Engineers Have Developed a Fabric That Can Respond to Changing Temperatures

A new fabric has been developed that can respond to changing temperatures, heating up or cooling down its wearer as needed. The fabric is made of nano-threads containing a phase-change material that can store and release large amounts of heat. The fabric also has electrothermal and photothermal coatings that enhance the effect. This allows the fabric to both quickly cool the wearer down and warm them up as conditions change.

Read More

Through a Macro Lens, Slime Moulds Become Works of Art

Slime moulds are not animals, not plants, and not fungi. But through the lens of Barry Webb’s camera, they’ve become something else entirely—art. Webb, a gardener by day and macro photographer by passion, captures detailed images of slime moulds so small, they’re barely visible to the naked eye. His award-winning photography has drawn attention to these mysterious organisms, which often go unnoticed despite their vibrant colours and alien shapes. “It’s not fungi, it’s not a plant, it’s not animal. It’s more closely related to an amoeba,” Webb said. He first stumbled upon slime moulds in 2019, unaware they even existed. But when COVID lockdowns restricted travel, he began exploring local woodlands west of London, where he started noticing strange, otherworldly forms clinging to rotting logs and fallen leaves. That curiosity soon turned into obsession. Slime moulds are single-celled organisms that live on bacteria, algae, and fungi. They’re an important part of the ecosystem, breaking down decaying matter. And while they don’t stay in their fruiting body form for long, it’s in this short-lived stage that they become most visually striking. That’s when Webb gets to work. Using a high-powered macro lens and a technique called focus bracketing, he captures dozens—sometimes more than 100—images of a single subject. Each image is focused on a slightly different part of the slime mould. He then blends them together using software, creating a single image with razor-sharp detail across the entire structure. “Due to the size of the subject, one picture would not do them justice. You can get virtually nothing in focus,” he explained. “You take multiple pictures, sometimes over 100, and it takes tiny little slithers of focus. Then you put all those into software, and that creates your final image.” It used to be a laborious process. Webb would manually adjust the focus for every single shot. “Years ago, I would have to do that all myself. Now it does it for me. It’s all clever stuff,” he said. His work has not gone unnoticed. Webb recently won the people’s choice award in the macro category at the British Photography Awards. His slime mould images, often glowing in surreal purples, oranges, and metallic silvers, resemble microscopic alien worlds. But beyond the beauty, slime moulds have some surprising practical value. The Royal Horticultural Society notes they’ve been used in simulations to model urban transportation networks and even in research related to dark matter. Slime moulds can be found in forests, deserts, and even gardens. But until recently, few people paid them much attention. That’s changing, thanks to Webb’s photos, which reveal a hidden layer of nature that was there all along. The images give a close-up look at something profoundly overlooked. In doing so, they remind viewers that there’s still wonder to be found—if you’re willing to look closely enough.

Read More

This 25-Year-Old Diver is Going Viral for Saving Sharks on British Beaches

A 25-year-old diver from East Sussex is going viral for his efforts to rescue sharks and protect marine life along the British coast — and he’s doing it all with the help of social media. Gio Reale, based in Lewes, has been diving since he was 11 years old and now shares his underwater adventures on Instagram and TikTok to showcase the hidden beauty of UK marine life. His most popular video — the hatching and release of a baby catshark — has racked up over 1.3 million views. Reale’s passion has led him to rescue stranded sharks, set up a hatchery at Brighton Watersports, and save hundreds of cuttlefish. One of his most remarkable moments happened mid-interview with BBC South East, when he spotted a live catshark on Brighton Beach, rescued it, and returned it to the ocean after helping it recover. “I just get in the water as much as I can,” he said. “The UK is so unexplored for diving — I want people to see how incredible it really is.” Thanks to his hatchery, Reale has successfully reared and released three sharks and helped save more than 200 cuttlefish so far. His goal? Inspire more people to care about the marine life on their doorstep.

