These Seed-Planting Drones Are Reforesting Canada With Lightning Speed

In just a few years, Flash Forest has become the leading drone reforestation company in the world, planting trees across Canada and looking to expand its reach. The company's innovative approach is powered by technology, with drones deployed to shoot "seed pods" onto fire-damaged land. In addition to helping replant forests after fires, this process can also be used to prevent future fires by growing biodiverse, tree-rich landscapes.

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Three Rare Gems Were Just Salvaged From London's River Thames

London's River Thames is a treasure trove of history, offering up artifacts that tell the stories of past generations. These discoveries are brought to light by mudlarks, dedicated individuals who scour the riverbanks for relics. Now, their finds are showcased in "Secrets of the Thames," an exhibition at the London Museum’s Docklands location, running through March 1, 2026. Mudlarking has been a part of London life for centuries. Participants must have a permit from the Port of London Authority and report their finds to the London Museum under the U.K.’s Portable Antiquities Scheme. Kate Sumnall, curator of the exhibition and former liaison officer for these discoveries, shared her excitement about the range of items unearthed. “Every single tide, the mudlarks are finding new little bits and pieces of past Londoners,” Sumnall said. The exhibition features objects like prehistoric fish traps, a Bronze Age arrowhead, and even an 18th-century set of false teeth. Among notable finds is a large fragment of a Roman amphora discovered by mudlark Guy Phillips. This piece once carried olive oil from Spain to Londinium during Roman times. Another highlight is an intricate 16th-century ivory sundial found in two parts eight years apart by different mudlarks. The exhibition also tells the story behind Doves Type—a typeface thrown into the Thames in 1916 by T.J. Cobden-Sanderson amid a dispute with his business partner Emery Walker. Mudlark Robert Green recovered hundreds of pieces nearly a century later. Sumnall emphasized that each artifact holds unique stories about everyday Londoners whose lives shaped history but were never recorded in it.

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Codebreaker Honored: Her Secrets, Stories and a Life Lived To The Fullest

Charlotte "Betty" Webb, a remarkable figure from World War II, is being honored after passing away this week at the age of 101. Known for her work as a codebreaker at Bletchley Park, Webb's contributions remained a secret until 1975. Her story has since captivated audiences eager to learn about her pivotal role in deciphering enemy messages. Sandra Taylor, from the Friends of Mercian Regiment Museum in Worcestershire, fondly remembered Webb as one of those "indomitable" individuals who quietly shaped history. "Her memory was superb. Her sense of humor was great," Taylor said, recalling how Webb's talks drew large crowds eager to hear her firsthand accounts. Webb's ability to bring history to life was unparalleled. She shared vivid details not just about codebreaking but also about her social life during the war—stories that books alone could not capture. "She was there; she could describe in detail down to the dances she went to, the men that she met," Taylor noted. Despite keeping her work secret for decades, Webb later embraced opportunities to educate future generations about Bletchley Park's significance. Iain Standen, chief executive of Bletchley Park, praised her passion for storytelling and ensuring that their legacy endured: "She wanted to make sure that everybody down the generations knew." Webb joined Bletchley's operations at 18 and later assisted with Japanese codes at the Pentagon. In recognition of her service, France awarded her its highest honor—the Légion d'Honneur—in 2021. Reflecting on those years, Webb told the BBC in 2023: "For this day and age, that sounds extraordinary... But that was how it had to be." Her humility and dedication continue to inspire many today.

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This New Map is Helping Pinpoint Lone Trees For a Greener England

A new tool is set to revolutionize tree-planting efforts across England, using advanced laser detection and satellite imagery to map non-woodland trees for the first time. Developed by scientists at the UK’s Forest Research agency, this innovative map will go live on Saturday, offering a detailed view of urban and rural tree coverage. The tool aims to assist conservation groups and local authorities in accurately targeting tree-planting initiatives. By identifying isolated trees that could be linked with nearby wooded areas, it seeks to enhance habitats for wildlife. The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) supports this initiative as part of its commitment to expand nature-rich habitats and meet the goal of increasing England's woodland canopy to 16.5 percent by 2050. Forestry Minister Mary Creagh emphasized the importance of street trees, stating they "improve air quality, mark the changing seasons and provide us with peace, shade and joy." She added that the new tree census would help identify areas for creating more nature-rich environments. Sir William Worsley, chair of the Forestry Commission, praised the effort: "The results are spectacular and will be invaluable as we strive to meet our legal target to increase tree-planting cover." Freddie Hunter from Forest Research highlighted the technological advancements: "By using the latest technology...we have been able to pinpoint all tree cover across England." According to Defra, single trees account for 30 percent of England’s tree cover and play a crucial role in carbon storage and climate regulation. The map is part of broader government efforts to boost woodlands through initiatives like a new national forest and sustainable housebuilding projects.

