort it causes.

In addition to the simulations, the team ran listening tests to measure psychological responses to the drill noise. They tested both adults and children, and found that younger patients were more sensitive to the high-pitched sounds, often describing them as louder and more unpleasant than adult listeners did.

“This indicates that children’s fear of dental sounds is not merely psychological but also physiological in nature,” Dr. Yamada explained. “Children truly hear these sounds differently, so their fear of dental treatment is a genuine sensory response, not just imagination.”

That finding could shift how dentists and manufacturers think about sound in dental tools, especially when it comes to treating younger patients.

Dr. Yamada’s team is now working to re-engineer the drill itself — modifying the blade geometry and the exhaust port — to reduce noise without compromising performance.

But it’s not as simple as just dampening the sound.

“To get the dental industry to adopt the new technology,” she said, “achieving a balance between the device’s performance and safety is key, as a quieter drill won’t necessarily get the job done.”

Next steps include forming partnerships with manufacturers and moving toward commercialization. But before the new design can go mainstream, it must pass strict regulatory and durability tests.

Dr. Yamada presented the team’s findings at a joint meeting of the Acoustical Society of America and the Acoustical Society of Japan in Honolulu, Hawaii.

If the project succeeds, future visits to the dentist — especially for kids — may come with a little less noise and a lot less fear.

Japanese Scientists Develop Quieter Dental Drills To Reduce Anxiety

CTV News

Across Canada, holiday trees are being decorated not with lights and tinsel, but with paper tags carrying names, ages, and wish lists from children and seniors in need. They’re part of a growing network of “angel trees”—a seasonal tradition that connects donors with people who could use a little extra help at Christmas.

The idea is simple. Take a tag from the tree, shop for the listed items, then return the gifts to the organization behind the campaign. The result: thousands of families receiving something they might not otherwise have under the tree.

And thanks to social media, these programs have taken off. Angel trees now pop up in malls, grocery stores, churches, and even in online registries. Here’s a quick look at some of the ways Canadians are taking part.

Salvation Army

The Salvation Army has been part of angel tree efforts for years, typically placing their trees in high-traffic spots like malls and retail stores. In 2024, the group’s Edmonton branch collected 2,071 toys through its Toy Angel Program.

“Every child deserves to experience the joy of Christmas morning,” the organization says on its website.

Availability varies by region, so local chapters may run slightly different versions of the program. Contact your nearest Salvation Army to find out if there’s one in your area.

Prison Fellowship Canada

This angel tree program takes a slightly different approach. Instead of traditional donations, it connects children with gifts from a parent who is currently incarcerated.

“Through this program, children not only receive a gift under the tree at Christmas but maintain connections and bonds with their incarcerated parent,” the organization says.

Last year, Prison Fellowship Canada says it supported 4,904 children, with help from 2,009 sponsors and 117 participating churches. People can sign up to sponsor a child online.

Lethbridge Family Services

In Alberta, Lethbridge Family Services has run an angel tree campaign every year since 1992. Donors can select an “angel” online, or get more details through the charity’s website. The group coordinates gift collection and distribution in the weeks leading up to Christmas.

Community Care of St. Catharines and Thorold

In Ontario, Community Care’s “Adopt an Angel” program focuses on toys and winter gear. They’re looking for new, unwrapped gifts for kids aged 0 to 12. The campaign encourages locals to pitch in by either donating items or spreading the word. More info is available on their website.

BGC Ottawa

Formerly part of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada, BGC Ottawa’s angel tree program aims to support around 2,000 children and teens each holiday season. They accept both physical gifts and monetary donations for kids aged six to 18.

Highland Shores Children’s Aid Society

This Ontario-based angel tree drive serves Hastings, Prince Edward, and Northumberland counties. Donations can take the form of money, toys, or gift cards. People can also sign up to sponsor specific children or families by fulfilling wish lists or hosting their own toy drive.

Caring and Sharing Food Bank

In Nova Scotia, the Caring and Sharing Food Bank places angel trees in businesses across Lantz, Enfield, and Elmsdale. The trees display individual wish lists, and donors can also choose to support a whole family. The group helps with food, gifts, and other holiday essentials.

Whether it's through a local food bank, a church, or a national charity, angel trees continue to bring people together at one of the busiest and most financially stressful times of year. The gestures may be small—a toy truck, a winter coat, a gift card—but for families receiving them, the impact can be enormous.

How Angel Tree Programs are Spreading Holiday Cheer Across Canada, and Helping Those in Need

A Christmas tree made of 100,000 balloons is turning heads in Birmingham — and raising thousands for charity at the same time.

The towering 7.6-metre (25-foot) tall tree is being hailed as the UK’s first balloon-based Christmas tree. It sits inside a giant custom-built snow globe on the grounds of Moor Hall Hotel & Spa in Sutton Coldfield, where it will remain on public display until January 6.