Read More

Boston Teens are Fighting Food Waste And Insecurity With Their Own Innovative Program

In the face of two growing crises — food insecurity and food waste — a pair of Boston high school students are proving that real change can start with young people and a simple idea. Arianna Sun and Sofia Hennessy, the teen founders of NoVasta, have created a program that helps redirect unsold, still-edible food from stores and restaurants to people who need it. Since its launch, the student-led initiative has already helped provide more than 15,000 meals — all while keeping food out of landfills. “It’s given us a lot of hope to see that even though it’s such a big problem, there are a lot of people... that are willing to work and find ways to contribute to this cause,” Hennessy told The Boston Globe. NoVasta — a name inspired by the Latin for "no waste" — isn’t just a good idea. It’s becoming a movement. Over the past two years, the group has joined the national Zero Waste Coalition, partnered with state legislators, and inspired other teens across the country to launch similar efforts in their own communities. Sun and Hennessy say they’ve heard from students in other cities who were already seeing the same issues, just waiting for someone to show them how to start. “We’re really happy that we were that catalyst for them,” said Sun. The problem they’re addressing is massive. In the U.S., up to 40% of all food goes to waste — even as millions face hunger. Food production also uses vast resources: land, water, labor, fuel, and energy. When food is thrown away, so is everything that went into producing it. And the impact doesn’t stop there. In landfills, food waste breaks down and releases methane — a powerful greenhouse gas that accelerates climate change. That warming, in turn, worsens extreme weather events like floods, wildfires, droughts, and storms. But efforts like NoVasta show that local, creative solutions can help — even when the problem feels too big to solve. Volunteers with NoVasta work with stores and restaurants to recover food that would otherwise be tossed. That food is then redistributed to shelters, food banks, and community groups serving people in need. It’s a simple model, but one that’s already making a difference. And while the team’s results are impressive, the founders hope their greatest impact is in inspiring others. “Every student we talked to noticed the same issue in their own city,” said Sun. “They’ve sort of just been waiting for a catalyst to start.” Thanks to these teens, they may have just found one.

Read More

After 7 Years in a Shelter, Onyx the Pit Bull Finds a Forever Home on Christmas Eve

After spending the better part of a decade waiting behind shelter walls, a 9-year-old pit bull mix named Onyx finally got the one gift he needed most: a home. The long-time resident of the Animal Charity of Ohio had lived at the shelter for nearly seven years — more than 2,400 days — when his story finally found its way to the right family. It happened on Christmas Eve. Onyx was originally brought to the shelter in 2018 as part of an abuse case. Since then, the team at ACO has worked tirelessly to care for him, advocate for him, and search for a family that could give him the life he deserved. But despite multiple potential adopters over the years, the right match never materialized. That began to change when Taylor Gordon, a photographer working with the rescue, started posting about Onyx online earlier this year. “Our loving boy has been here for over 6.5 years,” she wrote in a March post. “Please consider adopting Onyx. He would love to have a life outside of this room.” One of those posts reached Joey Kinsley — better known as Sir Yacht — a content creator and musician with a following of nearly 200,000 on Instagram. Kinsley started sharing videos of Onyx, helping spread the word further. On December 24, he posted the update everyone had been hoping for. “The textbook definition of a Christmas miracle,” he wrote. “Because of you, Onyx is getting a forever home. Never give up.” Four days later, the Animal Charity of Ohio shared a video of Onyx walking out of the shelter for the last time — down a red carpet, no less. “After 7 years patiently waiting for his forever home, Onyx finally left the shelter today,” the caption read. “It was a bittersweet send-off... but we couldn’t be happier for him. He’ll finally get to know what a true family feels like.” According to ACO, the family that came forward had seen the recent surge of publicity and “matched up perfectly” with Onyx. They haven’t been publicly identified, but sent an update to Sir Yacht, who shared it with his followers. “He is doing extremely well!!” the family wrote. “He’s really surprised me. I thought there would be more adjustment... but he’s just chill and calm. He’s a happy, sweet boy.” Jenny Falvey, president of the ACO board, told WKBN that Onyx had been a favorite among staff and volunteers for years. “We've spent lots of time with him and always hoped to find him that special home,” she said. Taylor Gordon, who played a key role in Onyx’s adoption story, expressed her gratitude in a post of her own: “Sir Yacht made such a huge difference for Onyx and for the organization. He never gave up on him.” Now, Onyx is exactly where he belongs — lounging comfortably in a home filled with love.