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Mars Chopper to Glide Over Red Planet, Exploring Hidden Canyons

Mars exploration is set to reach new heights with NASA's latest innovation. Building on the success of the Ingenuity helicopter, which completed 72 flights on the Red Planet, NASA is now developing a larger drone known as the Mars Chopper. This SUV-sized craft will feature six rotors, each equipped with six blades, designed to navigate Mars' thin atmosphere. One exciting proposal for this advanced drone is called Nighthawk. Presented at the Lunar and Planetary Science Conference in Texas, Nighthawk aims to explore Eastern Noctis Labyrinthus—a region rich in scientific interest located between Valles Marineris and Tharsis. Unlike Ingenuity, which relied on support from the Perseverance rover, Mars Chopper will operate independently. Nighthawk's mission includes studying potential biomarkers and assessing areas for future human exploration. The region features Noctis Landing, a candidate site for crewed missions. The mission will also investigate water features and volcanic histories within this deeply eroded area. Equipped with three science payloads—OCCAM (an eight-camera color imager), NIRAC spectrometer and context camera, and PMWS (a neutron detector)—Nighthawk will utilize 6.6 pounds of its available payload mass to achieve its goals. It plans to fly up to 4,920 feet above Mars' average altitude over at least 240 sols (Mars days), conducting 100 flights covering up to 1.86 miles each. "Nighthawk's science mission would not be achievable with an Ingenuity-class helicopter," said Pascal Lee of NASA's Ames Research Center in California. "The larger NASA Mars Chopper currently under design could accomplish it." While there's no timeline yet for selecting proposals using Mars Chopper, Nighthawk offers a glimpse into promising possibilities for Martian exploration.

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This Missing Cat was Just Returned Home After a 300-Mile Journey To Scotland

Luna, a missing cat from Darlington, England, has been reunited with her owner after an unexpected journey 300 miles away. Sophie Carty was heartbroken when Luna vanished in November and spent weeks searching for her beloved pet. Four months later, Carty received surprising news: Luna had been found locked in a hotel shed in Inverness, Scotland. "I was inconsolable and asked where she was," Carty said. "That's when the vet told me she was in Inverness." Highland Vet Referrals contacted Carty after Luna was brought to their surgery. Despite being very thin and suffering from malnourishment, an infection, and suspected nerve damage, Luna is now recovering at home. "On her first couple of nights home, Luna was in a very bad way," Carty said. "However, after a trip to the vets, antibiotics and painkillers, she is like a new cat." Luna's microchip played a crucial role in reuniting her with Carty. A local vet scanned the chip to find her owner's contact details. Now back together with Luna, Carty urges all pet owners to ensure their animals are microchipped. "It is so easy for cats to go walkabout or hop in the back of a van and travel miles," she said. "If it wasn't for her microchip, we would have never seen her again." Carty emphasizes keeping microchip details up-to-date, as you never know when your pet might embark on an unexpected adventure.

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Young Lobster Fisherman Nets $45K Prize To Reel In Safer Life-Jackets

Ben Collings-Mackay, a fourth-year business student at St. Francis Xavier University in Antigonish, Nova Scotia, has big plans for the $45,000 Frank H. Sobey scholarship he recently received. As one of eight recipients this year, Collings-Mackay is channeling his funds into CM Marine Safety Equipment, a company dedicated to developing an innovative life-jacket for commercial fishermen. The life-jacket aims to be less cumbersome than traditional ones and features automatic inflation upon water contact. It also includes a GPS system that sends location pings to nearby boats and emergency services, along with a strobe light for easier visibility. Collings-Mackay's inspiration stems from personal experiences on the water. His great-grandfather survived a 1958 boating accident that claimed the life of his colleague Ernest Brown. More recently, Collings-Mackay witnessed firsthand the dangers of fishing when he saw a man who had fallen overboard but survived without wearing a life-jacket. "Engineers and lawyers aren't cheap," said Collings-Mackay, 22, from Montague, Prince Edward Island. "And it's going to be great to be able to keep pushing this project further down the road and get it one step closer to saving somebody's life." His company is collaborating with an engineering firm on prototype development and plans to file patent applications soon. The goal is regulatory approval from agencies like Transport Canada and the U.S. Coast Guard. Mary Oxner, one of Collings-Mackay’s professors, noted the complexity of his venture compared to typical student projects: "It requires extensive testing...it's a complex thing to do when you're young." For Collings-Mackay, ensuring safety on the water isn't just business—it's personal motivation driven by family ties and community safety concerns.