It took 20 volunteers five days to complete the inflatable feat, which was the brainchild of balloon artist Naomi Spencer. Her goal? Raise £100,000 for a group of local charities by offering people the chance to sponsor balloons or baubles in memory of loved ones.

“This has never been done in the UK before,” said Spencer, who owns Balloon Colour Blending. “People don’t realize the scale of building a balloon Christmas tree.”

The project came with major logistical hurdles. The team needed engineers, balloon blowers, and designers working together to build the custom frame, pattern the layers, and coordinate the inflation and placement of every balloon — all 100,000 of them. Even the globe itself had to be specially made.

“We brought together 100,000 biodegradable balloons, precision engineering and a bespoke globe to create something magical — and all while supporting vital local charities,” Spencer said.

Visitors can sponsor a single balloon for £2.50, a memorial balloon for £10, or a branded bauble for £125. All proceeds go to 10 UK charities: The Luca Foundation, Acorns Children’s Hospice, Smile for Joel, Kids Village, Buddy Bag Foundation, Tabor Living, KIDS, Black Country Women’s Aid, the Lord Mayor of Birmingham’s Charity, and Help Harry Help Others.

Spencer said the fundraising aspect was just as important as the build itself. “We had a massive team,” she said. “We had engineers, blowers and a design team.”

She came up with the idea as a way to give back during the holidays, combining her technical know-how with a bit of festive spectacle. The result is one of the largest and most intricate balloon sculptures the UK has ever seen — and one that’s making a real difference for families in need.

The tree is now open to visitors, who are encouraged to take photos, make a donation, or dedicate a balloon in someone’s name. The installation will remain in place until the end of the festive season.

Massive Christmas Tree Created Using 100,000 Balloons

Gizmodo

The classic little black dress just got a high-tech makeover.

A team at Cornell University has created the darkest fabric ever made — a soft, wearable textile that reflects just 0.13% of light, earning it the title of “ultrablack.” The breakthrough, published in Nature Communications, merges fashion with science and takes its cues from nature’s original masters of dark style: magnificent riflebirds.

Riflebirds, native to New Guinea and known for their striking courtship dances, sport feathers so black they seem to swallow light. That illusion is more than just pigment — it’s a trick of structure. The birds' feathers contain layers of tiny barbules that bounce and trap light, enhancing the depth of blackness. And now, researchers have managed to mimic that same optical magic in fabric.

“The light basically bounces back and forth between the fibrils, instead of reflecting back out — that’s what creates the ultrablack effect,” explained Hansadi Jayamaha, lead author and Ph.D. student in Cornell’s Department of Human-Centered Design.

To replicate the birds’ plumage, the team dyed white merino wool with polydopamine, a synthetic melanin that mimics the natural pigment found in the birds. Then, they used plasma etching — a technique more common in electronics — to carve nanoscale structures into the fabric, giving it the same light-trapping qualities found in riflebird feathers.

The result? A soft, breathable, stretchable textile that’s blacker than any other fabric on record — and one that stays black no matter the angle you view it from.

“From a design perspective, I think it’s exciting because a lot of the ultrablack that exists isn’t really as wearable as ours,” said Larissa Shepherd, the project’s senior author and a materials scientist at Cornell. “And it stays ultrablack even from wider angles.”

That’s a big deal. Previous attempts at creating ultrablack materials — including one that reflected just 0.005% of light — involved toxic, fragile, or rigid substances that made them impractical for clothing or everyday use. This new textile, by contrast, is flexible and safe, opening the door to a range of real-world applications.

The team showcased its discovery with a nod to fashion history: they used the fabric to sew a tiny black dress, adding a flash of iridescent blue in tribute to the riflebirds that inspired it.

Beyond fashion, the material could have serious implications for industries like aerospace, solar energy, and optical engineering. Ultrablack materials are highly sought after for use in telescopes, cameras, and solar panels, where reducing stray light can dramatically boost performance.

But it's not just about optics. The fabric is also a case study in biomimicry — the practice of looking to nature for engineering inspiration. By studying how birds achieve one of the darkest colors in the natural world, researchers found a way to solve a challenge that has long frustrated materials scientists.

Ultrablack, in this context, isn’t just a color — it’s a measure of how little light is reflected. Anything that reflects less than 0.5% of incoming light qualifies. Riflebird feathers, and now this fabric, hit that mark effortlessly. That makes it not just dark to the eye, but almost invisible under certain lighting conditions.

The team has already filed for provisional patent protection and hopes to bring the material to market soon. For now, the little ultrablack dress stands as proof of concept — and a striking example of how science can be as stylish as it is functional.

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