Read More

Stranger Welcomes Fans Into Home After Heated Rivalry Forces Them From Local Bar

It started as a snowy inconvenience and ended as a night 21 strangers won’t forget. On December 12, a group of Heated Rivalry fans bundled up and headed to Wilka’s in New York City for a season finale watch party. The bar was packed before the event even started. Lines stretched out into the street, snow falling, spirits still high. But with capacity maxed out and no nearby bars able to show the episode properly, the night could have easily fizzled. Instead, Jon Chan — a fan in line like everyone else — offered a solution: “I live literally a block away. Why don’t we all just go to my place?” No one expected the night to turn into something so personal, so communal, or so joyful. “We stopped at a bodega for snacks and ginger ale — which felt so on-brand for the show — and then headed to Jon’s apartment,” said attendee Catherine Daniel, who later posted a TikTok that helped the moment go viral. “It was such a fun and spontaneous evening.” Inside Chan’s living room, 21 people — most of whom had never met — gathered around the TV to watch the finale. Some had already seen it. Others were watching for the first time. But the reactions were collective: gasps, laughs, tears, hugs. “Those of us who had already watched sat in the corner and recorded the group whenever we knew a big moment was coming,” Daniel said. “Seeing everyone feel the same emotions was so comforting.” Chan had spent most of the day alone. He wasn’t feeling great and had only left the house to catch the bar event. “There were maybe 50 people stranded outside, peeking through the glass,” he said. “I just figured — I have space, I love the show, and this fandom has been so kind. Why not?” The group called their newly formed chat Jon’s Cottage — a nod to episode six of the show — and quickly started planning what to do for season two. The apartment may have been temporary, but the friendships weren’t. One moment hit especially hard for Chan — a scene where the character Shane opens up to his mom. “I’m a millennial, I’m Asian, and I came out at 14. It wasn’t easy then,” he said. “That scene brought everything back.” When fellow guests saw him get emotional, they comforted him without hesitation. “These were strangers an hour earlier,” Chan said. “Recovering from heartbreak has been hard. To have this unexpected gift of community meant everything.” The warmth extended beyond the episode. Guests stayed behind to help clean up. They offered thanks, hugs, and shared stories. Some posted about the night on social media. Daniel’s TikTok, captioned “When you try to go to a bar to watch Heated Rivalry but it’s too crowded so you form a crew to find your own cottage,” resonated with thousands. “Made some friends at the Wilka’s line,” another attendee wrote on Instagram. “Ended up at a stranger’s apartment and had an impromptu watch party.” For many in the group, it wasn’t just about the show. It was about representation. About connection. About what it means to find common ground — and joy — with total strangers. “It’s been so great to see a show like this with an Asian man as a romantic lead,” said attendee Louise Cheer. “People are just eating it up.” As for Chan, he’s still reflecting on how the night unfolded. “It felt like the kind of spontaneous community moment that could only happen in New York City,” he said. “I can’t imagine a better way to end this show — and this year. It’s a moment I’ll never forget.”

Read More

104-Year-Old WWII Vet Captivates Crowd With Moving Saxophone National Anthem at Islanders Game

Moments before puck drop at a recent New York Islanders game, a packed arena fell silent as a 104-year-old man took his seat at center ice. Wearing a “World War II Veteran” cap, Dominick Critelli raised his saxophone — and delivered a version of the national anthem that no one in the building is likely to forget. There was no flashy arrangement. No vocal fireworks. Just one man, a century-old horn, and a hauntingly heartfelt rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner.” As Critelli played the final sustained note, the 17,000 fans inside UBS Arena rose to their feet, erupting in chants of “USA! USA!” with some visibly emotional in the crowd. The NHL team later posted the performance online, where it quickly went viral. Comments poured in from viewers moved by the moment — not just for the music, but for what it represented. “This man is a National treasure. All of our Veterans are,” wrote one user. “To live through one of the world's biggest wars and still live to 104.” Others couldn’t believe the physical feat alone. “I'm half his age and don’t have near that lung capacity,” one viewer joked. “There were no crazy notes or showmanship,” another commented. “Just 100% patriotism. Exactly how it should be played.” Critelli, who served in the U.S. Army during World War II, was honored earlier this year with the French Legion of Honor for helping liberate France. Speaking to The New York Post, he recalled meeting President Emmanuel Macron: “He pins a medal on me, kisses me on both cheeks, and I ask, ‘If I’m a knight, where’s my sword and horse?’” The centenarian credited his longevity to good humor — and a nightly half-glass of wine. Despite his age, Critelli still performs regularly. And while the melody of “The Star-Spangled Banner” might be familiar, it’s a notoriously difficult piece to play — especially solo, and especially in front of thousands. That’s part of what made the moment so remarkable. “I was at the game,” one fan commented on YouTube. “Not only to have this amazing person lead the way with the national anthem, but the crowd singing along in such a subtle tone. It was a very emotional experience.” Another wrote, “I think because things are so bad right now, this brought me to tears right away. And another thing, never forget that it ain’t over till it’s over. You’re young as you think you are.” For one night, and one stirring performance, Dominick Critelli reminded thousands — and now, millions — what strength, humility, and patriotism can sound like.