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Michelangelo's Masterpieces Multiply: 3D Replicas Bring Sculptures Closer Than Ever

Michelangelo's masterpieces have found a new home at the National Gallery of Denmark, offering art enthusiasts a rare opportunity to experience nearly all of his existing sculptures in one place. This exhibition, titled "Michelangelo Imperfect," is hailed as the most comprehensive display of the artist's sculptural work in 150 years. Instead of transporting original works like the iconic 17-foot-tall David from Florence, the museum showcases around 40 reproductions. These include a set of meticulously crafted 3D-printed copies by Madrid-based studio Factum Arte. The exhibition features a variety of replicas, such as a 19th-century bronze version of "David" and plaster casts from the Medici Chapel tombs. Curator Matthias Wivel described the exhibit as an experiment that largely consists of reproductions. “It’s not something you see so often,” he said. The show also includes original Michelangelo drawings and maquettes. Factum Arte employed advanced techniques to create these replicas, using photogrammetry and Lidar scanning to produce digital twins before casting them in a marble composite for authenticity. Adam Lowe, founder of Factum Arte, emphasized their goal: “Our goal is to make the (artworks) visually identical under exhibition conditions.” The SMK's collection already included many Michelangelo casts, making it an ideal venue for this ambitious project. Visitors can now explore Michelangelo’s artistry without traveling across Europe or viewing pieces behind glass barriers. This groundbreaking exhibition not only brings together Michelangelo’s works but also highlights how technology can aid in art conservation and accessibility. As Wivel noted, “You get a richer experience of him as a sculptor by seeing it this way.”

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The Hubble Telescope Just Captured This Cosmic Artistry in Action

ESA/Hubble celebrates its 35th anniversary by sharing a new image series featuring the stunning star cluster NGC 346. This image combines the latest Hubble data and processing techniques to create an intricate view of this vibrant star-forming factory in the Small Magellanic Cloud. With over 2,500 newborn stars, NGC 346's massive stars illuminate the cluster with intense blue light, sculpting pink nebulae and dark clouds. Hubble's observations reveal the spiraling motion of stars towards the cluster's center, fueled by gas streams from outside. The young age of this star cluster is indicated by the presence of N66, a bright H II region set aglow by ultraviolet light from hot, young stars like those in NGC 346. This discovery highlights Hubble's ongoing contributions to our understanding of the universe as a project of international cooperation between NASA and ESA.

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This Boy astounded His Classmates with his ability to do 50 bird calls

Samuel Henderson, an 11-year-old from Choctaw, Oklahoma, has captivated his community with a remarkable talent: the ability to mimic around 50 bird calls with precision. "Some people say that I swallowed birds," said Henderson, who is autistic and has Tourette syndrome. Among his repertoire are the calls of blue jays, tufted titmice, and robins. The barn swallow remains his most challenging imitation. For years, Samuel practiced alone on the playground's back fence. His peers at Nicoma Park Intermediate School were unaware of his skills until he decided to participate in the 2024 school talent show. Historically dominated by singing and dancing acts, no special education student had ever competed before. His mother, Lori Henderson, was apprehensive about potential teasing. "Because some kids can be mean," she said. "…It would just break my heart if that were to have happened." However, encouraged by his teacher to showcase his gift, Samuel took a leap of faith. Initially met with confusion as he began performing on stage, Samuel soon mesmerized the audience with lifelike bird sounds. "It really sounded like there was a bird in the building," one student remarked. As he continued his performance with confidence and passion, admiration replaced uncertainty among his classmates. "He's brave; he's really brave," another student noted about Samuel's courage to perform publicly. "The kids were roaring," Lori recalled proudly. "I was so happy to see him living his dreams." Nearly a year later, Samuel continues to enchant others on the playground by teaching classmates how to crow like birds themselves.

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This 100-year-old hasn't missed a daily diary entry in nearly 90 years

Evie Riski's lifelong commitment to journaling began with a simple Christmas gift—a diary from her father. At just 10 years old, she penned her first entry on January 1, 1936: “Grandmas were at our place.” Now, nearly nine decades later, Evie continues this daily ritual. On January 2 of this year, Evie marked her 100th birthday with an entry noting that Wanda had come to do her hair for the occasion. Her daughter, Michelle Locken, marvels at her mother's dedication: “Thirty-three-thousand days.” Evie's diaries are neatly stored in a cedar chest in her senior apartment in Lakota, North Dakota. Each volume is marked with the years it covers. Among these entries are significant life events—her marriage to Don Riski on February 8, 1954; the births of their three children; and historical moments like the bombing of Pearl Harbor and the assassination of John F. Kennedy. Michelle describes these diaries as a family treasure: “You can’t imagine your whole life in books.” Her sister Linda Riske-Lundeen adds that reading them gives you chills because it's not just history—it's their mother’s perspective. Despite leaving school after eighth grade due to the Great Depression, Evie found time for writing while running a meat locker with Don and raising their children. She reflects simply on this habit: “I enjoy it.” After Don passed away in 2010 following 56 years of marriage, Evie's entries continued to capture both everyday tasks and poignant memories. On her centennial birthday, she wrote succinctly about missing him. For Evie's family, these diaries are more than words—they're a living legacy still unfolding.

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