Read More

MacKenzie Scott Donated $7.2 Billion in 2025 — Her Biggest Year Yet

MacKenzie Scott is continuing to reshape modern philanthropy, not through flashy announcements or splashy press conferences, but by quietly giving away staggering amounts of money. In a blog post published earlier this month, Scott revealed she donated $7.2 billion in 2025 — her largest single-year total to date. The announcement brings her six-year philanthropic tally to over $26 billion, placing her just behind Warren Buffett and Bill Gates in lifetime giving. Scott’s net worth, estimated at $30 billion, comes largely from her stake in Amazon following her divorce from company founder Jeff Bezos. She pledged in 2019 to donate the majority of her fortune, and based on the past year’s pace, she’s rapidly closing in on that goal. Her 2025 donations more than doubled her 2024 total of $2.6 billion and more than tripled the $2.1 billion given in 2023. But even as headlines fixate on the scale of her giving, Scott urged people to look at the broader picture. “This dollar total will likely be reported in the news, but any dollar amount is a vanishingly tiny fraction of the personal expressions of care being shared into communities this year,” she wrote. She highlighted data from 2020 showing $471 billion in U.S. charitable donations — nearly a third of which came from gifts under $5,000 — to underscore the impact of collective giving. A Closer Look at 2025 Of nearly 200 organizations supported by Scott this year, about 120 had received grants from her before. The biggest single recipient was Forests, People, Climate (FPC) — a group focused on reversing tropical deforestation — which received $90 million. That grant brought FPC’s total funding to more than $1 billion. “Now is the time for climate philanthropy to take action with vision and courage,” said FPC executive director Lindsey Allen, calling for support of “the bold leaders best suited to protect” forests. The second-largest gift went to Ocean Resilience & Climate Alliance, another environmental group. But education was the biggest category overall, receiving 18 percent of Scott’s total giving for the year. Scott gave: • $70 million each to the UNCF and Thurgood Marshall College Fund (both supporting HBCUs) • $63 million each to Prairie View A&M, Morgan State University, and Howard University • $70 million to the Hispanic Scholarship Fund • $50 million to the Native Forward Scholars Fund Other top categories included economic security (13 percent), regranting organizations (13 percent), environmental causes (12 percent), and efforts in health, democracy, equity and justice, and arts and culture. Unrestricted Giving, Outsized Impact What makes Scott’s approach so unusual isn’t just the size of her gifts, but the way she gives. Most of her grants are unrestricted, meaning recipients can use the funds however they see fit. Grants are largely unsolicited — organizations don’t apply — and Scott only acknowledges her giving a few times a year through blog posts. A recent study from the Center for Effective Philanthropy found that nearly 90 percent of organizations that received Scott’s grants reported improved long-term financial sustainability. The median grant size was $5 million. Personal Stories Behind the Giving In her post, Scott wrote about the people who shaped her understanding of generosity — including a local dentist who gave her free dental work during college, and a college roommate who loaned her $1,000 so she wouldn’t have to drop out. That roommate, Jeannie Tarkenton, later founded Funding U, a student lending company that offers loans to low-income students without co-signers. Scott said she was “thrilled to jump at the chance” to invest in Tarkenton’s mission, noting that this support would be an investment, not a donation. That move aligns with Scott’s growing interest in “mission-aligned ventures” — for-profit companies aimed at solving public challenges like affordable housing and access to healthcare. She announced in 2024 that she would begin funding such ventures alongside her charitable work. Quiet, But Transformational While many billionaires prefer to control how their money is used or seek public recognition, Scott’s model flips that dynamic. She lets organizations lead, often without fanfare, and rarely comments outside of her blog posts. But the results are unmistakable. In just six years, she’s pushed billions directly into the hands of schools, nonprofits, and local leaders — many of whom were long overlooked by traditional philanthropy. She doesn’t just write big checks. She’s rewriting the rules.

Read More

The World’s Oldest Cat, Flossie, Just Turned 30 — That's roughly 136 in Human Years

Flossie, the world’s oldest living cat, turned 30 years old this week, an age that roughly equates to almost 140 in human years. Born on 29 December 1995, Flossie has defied expectations and earned a place in the Guinness Book of Records for her remarkable longevity. Despite her advanced age, she remains lively, waking early for breakfast and spending her days alternating between sleep and play. Flossie’s long life has been marked by loyalty and care from three different owners. She lived with her first owner for 10 years until his death, then spent another 14 years with his sister. After her second owner also passed away, Flossie was adopted by Victoria Green, who now cares for her in Orpington, England. Speaking to The Guardian last year, Green said Flossie still surprises her with how active she is. She even bought the cat a small ladder to help her onto the sofa—but Flossie ignored it completely and prefers to keep jumping instead. “She’s lived this long mostly thanks to luck and because her previous owners loved her,” Green said. These days, Flossie follows a special diet tailored to her age but shows no signs of slowing down. Flossie’s story has captured hearts worldwide—not just because of her record-breaking age, but because of the love and care that has followed her throughout her life.

Read More

Memphis Zoo Celebrates Birth of Critically Endangered Orangutan

A team of specialists and experts collaborated to successfully deliver a critically endangered orangutan baby via cesarean section, Memphis Zoo announced on Saturday, December 27. In a press release, the zoo said it was “proud” to introduce Ruhana “Ru,” born earlier in December to mother Jahe. Ru was a cesarean birth, “uncommon” in orangutans, Memphis Zoo said in a press release. The zoo said a specialized team including veterinary experts, an OB-GYN, a neonatologist, and neonatal nurse practitioners supported Jahe before, during, and after the birth. “The name Ruhana means soul, spirit, or essence of life in Sanskrit and honors Ruhana Kuddus, the first female Indonesian journalist and a pioneering advocate for women’s rights. The name was chosen to reflect strength, resilience, and the legacy of powerful women,” Memphis Zoo said. “Ru and Jahe will remain behind the scenes until both are ready to explore their exhibit. We will be sure to share that with Zoo fans when the time comes.”

Rome Is Using Lasers to Clean the 1,800-Year-Old Column of Marcus Aurelius

For the first time in decades, the towering Column of Marcus Aurelius in central Rome is getting a deep clean — but instead of brushes and chisels, workers are now wielding lasers. Rising 47 meters above Piazza Colonna, just steps from the Italian prime minister’s residence, the marble column has stood since the second century C.E. It’s been cleaned before, most recently in the 1980s. But this time, conservators are trying something new: short-pulse lasers that strip away centuries of grime without damaging the delicate carvings underneath. “It was practically black when we started. It was in a really bad way,” said archaeologist Marta Baumgartner, who is leading the restoration. The lasers shoot concentrated bursts of light onto the column’s surface. That heat breaks up the dirt and pollution caked into the stone — much of it from smog — without abrasive scrubbing. Baumgartner told the Associated Press the method delivers excellent results and still shows “great respect” for the marble. The approach is similar to laser skin treatments used in medicine, according to Reuters, but scaled up for ancient stone. The Marcus Aurelius column was built between 180 and 193 C.E. to commemorate the Roman emperor’s military campaigns. Like the more famous Trajan’s Column nearby, it’s wrapped in a dramatic, spiraling frieze that climbs 23 turns up the shaft. More than 2,000 intricately carved figures depict Roman soldiers, enemy warriors, gods, and captives — including scenes of violence and tragedy. “The scenes are bloody and violent,” Baumgartner said. “You see women being grabbed by their hair as they try to save their children. They would have become slaves. They’re really dramatic images.” These carvings aren’t just for show. They’ve become valuable sources for historians studying Roman armor, battle tactics, and daily life in the legions. “It’s almost like a film or a series of photographs,” Baumgartner said. To reach the column’s upper levels, teams have surrounded the monument with scaffolding. Workers use hand-held laser devices from various angles to access tight corners and shadowed reliefs. They're also refreshing the spiral staircase inside, which leads to the top for sweeping views of Rome. Laser cleaning isn’t the only method being used. Crews are also relying on more traditional tools — including water, sponges, chemical poultices, and spatulas — to clean and stabilize the structure. They’re filling in small gaps with plaster where needed. The full restoration is expected to wrap by spring 2026 and will cost around $2.3 million. The project is being funded partly by the European Union’s post-pandemic recovery initiative. Originally, the column was crowned with a statue of Marcus Aurelius himself. But in 1589, Pope Sixtus V swapped it out for a statue of St. Paul, which still stands today. Despite the grime and damage that builds over time, the artistry remains striking. The figures near the top are carved slightly larger than those at the bottom — a visual technique meant to guide the viewer’s eyes upward, through the story. “It really drags the viewer in,” said restorer Valentin Nitu. “Seeing it phase by phase, scene by scene, with the truly wonderful details.” Now, thanks to lasers and a careful hand, that story is about to shine through more clearly than it has in decades.

Read More